Patents Issued in July 4, 2017
  • Patent number: 9697311
    Abstract: A method to generate a reduced delay twinaxial SPICE model is provided. The method may include measuring near-end S-parameter components and far-end S-parameter components of a twinaxial cable, reducing an original time delay of the far-end S-parameter components by multiplying each of the far-end S-parameter components by a complex exponential based on an equivalent delay length, a signal frequency, and an effective dielectric constant, simulating a signal transmitted across a twinaxial cable by running a 4-port SPICE model using the near-end S-parameter components and the multiplied far-end S-parameter components, and recording a magnitude and a phase of the transmitted signal with respect to frequency as outputs of the reduced delay twinaxial SPICE model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Zhaoqing Chen
  • Patent number: 9697312
    Abstract: A design system is provided. In one embodiment the design system includes an input module to receive specification data for a designed circuit including a configurable integrated circuit (IC). The configurable IC includes a number of analog elements for which parameters can be set by the design system, and a plurality of configurable signal path elements including an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) that is utilized in a plurality of different signal paths. The design system further includes a design module to generate a design for the designed circuit based on the specification data, and an output module to set parameters of at least one of the analog elements based on the design. Other embodiments are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: David A LeHoty, Antonio Visconti
  • Patent number: 9697313
    Abstract: In Integrated Circuit (IC) Physical Design, the shapes and other geometric objects that are used to represent the mask data have physical coordinates expressed in a Cartesian plane. When the designs are hierarchical, each level of physical hierarchy has its own coordinate system. When viewed from the top level of a hierarchical design, lower-level shapes must be transformed in order to understand their location from the point of view of the top block. Users and algorithms that manipulate physical data across these hierarchy boundaries must go through the tedious task of transforming data, sometimes multiple times, as it is being changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: SYNOPSYS, INC.
    Inventors: Mark William Bales, Jeffrey Jude Loescher, Paul Furnanz
  • Patent number: 9697314
    Abstract: Systems and techniques are described for designing an integrated circuit (IC). Some embodiments identify and preserve slices by using new objects in an IC design data model. One or more IC design representations that are used in an IC design flow may natively support such slice objects. These new objects can enable rapid access and preservation of slices, thereby improving the runtime and/or quality of results (QoR) of an IC design system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: SYNOPSYS, INC.
    Inventors: Eyal Odiz, Jovanka Ciric Vujkovic, Van E. Morgan, Janet L. Olson
  • Patent number: 9697315
    Abstract: A method comprises receiving, in a computer, an input indicative of a drawing of at least a portion of at least one layer of a semiconductor device. The at least one portion of the at least one layer is compared to corresponding portions in corresponding layers of a plurality of previously defined devices stored in a non-transitory machine readable storage medium. Each layer of at least one of the plurality of previously defined devices for which the corresponding portion in the corresponding layer matches the at least one portion of the at least one layer of the semiconductor device is displayed on a display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ya-Min Zhang, Peng-Sheng Chen, Mu-Jen Huang, Ming Feng
  • Patent number: 9697316
    Abstract: Systems and methods for efficient data aggregation with sparse exponential histograms may support a performance monitor monitoring and recording of one or more performance metrics for one of one or more dimensions. In response to receiving performance data, a performance data aggregator may parse the performance data for one of one or more performance metrics and one or more dimensions. A sparse exponential histogram generator may create a sparse exponential histogram with the parsed performance data. The sparse exponential histogram generator may transmit or store the sparse exponential histogram representation for subsequent analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Taylor, Brian Dennehy
  • Patent number: 9697317
    Abstract: An integrated device product having objects positioned in accordance with in-situ constraints. Said in-situ constraints comprise predetermined constraints and their local modifications. These local modifications, individually formulated for a specific pair of objects, account for on-the-spot conditions that influence the optimal positioning of the objects. The present invention improves the yield of integrated devices by adding local process modification distances to the predetermined constraints around processing hotspots thus adding extra safety margin to the device yield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: IYM Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Qi-De Qian
