Patents Issued in November 6, 2018
  • Patent number: 10120397
    Abstract: Methods for interior climate control of a building utilizing multimodal sensor positioning using an electronic mobile device are presented, the method including: causing the electronic mobile device to receive a building floor plan; generating a number of fingerprint databases corresponding with the building floor plan; determining positions of users each having a mobile electronic device in the building; receiving occupancy climate parameters; and adjusting interior climate control for a zone corresponding with users in the zone and occupation climate parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: INDOOR REALITY INC.
    Inventors: Avideh Zakhor, Joseph Menke, Plamen Levchev
  • Patent number: 10120398
    Abstract: In one example, a method includes determining, by a temperature sensor, a temperature of a device that controls an amount of current flowing to a load, and determining, based on the temperature of the device, a threshold current. The method also includes, in response to determining that the amount of current flowing to the load is greater than the threshold current, adjusting the amount of current flowing to the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Robert Illing, Alexander Mayer
  • Patent number: 10120399
    Abstract: An example method of trimming a voltage reference in an integrated circuit (IC) includes at a first temperature, sequencing through a first plurality of trim codes for a reference circuit of the voltage reference configured to generate a proportional-to-temperature current and a corresponding first control voltage, and a complementary-to-temperature current and a corresponding second control voltage. The method further includes measuring a voltage output of the voltage reference for each of the first plurality of trim codes to obtain first voltage output values. The method further includes at a second temperature, sequencing through a second plurality of trim codes for the reference circuit. The method further includes measuring the voltage output of the voltage reference for each of the second plurality of trim codes to obtain second voltage output values. The method further includes selecting a trim code for the reference circuit based on the first voltage output values and the second voltage output values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: XILINX, INC.
    Inventors: Umanath R. Kamath, Edward Cullen, John K. Jennings
  • Patent number: 10120400
    Abstract: A remote controller power supply method for an air-conditioning apparatus, configured to control a plurality of indoor units divided into groups with different remote controllers, is provided that allows exclusion of a supply current monitoring circuit from a circuit board of the indoor units. In the air-conditioning apparatus including an outdoor unit and the plurality of indoor units, the plurality of indoor units are divided into two or more groups, and the indoor units in each of the groups are connected to a different remote controller. The indoor units are each allocated with an address having a ranking given according to a predetermined rule, and the outdoor unit instructs the indoor unit having the address of a first rank, out of the plurality of indoor units in each of the groups, to supply power to the remote controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Souichirou Matsuno, Yuuichi Nishi, Tomoaki Kobata, Akihisa Maekita
  • Patent number: 10120401
    Abstract: A system for power grid distribution network control can monitor a power grid distribution network in real-time, detect an abnormal loading condition based on real-time measurements on the distribution network, and perform in real time, in response to the detected abnormal loading condition, a reconfiguration analysis of the distribution network. The reconfiguration analysis can be performed based on heuristic logic that combines real time depth first trace and breadth first division of nodes within the distribution system. Through the reconfiguration analysis process, the system can generate and implement a practical and optimized reconfiguration plan in real time so as to alleviate or eliminate an abnormal loading condition in time to prevent possible pre-matured failures of equipment and consequently save cost of equipment replacement and/or related power outages. Accordingly, the distribution network may operate with improved stability and reliability, and a cost of operation can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Accenture Global Services Limited
    Inventors: Zitong Song, Zhihui Yang, Qin Zhou
  • Patent number: 10120402
    Abstract: A system includes at least one pair of series adaptive clamps (SACs). Each SAC is configured to connect to a single conductor that is configured to conduct a constant current between shore-side power sources on opposite ends of the single conductor. Each SAC is configured to clamp a specified amount of power from the single conductor. Each SAC is configured to connect to one end of two ends of a power transfer bus, wherein the other end of the power transfer bus is connected to another SAC of a same pair of SACs. Each SAC is configured to provide a constant voltage to the power transfer bus at the constant current in order to supply at least some of the specified amount of power to a load connected to the power transfer bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Mark S. Langelier, Boris S. Jacobson, George E. Anderson, Michael F. Janik
  • Patent number: 10120403
    Abstract: A region information management unit of an energy management system manages at least part of information about a plurality of small regions that each partially include a plurality of power consumers. Each of the plurality of small regions partially overlaps at least any of the other small regions of the plurality of small regions. The region information management unit manages information about at least one belonging region of the plurality of small regions. The one power consumer belongs to the at least one belonging region. The region information management unit manages information specifying, in addition to the one power consumer, at least one other power consumer of the plurality of power consumers. The other power consumer belongs to the at least one belonging region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshito Nishita
  • Patent number: 10120404
