| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US07644447B2 |
Scanning probe microscope capable of measuring samples having overhang structure
Provided is a scanning probe microscope capable of precisely analyzing characteristics of samples having an overhang surface structure. The scanning probe microscope comprises a first probe, a first scanner changing a position of the first probe along a straight line, and a second scanner changing a position of a sample in a plane, wherein the straight line in which the position of the first probe is changed by using the first scanner is non-perpendicular to the plane in which the position of the sample is changed by using the second scanner. |
| US07644445B2 |
Secure key management for scalable codestreams
Key management is performed to generate a single key allowing of the decoding of all authorized levels of a plurality of access types within a scalable codestream. An access node set is derived from sets representing access types having hierarchies representable by fully ordered sets, such as resolution and layer levels, and hierarchies representable by partially ordered sets, such as tile and precinct levels. The access node set derived is a partially ordered set representing the combinations of levels of the access types included within the codestream. A hierarchical key management system is applied to the access node set to assign a key to each of the access nodes, generate content encryption keys, and encrypt the codestream. A client receiving the codestream, access node set, and other public information uses the key to derive additional keys to decrypt the codestream. |
| US07644444B2 |
Communication device, program and recording media
A mobile phone receives a program and identification information of a trusted application for the program, specifies data to be used in executing the program, generates a type of object by selecting either an imperfect encapsulated object or a perfect encapsulated object to be generated on the basis of the identification information of a trusted application, and uses the data by using only the generated object when the program is executed. |
| US07644443B2 |
Content distribution system, content distribution method, information processing apparatus, and program providing medium
A content distribution is performed by a secure container including a content encrypted by a content key and container information set for a content transaction. The container information includes a person identification certificate identifiers list. Usage control status information including the list is generated and stored in a device during a secondary distribution among user devices after a primary distribution of the content. In the distribution among the user devices, identifying an identification certificate in reference to the list and performing a person authentication based on the identification certificate allows each of the user devices to use the transmitted content, when the authentication is affirmative. |
| US07644441B2 |
Methods for identifying malicious software
Malicious software is identified in an executable file by identifying malicious structural features, decryption code, and cryptographic functions. A malicious structural feature is identified by comparing a known malicious structural feature to one or more instructions of the executable file. A malicious structural feature is also identified by graphically and statistically comparing windows of bytes or instructions in a section of the executable file. Cryptography is an indicator of malicious software. Decryption code is identified in an executable file by identifying a tight loop around a reversible instruction that writes to random access memory. Cryptographic functions are identified in an executable file be obtaining a known cryptographic function and performing a string comparison of the numeric constants of the known cryptographic function with the executable file. |
| US07644433B2 |
Authentication system and method based upon random partial pattern recognition
An interactive client-server authentication system and method are based on Random Partial Pattern Recognition algorithm (RPPR). In RPPR, an ordered set of data fields is stored for a client to be authenticated in secure memory. An authentication server presents a clue to the client via a communication medium, such positions in the ordered set of a random subset of data fields from the ordered set. The client enters input data in multiple fields according to the clue, and the server accepts the input data from the client via a data communication medium. The input data corresponds to the field contents for the data fields at the identified positions of the random subset of data fields. The server then determines whether the input data matches the field contents of corresponding data fields in a random subset. |
| US07644432B2 |
Policy inheritance through nested groups
A computer-implemented system and method for policy inheritance, comprising, defining a first group wherein the first group refers to at least one of: a user and a group different from the first group, defining a second group wherein the second group is nested within the first group, defining a first policy wherein the first policy includes a resource, a subject and one of, an action and a role, and wherein the subject includes the first group, inheriting the first policy by the second group, wherein the resource is part of a resource hierarchy, and wherein the first policy can be used to control access to the resource. |
| US07644431B2 |
Method for sending image data from camera to CCTV network
A method of sending image signal data from a camera to a CCTV network receives images via a camera lens and image sensor as well as receiving analog video signals corresponding to views from outside the camera via an analog video input connector. Image signal data corresponding to the images received by the sensor is output, and image signal data corresponding to the analog video input connector is also output. The image signal data is stored on a storage device. A network adapter of the camera connects to an internet-protocol address corresponding to a network device capable of serving files. The image signal data of the image sensor or image signal data of the analog video input connector are selectively transmitted from the storage device to the network device using the network adapter and the internet-protocol address. |
| US07644429B2 |
Broadcast and reception, and conditional access system therefor
A digital satellite television system has a plurality of set-top-boxes associated with a plurality of end users' television receivers, a modem and a decoder housed in each STB, a Subscriber Authorization System (SAS) incorporating or having associated therewith a plurality of communication servers, means included in the SAS for generating Electronic Managements Messages (EMM), a back channel interconnecting each of the STBs individually with the SAS, means included in the SAS and each STB so that the necessary information required to inject a relevant EMM into the system is supplied directly to the relevant communication server included in or associated with the SAS to authorize the release of the said EMM and/or means to connect the modem to the back channel and means whereby an EMM is transmissible to the decoder directly from a relevant communication server included in or associated with the SAS. Further important features are also disclosed. |
| US07644419B2 |
Optical disc apparatus
The heat dissipation of a pickup is improved in an optical disc apparatus of a slot-in type.A unit cover 16 on a disc-facing side of a unit mechanism 6 includes a circumferential plate 21, a lever supporting plate 22, a disc guiding plate 23, a flexible printed circuit board holding plate 24, a reinforcing plate 25, a driving part covering plate 27, ventilating openings near sub guiding shaft 28, an extended notch near sub guiding shaft 30, an outer extended notch 31, and an extended notch near main guiding shaft 32. With this configuration, plenty of air flow induced by the rotation of a disc 5 can be introduced to a pickup 9 also through the unit cover 16, greatly improving heat dissipation capability. |
| US07644411B1 |
Mechanism for implementing different types of services within the same two-phase commit transaction
An apparatus for and method of permitting a CORBA user terminal to request services from an enterprise server having XATMI applications, wherein the process is controlled by an integrated two-phase commit protocol. The service request is generated and transmitted to a server. The user terminal transmits a prepare. When the server acknowledges the prepare, a log entry is made. The user terminal transfers a commit which when acknowledged by the server causes deletion of the log entry. Each of the request/acknowledge communications is performed in both CORBA and XATMI protocols. |
| US07644409B2 |
Techniques for accessing a shared resource using an improved synchronization mechanism
A technique for accessing a shared resource of a computerized system involves running a first portion of a first thread within the computerized system, the first portion (i) requesting a lock on the shared resource and (ii) directing the computerized system to make operations of a second thread visible in a correct order. The technique further involves making operations of the second thread visible in the correct order in response to the first portion of the first thread running within the computerized system, and running a second portion of the first thread within the computerized system to determine whether the first thread has obtained the lock on the shared resource. Such a technique alleviates the need for using a MEMBAR instruction in the second thread. |
| US07644408B2 |
System for assigning and monitoring grid jobs on a computing grid
A method is disclosed for assigning a job to grid computers on a computing grid that includes collecting information from the grid computers about attributes of the computer, grouping the computers into groups based upon the attributes, receiving a job from a customer, determining the attributes needed to perform the job, comparing the attributes needed to perform the job to the attributes of the groups, and submitting the job to at least one of the grid computers of the group having the needed attributes. Also disclosed is a method of reporting progress of performance of a job by a grid computer, which includes receiving a job by the grid computer, initiating performance of the job on the grid computer, periodically communicating a current status of the performance of the job on the grid computer, and returning results of the performance of the job to the grid manager. |
| US07644407B2 |
Method, apparatus and system for seamlessly sharing a graphics device amongst virtual machines
A method, apparatus and system are described for seamlessly and concurrently sharing a graphics device amongst multiple virtual machines (“VMs”) on a host computer. Specifically, according to one embodiment of the invention, a graphics device may be shared by multiple VMs such that only the output of one VM (i.e., the “focus VM”) is displayed on a display device coupled to the host computer. The focus VM may be identified according to a variety of ways. The focus VM may render its output into a frame-buffer and/or an overlay buffer, and the page table entries (“PTEs) that point to the frame-buffer may then be copied to a display buffer in an unused memory location associated with the focus VM. The PTEs may additionally be copied to display buffers in unused memory locations associated with the non-focus VMs on the host. The display buffer may then output its display (via the pointers to the frame buffers) to the display device. This output remains that of the focus VM until a different VM is selected as the new focus VM. The process may then repeat itself. |
| US07644406B2 |
Update system capable of updating software across multiple FLASH chips
Disclosed herein is a mobile services network including an electronic device with an update agent that may be capable of updating firmware and application software stored in non-volatile memory and employing multiple FLASH memory chips. The update agent may employ an update package generated to update firmware/software data segments and code segments. In an embodiment according to the present invention, the update agent may also employ a flash library supporting multiple FLASH memory chips from the same or different manufacturers. In an embodiment according to the present invention, the FLASH memory chips may be grouped. The update agent may also be capable of updating code in the multiple FLASH memory chips in the non-volatile memory of the electronic device. |
| US07644402B1 |
Method for sharing runtime representation of software components across component loaders
A method for reducing a usage of main memory by a first class loader and a second class loader is provided. The first class loader and the second class loader are capable of dynamically loading a class having a class file, and translating the class file into a first and a second class type, respectively. The method includes dividing a runtime representation of the first class type into a first loader independent part and a first loader dependent part. Also included is determining whether a runtime representation of the second class type can use the first loader independent part of the runtime representation of the first class type. If the first loader independent part can be used, the method includes generating a second loader dependent part of the runtime representation of the second class type using the first loader independent part of the runtime representation of the first class type. |
| US07644394B2 |
Object-oriented creation breakpoints
A computer system, program product and method debug an object-oriented computer program by tracking the creation of objects by a plurality of creators (e.g., constructor methods) of a selected class. A user need not separately track each creator. Instead, a debugger identifies each creator and associates breakpoints with all or a user-specified subset of creators to facilitate tracking. Any of the breakpoints may then trigger a halting of execution during debugging. Moreover, in some instances it may be desirable to track the number of creations by all or the subset of the creators for the selected class during program execution until a user-specified condition is satisfied, whereupon program execution is terminated and debugging information is provided to the user. |