  • Patent number: 9697318
    Abstract: In a first mode, a control circuit generates a circuit design implementation with storage circuits in an integrated circuit by programming configuration memory bits via configuration resources. The storage circuits can be accessed for read and write operations during the execution of the circuit design implementation with the integrated circuit. In a second mode, the control circuit can perform read and write access operations at the storage circuits via configuration resources or via an interface circuit and interconnect resources that are allocated to the circuit design implementation. Typical applications for performing access operations at the storage circuits include fault injection and observation, statistical monitoring of the circuit design, initialization and distribution of certain signals including reset signals, event sampling, just to name a few.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Hutton, Sean Atsatt
  • Patent number: 9697319
    Abstract: A system and method for designing integrated circuits is disclosed. An embodiment comprises placing a standard cell with a first cell height into a cell row with a different height. The standard cell may have a height smaller than the cell row or else may have a height that is larger than the cell row. Vertical fillers and horizontal fillers are utilized to extend and connect the standard cell to adjacent cells without having to redesign the entire cell row.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yun-Han Lee, Wu-An Kuo
  • Patent number: 9697320
    Abstract: Circuits and methods for a system on a chip having non-uniform channel spacings is provided. In an example, a chip is provided that includes a first functional block having a rectilinear shape, the first processing unit having on a side a plurality of channel spacings. A first channel spacing of the plurality of channel spacings is positioned in contact with the side and a second functional block. A second channel spacing of the plurality of channel spacings is positioned in contact with the side and the second functional block. The width of the second channel spacing is non-uniform with the width of the first channel spacing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Sreedhar Gudala, Kumar Gopal Rao, Francis Page, Pak Kin Wong, Sunil Kumar
  • Patent number: 9697321
    Abstract: A method for identifying a value of an unknown circuit component for an analog signal having a known output profile in which a simulation list of the analog circuit is first created including the component with the unknown value. A transfer function for the known output value is then created using a programmed processor and the transfer function is then solved by the processor for the value of the unknown component. For nonlinear circuit components, a linear model is substituted for the nonlinear components prior to creating the simulation list.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuan Xiao, Donald J. McCune, Can Wang, Heming Chen, Sujit Phatak, Yasuhiro Ito
  • Patent number: 9697322
    Abstract: A method and system to perform physical synthesis in a chip design process using hierarchical wire-pin co-optimization are described. The method includes providing boundary conditions to each of a plurality of macros of the chip design from a unit level controller, the boundary conditions including initial pin locations and an indication of which of the pins are movable pins for each of the plurality of macros, performing macro-level physical synthesis at each of the plurality of macros, and providing feedback to the unit level controller based on the macro-level physical synthesis performed at each of the plurality of macros, the feedback including a proposed new location for the movable pins of each of the plurality of blocks. The method also includes performing hierarchical co-optimization at the unit level controller based on the feedback from each of the plurality of macros to determine locations for the movable pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christopher J. Berry, Ajith Kumar M. Chandrasekaran, Randall J. Darden, Shyam Ramji, Sourav Saha
  • Patent number: 9697323
    Abstract: A computer system with one or more processors and memory performs a breadth-first-search for an analysis of a digital circuit that includes a plurality of components. The computer system identifies two or more N generation components, initiates processing of the two or more N generation components, and subsequent to initiating the processing of the two or more N generation components, receives results of processing a subset, less than all, of the two or more N generation components. Prior to receiving results of processing all of the N generation components, the computer system identifies one or more N+1 generation components, and initiates processing of the one or more identified N+1 generation components. Subsequently, the computer system receives results of processing at least a subset of the one or more identified N+1 generation components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Chyou and Hsu Family Trust 2013
    Inventor: Shang-Woo Chyou
  • Patent number: 9697324