    Abstract: An apparatus including semiconductor dies in a stack. The semiconductor dies are configured to power-up in a staggered manner. Methods for powering up an electronic device include detecting a power-up event with the semiconductor dies in the stack, and responsive to the power-up event, powering up a first semiconductor die in the stack at a first time, and powering up a second semiconductor die in the stack at a second time that is different from the first time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Trismardawi Tanadi
  • Patent number: 10120405
    Abstract: A single semiconductor-based junction may be used to create a voltage reference, and temperature compensate the voltage reference, by time-multiplexing the voltage reference between different current drive levels. That is, the value of the current driven through the single junction may be repeatedly varied in a recurring manner. In case the junction is a zener diode, the current may be repeatedly switched between forward and reverse directions. As long as the temperature coefficients (in ppm/° C.) of the different voltages developed responsive to the different currents across the junction are different, a weighting of the different voltage values yield a zero temperature coefficient voltage reference value. To implement a bandgap reference, a single diode-connected bipolar junction transistor may alternately be forward-biased using a first current and at least a second current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Christopher G. Regier
  • Patent number: 10120406
    Abstract: An adaptive mode has been added in a common mode (CM) dimmer circuit to increase output current capability only when needed. Without having an adaptive mode in the CM dimmer, the output current drivers must operate with large quiescent current to handle a bulk current injection (BCI) event. Therefore, a CM dimmer without the adaptive mode will consume a significant amount of power even when there is no BCI event occurring. With the adaptive mode, the CM dimmer can be used effectively to suppress the BCI event, e.g., in a transformer-less physical layer (PHY) connection, while consuming minimal power during normal circuit operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Tony Susanto, Maarten Kuijk
  • Patent number: 10120407
    Abstract: This sealed joystick for a machine comprises a function block, an outer shell formed by joining two rigid half-shells, these half-shells tightly enclosing the function block, each half-shell comprising a joint surface for this purpose all along its perimeter following a three-dimensional path which terminates on itself and which extends in the three dimensions of space, a sealing element comprising a one-piece block of elastomer material combining a sealing cord and a ring seal of different transverse cross-section within this same block to ensure that the joint surfaces are watertight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Crouzet Automatismes
    Inventors: Ludovic Niguet, Thierry Vinard, Fabien Ville, Fabien Pelaez
  • Patent number: 10120408
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling clock generation. A system includes a processor configured to execute instructions retrieved from memory, and a clock generation system coupled to the processor. The clock generation system is configured to generate a clock signal that the processor applies to execute the instructions. The clock generation system includes a plurality of configuration registers and selection circuitry. Each of the configuration registers includes fields that control a frequency of the clock signal. The selection circuitry selects which of the plurality of configuration registers determines the frequency at a given time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Joerg Harald Hans Jochen Schreiner, Marcus Herzog
  • Patent number: 10120409
    Abstract: Techniques for bonding structural features together in an enclosure of an electronic device are disclosed. A structural feature may be ultrasonically soldered to the enclosure to provide structural support and form a magnetic circuit within the device. Also, ultrasonic welding can bond various features to an interior region of the enclosure without leaving a mark or trace to an exterior region of the enclosure in a location corresponding to the various features. Further, one or more features can be actuated against the enclosure to bond the one or more features by friction welding. In addition, a rotational friction welding machine can rotate a feature having a relatively small diameter at relatively high speeds against the enclosure to drive the feature into the enclosure and frictionally weld the feature with the enclosure. Also, the friction welding does not leave any an appearance of cosmetic deformation on the exterior region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Steven J. Osborne, Joss N. Giddings, Adam T. Garelli, William F. Leggett, Sarah J. Montplaisir, Eric T. Corriveau, Tyler J. Ewing
  • Patent number: 10120410
    Abstract: A display device includes a display panel mounted on a curved surface, and driver circuits including circuit elements which are mounted on a plurality of plane surfaces provided on the back of the curved surface in a stepwise shape along the curved surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunpei Yamazaki, Yoshiharu Hirakata
  • Patent number: 10120411
    Abstract: An electronic device may include flexible printed circuits. A flexible printed circuit may have metal traces supported by a polymer substrate. The flexible printed circuit may extend between an upper laptop computer housing and a lower laptop computer housing or other structures that move relative to each other in an electronic device. The flexible printed circuit may have a low-friction coating and a matte finish. The flexible printed circuit may have a fluoropolymer coating on the polymer substrate, a fluoropolymer coating on a matte coating on the polymer substrate, a fluoropolymer coating that includes a matting agent on the polymer substrate, a fluoropolymer layer or other polymer layer that is attached to the substrate with a layer of adhesive, a textured surface layer, and/or other structures that help provide the flexible printed circuit with desired physical properties and a desired appearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan W. Posner, Adam T. Garelli
  • Patent number: 10120412
    Abstract: An electronic device is provided. The electronic device comprises a first body structure; a connecting portion; and a second body structure connected to the first body structure via the connecting portion. The second body structure includes a cover portion, and an end portion connected to an edge of the cover portion. A thickness of the end portion is larger than the thickness of the cover portion. An I/O port is disposed at a side wall of the end portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC.