| US07644393B2 |
System and method for storing and reporting information associated with asserts
In a software development environment, a system and method for associating an assert with a unique identifier (“assert tag”), and using the unique identifier to store information associated with the assert in a database. Based on the unique identifier, information associated with the assert can be stored in a database or repository that contains assert information. This information can be updated, as well as displayed to the developer or tester. Information for the bugs associated with the assert can be retrieved from a database containing bug information and displayed to the developer or tester. Once the developer or tester has been presented with the information concerning the bugs associated with the assert, or other information associated with-the assert, the developer or tester can choose to enter or log-in a new bug into the database containing bug information. |
| US07644388B1 |
Method for reducing layout printability effects on semiconductor device performance
A printability simulation is performed on a mask layout over a range of lithography process conditions. A layout configuration capable of inducing functional or parametric failure in a semiconductor device is identified in the mask layout. A test structure representative of the identified layout configuration is obtained. A design of experiment is associated with the test structure. The design of experiment is defined to investigating effects of variations of one or more layout attributes in the test structure. Multiple instance of the test structure are fabricated on a wafer according to the design of experiment. Electrical performance characteristics of the fabricated test structures are measured. Based on the measured electrical performance characteristics, one or more layout attributes of the test structure capable of causing functional or parametric failure are determined. |
| US07644387B2 |
Semiconductor mask correcting device and semiconductor mask correcting method
A semiconductor mask correcting device is provided with an image acquiring unit acquiring a mask image, an extraction unit extracting only a main pattern from the mask data, an inspection unit inspecting a defective portion by comparing the extracted main pattern with a main pattern which is obtained from the mask image after a drawing by matching to each other, and a correction unit correcting the defective portion specified by the inspection unit, wherein the extraction unit includes a recognition section recognizing the main pattern and the assist pattern as a figure, a specification section specifying the assist pattern from figures which is recognized on the basis of a predetermined condition, and a main pattern extracting section extracting as the main pattern a figure other than the assist pattern. |
| US07644386B1 |
Redundancy structures and methods in a programmable logic device
An embodiment of the present invention provides a programmable logic device (“PLD”) including a redundancy architecture adapted to selective route signals via first or second staggered vertical lines. Other embodiments provide configuration logic and programs for determining routing selections. Other embodiments provide proximate grouping of vertical lines driven from a same row. Other embodiments provide definition of spare row locations once defective row locations are known. |
| US07644385B1 |
Programmable logic device with performance variation compensation
Methods and apparatus for designing and producing programmable logic devices are provided. A logic design system may be used to produce configuration data containing alternative configuration memory settings each of which is optimized for programmable logic devices with different performance characteristics. During manufacturing, programmable logic devices are tested to identify their performance characteristics. A bin code is stored in non-volatile memory in each device to specify which performance characteristics are associated with that device. During programming, the bin code of a given device is used to decide which of the alternative configuration memory settings are to be discarded. The retained subset of the configuration data is loaded into configuration memory in the given device. |
| US07644380B1 |
Method for analyzing circuits having MOS devices
Method for analyzing a circuit composed of MOS devices. The method can be used to direct MOS devices in static and dynamic circuits and involves identifying an undirected MOS device that connects nets. Functions of the nets that cause each net to be logic values are defined as a function of inputs to the circuit. The defined functions can include pulldown functions or both pullup and pulldown functions. A set of rules is used to determine the direction of a signal that flows through a device and applies defined functions. The rules for analyzing static devices may differ from the rules for analyzing dynamic devices. Devices that are determined to have uni-directional signal flow can be directed. Additionally, devices having bi-directional signal flow and uni-directional observability can be directed. |
| US07644377B1 |
Generating a configuration of a system that satisfies constraints contained in models
To configure a system, models of corresponding components are provided, where the models contain constraints. The models specify that at least one of the components is composed of at least another one of the components. The models are input into a design tool. The design tool generates a configuration of the system that includes the components, wherein the generated configuration satisfies the constraints contained in the models. |
| US07644369B2 |
Controlling display screen legibility
Computer screen legibility is controlled. A logically topmost software window of a particular color and of a certain transparency is created. Additionally, a pattern is used to further control legibility. The window allows screen objects logically beneath it on a z-axis to be viewed and manipulated and the window reduces a contrast of screen objects logically beneath it on the z-axis. |
| US07644368B2 |
System and method for regression tests of user interfaces
Embodiments of the invention are generally directed to a system and method for regression tests of graphical user interfaces. In one embodiment, a testing system receives the actual state and the target of a GUI under test. The testing system computes the difference between the actual state and the target state based, at least in part, on a weighting function. The computed difference is compared to a threshold value. In an embodiment, if the difference is within the threshold, then the system indicates that the GUI is valid. |
| US07644366B1 |
Method and system for displaying a plurality of discrete files in a compound file
A method for managing and displaying related information in a graphical user interface includes storing each of a plurality of related datasets in a discrete file. A compound file is stored linking the discrete data files to each other. A common window for the combined file is displayed in the graphical user interface. A discrete window for each discrete file is displayed within the common window. |
| US07644365B2 |
Method and system for displaying network security incidents
A network security monitor system groups a plurality of security events into network sessions, correlates the network sessions according to a set of predefined network security event correlation rules and generates a security incident for the network sessions that satisfy one of the network security event correlation rules. The system then presents the information of the network sessions and security incidents to a user of the system in an intuitive form. The user is able to not only learn the details of a possible network attack, but also creates new security event correlation rules intuitively, including drop rules for dropping a particular type of events. |
| US07644361B2 |
Method of using recommendations to visually create new views of data across heterogeneous sources
A method of establishing at least one variable of a new view of data, is disclosed where the variable is obtained from at least one data source (150-153). The method identifies at least one display type (1202, FIG. 15, 17 18), each display type having at least one corresponding template of data to be used by the new view of data. The template includes a plurality of data component slots (1250-1254) related according to the semantics of the identified display type. One or more data components to be included in the view of data are then identified, each identified data component being associated (1222) with a slot in the template. A list of recommendations is then formed for one or more unspecified data components of the new view of data, the recommendations being based on the semantics of the display type and the identified data components. Finally at least one data component from the list of recommendations is identified as a variable for said new view of data. Also disclosed is a method of learning unknown relationships among data components across a plurality of heterogeneous data sources, and a method for recommending relevant data components for view creation across a plurality of heterogeneous data sources. |
| US07644359B2 |
Parts marking system and method
A parts marking system has memory for storing data indicative of at least one algorithm associated with at least one object material and logic configured to display the at least one algorithm to a display device and receive a user input for at least one part in response to the displayed algorithm. |
| US07644355B2 |
Representing reflective areas in a product image
Shiny or reflective portions of a product surface, such as areas covered by foil, are represented to a user viewing a product image by a looped animation that simulates the visual effect of light on those reflective portions. The animation comprises a sequence of images generated by applying a gradient function to an image of the areas corresponding to the reflective portions of the product. To generate the individual images for use in the animation, the gradient function is applied at different offset positions relative to the product image. |
| US07644354B2 |
Systems and methods for supporting flexible information appearance and behavior with extensible multi-phase transform engine
Flexible information appearance and behavior can be achieved with an extensible multi-phase transform engine. The transform engine can apply a series of transforms to markup language content. In a help service embodiment, application creators can specify a Uniform Resource Indicator (URI) for help content, and a collection of transforms and/or executable code for formatting and presenting the help content. The transforms may be custom transforms registered with the help service, or may be selected from a set of stock pre-registered transforms. The transforms can be applied by the engine to the help content. Custom transforms and transform selection may be used to control content appearance and engine output format. Transform operation may also trigger custom executable code to accomplish desired help behaviors. |
| US07644353B2 |
Systems and methods for streamlined interactions with document services from mobile computing applications
A document-services dialog window, accessible from all applications of a mobile computing device (MID), interacts with other applications on the MID, and with remote document services on a document access server. The applications on the MID are linked to the document access server and to the document references stored in a document reference repository on the MID. The document references can be beamed to another MID. The document services interface is invoked to access a desired document reference and enables a user of a MID to execute actions on a selected document via the selected document reference. |
| US07644352B2 |
Content scanning of copied data
An on-demand virus and banned files scan, which uses a scanning computer to scan a copy of data downloaded from a source computer. This scanning computer produces a log file identifying data having characteristics indicative of a virus or a banned file and sends this log file back to the source computer. The source computer then scans just the data identified by the log file, thereby accomplishing a complete scan in a reduced amount of time. |
| US07644351B1 |
Data collection and processing system and methods
Systems and methods for data collection and processing. A system includes a forms processing subsystem including a form designer and a form processing and workflow module, and a client subsystem including a form submission manager and a client data store. User provided information is maintained locally in the client data store. |
| US07644349B2 |
Interface circuit
An interface circuit comprises at least one supply input and at least one data input with a protective circuit coupled between the at least one supply input and the at least one data input. A power supply circuit is coupled to the at least one supply input. The interface circuit further comprises an error detection circuit coupled to the supply input and to the at least one data input. The error detection circuit is designed to compare a supply signal applied to the supply input with a data signal applied to the at least one data input and to generate an error signal on the basis of the comparison result. |
| US07644343B2 |
Error resilience methods for multi-protocol encapsulation forward error correction implementations
Transport stream (TS) packets containing sections of IP datagrams for an application level process are received and correct ones of said sections are stored into an MPE-FEC frame buffer of a receiver. Stored ones of said sections are reorganized within the frame buffer so as to leave appropriate positions, marked for erasure, within the frame buffer available for corrected data. Data bytes stored at the appropriate positions may be corrected using Reed-Solomon parity data stored in the frame buffer and then subsequently written back thereto. |
| US07644338B2 |
Method of detecting and correcting a prescribed set of error events based on error detecting code