    Abstract: A system for concurrent target diagnostics is disclosed. The system comprises dedicated FPGA for generating test data to test target connections between an emulator and a target system. In this way, domains of the emulator may continue to emulate at least a portion of a hardware design during the testing of the target connections. Further, a multiplexer operable to select target connections for testing eliminates errors resulting from manual swapping of target connections during the testing process. The system further comprises multiple paths to a target pod. The paths enable monitoring and reporting on the status of target connections between an emulator and a target system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: CADENCE DESIGN SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Sundar Rajan, Charles R. Berghorn, Mitchell G. Poplack
  • Patent number: 9697325
    Abstract: In a method, a layout of a device having a pattern of features is provided. The method continues to include identifying a first portion of at least one feature of the plurality of features. An image criteria for the first portion may be assigned. A lithography optimization parameter is determined based on the assigned image criteria for the first portion. Finally, the first portion of the at least one feature is imaged onto a semiconductor substrate using the determined lithography optimization parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shih-Ming Chang, Ming-Yo Chung, Tzu-Chun Lo, Ying-Hao Su
  • Patent number: 9697326
    Abstract: Embodiments are presented for topology graph optimization. A design geometry is represented as a graph. Engineering objectives and constraints are associated with a graph representation of a design geometry. The graph representation of the design geometry is iteratively refined for analysis using an optimization algorithm. The graph representation of the design geometry is evaluated according to constraints and objectives associated with the desired resulting design. The optimization results can be further refined by updating objectives and constraints. The optimization results may be machined directly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Inventors: Kelly Eric Bowman, Richard Ryan Watson
  • Patent number: 9697327
    Abstract: A “dynamic” reference is presented that utilizes population level information to improve reference-based alignment to detect novel, deleterious, or functional variants in clinical sequencing applications. An automatically updated database of known genetic variants is provided to a memory connected with an integrated circuit configured for genetic sequence data with the dynamic reference and reference variants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Edico Genome Corporation
    Inventors: Robert McMillen, Michael Ruehle, John Cooper Roddey
  • Patent number: 9697328
    Abstract: There is provided a transmission apparatus including a video signal transmission unit configured to transmit a video signal to another apparatus, a time information reception unit configured to receive, from the other apparatus, time information including a duration from reception of the video signal until a timing at which display of each frame in the video signal starts at the other apparatus, and a degree-of-redundancy determination unit configured to determine a degree of redundancy for the video signal transmitted from the video signal transmission unit based on the time information received by the time information reception unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Sanjeewa Ranatunga
  • Patent number: 9697329
    Abstract: Various aspects of the invention provide systems and methods for improving the privacy-protection of the exchange of STD's test results and the utility of STD test results. One aspect of the invention provides a computer-implemented method of improving privacy-protection during the exchange of STD test results by preventing the exchange of STD test results if user-definable criteria are not met and deliberately obscuring the cause of prevented attempts at exchanging STD test results. The method includes providing a software application for importing STD test results; inputting criteria; attempting to exchange STD test results; and either preventing or allowing the exchange of STD test results at a plurality of stages. Another aspect of the invention provides a computer-implemented method of improving the utility of STD test results by recommending safe sexual contact practices and sexual health-related products and services based upon the use of algorithms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Inventor: Michael Wei-Chi Wong
  • Patent number: 9697330
    Abstract: Embodiments include a system for determining cardiovascular information for a patient. The system may include at least one computer system configured to receive patient-specific data regarding a geometry of the patient's heart, and create a three-dimensional model representing at least a portion of the patient's heart based on the patient-specific data. The at least one computer system may be further configured to create a physics-based model relating to a blood flow characteristic of the patient's heart and determine a fractional flow reserve within the patient's heart based on the three-dimensional model and the physics-based model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: HEARTFLOW, INC.