    Inventors: Yung-Hsiang Chen, Li-Wei Hung
  • Patent number: 10120413
    Abstract: A training apparatus has an input device and a wearable computing device with a bio-signal sensor and a display to provide an interactive virtual reality (“VR”) environment for a user. The bio-signal sensor receives bio-signal data from the user. The user interacts with content that is presented in the VR environment. The user interactions and bio-signal data are scored with a user state score and a performance scored. Feedback is given to the user based on the scores in furtherance of training. The feedback may update the VR environment and may trigger additional VR events to continue training.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: INTERAXON INC.
    Inventors: Christopher Allen Aimone, Trevor Coleman, Ariel Stephanie Garten, Kapil Jay Mishra Vidyarthi, Locillo (Lou) Giuseppe Pino, Michael Apollo Chabior, Paul Harrison Baranowski, Raul Rajiv Rupsingh, Madeline Ashby, Paul V. Tadich
  • Patent number: 10120414
    Abstract: An aesthetically pleasing docking station that is able to support electronic devices with only an interface connector. The docking station is further equipped with mechanisms that protect the electronic device from damage if it's deflected too far while mated to the docking station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: John B. Ardisana, II, Dhaval N. Shah, Teodor Dabov, Darshan R. Kasar
  • Patent number: 10120415
    Abstract: A foldable device includes first and second bodies that respectively support a first part and a second part of a flexible display device and are foldably connected to each other between a folded position and an unfolded position, and a movable support member that continuously near-supports a third part of the flexible display device between the first part and the second part when the first body and the second body change from the folded position to the unfolded position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ho-seong Seo, Kyung-wan Park, Ga-eun Lee, Ji-hyun Jung, Shi-yun Cho
  • Patent number: 10120416
    Abstract: Portable, modular housing system for mounting and on-the-spot and parallel use of electronic and personal accessories through a connection-support mechanism which consists of two (or more) independent carriers, FIG. 7 (2, 3) which are connected together with a carrier-housing system, FIG. 1, through a connection-support mechanism, FIG. 6, 7a, which includes one or two brackets (18) respectively, the upper ends of which (24) are connected through one or more hinges (25) with the one carrier (2) while their lower ends (19) are connected similarly with the other carrier (3) enabling the independent rotational movement of each carrier (2,3) up to 360° degrees around the real or imaginary part-axis (28a, 23a) of the hinge/s (25, 20) which connects the ends of the bracket/s (18) with each carrier (2, 3). This way, a number of combinations of positions is achieved (fixed or not, depending on whether the hinges are frictional or not) between the entities (2, 3) FIG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Inventor: Athanasios Vogiatzis
  • Patent number: 10120417
    Abstract: An adjustable keyboard having a number of keys is formed in at least two segments which are mutually movable relative to one another using a hinge or joint. Each of the segments of the keyboard has mounted thereon some of the keys. The adjustable nature of the keyboard reduces stress and discomfort to the user by reducing contortion to the user's wrists. More particularly, discomfort to the user caused by pronation of the wrists and/or ulnar deviation of the wrists is reduced. The hinge or joint is in the form of a ball and socket-type joint with a locking mechanism, which preferably includes a pivoted handle, in the form of a lever, used for locking and unlocking the hinge or joint. The surface of at least one of the ball and socket of the joint define a plurality of recesses or a plurality of projections, to provide increased resistance to joint movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Key Ovation, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Linegar, Mark Norwalk
  • Patent number: 10120418
    Abstract: A portable keyboard is disclosed, by which portability can be enhanced with a simple configuration. The present invention includes a plurality of key assemblies, a body part and a flexible connecting member. When the portable keyboard is carried, a plurality of the key assemblies are rolled up around an outer circumference of the body part in a manner that the flexible connecting member between a plurality of the key assemblies is folded. When the portable keyboard is used, a plurality of the key assemblies are unfolded by being rolled down centering on the body part in a manner that the flexible connecting member between a plurality of the key assemblies is unfolded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Seungjin Lee, Keetae Kim, Dongguk Kang, Hojung Lee
  • Patent number: 10120419