A method of constructing an effective generator polynomial for error correction by which a unique set of syndromes for each error event is produced is provided. The method includes preparing a set of dominant error events from the intersymbol interference characteristics of media; and generating a codeword from the data using a non-primitive generator polynomial that produces a unique syndrome set which can completely specify each dominant error event. |
| US07644337B2 |
Error correction device, encoder, decoder, method, and information storage device
An encoder divides the data in which sector data is adjacently connected to a first RS parity generated in Reed Solomon encoding into blocks to and subjects each of the blocks to cyclic Hamming encoding so as to generate Hamming parities. Subsequently, the data in which the Hamming parities are aligned in a row is subjected to Reed Solomon encoding so as to generate a second RS parity, and encoded data in which the first RS parity and the second RS parity are adjacently connected to the sector data is output. A decoder s divides the sector data and the first RS parity into n blockes and cyclic Hamming encoding, aligns the parities thereof, corrects errors in the parities by Reed Solomon decoding by the second RS parity, then corrects 1-bit errors in blockes by cyclic Hamming decoding, and further corrects errors of 2 or more bits by Reed Solomon decoding by the first RS parity. |
| US07644325B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit device and method of testing the same
A semiconductor integrated circuit device includes a control circuit configured to generate a control code to control a parameter of a predetermined circuit and outputs the control code to the predetermined circuit; and a latch circuit connected with an output of the control circuit to latch the control code in response to a control signal. The latch circuit may be provided between the control circuit and the predetermined circuit to latch the control code or transfer the control code to the predetermined circuit, in response to the control signal. |
| US07644324B2 |
Semiconductor memory tester
There is implemented a semiconductor memory tester capable of efficiently conducting a test on a fast memory by programming according to parameters of a device without being attended by complex program handling. The semiconductor memory tester for determining pass/fail on a memory device under test is characterized in comprising a measurement division for comparing an output from the memory device under test with an expected value at timing on the basis of a clock outputted by the memory device under test. |
| US07644323B2 |
Method and apparatus of build-in self-diagnosis and repair in a memory with syndrome identification
Disclosed is a build-in self-diagnosis and repair method and apparatus in a memory with syndrome identification. It applies a fail-pattern identification and a syndrome-format structure to identify at least one type of faulty syndrome in the memory during a memory testing, then generates and exports fault syndrome information associated with the corresponding faulty syndrome. According to the fault syndrome information, the method applies a redundancy analysis algorithm, allocates spare memory elements and repairs the faulty cells in the memory. The syndrome-format structure respectively applies single-faulty-word-syndrome format, faulty-row-segment-syndrome format, and faulty-column-segment-syndrome format for different faulty syndromes, such as faulty row segments and single faulty words, faulty column segments and single faulty words, all of single faulty words, faulty row segments and faulty column segments, and so on. |
| US07644320B2 |
Log collecting apparatus, image forming apparatus and computer-readable storage medium
A log collecting apparatus has a graphical user interface to allow an operator to select a target equipment that is a target of a log collection and logs that are to be collected, and a combination managing part. The combination managing part identifies related logs that are other than the logs selected on the user graphical interface and are related to the logs selected on the graphical user interface, and makes the related logs selectable on the graphical user interface. |
| US07644319B2 |
Trace control from hardware and software
A system and method for program counter and data tracing is disclosed. The tracing mechanism of the present invention enables increased visibility into the hardware and software state of the processor core. |
| US07644317B1 |
Method and apparatus for fault detection/isolation in metro Ethernet service
Apparatus and method of detecting a fault in a network service includes an Ethernet access network domain in which a heartbeat message is broadcast at a periodic interval by each of a plurality of edge devices associated with an instance of the network service. Each of the edge devices also receives the heartbeat messages broadcast at the periodic interval from other edge devices. A fault occurrence is identified when the edge device fails to receive an expected heartbeat message at the periodic interval from one of the other edge devices. |
| US07644312B2 |
Virtual machine monitoring for application operation diagnostics
A method and system for monitoring the operation of an application in a virtual machine. The system can include a debug script processor programmed to command an application executing within the virtual machine according to instructions specified in a debug script. The system further can include a monitor component implemented according to a virtual machine debugging interface and coupled to the virtual machine. Importantly, the monitor component can have a configuration for collecting debug data produced in consequence of the application executing within the virtual machine according to the instructions specified in the debug script. |
| US07644308B2 |
Hierarchical timestamps
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to digitally encoded hierarchical timestamps that are stored in computer readable mediums. The hierarchical timestamps of the present invention include a first field that stores a timestamp value and a second field that stores a processing-level indication that indicates the scope of the timestamp within a hierarchical processing system. |
| US07644304B2 |
Using SAS address zoning to add/replace hot spares to RAID set
Certain ones of a plurality of SAS hard disk drives are assigned to different SAS zones using a SAS zoning expander(s). A processor and SAS RAID controller have access to only those SAS hard disk drives assigned to the same zone(s) as the processor and SAS RAID controller. Each SAS RAID controller determines when a RAID hard disk drive in its zone fails, and then notifies the RAID hard disk drive failure to a service enclosure processor (SEP) of the SAS zoning expander. The SEP re-allocates an available hot-spare hard disk drive to the zone of the failed RAID hard disk drive. When the SAS RAID controller detects that a functional hard disk drive is now available in its zone, the RAID image is rebuilt using the zone reassigned hot-spare hard disk drive that then becomes one of the RAID hard disk drives of that zone. |
| US07644301B2 |
Fault management system in multistage copy configuration
In a storage system in which a pair is configured by a remote copy, when a fault occurs in the pair, data to be lost is determined. Provided is a management computer connected to a storage system, in which the storage system includes: a primary logical volume in which data is stored and an secondary logical volume in which a replication of the data stored in the primary logical volume is stored; the primary logical volume and the secondary logical volume form a pair; the management computer comprises a data management module for managing data stored in the primary and secondary logical volumes; and the data management module obtains an event regarding the pair, determines whether the event is caused by a fault occurring in the pair, determines data made to be inconsistent by the fault in the case where the event is caused by the fault, and outputs information on the inconsistent data. |
| US07644296B1 |
Programmable logic device integrated circuits with configurable dynamic phase alignment circuitry
Programmable logic device integrated circuits are provided that have configurable receivers with dynamic phase alignment capabilities. In situations in which receivers require dynamic phase alignment circuitry, programmable logic elements can be configured to implement a dynamic phase alignment data capture and synchronization circuit. In situations in which dynamic phase alignment receiver circuitry is not required, resources are made available for implementing other user logic. Multiple dynamic phase alignment receiver circuits can share an eight-phase dynamic phase alignment clock signal that is generated by a phase-locked-loop circuit. Switches may be configured to selectively route the dynamic phase alignment clock signal to desired locations on the programmable logic device integrated circuit. |
| US07644293B2 |
Method and apparatus for dynamically controlling power management in a distributed system
According to one embodiment of the invention, an activity detector comprises a resource partitioned into a plurality of chunks, a power controller and an activity detection unit. In communication with the activity detector and the resource, the power controller, based on measured activity by the activity detector, activates an additional chunk of the plurality of chunks and assigned the additional chunk to a specified agent or deactivates at least one chunk of the plurality of chunks. |
| US07644290B2 |
System and method for seal tamper detection for intelligent electronic devices
A system and method for detecting and responding to device tampering in an Energy Management (“EM”) device is disclosed. The EM device is provided with mechanisms to detect and indicate unauthorized tampering with the device. Further, in response to detected unauthorized tampering, the device may take actions to protect the integrity of data generated by the device as well as protect any confidential data stored within the device. Such actions may include preventing further device operation, generating warnings to the device owner/user, marking subsequently generated data as suspect, destroying stored confidential data, etc. |
| US07644288B2 |
Image forming apparauts that checks authenticity of an update program
An image forming apparatus is disclosed, the image forming apparatus including a storing unit that stores a program in accordance with which the image forming apparatus operates, an acquiring unit that acquires an update program from an external source, and an updating unit. Before updating the program stored in the storing unit, the updating unit determines whether the update program acquired by the acquiring unit is authentic by checking the electronic signature of the update unit. If the updating unit determines that the update program acquired by the acquiring unit is authentic, the updating unit updates the program stored in the storing unit. Accordingly, the image forming apparatus can improve the reliability of the update program. |
| US07644258B2 |
Hybrid branch predictor using component predictors each having confidence and override signals
Various embodiments are described relating to processors, branch predictors, branch prediction systems, and computing systems. In an example embodiment, a processor includes a plurality of branch predictors. Each branch predictor is adapted to provide a prediction and an override signal. In the example embodiment, the processor futher includs a branch prediction control circuit. The branch prediction circuit is adapted to generate a branch prediction based on the prediction and the override signal from each predictor. |
| US07644256B2 |
Method in pipelined data processing
A method in a processor is presented, in which data is processed in a pipelined manner, the data being included in a plurality of contexts, comprising a first (3), in addition to which a plurality of operations is adapted to be executed on the contexts. The method comprises executing an initial operation step (6a) of a first operation on the first context (3), and subsequently commencing an execution of an initial operation step (7a) of a second operation on the first context before an execution on the first context (3) of a following operation step (6b) of the first operation is completed. |
| US07644252B2 |
Multi-processor system and memory accessing method
A multiprocessor system includes a plurality of microprocessors configured to operate on a plurality of operating systems, respectively, and a memory section configured to have a plurality of memory spaces respectively allocated to the plurality of microprocessors. Each of the plurality of microprocessors may include a translation look-aside buffer (TLB) and a page table register. The TLB stores a copy of at least a part of data of one of the plurality of memory spaces corresponding to the microprocessor, and the copy includes a relation of each of virtual addresses of a virtual address space and a corresponding physical address of a physical address space as the memory space. The page table register refers to the TLB in response to an execution virtual address generated based on an application program to be executed by the microprocessor to determine an execution physical address corresponding to the execution virtual address. The microprocessor accesses the memory space based on the execution physical address. |
| US07644249B2 |
Method of designing storage system
An embodiment of a method of designing a storage system begins with a step of assigning decision variables to a range of candidate storage systems. Each of the decision variables identifies a single candidate storage system. The method concludes with a step of employing the decision variables in a mathematical program to determine which of the candidate storage systems meets availability and reliability criteria and incurs a near minimal projected cost. |
| US07644248B2 |
Mechanism to generate logically dedicated read and write channels in a memory controller
According to one embodiment, a system is disclosed. The system includes a memory controller to schedule read commands to frames via a first dedicated command slot and to schedule write commands and corresponding data to frames via a dedicated second or third command slot. |