    Inventor: Charles A. Taylor
  • Patent number: 9697331
    Abstract: Disclosed is a computerized method and system for identifying a medicinal substance from a plurality of different machine-readable codes that are each compliant with a different coding standard. A code reader reads a machine-readable code and transmits a signal indicative of the machine-readable code in response. A recognition identifies the coding standard with which the machine-readable code complies. Based on the identification by the recognition unit, computer-executable instructions specific to decoding information according the identified standard are selected and executed to decode the information encoded pursuant to the identified coding standard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: CODONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Timothy J Jablonski, Alan Gilbert, Gary Keefe
  • Patent number: 9697332
    Abstract: Methods and systems for providing therapy related data management are provided. The subject systems include one or more device components, and at least one memory storage unit and at least one data storage unit associated with such one or more device components. The device components may include one or more of an analyte monitoring system, a fluid delivery device and a remote terminal. The subject methods include use of the subject systems to optimize treatment of a patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Inventor: R. Curtis Jennewine
  • Patent number: 9697333
    Abstract: A system and method using a mobile Internet device with ability to scan a barcode in which a uniform resource locator (URL) is placed, and plays a transmitted audio signal activated by the URL in a Cloud database where both audio and word contents are stored. From general information for direction, instruction and information on the bottle of medicine, nutrition facts and ingredient tables on the packages of food, monthly bills, invoices, menu, magazines, to advertisement—all are either possessed of limited language translation options or use small font to explain something in a limited space. The system and method provide translation options and an audible signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: SAFENET INTERNATIONAL LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Y. Fang, Jindong Liu
  • Patent number: 9697334
    Abstract: A dialysis system includes a dialysis machine including at least one dialysis fluid pump and a logic implementer configured to (i) receive a plurality of predetermined therapy prescriptions that have been approved remote from the dialysis machine by a doctor/clinician for a particular patient, at least two of the plurality of predetermined therapy prescriptions having different treatment durations, different dialysis fluids or different ultrafiltration removal amounts, (ii) store the plurality of predetermined therapy prescriptions for use in operating the dialysis machine, (iii) cause the stored therapy prescriptions to be presented, (iv) allow a selection of one or more of the presented therapy prescriptions for one or more upcoming treatment, and (v) operate the at least one dialysis fluid pump according to the selected one or more therapy prescriptions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignees: Baxter International Inc., Baxter Healthcare S.A.
    Inventors: Anping Yu, Robert W. Childers, Borut Cizman
  • Patent number: 9697335
    Abstract: A pharmaceutical order filling system receives pharmaceutical orders and uses an automated dispensing device to dispense pharmaceuticals into containers. The automated dispensing device is configured with a filling cabinet that stores and dispenses measured quantities of pharmaceuticals and is further configured to stage measured quantities of pharmaceuticals in buffer tubes to enable efficient fulfillment of the pharmaceutical orders. Containers may be disposed on a pallet which may be moved within an automated dispensing device to place the containers under buffer tubes to receive measured quantities of pharmaceuticals from the buffer tubes into appropriate containers in an efficient manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: EXPRESS SCRIPTS, INC.
    Inventor: Jonathan W. Joplin
  • Patent number: 9697336
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a method includes acquiring electronic data indicative of a property of a mammal without making physical contact with the mammal. The method also includes extracting digital information indicative of a physiological characteristic of the mammal from the electronic data indicative of the property of the mammal. The method further includes choosing from an electronically accessible treatment database a neuromodulation treatment regimen for administration to the mammal in response to the information indicative of a physiological characteristic of the mammal. The method also includes electronically initiating an administration of the chosen neuromodulation treatment regimen to a nervous system component of the mammal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: GEARBOX, LLC
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Eric C. Leuthardt, Dennis J. Rivet, Elizabeth A. Sweeney, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y. H. Wood
  • Patent number: 9697337
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus collecting blood from patients and managing blood donations are provided, which may include any number of features. One feature is a blood collection device configured to collect blood from a patient and periodically transmit blood collection data from the device to a control system. Another feature is a system and method for updating firmware on a plurality of blood collection devices. In one embodiment, a software interface with a blood collection control can be used to specify a blood collection protocol, and the blood collection protocol can be then transmitted to one or more blood collection devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: APPLIED SCIENCE, INC.