    Abstract: A wearable device includes a wearable element that is worn on the head of the wearer, a display that displays a virtual image within part of the field of view of the wearer, and a connector that is connected to the wearable element. The connector includes a slide-rotation mechanism that supports the display so as to be slidable with respect to the head and rotatable in a state in which the display has been slid. The slide-rotation mechanism is provided to the connector so that the slide direction of the display is parallel to the direction that extends along the rotation axis around which the display is rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Seiji Tatsuta
  • Patent number: 10120420
    Abstract: This document describes a lockable display and techniques enabling use of a lockable display. The techniques can enable computing devices to lock and unlock a display using little or no power and with a seamless design. The techniques and apparatuses can also enable integration between a lockable display and various computing devices, including to create a nearly seamless physical and functional design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Nabil Bathiche, Panos C. Panay, Ralf Groene, Joseph B. Gault, Andrew William Hill
  • Patent number: 10120421
    Abstract: An information handling system having rotationally coupled housing portions supports a flexible display disposed across the housing portions with a hinge structure that manages flexible display curve radius in a folded configuration. A set of plural hinges having five geared rotational portions interconnect with a bar fixedly coupled to the center hinge rotational portion. The bar presses against a shape memory alloy support that manages curve radius of a flexible display during rotation of the hinges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Jung Hwan Hong, Kevin M. Turchin, John T. Morrison, Gerald R. Pelissier
  • Patent number: 10120422
    Abstract: One embodiment provides a system, including: a base module housing comprising a top, a bottom, and at least one lateral edge comprising a top side and a bottom side, the base module housing comprising: a processor; a memory device operatively coupled to the processor; and at least one connector, disposed at the top side of the base module housing, for facilitating electrical connections; and a cap module housing comprising a top, a bottom, at least one lateral edge comprising a top side and a bottom side, the cap module housing comprising: at least one receiver, disposed at the bottom side of the cap module housing, for receiving at least one connector; wherein the base module housing and cap module housing are vertically connectable using at least one latch mechanism; wherein at least a portion of the at least one latch mechanism is disposed at the top side of the base module housing; and wherein at least a portion of the at least one latch mechanism is disposed at the bottom side of the cap module housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Cyan Godfrey, Cuong Huy Truong, Ali Kathryn Ent, Thomas Perelli
  • Patent number: 10120423
    Abstract: Described herein are unibody thermal enclosures for electronic devices. In some instances, the enclosure is a unibody structure formed by injecting a structural material into the tool suspending thermal absorbing/spreading material and thermal insulating material within a cavity of the tool. In other instances, the thermal absorbing/spreading material may be exposed to circuitry of the electronic device and the thermal insulating material may be exposed to the exterior of the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley David Urban, Troy Hulick, Shelomon Patrick Doblack, Robert Olson, Albert John Yu Sam Chua, Daniel Jones, Adam Kenneth Cybart, Gaurav Soni, William James Carter-Giannini, Matthew Michael Seflic
  • Patent number: 10120424
    Abstract: Microelectronic device assembly including a component attached to substrate by at least a screw. The screw applies compressive force against a pad of a thermally and electrically conductive material having sufficiently low modulus to mitigate stress in addition to providing a thermal and electrical path between the component and the substrate. In some embodiments, the screw affixes a printed circuit board hosting one or more integrated circuit components to a motherboard, or passive heat sink. The pad may be deformed to assuage stress applied through the screw during assembly of the device and/or as the device experiences thermal cycling, for example associated with intermittent operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Hyoung Il Kim
  • Patent number: 10120425
    Abstract: A computing device includes a chassis having at least one connector configured to receive a component, and a guide coupled to the chassis. The guide includes a guide element and is selectively movable relative to the chassis to arrange the guide element at a first position which allows a first variant of the component to be connected with the at least one connector and prevents a second variant of the component to be connected thereto, and a second position which allows the second variant of the component to be connected with the at least one connector and prevents the first variant of the component to be connected thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: LENOVO ENTERPRISE SOLUTIONS (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Ming-Wang Tsai, Chang-Hsing Lee, Jui-Chieh Guo, Sung-Feng Chen, Yen Hao Wei