| US07644245B2 |
Systems and methods for detecting and mitigating storage risks
The present invention provides systems and methods for data storage. A hierarchical storage management architecture is presented to facilitate data management. The disclosed system provides methods for evaluating the state of stored data relative to enterprise needs by using weighted parameters that may be user defined. Also disclosed are systems and methods evaluating costing and risk management associated with stored data. |
| US07644243B2 |
Recording medium, method and apparatus for recording on recordable recording medium, and method for managing backup files of the same
A method and apparatus for managing backup files corresponding to original files. The method and apparatus includes recording backup files where an optical recording apparatus is and is not originally configured to be able to record and manage backup files. Accordingly, more reliable management files can be provided, thereby allowing recording and reproducing of an optical disc to be performed with greater efficiency. |
| US07644239B2 |
Non-volatile memory cache performance improvement
In order to provide a more efficient persistent storage device, one or more long-term storage media are included along with a non-volatile memory. In one embodiment, one portion of the non-volatile memory is used as a write buffer and a read cache for writes and reads to the long-term storage media. Interfaces are provided for controlling the use of the non-volatile memory as a write buffer and a read cache. Additionally, a portion of the non-volatile memory is used to provide a direct mapping for specified sectors of the long-term storage media. Descriptive data regarding the persistent storage device is stored in another portion of the non-volatile memory. |
| US07644234B2 |
Information processing apparatus with a cache memory and information processing method
A secondary texture cache is used commonly by a plurality of texture units, and stores part of texture data in a main memory. A cache controlling CPU controls a refill operation from the main memory to the secondary texture cache in accordance with cache misses of the plurality of texture units, so as to suppress occurrence of thrashing in the secondary texture cache. The cache controlling CPU suppresses occurrence of the refill operation when the plurality of operating units access an identical memory address with a predetermined time difference. |
| US07644231B2 |
Selective information caching on disk drive
A non-mechanical persistent storage is provided for a mechanical storage device. The operating system instructs the mechanical storage device to cache ranges of data stored in the mechanical storage device in the non-mechanical persistent storage. The mechanical storage device then transfers the data to the non-mechanical persistent storage. When the operating system makes a write to a range that is tracked in the non-mechanical persistent storage, the data is written to the mechanical storage and mirrored to the non-mechanical persistent storage. When the operating system makes a read to a range that is tracked in the non-mechanical persistent storage, such as when the system is in startup, the data is read from the non-mechanical persistent cache. |
| US07644224B2 |
Flash memory device and method
A flash memory device includes an array of memory cells for storing data pages, one or more buffers for retrieving the data pages and a logic mechanism that, responsive to a plurality of commands, transfers the data pages between the buffers and a host. Each command subsequent to a first command instructs retrieval of a data page whose address either precedes, or exceeds by more than 1, the address of the data page retrieved by the immediately preceding command, and at least one command does not explicitly specify the address of its retrieved data page. Another similar flash memory device uses two buffers to implement cache reads of data pages whose addresses are specified arbitrarily in the commands subsequent to the first command. |
| US07644223B2 |
Circuit and method for patching for program ROM
This invention discloses a system comprising a first comparator circuit configured to assert a first control signal in response to a first input number matching one of a first numbers stored therein, a second comparator circuit configured to assert a second control signal in response to: (i) at least one latched assertion of the first control signal; (ii) a second input number matching an intermediate number produced by incrementing the first input number; and (iii) an assertion of an input signal, and to de-assert the second control signal absent of either the matching between the second input number and the intermediate number or the de-assertion of the input signal, and a generator circuit configured to output a predetermined instruction data stored therein in response to the assertion of the first control signal, and to output a third number in response to the assertions of the second control signal. |
| US07644216B2 |
System and method for providing an adapter for re-use of legacy DIMMS in a fully buffered memory environment
A system and method for providing an adapter for re-use of legacy DIMMS in a fully buffered memory environment. The system includes a memory adapter card having two rows of contacts along a leading edge of a length of the card. The rows of contacts are adapted to be inserted into a socket that is connected to a daisy chain high-speed memory bus via a packetized multi-transfer interface. The memory adapter card also includes a socket installed on the trailing edge of the card. In addition, the memory adapter card includes a hub device for converting the packetized multi-transfer interface into a parallel interface having timings and interface levels that are operable with a memory module having a parallel interface that is inserted into the socket. In addition, the hub device converts the packetized multi-transfer interface into a parallel interface having timings and interface levels that are operable with a memory module having a parallel interface that is inserted into the socket. The hub device also converts the parallel interface into the packetized multi-transfer interface. |
| US07644208B2 |
Serial transmission system with a return signal generator from the farthest terminal to synchronize return signals/data from the farthest terminal with any specified intervening terminals
A terminal of a plurality of terminals that is located at the farthest position from a host has a return signal generator section, the return signal generator section transmits a return signal at a timing when data transmitted from the host to the terminals arrives at the terminal located at the farthest position, the return signal is returned to the host successively passing through interfaces of the terminals connected to a data bus, and each terminal originates data to be transmitted from the terminal to the host or from the terminal to a particular another terminal in synchronization with the return signal and delivers the data from the terminals to the host or the terminal in synchronization with the return signal. |
| US07644204B2 |
SCSI I/O coordinator
A Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) input/output (I/O) coordinator of an apparatus in an example caches in memory local to the SCSI I/O coordinator one or more I/O request contexts stored in memory non-local to the SCSI I/O coordinator. |
| US07644202B2 |
Disk array device and method for controlling disk array device
A disk array device includes at least one channel control section for receiving data input/output requests from an information processing device, at least one disk control section for sending data input/output requests to hard disk drives based on the data input/output requests received by the channel control section, and a shared memory for the channel control section and the disk control section to read and write data. Information concerning ports that are actually used by the user is stored in a port control table in the shared memory, and the channel control section refers to the port control table and controls whether to make each port available for use by deciding whether to respond to a primitive sequence in a link initialization received from the information processing device regarding each of the plurality of ports. |
| US07644200B2 |
Method of repeating data transmission between network devices by timing a first predetermined period after previous first data transmission
A method is provided for transmitting data from a transmitting device (121) to a receiving device (125). The transmitting device transmits a first data frame (200) to a receiving device a first time (3100). Then it consecutively transmits the first data frame to the receiving device second through Nth times (3101-310N), each of second through Nth first data frame transmissions being made a first predetermined time period (350) after a respective previous first data frame transmission. After this, the transmitting device transmits a second data frame (200) to the receiving device a second predetermined time period (360) after the Nth first data frame transmission. In this method, N is an integer greater than 1, and the second predetermined time period is less than the first predetermined time period. |
| US07644198B2 |
DMAC translation mechanism
An improved DMAC translation mechanism is presented. DMA commands are “unrolled” based upon the transfer size of the DMA command and the amount of data that a computer system transfers at one time. For the first DMA request, a DMA queue requests a memory management unit to perform an address translation. The DMA queue receives a real page number from the MMU and, on subsequent rollout requests, the DMA queue provides the real page number to a bus interface unit without accessing the MMU until the transfer crosses into the next page. Rollout logic decrements the DMA command's transfer size after each DMA request, determines whether a new page has been reached, determines if the DMA command is completed, and sends write back information to the DMA queue for subsequent DMA requests. |
| US07644195B2 |
Host connectable device capable of selecting mode using menu displayed automatically upon connecting to host device and method thereof
A host connectable device for enabling a user to select a mode using a menu screen automatically provided upon connecting to a host device, and a mode selection method thereof. The host connectable device, that is capable of being connected to a host device and operating in one of a plurality of modes relating to the host device when the host connectable device is connected to the host device, is provided and includes a communication interface unit, a display unit, and a control unit for providing a mode selection menu screen on the display unit when the communication interface receives the connection signal of the host device. |
| US07644194B2 |
Method and system for addressing a plurality of Ethernet controllers integrated into a single chip which utilizes a single bus interface
Certain embodiments of the invention may include receiving at least one message via a single bus interface to which each integrated Ethernet controller may be coupled. A bus identifier, bus device identifier and bus function identifier corresponding to the received message and which identifies a particular one of the integrated Ethernet controllers may be determined. The received message may be transferred to the particular integrated Ethernet controller based on the determined bus identifier, bus device identifier and bus function identifier, which were previously generated. The method may further include associating a bus function with the particular integrated Ethernet controller and mapping the associated bus function identifier to the bus function. A bus function process may be associated with the particular integrated Ethernet controller. The bus identifier may be associated with the single bus interface and the device identifier may be associated with the plurality of integrated Ethernet controllers. |
| US07644191B2 |
Legacy-compatible extended command input-output control block
A 32-word command IOCB format is disclosed. A conventional 8-word format is supported, although in both cases 32-word command IOCBs are used. When the conventional 8-word format is used, the host sets the LE bit=1 and writes a conventional 8-word command IOCB into words 0-7 of the 32-word command IOCB. The firmware performs a DMA operation and reads the LE bit. With the LE bit=1, the firmware knows to read only words 0-7. When the new 32-word format is used, the host sets the LE bit=0 and writes a 32-word IOCB command into the 32-word command IOCB, including command and response buffer pointers, one or more data buffer pointers, and perhaps the command buffer. The firmware performs a DMA operation and reads the LE bit. With the LE bit=0, the firmware knows to read all 32 words of the command IOCB. |
| US07644188B2 |
Distributing tasks in data communications
A capability of a device may be registered to an adapter. This capability may characterize the device in terms of tasks performing abilities that may be available or associated therewith. When a packet of data including a task to be handled is received at the adapter, based on the capability registered earlier for the device, the adapter may determine whether to assign the task to the device. An indication, such as packet processing information may be derived from the packet to assist in distribution of the task. By comparing the indication with the capability, the task may be offloaded to the device based on the comparison. Using the device for a networked device, in one embodiment, one or more network communication tasks associated with data communications may be distributed and optionally performed within an adapter. In this way, the networked device may be spared of undertaking network communication tasks that are conventionally performed within the networked device. |
| US07644186B2 |
Method and apparatus for header compression