    Inventors: James E. Goodnow, II, James A. Bancroft, Jonathan G. Morgan
  • Patent number: 9697338
    Abstract: A mass spectrometer including an entrance slit, an energy filter, a momentum filter and a detector array, the entrance slit, energy filter and momentum filter being configured to provide molecular analyte ions to the detector array at a mass resolution of about 20,000 or greater. A method for determining the isotopic composition of an analyte in a sample includes converting the analyte to molecular analyte ions, separating the molecular analyte ions using an entrance slit, separating the molecular analyte ions according to their energy levels, separating the molecular analyte ions according to their momenta, detecting two or more of the molecular analyte ions at a mass resolution of about 20,000 or greater to produce molecular analyte ion data; and analyzing the molecular analyte data to determine the isotopic composition of at least a portion of the analyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignees: CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, THERMO FISHER SCIENTIFIC (BREMEN) GMBH
    Inventors: John M. Eiler, Johannes Schwieters
  • Patent number: 9697339
    Abstract: An online music networking system that utilizes the internet for coordinating the sharing and listening of music includes a computer having a processor connected to ta network such as the internet. The system includes a player database that includes player records associated with a plurality of “players” who wish to share music with others through the network. A music database includes music records associated with respective players in the player database. A listener database is includes listener records associated with a plurality of “listeners” who wish to listen to music that is associated with respective players. The player may select to listen to a selected one of his music files as a live stream through the internet. A listener may also listen to the same live stream by becoming a “follower” of the player or selected music file, but may not exercise any control over it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Inventors: Tremaine Witter, Hans Dolce
  • Patent number: 9697340
    Abstract: An administrative system generates a sequence of passwords by iterative evaluation of a hash function, initiated from a private key value and continuing to a final, public key value. A current token is created that includes a current one of the passwords. A protected device tests the validity of the current password by inputting it to a hash function sub-chain. The current password is considered valid if, after hashing the current password n+1 times, where n corresponds to the number of tokens previously received, the result is a revealed value, such as a previously verified password of the public key value. At least one unit of a one-time programmable hardware device, such as processor fuses or anti-fuses, is then physically and permanently altered, thereby incrementing a count entry indicating the number of tokens received. The protected device performs a desired action only if the current password is verified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: GUARDTIME IP HOLDINGS, LTD.
    Inventor: Nicholas Child
  • Patent number: 9697341
    Abstract: A system and method for managing user access to a device includes detecting a first language and a second language a user uses on the device; prompting the user to setup multiple security questions using multiple languages; receiving a first question in a third language from the user, wherein the user decides the first question and the third language; receiving a first answer to the first question from the user, wherein the answer is provided in a fourth language chosen by the user and different from the third language; receiving a second question in a fifth language from the user wherein the user decides the second question and the fifth language; receiving a second answer to the second question from the user, wherein the second answer is provided in a sixth language chosen by the user and different from the fifth language.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Su Liu, Prasad V. Potluri, Vi T. Tran, Boyi Tzen
  • Patent number: 9697342
    Abstract: A device can include memory that stores information; a sensor that senses information; authentication circuitry that authenticates sensed information; and a field generator that outputs at least one magnetic field based at least in part on a portion of stored information responsive to authentication of sensed information. Various other apparatuses, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Mark Charles Davis, Douglas Warren Robinson
  • Patent number: 9697343
    Abstract: An information processing method of convenience and an information processing system are disclosed. In some embodiments, the system includes acquiring a 1st attribute information from a person with a personal digital assistant that contains a 2nd attribute information; acquiring the 2nd attribute information from two or more personal digital assistants; comparing the acquired 1st attribute information with the acquired 2nd attribute information to form countervalue information; and storing the countervalue information in the personal digital assistant of the person from which the 1st attribute information was acquired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Nobuyoshi Enomoto
  • Patent number: 9697344
    Abstract: Provided is a programmable display apparatus that enables post-hoc identification of a user who has been permitted to access an application through facial authentication. The programmable display apparatus stores feature data of a face of a user and identification information of the user in association with each other. The programmable display apparatus performs facial authentication based on image data of a user obtained through image capture and on the feature data. The programmable display apparatus permits a user to access the application if the user has been authenticated. The programmable display apparatus stores identification information of the authenticated user and a history indicating a state in which the access has been permitted in association with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Kiyotaka Fujiwara, Takayoshi Yamashita, Fumio Kawakami
  • Patent number: 9697345
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus with fingerprint sensing function, a driving circuit, and a method for driving the electronic apparatus are provided. The electronic apparatus includes: a first fingerprint sensor adapted to perform fingerprint sensing; a second fingerprint sensor adapted to perform fingerprint sensing; and a driving circuit. The driving circuit provides a first fingerprint detection signal to the first fingerprint sensor for performing fingerprint detection, and determines whether to control the electronic apparatus to perform a first function, based on fingerprint detection information from the first fingerprint sensor; and provides a second fingerprint detection signal to the second fingerprint sensor for performing fingerprint detection, and determines whether to control the electronic apparatus to perform a second function, based on fingerprint detection information from the second fingerprint sensor. With above technical solution, security for usage of the electronic apparatus is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: FOCALTECH ELECTRONICS, LTD.