  • Patent number: 10120426
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are a thermal management apparatus and method using a dynamic thermal margin, and a semiconductor processor device, a non-volatile data storage device and an access control method using the same. The thermal management apparatus and method using a dynamic thermal margin, and the semiconductor processor device, non-volatile data storage device and access control method using the same can guarantee required performance based on importance and priority by scaling a thermal margin based on the importance of a task or the priority of threads, can control the generation of heat in a software manner while being compatible with non-volatile memory interface standards, and can also provide performance varying depending on the importance of a request that is being processed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Research & Business Foundation Sungkyunkwan University
    Inventors: Eui Seong Seo, Nicolas Badano, Young Joo Woo, Bon Keun Seo
  • Patent number: 10120427
    Abstract: A payment reader includes a power management system to control the power mode of the payment reader. The power management system can transition the payment reader between a sleep mode, a low power mode and a full power mode. The power management system can use a low power mode reference counter to determine when to transition from the full power mode to the low power mode and a sleep mode reference counter to determine when to transition from the low power mode to the sleep mode. When the low power mode reference counter reaches zero, the power management system deactivates a payment processing subsystem to transition to the low power mode. Similarly, when the sleep mode reference counter reaches zero, the power management system deactivates a payment reader system to transition to the sleep mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Square, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas Hebner, David Terra, Rodion Steshenko
  • Patent number: 10120428
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electronic device including a battery, a display, a processor electrically connected with the battery and the display, and a memory which is electrically connected with the processor and stores at least one application, wherein the memory stores instructions which, when executed, cause the processor to monitor power consumption of the at least one application during execution of the at least one application in an off state of the display, and to display, on the display, information indicating whether a value of the power consumption exceeds a threshold selected during a selected time, based on at least a part of a result of the monitoring immediately after the display enters an on state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Byung-Wook Kim, Sung-Geun Park, Jin-Gil Yang, Ki-Tae Lee, Ju-Beam Lee, Sun-Yong Kim, In-Hee Yoon, Jin-Goo Lee
  • Patent number: 10120429
    Abstract: A method and a current control circuit 100 therefor. The method for a current control circuit 100 comprising determining 201 a state of the current control circuit 100, select 202 a first mode of operation 203 if the determined state is a first state indicative of a hot plug-in of the input terminal 101 to a connectable DC voltage bus. The method further comprises selecting 202 a second mode of operation 204 if the determined state is a second state different from the first state. The method further comprises controlling 205 the output current using the selected mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
    Inventors: Sverker Sander, Kjell-Arne Remnås
  • Patent number: 10120430
    Abstract: A system and method for managing operating modes within a semiconductor chip for optimal power and performance while meeting a reliability target are described. A semiconductor chip includes a functional unit and a corresponding reliability monitor. The functional unit provides actual usage values to the reliability monitor. The reliability monitor determines expected usage values based on a reliability target and the age of the semiconductor chip. The reliability monitor compares the actual usage values and the expected usage values. The result of this comparison is used to increase or decrease current operational parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignees: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc., ATI Technologies ULC
    Inventors: Stephen V. Kosonocky, Thomas Burd, Adam Clark, Larry D. Hewitt, John Vincent Faricelli, John P. Petry
  • Patent number: 10120431
    Abstract: A wearable computing device can detect device-raising gestures. For example, onboard motion sensors of the device can detect movement of the device in real time and infer information about the spatial orientation of the device. Based on analysis of signals from the motion sensors, the device can detect a raise gesture, which can be a motion pattern consistent with the user moving the device's display into his line of sight. In response to detecting a raise gesture, the device can activate its display and/or other components. Detection of a raise gesture can occur in stages, and activation of different components can occur at different stages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Xiaoyuan Tu, Anil K. Kandangath