A packet compressor 12 operates under a reliable mode or an optimistic mode. A mode determination unit 31 counts the number of ACK packets or NACK packets received by a unit time X by an ACK/NACK packet receiver 14. When the counted number of NACK packets is larger than a predetermined value Y, the mode determination unit 31 switches the operation mode of the packet compressor 12 to the reliable mode. When the counted number of ACK packets is larger than a predetermined value Z, the mode determination unit 31 switches the operation mode of the packet compressor 12 to the optimistic mode. |
| US07644181B2 |
Method for routing a service request in a telecommunication system
A method for routing a service request in a telecommunication system in cases where the identifier received for the destination of the service is not (or can not be) suitable for routing the service, such as when a E.164 number is received in IP based multimedia telecommunication systems. Upon reception of a service request in a telecommunications node of the telecommunication system in charge of serving control for services, a query comprising the received identifier is made to a translation database. As a result, a plurality of identifiers related to the received identifier are received that can have different formats and imply different service types. The service is further routed from said telecommunications node according to an identifier selected among said plurality of identifiers that contains the primarily received identifier in the user name portion. |
| US07644176B2 |
Devices and methods for minimizing start up delay in transmission of streaming media
A method for a client to receive streaming media over a network includes receiving data having the streaming media encoded therein and storing the received data in a de-jitter buffer thereby increasing a fullness of the de-jitter buffer. The method further includes, when the fullness reaches a fill level, initiating play out of the stored data from the de-jitter buffer, and changing the fill level while playing out the stored data. |
| US07644175B2 |
Client-to-server streaming of multimedia content using HTTP
Systems and methods are described for streaming multimedia data from a client to a server using HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP). A session is initiated with a header that identifies a content length header that is a maximum allowed by the server, regardless of the actual length of the data to be streamed. If a firewall or proxy server limits access to the server, the content length of the data is specified to be about an amount of data that can be streamed to the server in one minute. If more data remains to be streamed when an amount of data approximating the content length has been streamed, a continuing streaming session is requested and subsequent data is streamed to the server in the continuing streaming session. The process repeats until all data has been streamed. |
| US07644171B2 |
Mobile networking system and method using IPv4 and IPv6
A method for communicating Internet Protocol data over a network, comprises providing an IPv4 data stream and providing an IPv6 data stream. An encrypted Internet Protocol communications tunnel is established through the network between a roaming mobile device and a further computing device. The IPv4 and IPv6 data streams are combined for encapsulation within and transmission through said encrypted tunnel. Continual secure communications of the encapsulated IPv4 and IPv6 data streams is maintained between said roaming mobile device and the further computing device while the roaming mobile device roams between network access points. The encapsulated, transmitted IPv4 and IPv6 data streams are received from said tunnel, and the received IPv4 and IPv6 data streams are demultiplexed. |
| US07644167B2 |
Identifying a service node in a network
A request is received from a first node in a network. The request includes a request for a service node operable to provide a desired service. At least one service node is identified that is operable to provide the desired service based at least on location information for the first node. |
| US07644166B2 |
Source audio identifiers for digital communications
Audibly informing a recipient of an arrival of a digital communication from a sender includes receiving a digital communication from a sender directed to a recipient and determining whether the digital communication is associated with an audio identifier that identifies the sender of the digital communication and that is designated by the sender of the digital communication. Perception by the recipient of the audio identifier is conditioned on whether the digital communication is determined to be associated with the audio identifier. The audio identifier is perceived prior to or concurrent with perception of the digital communication by the recipient. |
| US07644160B2 |
Login specific virtual ports
A system and method of mapping remote ports so that they appear as local ports. One or more accounts is created, including a first and a second account, wherein the first account is assigned to a first user and the second account is assigned to a first computer. A plurality of first ports are assigned to the first account. A plurality of second ports are assigned to the second account. One of the second ports is mapped to a local port on the first computer. Another of the second ports is mapped to a remote port such that the remote port appears as a local port on the second computer. The first user is logged into a second computer and, while the first user is logged into the second computer, one of the first ports is mapped to a local port on the second computer and another of the first ports is mapped to a remote port such that the remote port appears as a local port on the second computer. |
| US07644158B2 |
Method for implementing an internet protocol (IP) charging and rating middleware platform and gateway system
A method for Internet Protocol (IP) charging and rating gateway within a system having a proxy server for connection to an Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting (AAA) server, an access gateway, an IP classification engine for connection between a data network and the access gateway and a gateway controller connected to the proxy server and the IP classification engine, including the steps of receiving IP packets at the IP classification engine, the IP packets originating from the data network and destined for a subscriber device via the access gateway, classifying the IP packets according to the protocol of each of the packets at the IP classification engine and selectively instructing the IP classification engine to permit or deny the flow of IP packets between the data network and the access gateway at the gateway controller. Preferably, the proxy server is configured to emulate the access gateway and the AAA server. |
| US07644157B2 |
Statistical information collecting system and apparatus thereof
A statistical information collecting system and device for finding the detailed state of traffic flowing in a network to effectively reduce the traffic flow by sending statistical information from a statistical information collection apparatus to a collector device. A statistical information collection system with a statistical information collection apparatus comprising a collector device, in which the statistical information collection apparatus receives packets and collects statistical information from the received packets, and sends the collected statistical information to a collector device; the statistical information collection apparatus contains flow information including flow identification conditions for identifying flows that the received packets belong to, and sorts the statistical information on the collected packets for each flow identified by the flow identification conditions while referring to statistical information sorted for each flow, and the statistical information collection apparatus decides the transmit intervals for each flow for sending the statistical information to the collector device. |
| US07644155B2 |
Data communication system and data communication method
A data communication system and data communication method capable of drastically improving the quality of a dynamic image service to be offered to a user. The data communication system comprises a mobile communication terminal (1-2), an application server (1-1) for fetching data open to the public on a network (1-7) in accordance with a request from the mobile communication terminal (1-2) and conducting a data rate conversion for delivery to the mobile communication terminal (1-2) and conducting data delivery and transferring the fetched data to a predetermined transferred destination, and a home server (1-5) provided in a base of a possessor of the mobile communication terminal (1-2) for receiving the data, fetched by the application server (1-1) and transferred, through the network (1-7) and accumulating the data to regenerate the data as needed. |
| US07644154B2 |
Address information display system and address information display program
When a management PC (as an address information display device in an address information display system) displays IPv6 addresses that have been assigned to a device in the system, the addresses may be displayed in a pull-down menu, for example. The display order in the pull-down menu may be determined according to a priority order which can be set arbitrarily by the user. Further, addresses judged to be important (according to settings by the user) may be displayed using a bold font, local addresses are displayed in italic, addresses close to the expiration of term of validity may be grayed out) and invalid addresses (addresses already expired) may be grayed out with strikethroughs. As a result, an address information display system may be realized that is capable of displaying addresses assigned to a device in a style easy for the user to understand. |
| US07644153B2 |
Resource allocation management in interactive grid computing systems
A method and system for the resource allocation for an interactive session on a grid computing system. When a user-request for an interactive session is received, the particular applications needed to be launched in the interactive session are identified, as are resource requirements for the interactive session including processor, network bandwidth, executables and files requirements. A contract is then generated for the interactive session specifying resource allocations and authorizations, and resources for the interactive session are allocated in accordance with the contract. The system includes a distributed resource management node, a contract generation engine, and a contract repository. |
| US07644148B2 |
Historical data based workload allocation
In a method of allocating workload among servers based upon historical data, a requested workload profile is received and is compared with a plurality of historical workload profiles. A historical workload profile that is within a predefined range of the requested workload profile and that corresponds to a substantially minimized resource usage for power and cooling is selected. In addition, workload among the servers is allocated according to the selected historical workload profile to thereby substantially minimize resource usage for power and cooling. |
| US07644145B2 |
Integrated server platform for the autonomous provisioning of device services
A provisioning services platform automatically and remotely regulates service subscription and supplies replenishment. The platform comprises a provisioning server running a service consumer interface, an entity management module comprising information on machines usable with the platform such as electroreprographic marking machines, a policy and preferences module, and an order processing module, among others. The provisioned services include automated meter reads, automated supplies ordering, productivity reporting, assisted user self-help, remote diagnostics, and prognostics, among others. |
| US07644144B1 |
Methods, tools, and interfaces for the dynamic assignment of people to groups to enable enhanced communication and collaboration
A system for optimizing the value of communications between communicating parties is provided. The system includes a communication group manager that facilitates specifying policies, preferences and/or automated analysis of ideal communication channels, routing and/or scheduling in terms of communicating party groups that can be pre-populated clusters of communicating parties, assembled based on relationships (e.g., organizational), and/or assembled based on satisfying inclusion criteria (e.g., age, location, competence, communication history, meeting history). The communication group manager maps communicating parties into predefined and/or dynamically created groups that facilitate specifying and/or automatically computing ideal communication actions like selecting a channel, displaying lists of potential channels sorted by communicating party preferences, and (re)scheduling communications to different channels and/or times. Ideal communication actions can be identified by maximizing a measure of expected communication utility, where groups provide simplifying abstractions to facilitate assessment of outcome utilities. The method can employ representations of preferences of the contactor and contactee that allow for group-specific preference considerations that weight differentially contactor and/or contactee preference considerations in communication action optimization. The system includes a group wise communication coordinator that identifies optimal group communication sets. The method facilitates a recipient communicating with a group member where the communication utility is optimized based on a preference, and a context associated with the group to which the member belongs. |
| US07644135B2 |
Method of improving communications data throughput on embedded systems and reducing the load on the operating system and central processing unit
A method is provided for dramatically improving communications data throughput on embedded systems and reducing the load on the operating system and central processing unit by moving the network protocol logic nearer to the underlying communication hardware, and utilizing the communication processor hardware abstraction layer (CPHAL) concepts. This movement of the network protocol logic allows leveraging the CPHAL data structures, which are tightly bound to the communication packets being processed. The decision making is made just above the CPHAL layer; and the CPHAL data structure is preserved. Copying data is avoided by manipulating of pointers within the CPHAL buffer. |