    Inventors: Lianghua Mo, Zhi Liu, Jie Liu
  • Patent number: 9697346
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes identifying a request for access to a first system and obtaining a visual image including at least a first piece of information associated with the request. The visual image is associated with a first device and obtained using a second device. The method also includes determining if the at least first piece of information indicates that the access to the first system is to be granted, wherein determining if the at least first piece of information indicates that the access to the first system is to be granted includes implementing a visual recognition algorithm to process the at least first piece of information. Finally, the access to the first system is granted if it is determined that the at least first piece of information indicates that the access to the first system is to be granted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip C. Jacobs, John A. Toebes
  • Patent number: 9697347
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a mobile terminal and a control method thereof. The mobile terminal displays a plurality of figures arranged in a first composition on a touch screen when a specific mode is locked, rearranges the plurality of figures in a second composition different from the first composition upon receiving a specific input, and determines whether to unlock the specific mode on the basis of a pattern which is input using the plurality of figures arranged in the first or second composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Kanguk Kim, Taiyoung Choi, Keumsung Hwang, Byonggyo Lee
  • Patent number: 9697348
    Abstract: Embodiments are described for authenticating a login request for logging in to a user account on a host system. An example method includes receiving, by the host system, as part of the login request, an authentication image. The method also includes determining that the login request is sent from an authorized login-location, by comparing the authentication image with a reference image from the authorized login-location. The method further includes, in response to the login request being sent from the authorized login-location, facilitating access to the user account.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mark E. Maresh, Colm Nolan, Juan F. Vargas, Michael J. Whitney
  • Patent number: 9697349
    Abstract: Data loss prevention (DLP) systems may be implemented with collaborative services that may be integrated with or work in coordination with productivity services. Administrators may be enabled to configure DLP policies in the collaborative service to mitigate their organization's information disclosure risks, along with the detection and remediation of sensitive information. Access blocking may be a feature of the DLP system, where provision of access blocking may include determining if a detected action associated with content processed by the collaborative service matches access blocking criteria defined by DIP policy rules. In response to the determination that the action matches at least one access blocking criterion defined by the DLP policy rules, a block access tag associated with the content may be activated, previously defined permissions associated with the content may be ignored or altered, and access to the content may be restricted to a number of predefined users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Yu Li, Willard Bruce Jones, Ryan Wilhelm, Richard Wesley Holley
  • Patent number: 9697350
    Abstract: This specification describes technologies relating to applying electronic signatures to content items. In general, one aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in methods that include receiving a content item and receiving a request to electronically sign the content item by a user by associating the content item with a credential associated with the user, the request comprising data identifying the credential from among a set of credentials that are associated with the user. The method may further include generating a package comprising the content item and data for the identified credential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: MicroStrategy Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael J. Saylor, Gang Chen
  • Patent number: 9697351
    Abstract: A technique supplies a high security password. The technique involves receiving, by processing circuitry, a series of randomly generated values from random number generator circuitry. The technique further involves deriving, by the processing circuitry, an initial character string from the series of randomly generated values, each character of the initial character string being an element of a first collection of characters which includes lowercase letters and numbers. The technique further involves providing, by the processing circuitry and as the high security password, a modified character string based on (i) the initial character string and (ii) inclusion of at least one element of a second collection of characters which is mutually exclusive of the first collection of characters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: EMC IP Holding Company LLC
    Inventors: Mahadevan Vasudevan, Gregory W. Lazar
  • Patent number: 9697352
    Abstract: A computer-implemented incident response management system, and corresponding method in which an incident response application is provided having a user interface; at least one central processing unit; an operating system and a database communicably coupled to said incident response application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: LOGICALLY SECURE LIMITED
    Inventor: Stephen Armstrong
  • Patent number: 9697353