  • Patent number: 10120432
    Abstract: A touch sensing system and a method of controlling power consumption thereof are disclosed. The touch sensing system includes a plurality of sensing units, which sample a voltage received from a touch screen and accumulate the sampled voltage, and a plurality of analog-to-digital converters converting an output of the sensing units into digital data. The sensing units and the analog-to-digital converters are divided into a plurality of groups in an idle state. Each of the plurality of groups includes at least two sensing units and one analog-to-digital converter. At least one sensing unit included in at least one group is powered down in the idle state. An analog-to-digital converter is powered on during the group it belongs to is powered on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kyungjin Jang
  • Patent number: 10120433
    Abstract: A computing system employing a multi-GPU graphics processing and display subsystem supporting single-GPU non-parallel (i.e. multi-tasking) and multi-GPU parallel application-division modes of graphics processing operations, in order to execute graphic commands and process graphics data (GCAD) render pixel-composited images containing graphics for display on a display device during the run-time of the multiple graphics-based applications, while managing and conserving electrical power and graphics processing resources. An automatic mode control module (AMCM) analyzes the application profiles assigned to graphics applications running on the computing system, and automatically controls the mode of operation of the multi-GPU graphics processing and display subsystem during the run-time of the multiple graphics-based applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventor: Reuven Bakalash
  • Patent number: 10120434
    Abstract: A semiconductor device is described herein. In accordance with one exemplary embodiment the semiconductor device includes a chip package, which includes at least one semiconductor chip, a dedicated ground pin, a first supply pin for receiving a first supply voltage, a second supply pin for receiving a second supply voltage, and a first input pin. The semiconductor device further includes a first circuit integrated in the semiconductor chip, wherein the first circuit is coupled to the first supply pin and to the ground pin, and a second circuit integrated in the semiconductor chip, wherein the second circuit is coupled to the first supply pin and to a virtual ground node. An electronic switch is configured to connect the virtual ground node with the first input pin dependent on the level of a first input signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Eric Pihet
  • Patent number: 10120435
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device includes a peripheral control circuit configured to receive a low power intent signal from a first processor, and a first control register in the peripheral control circuit. The first control register includes a peripheral enable indicator for each processor that can use a first peripheral. Acknowledgement logic circuitry is configured to assert a first low power acknowledgement signal when the first processor issuing the low power intent signal has enabled use of the first peripheral as indicated by the peripheral enable indicator for the first processor in the first control register.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: NXP USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Simon J. Gallimore, Colin MacDonald, James H. Carlquist
  • Patent number: 10120436
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses relating to USB high-speed chirp detection are described. In one embodiment, a bus host transceiver circuit includes a first data path to connect to a bus device, a second data path to connect to the bus device, a squelch detection circuit with a first and a second input, and a switching circuit to couple the first data path to the first input of the squelch detection circuit separate from a first resistor and couple the second data path to the second input of the squelch detection circuit separate from a second resistor when in a first mode, and switch to a second mode to couple the first data path through the first resistor to the first input of the squelch detection circuit and couple the second data path through the second resistor to the second input of the squelch detection circuit when in a host reset period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: INTEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chia How Low, Jia Jun Lee
  • Patent number: 10120437
    Abstract: A media guidance application that allows users to associate input schemes with physical objects in an augmented reality environment is disclosed. Specifically, the media guidance application may recognize physical objects in an augmented reality environment and allow users to identify input schemes to associate with the physical objects. Such input schemes may define ways in which the users may control presentation of media content by interacting with the physical objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.