| US07644134B2 |
System and method for analyzing system visitor activities
A method of analysis of the performance of defined visitor tasks at a host's web site. Tasks are defined a sequence of web pages with which the host wishes the visitor to view or interact. The method allows a given task to be provided, compares the desired task to current visitor behavior to determine frequency, manner and completion of the task and analyzes the task-related information for anomalies and trends in the completion, or lack thereof, of the desired tasks. |
| US07644126B2 |
Message thread handling
Described are techniques and mechanisms for easily allowing a user to unsubscribe (“opt out”) from receiving subsequent messages in a particular message thread. Generally stated, a component maintains information about a message thread that a user has indicated a desire to opt out of. The information includes identifying information about the message thread and an indication that a particular user desires to receive no further messages in the thread. New messages that are identified as belonging to that thread are handled in some fashion that differs from ordinary messages. For example, the messages may simply be deleted, may be held at a message server, may be redirected to a special storage location, or the like. The user indicates the desire to opt out through a user interface mechanism that is available in connection with the user viewing a message in the particular thread. Optionally, the user may have the ability to re-subscribe (“opt in”) to the thread. |
| US07644123B2 |
Message announcements
An announcement thread addressing format which comprises a first sub-part concatenated with a second sub-part is described. The first sub-part is preferably the address of the party which generates the addressing identifier, whereas the second sub-part may be random data. An announcer apparatus may then use these address formats by including only those parts of an announcement thread address which render the address unique within the particular index message in which it is to be included, but not necessarily globally unique. |
| US07644121B2 |
Method and system for online session tracking
Computer implemented methods of tracking client device activity on a web site are provided. Certain embodiments of tracking methods allow client device activity on one communication network (e.g. web pages viewed via the Internet) to be correlated to subsequent communications on a second communications network (e.g. a telephony network). Other embodiments include the ability to track client device activity across one or more web servers. Certain embodiments include the ability to use a limited pool of selectable addresses on one network (e.g. phone numbers) to correlate to a wide range of client device activity on another network. Reports may be generated that summarize the collected and correlated tracking information. |
| US07644118B2 |
Methods, systems, and media to enhance persistence of a message
Methods, systems, and media for enhancing persistence of a message are disclosed. Embodiments include hardware and/or software for storing of a message in an inbound queue, copying the message to a working queue prior to removing the message from the inbound queue, processing the message base upon the copy in the working queue, and storing a committed reply for the message in an outbound queue. Embodiments may also include a queue manager to persist the message and the committed reply after receipt of the message, to close or substantially close gaps in persistence. Several embodiments include a dispatcher that browses the inbound queue to listen for receipt of messages to process, copy the message to the working queue, and assign the message to a thread to perform processing associated with the message. Further embodiments include persistence functionality in middleware, alleviating the burden of persisting messages from applications like upperware. |
| US07644110B2 |
Stream data processing system and stream data processing method
A stream data processing system restrains the generation of communication traffic in the case of distributing loads by using a plurality of information processing devices. The global query is divided into a plurality of processes. At every divided process, a local query which includes the corresponding process is generated and each local query is set to a query processing device different from each other. In addition, the stream data is transmitted among a plurality of query processing devices in order so as to execute the local query in each query processing device. At this time, the entire stream data does not transmitted among the query processing devices in order. At least a part of the corresponding stream data is stored in a proxy device. When data received from an information processing device located in immediately before does not include the target data of the local query, the query processing device reads the corresponding data from the proxy device and executes the local query. |
| US07644109B2 |
System and method for storage of snapshot metadata in a remote file
A system and method for conforming a metadata file associated with qtree of a storage system to a version used by a file system kernel of the storage system, where the version indicates a format of the metadata file. The metadata file stores state information with respect to each qtree, and may be located outside of the qtree structure. Major and minor versions are compared with latest known major and minor versions associated with the file system kernel. In response to such comparisons, the metadata file may be updated to a newer version, rolled back to an older version, and/or the system may enter a corrective state where further operations are performed. |
| US07644107B2 |
System and method for batched indexing of network documents
A process takes advantage of a structure of a server hosting a network site that includes a change log stored in a database to batch index documents for search queries. The content of the site is batched and shipped in bulk from the server to an indexer. The change log keeps track of the changes to the content of the site. The indexer incrementally requests updates to the index using the change log and batches the changes so that the bandwidth usage and processor overhead costs are reduced. |
| US07644099B2 |
Dynamic generation and automated distribution of user interface from database model
A method and apparatus for automatically and dynamically generating a user interface for a client based upon a database model. An application server creates a user interface description in accordance with the database model. The description is then distributed to the client, which interprets the description and creates the user interface therefrom. |
| US07644098B2 |
System and method for identifying advertisements responsive to historical user queries
The present invention is directed towards systems and methods for identifying advertisements responsive to one or more historical queries generated by a given user. The method of the present invention comprises annotating a profile for a user with information associated with one or more historical queries generated by the user. The profile associated with the user is retrieved, the profile indicating one or more historical queries previously generated by the user. One or more advertisements are identified as responsive to a selected historical query maintained in the profile of the user. The one or more advertisements previously displayed to the user in response to the selected historical query are identified. The one or more advertisements identified as not previously displayed to the user are thereafter displayed. |
| US07644094B2 |
System and method for processing a large data set using a prediction model having a feature selection capability
The present invention includes a system and a method for processing large data sets that are too large to conveniently fit into a formal database application. The large data set processing system and method use a prediction model having a feature selection capability to process a fraction of the large data set and define useful predictors. The useful features are used to make predictions for the entire data set. The large data set processing system includes a useful predictor module, for defining useful predictors, and a feature-selection prediction model, for processing a portion of the data set (including the useful predictors) to obtain prediction results. |
| US07644093B2 |
Partially embedded database and an embedded database manager for a control system
A method for creating a compressed database includes a step of receiving a data input file. The data input file defines a first set of data fields to be included in the database and includes a set of data elements to be included in the database. The method also includes identifying a second set of data fields in the data input file that are designated to contain a Boolean element, the second set of data fields being a subset of the first set of data fields. The method further includes defining one or more new data fields for collectively storing the Boolean elements, and modifying the first set of data fields to eliminate the second set of data fields. The method also includes generating a catalog that defines an arrangement of the first set of data fields, wherein the arrangement includes the one or more new data fields for collectively storing the Boolean elements. |
| US07644090B2 |
Method and apparatus for fast similarity-based query, self-join, and join for massive, high-dimension datasets
A method and apparatus for fast similarity-based query, self-join, and join for massive, high-dimension datasets have been disclosed. |
| US07644089B2 |
System and method for corporate-wide policy management
An organization asset database (ADb) is described that contains a complete, up-to-date, secure, and easily accessible inventory of the organization's assets. Each asset is mapped onto a structure that represents the organizational hierarchy of the organization, which provides for multiple levels of accountability for each asset. Each asset has one or more roles in relation to other assets in the ADb and has one or more entitlements in relation to other assets in the ADb. The relationship between assets ensures that the ADb is complete and up-to-date and allows for easy filtering and retrieval of the information contained in the ADb. |
| US07644078B2 |
System and method for mining of temporal data
A system for temporal data mining includes a computer readable medium having an application configured to receive at an input module a temporal data series having events with start times and end times, a set of allowed dwelling times and a threshold frequency. The system is further configured to identify, using a candidate identification and tracking module, one or more occurrences in the temporal data series of a candidate episode and increment a count for each identified occurrence. The system is also configured to produce at an output module an output for those episodes whose count of occurrences results in a frequency exceeding the threshold frequency. |
| US07644075B2 |
Keyword usage score based on frequency impulse and frequency weight
A method and system for assessing keyword usage based on frequency of usage of the keywords during various periods is provided. A keyword usage measurement system is provided with the frequency of keywords during various periods. The measurement system then calculates a recent usage score for a keyword by combining a frequency impulse score for the keyword with a frequency weight for the keyword. The frequency impulse score for a keyword indicates whether a recent change in the frequency of the keyword has occurred. The frequency weight for a keyword indicates a recent measure of the frequency of the keyword. |
| US07644074B2 |
Search by document type and relevance
A method of finding documents. A method of finding documents comprising, ranking documents according to relevance to form a ranked relevance list, ranking documents according to type to form a ranked type list, and interpolating the ranked relevance list and the ranked type list to form a list of documents ranked by relevance and type. |
| US07644069B2 |
Search ranking method for file system and related search engine
The present invention provides a search ranking method suitable for a file system, including receiving a query, calculating final relevance scores of individual file items with respect to the query at least partially in accordance with energy scores of individual nodes on a current file system energy tree, and outputting a list of search results based on the final relevance scores. The file system energy tree is updated in response to an operation on the file system performed by a user, wherein the file system energy tree has a tree structure corresponding to that of the file system, and the individual nodes thereof respectively corresponds to the individual file items in the file system |
| US07644067B2 |
System and method for accessing content from selected sources via a document processing device
The subject application is directed to a system and method for the content retrieval and routing via a document processing device. The document processing device first receives output routing data from an associated user corresponding to a desired destination for retrieved content. The device then receives a content query from the user corresponding to desired content data available from an external source. The query is then routed to the external source and content data in response to the query is retrieved by the document processing device. The content data is then routed from the document processing device to the designated output destination. The document processing device then periodically monitors for changes to the content data at the external source and when any changes are detected, updated content data is retrieved and forwarded to the output destination. |
| US07644066B2 |
Techniques of efficient XML meta-data query using XML table index