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method and a device for intercepting a call for a service by an application in an operating system of an electronic apparatus. The method comprises: loading an interception dynamic link library to a process where the service is located; replacing the address of an input/output control function in the process with a first address of the interception dynamic link library; when the application is calling the service, executing the interception dynamic link library based on the first address so as to obtain the name and information of the application as well as the information of the call, and replacing the address of the service to be called comprised in the information of the call with a second address of the interception dynamic link library; and executing processing based on the second address according to the name and/or information of the application. The invention increases the security of the operating system of the electronic apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: BEIJING QIHOO TECHNOLOGY COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Yi Ding, Yuan Li
  • Patent number: 9697354
    Abstract: In accordance with the present disclosure, a system and method are herein disclosed for providing secure SMI memory services, including the protection of SMM memory from surreptitious attacks by, for example, rootkits. Information handling systems are susceptible to attacks, especially attacks on SMM memory. In one example, an SMI handler corresponding to the SMI Driver associated with an SMI interrupt performs validation of a password. An SSMS driver allocates memory for the SMI handler to use with the validation process and also performs a secure erase of allocated memory blocks upon completion of all secure SMI Memory Services. By controlling the validation and secure erase process through the use of the SMI handler and SSMS driver, information leakage can be prevented resulting in system data integrity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventor: Allen Wynn
  • Patent number: 9697355
    Abstract: A cyber security system and method that includes one or more devices configured to determine a cyber security threat or breach event based on analysis of operational information of a protected system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: MISSION SECURE, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel D. Park, Frantisek Brabec, Rick A. Jones, Edward C. Suhler, David R. M. Drescher, Edward P. Pernotto
  • Patent number: 9697356
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable storage media for preventing side-channel attacks are disclosed. A computing resource, such as a virtual machine, operating on a computing device or within a computing environment may be duplicated. Properties associated with the computing resource and the duplicate computing resource may be monitored for discrepancies. The discrepancies may be indicative of a security event, such as a virus or side-channel attack. Detected security events may be handled by replacing a computing resource with a duplicate computing resource.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: EMPIRE TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT LLC
    Inventor: Mordehai Margalit
  • Patent number: 9697357
    Abstract: For an antivirus scan during a data scrub operation, an antivirus scan is concurrently performed as an overlap with the data scrub operation, wherein the data scrub operation periodically inspects and corrects memory errors. The antivirus scan concurrently performing as an overlap with the data scrub operation is increased if a reduction in disk access by a host application is detected. A number of antivirus scan input/output (I/O) operations and data scrub I/O operations is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Lawrence C. Blount
  • Patent number: 9697358
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an interface module, a controller, a key storage module, where the key storage module is configured to store a key, and a non-volatile storage module that is configured to store data. The non-volatile storage module has a first partition and a second partition, where the first partition is designated as a read-only storage area for the data and the second partition is designated as a write-only storage area for new data. The first partition is re-designated as the write-only storage area for other new data and the second partition is re-designated as the read-only storage area for the new data in response to the new data being written to the second partition with a signature and the controller verifying the signature using the key stored in the key storage module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Charles Serebrin, Jonathan M. McCune
  • Patent number: 9697359
    Abstract: A first time software is loaded for execution by a device, the software stored in non-secure storage is authenticated. Authenticating the software may involve a cryptographic operation over the software and a digital signature of the software. A verification tag may be generated for the software if authentication of the software is successful, the verification tag based on the software and at least a device-specific secret data. The verification tag may be stored within the device. Each subsequent time the software is loaded for execution it may be verified (not authenticated) by using the verification tag to confirm that the software being loaded is the same as the one used to generate the verification tag while avoiding authentication of the software.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Alexander Gantman, David Merrill Jacobson
  • Patent number: 9697360
    Abstract: A system and method for changing authority for a secure booting operation and an electronic device thereof are provided. The system includes a memory including a plurality of key bit areas in each of which a root key can be received, and a processor core configured to input a new root key to one of the plurality of key bit areas of the memory in response to an external input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Yo Hwa Kim, Michael Pak, Chan Kyu Han