    Inventor: Edison Lin
  • Patent number: 10120438
    Abstract: Methods, devices, and computer programs for controlling behavior of an electronic device are presented. A method includes an operation for operating the electronic device in a first mode of operation, and an operation for tracking the gaze of a user interfacing with the electronic device. The electronic device is maintained in a first mode of operation as long as the gaze is directed towards a predetermined target. In another operation, when the gaze is not detected to be directed towards the predetermined target, the electronic device is operated in a second mode of operation, which is different from the first mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Osman, Jeffrey Roger Stafford
  • Patent number: 10120439
    Abstract: Disclosed is an operating device including: an operating unit having a plurality of operation buttons; a gaze detection unit configured to detect a gaze of an operator who operates the operating unit; and a judgment unit configured to judge whether an operation for a predetermined operation button of the operating unit is valid or invalid when the operation is received from the operator, wherein in case that the gaze of the operator is not within a predetermined area relating to the predetermined operation button when the operation for the predetermined operation button is received from the operator, the judgment unit judges that the operation is invalid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Konica Minolta, Inc.
    Inventors: Hideaki Shimizu, Yasuaki Sugimoto
  • Patent number: 10120440
    Abstract: A system for Virtual Navigation in real and Virtual Spaces. Such navigation in Virtual spaces may be applied particularly in 3D computer games and 3D programming of motion pictures. Such navigation in real spaces creates a new paradigm in communication and media particularly with unique 3 D video interface devices disclosed in this invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Inventor: Arjuna Indraeswaran Rajasingham
  • Patent number: 10120441
    Abstract: There is provided an information processing apparatus including an image acquisition unit configured to acquire a captured image of users, a determination unit configured to determine an operator from among the users included in the acquired captured image, and a processing unit configured to conduct a process based on information about user line of sight corresponding to the determined operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Maki Imoto, Takuro Noda, Ryouhei Yasuda
  • Patent number: 10120442
    Abstract: A head mounted display (HMD) includes one or more light field cameras for tracking one or both eyes of a user wearing the HMD. The HMD optionally includes light sources positioned inside the HMD and that illuminate one or both of the eyes of the user. The light field camera captures a plenoptic image of the user's eye. The plenoptic image includes light intensity data and direction data of the captured light rays. An eye tracking system updates a 3D light field model of the user's eye based on depth information from the plenoptic image frame. The eye tracking system identifies an iris plane of the user's eye using the 3D light field model. The eye tracking system determines a gaze direction of the user's eye by identifying the normal to the center of the iris plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Oculus VR, LLC
    Inventors: Xinqiao Liu, Elias Daniel Guestrin
  • Patent number: 10120443
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for presenting information using idle time slot. In an aspect, when a standby or idle device detects that a user gazes at it, it starts showing contents on a display automatically. In another aspect, when a standby or idle device detects that a user shakes or taps on it, it starts gaze sensing. If the user gazes at the device, it begins to show contents automatically. Facial recognition is used to recognize a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Inventor: Chian Chiu Li
  • Patent number: 10120444
    Abstract: A wearable device includes a detection module configured to be worn by an upper limb of a user and detect a body motion in the upper limb, and a controller configured to detect the body motion in the upper limb on a basis of a detection result from the detection module and generate a control signal in accordance with the body motion. If the controller detects, as the body motion, at least two of a finger motion, a hand motion, and an arm motion in the upper limb within a first predetermined period of time, the controller recognizes the two body motions as a series of body motions and generates, as the control signal, a first control signal in accordance with the series of body motions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: KYOCERA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hikaru Nekozuka
  • Patent number: 10120445
    Abstract: A glove interface object, including: a flex sensor configured to generate flex sensor data identifying a flex of a finger portion of the glove interface object; a trackable object configured to be illuminated during interactivity, the trackable object being positioned at a wrist portion of the glove interface object; a communications module configured to transmit the flex sensor data to a computing device for processing to determine a finger position pose of the glove interface object, applied for rendering a virtual hand in a view of a virtual environment on a head-mounted display (HMD), the virtual hand rendered based on the identified finger position pose, the computing device identifying the trackable object from captured image data to track a location of the glove interface object; wherein the virtual hand is rendered at a location in the virtual environment that is substantially defined by the location of the glove interface object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Shai Messingher, Richard Stenson
  • Patent number: 10120446
    Abstract: One embodiment of a haptic input device may include a receiver configured to receive a signal from a touch-based user interface device. The signal may include a control signal or a look-up value. The haptic input device may also include a decoder coupled to the receiver and configured to decode the signal from the touch-based user interface device, at least one sensor configured to determine at least one characteristic of the haptic input device, a controller coupled to the one or more sensors and configured to transmit a control signal, a haptic actuator coupled to the controller, and a transmitter coupled to the at least one sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Aleksandar Pance, Omar Sze Leung