XML table indexes provide a more efficient mechanism for searching data stored in aggregate form. XML table indexes are a set of tables created to project out in column form commonly sought metadata from stored XML documents. By projecting the data includes into column form, queries on the XML documents can be efficiently processed as they can leverage the enhanced functionality provided by the database tables. The XML table indexes may use aliases, partitioning, constraints and other functions to further improve query flexibility and performance. |
| US07644061B1 |
Managing resource indexes in a networking environment
A method, apparatus, and medium are provided for assigning indexes to a set of index-based resources. The method includes providing an index-based-resource manager (IBRM), requesting one or more indexes to be allocated to a desired number of resources, directing the request to the IBRM, identifying indexes available to be allocated, and allocating the identified indexes to be associated with the one or more resources. The present invention also contemplates transactional processing, enabling deallocation and querying of indexes. |
| US07644060B2 |
Artificial psychology dialog player with aging simulation
Embodiments of the present invention provide for a computer program of a dialog player. An artificial psychology dialog player is a software program that picks a sentence line from a repertoire according to probabilistic rules and artificial personality states. The personality for the purpose of this invention optimally has four motivational dimensions, one of which is paired with the remaining three; each pair is identified with a stage of human age. The user of the dialog player selects or identifies an age value; the software uses this value in order to determine a set of probabilities of activation for the three stages. The simulation of aging is implemented by automatically activating one of the stages according to these probabilities whenever the personality is prompted for a sentence. |
| US07644058B2 |
Apparatus and process for conjunctive normal form processing
A method for analyzing system-problems, comprising the steps of: accepting from a user an input describing a system having a problem; parsing the user input to create a boolean representation of the system, the boolean representation comprising a series of equations; determining that the boolean representation comprises an unsatisfiable series of equations; for each equation in the series of equations, performing the steps of: creating a modified series of equations by removing the equation from the series of equations; and determining if the modified series of equations is satisfiable, and, if the modified series of equations is satisfiable, deriving a solution wording from the removed equation. |
| US07644054B2 |
System and method for finding desired results by incremental search using an ambiguous keypad with the input containing orthographic and typographic errors
A system for finding and presenting content items in response to keystrokes entered by a user on an input device having a known layout of overloaded keys selected from a set of key layouts. The system includes (1) a database containing content items and terms characterizing the content items; (2) input logic for receiving keystrokes from the user and building a string corresponding to incremental entries by the user, each item in the string having the set of alphanumeric symbols associated with a corresponding keystroke; (3) mapping logic to map the string to the database to find the most likely content items corresponding to the incremental entries, the mapping logic operating in accordance with a defined error model corresponding to the known layout of overloaded keys; and (4) presentation logic for ordering the most likely content items identified by the mapping logic and for presenting the most likely content items. |
| US07644052B1 |
System and method of building and using hierarchical knowledge structures
The present disclosure includes systems and techniques relating to building and using hierarchical knowledge structures. In general, embodiments of the invention feature a computer program product and a method including receiving a first ontology including initial categories, an indication of sample data for a given category of the initial categories, and an indication of symbolic knowledge for the given category; and populating the first ontology with new features to form a second ontology, the populating comprising determining the new features from the sample data using a statistical machine learning process and retaining the new features and the symbolic knowledge within the second ontology in association with the given category. In another aspect, embodiments of the invention feature a knowledge management system including a hierarchical knowledge structure that categorizes information according to cognitive and semantic qualities within a knowledge domain. |
| US07644048B2 |
System, method and software for cognitive automation
Software code may include code to receive a first request associated with a discrete problem that is broadcast over a network of cobots. The request may be accepted based on the discrete problem to be solved. The code may also include code to determine whether a utility function associated with the plan to solve the discrete problem meets a threshold. The plan may include a plurality of steps. A report including information related to the chosen plan may be sent to the requesting cobot. Information related to the plan may include information such as the forecasted outcome of the plan. The cobot may then receive permission to implement the chosen plan. The plan may be implemented before any subplans are known or are determined to be possible. In the event that a subplan is required to carry out the plan, then a second request may be broadcast to a plurality of other cobots in the network. One or more of the plurality of other cobots may receive this request and the process may repeat at that cobot as described above. The cobots may be configured in a network of cobots to solve complex problems. |
| US07644036B2 |
Credit card supported electronic payments
A payment service provider receives a request to pay a payee on behalf of a payor and determines, responsive to the received request, that the payee will not accept the requested payment via a charge to a credit card account of the payor with a credit card issuer. The payor wishes to fund the requested payment from the credit card account. Accordingly, the payment service provider transmits, to the credit card issuer, account information identifying the credit card account and payment information representing the requested payment for inclusion in a credit card statement of the credit card issuer to the payor for the credit card account. However, the payment service provider directs the requested payment to the payee on behalf of the payor from a payment account other than the credit card account. |
| US07644034B2 |
System and method for pricing and allocation of commodities or securities
An auction server node is described for a computer network having user nodes for conducting an auction run by an auction adviser for awarding securities from an issuer to bidders of the auction. There is real-time monitoring of the auction as it occurs, a bid mechanism for receiving competitive bids from the bidders at the user nodes, including a quantity of securities to be purchased, an initial price revealed to the other bidders, and a firm price not revealed to the other bidders and within a predetermined range of the initial price. A single market clearing price is determined that allocates to the bidders all of the securities in the auction. An incremental adjustment of the market clearing price may be made by at least one of the auction advisor and the issuer, and an allocation made of the securities to the bidders at the adjusted clearing price. |
| US07644032B2 |
Adaptive matching program and system for corporate meeting planners and hospitality providers
The adaptive computerized bidding method matches hospitality facility (HF) data and meeting requirement data, permits the posting of offers and responsive bidding by both HF vendors and meeting planners (MPs), analysis of the initial search results by an MP supervisor (an adaptive input), analysis of the vendor search results by a vendor promoter (adaptive output) and facilitates the exchange of data by the posting MP and the selected HF vendors. MP requirement or request for quote RFQ data (at least MP contact data, facilities requirements, date range and price) is matched to HF hotel data (at least vendor contact data, location, room quantity, date range, and meeting room data), and after adaptive and output analysis and supplemental communications to supervisors, and the system sends MP RFQ data to matching vendors after processing by the adaptive filters. Vendors respond to the MP RFQ. |
| US07644030B2 |
System and method for order placement in an electronic trading environment
A system and associated methods are provided for intelligent placement and movement of orders in an electronic trading environment. According to one example method, in addition to submitting a leg order at a calculated price level, additional orders, queue holder orders, are submitted for the leg order at prices either below or above the calculated price level. Based on this configuration, if the conditions change such that it is necessary to re-price the leg order, there will be already an order resting in the exchange order book at the re-calculated price that can be used in the strategy. Upon re-pricing the leg order, one or more additional queue holder orders will be placed in the market. Other tools are provided as well. |
| US07644026B2 |
Ranking systems based on a risk
A method for ranking a plurality of systems based on their susceptibility to a selected risk that is determined from a plurality of risk indicators, is described herein. The method includes obtaining benchmark values for at least one benchmark system with a predetermined level of the predetermined risk; obtaining measured risk indicator values of the predetermined plurality of risk indicators in each of the plurality of systems, the predetermined plurality of risk indicators are the same in all of the plurality of systems; comparing the measured risk indicator values of each of the plurality of systems with the benchmark values of the at least one benchmark system; and ranking the plurality of systems based on the comparing to indicate the susceptibility of each of the plurality of systems to the predetermined risk. |
| US07644025B2 |
Method and system for providing mandatorily convertible securities with an associated call spread against a trust
The present invention relates to a method and system for offering a novel mandatorily convertible securities (e.g., DECS) by using a third party entity (either a corporate entity or a newly-formed independent trust) to: 1) issue and sell novel DECS to market investors; 2) obtain from a first entity shares of common stock in a second entity, or rights to receive such shares in the future, to satisfy the mandatory conversion requirement of the DECS; 3) sell or retain the rights to any residual value obtained after satisfying the obligation to DECS investors; and 4) use the proceeds from such sale or retained value to fund a portion of the DECS coupon. As compared to a traditional DECS, the use of the third party intermediary allows the first entity to: 1) recognize an accounting gain/loss on its underlying position in the second entity up front on the day of sale of the novel DECS; 2) avoid the creation of debt on the balance sheet of the first entity; 3) avoid any mark-to-market through the income statement each fiscal quarter, which would produce income statement volatility. |
| US07644021B2 |
Electronically assisted enterprise journal system
A method for processing accounting data of an enterprise includes entering accounting data entries associated with one or more accounts in memory of an interactive system, the interactive system capable of communicating with a batch system. At least some of the accounting data entries are copied to the batch system. The batch system includes a processor configured for rejecting certain ones of the accounting data entries copied to the batch system based on predetermined rules stored in memory of the batch system and associating reject information with rejected accounting data entries for use in correcting the rejected accounting data entries. The rejected accounting data entries are copied including the associated reject information to the interactive system. |
| US07644020B2 |
Bid positioning system
The invention relates to both a method and a computer system that are designed to provide a bid positioning system using a computerized bid proxy. The bid proxy takes instructions from the bidder and then bids based upon these instructions. Using a bid positioning system allows this bidder to place its bids in relation to a lead bid placed by another bidder in an auction based upon either a nominal or percentage distance from the lead bid. In a preferred embodiment, this computerized bid proxy is used in a shipment management system. This system allows a shipper to present at least one shipping requirement for a particular shipment to a centralized server. These shipping requirements could include the origin and destination of a shipment, the time or delivery date of a shipment, the number of articles being shipped, and the weight or volume of the shipment. The server next sends the at least one shipping requirement to a plurality of carriers some of whom are chosen by the shipper and some of whom are chosen by the system. These carriers next bid based upon the at least one shipping requirement. This system and method also allows these carriers to re-quote their bids based upon the bids presented by the other carriers. Once all of the bid deadline has been reached, the shipper picks the quote that best suits the shipper. |
| US07644017B2 |
Method for monitoring products in a refrigerator
Method for monitoring products in a refrigerator, wherein the refrigerator (1) comprises at least a compartment (2) for containing products (3), a door (4) adapted to close said compartment (2) and radio frequency transmission means (5) adapted to communicate with a plurality of transponders (6) associated with said products (3) to detect the presence of said transponders (6) into the compartment (2), each transponder (6) being able to send a specific identification code, the method comprises: detecting said transponders in static condition of closed door (C1), detecting said transponders during a time period (T1) which represents a dynamic phase of door opening (C2), detecting said transponders during a second time period (T2) which represents a dynamic phase of closing door (F2), comparing said transponders (6) detected in static condition (C1) and in dynamic condition (F1, F2), and their time events of detection for determining the transponders introduced and extracted, respectively, from the refrigerator during the condition of open door (C2). |
| US07644015B2 |
Information translation communication protocol
An inventive procurement system includes a requisition system for special item purchases that are not found when searching a catalog database. Using the requisition system the buyer is provided with the desired item while the information associated with the requisition is selectively added to a rule-based knowledge base as well as to an item database. In a preferred embodiment a common language generator has been used to normalize free form data using pre-determined rules to place the data into a class/attribute/value relationship. By having the item requisition follow the same relationship, the pre-determined rules may be updated and the free-form data associated with the item properly coded for inclusion into an item database. |
| US07644012B2 |
Contactpoint navigation systems and recording/transmission media on which the contactpoint management method is recorded and transmitted
It is desirable to provide systems that select prospective consumer contact points producing high advertising effects and that carry out navigation for distribution of a budget among the contact points, taking into account every opportunity to introduce brand information to prospective consumers.The present invention provides methods and systems that accomplish the above objectives by determining purchase processes that correspond to article types, setting phases appropriate to the purchase processes, determining time slots suitable for contacting targets for each phase, and selecting ContactPoints that produce a high advertising effect, for each phase, on the basis of ContactPoint power for each phase calculated on the basis of a ContactPoint potential index, a ContactPoint-wise contact rate index, a ContactPoint/mood affinity index, and the like. |
| US07644006B2 |
Semantically investigating business processes
Systems and methods of semantically investigating business processes are described. In one aspect, execution data that is generated by one or more components of a business process platform is accessed. The data is generated during execution, at each of one or more nodes, of one or more instantiations of one or more business processes each involving a set of one or more activities each defined by a respective service and performed by a respective set of one or more resources. The accessed execution data is mapped into one or more semantic concepts to obtain outcome data. The outcome data is visualized in terms of a user-selected perspective. |
| US07643994B2 |
Method for generating an audio signature based on time domain features
A method for analyzing audio data (AD) is provided wherein a signature (SAD) is generated based on a feature set (FS) comprising a plurality of time domain related features (TDFk). The signature (SAD) is formed in order to represent a plurality of temporal positions or ranges of a plurality of characteristics of time domain related features (TDFk) within said audio data (AD). |
| US07643989B2 |
Method and apparatus for vocal tract resonance tracking using nonlinear predictor and target-guided temporal restraint
A method and apparatus map a set of vocal tract resonant frequencies, together with their corresponding bandwidths, into a simulated acoustic feature vector in the form of LPC cepstrum by calculating a separate function for each individual vocal tract resonant frequency/bandwidth and summing the result to form an element of the simulated feature vector. The simulated feature vector is applied to a model along with an input feature vector to determine a probability that the set of vocal tract resonant frequencies is present in a speech signal. Under one embodiment, the model includes a target-guided transition model that provides a probability of a vocal tract resonant frequency based on a past vocal tract resonant frequency and a target for the vocal tract resonant frequency. Under another embodiment, the phone segmentation is provided by an HMM system and is used to precisely determine which target value to use at each frame. |
| US07643981B2 |
Pulse waveform timing in EinsTLT templates
The present invention provides for simulating signal transitions. Circuit characteristics are generated. Circuit characteristics are loaded into memory. Circuit behaviour is simulated. A non-leading edge circuit transition is captured. This occurs in software. |
| US07643979B2 |
Method to analyze an analog circuit design with a verification program
Data structures and algorithms are provided to automatically generate an analog stimulus to apply to a simulation of the analog DUT. A constraint solver is provided to determine suitable values to use in the stimulus generation. The suitable values are random values within a range of allowed values. For example, a number of different stimuli are generated for successive application to the analog DUT, each with a different magnitude within a range of allowed magnitudes. Data structures and algorithms are provided to monitor analog electrical properties at nodes of the analog DUT. Data structures and algorithms are provided to define constraints on the analog electrical properties and determine whether the constraints were violated. Data structures and algorithms are provided to define simulation coverage conditions in the analog domain and determine whether the defined analog domain coverage conditions have been satisfied. |
| US07643974B2 |
Pipeline optimizer system
One embodiment of the invention provides a method for optimizing a variety of aspects of pipeline operations by using a genetic algorithm. Generally, the genetic algorithm is used to evolve a population of feasible solutions over successive generations until a termination condition is satisfied. Each solution specifies a feasible operational state of the pipeline system. Over successive generations existing solutions are modified, and an identified solution in the population is removed at each successive generation. Over repeated generations, the solutions in the population improve. Once an optimized production solution is generated, an optimized pressure solution may be generated using a direct pressure optimization process. |
| US07643972B2 |
Computer-implemented systems and methods for determining steady-state confidence intervals
Computer-implemented systems and methods for estimating confidence intervals for output generated from a computer simulation program that simulates a physical stochastic process. A plurality of statistical tests is performed upon the physical stochastic simulated output so that a confidence interval can be determined. |
| US07643968B1 |
Method and apparatus for simplified patterning of features in a computer aided design (CAD) model
The invention includes computer instructions that operate to receive an input corresponding to generation of a pattern in a computer aided design (CAD) solid model. Pattern is comprised of a number of features included within a boundary of the solid model. The instructions further operate to receive an indication of modification to the solid model. The instructions operate to automatically modify the solid model and its boundary based at least upon the received indication. The instructions further operate to automatically determine whether modification, if any, to at least one of pattern and number of features to be continuously included within the boundary of the modified solid model, is necessary, based at least upon the modified solid model and received input. Upon so determining, the instructions operate to cause the necessary modification to be effectuated. As a result, simplified modification of patterns of features in a CAD solid model is facilitated. |
| US07643967B2 |
Method of designing fold lines in sheet material
A method of designing fold lines in sheet material includes the steps defining the desired fold line in a parent plane on a drawing system, and populating the fold line with a fold geometry including a series of cut zones that define a series of connected zones configured and positioned relative to the fold line whereby upon folding the material along the fold line produces edge-to-face engagement of the material on opposite sides of the cut zones. Alternatively, the method may include the steps storing a plurality of cut zone configurations and connected zone configurations having differing dimensions and/or shapes, defining a desired fold line in a parent plane on a drawing system, selecting a preferred cut zone and/or a preferred connected zone which have a desired shape and scale, locating a preferred fold geometry along the fold line, the preferred fold geometry including the selected cut zone and the selected connected zone, and relocating, rescaling and/or reshaping the preferred fold geometry to displace, add and/or subtract at least one of the connected zones, whereby upon folding the material along the fold line produces edge-to-face engagement of the material on opposite sides of the cut zones. A computer program product and a system configured for implementing the method of designing fold lines in sheet material is also disclosed. |
| US07643966B2 |
Identification of 3D surface points using context-based hypothesis testing
A computer model of a physical structure (or object) can be generated using context-based hypothesis testing. For a set of point data, a user selects a context specifying a geometric category corresponding to the structure shape. The user specifies at least one seed point from the set that lies on a surface of the structure of interest. Using the context and point data, the system loads points in a region near the seed point(s), and determines the dimensions and orientation of an initial surface component in the context that corresponds to those points. If the selected component is supported by the points, that component can be added to a computer model of the surface. The system can repeatedly find points near a possible extension of the surface model, using the context and current surface component(s) to generate hypotheses for extending the surface model to these points. Well-supported components can be added to the surface model until the surface of the structure of interest has been modeled as far as is well-supported by the point data. |
| US07643958B2 |
Method and system for validating PCI/PCI-X adapters
An automated system for validating Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus adapters or PCI-X bus adapters has a computer, motherboard, a PCI-X bus and isolated test slot for operatively coupling a PCI/PCI adapter under test through the PCI-X bus to the motherboard. The isolated test slot is adapted and arranged to minimize degradation of data flow on the PCI-X bus such that a PCI-X adapter, mounted in the isolated test slot, can negotiate a required operating rate greater than PCI operating rates. It can be configured as a low profile slot in a low profile computer system, such as a 2U low profile system. A method for validating the PCI/PCI-X bus adapters includes operatively coupling the bus adapter under test to the motherboard, negotiating to the required operating rate and testing the functionality of the adapter. The operating rate of the bus adapter can be verified to ensure the PCI/PCI-X bus adapters are tested at required PCI/PC-X rates. |
| US07643956B2 |
Continuous self-calibration of internal analog signals
A method and apparatus for monitoring and adjusting an analog signal of an operating circuit. The apparatus includes a control circuit, an analog-to-digital converter, and a comparator. The control circuit has an analog generator for generating the analog signal and an adjusting circuit for adjusting the strength of the analog signal. The analog-to-digital converter receives the analog signal and converts the analog signal to a digital signal. The comparator then compares the value of the digital signal to a predetermined value and generates a comparator signal. The adjusting circuit then receives the comparator signal and adjusts the strength of the analog signal based upon the value of the comparator signal. The method includes generating the analog signal, converting the analog signal to a digital signal, comparing the value of the digital signal to a predetermined value and adjusting the strength of the analog signal. |
| US07643953B2 |
Determination of incremental value in server processed data
The accumulated change in values representative of actions taken by a processor, such as the number of email messages processed by an email server, in a given time period is determined. Actions are represented as data points on a plot. Look-ahead intervals are defined for each point. Candidate pairs of points are determined for each look-ahead interval by comparing the first value in the look-ahead interval with other values in the look-ahead interval. A candidate pair comprises the first point and another point having a lesser value. If a candidate pair has a value therebetween, the candidate pair is discarded. If, however, a candidate pair has no value therebetween, the first value of the candidate pair is a peak value for the look-ahead interval. The accumulated change is determined by calculating the sum of the peak values, plus the final value, minus the initial value, for the given time period. |
| US07643951B2 |
Battery monitor
A circuit tracks the total amount of time that a host device has spent in its high power “activated” state (and optionally idle and hibernate states) and thereby can estimate the total power consumed by the host device. A remote device can query the state of a counter storing a value representing this time to accurately determine how much of the energy has been consumed by the host device and how much time is left and/or how many more operations can be performed before the host device's battery is exhausted. |
| US07643949B2 |
Coriolis mode processing techniques
Flowmeters are described in which a sensor signal received from a sensor that is attached to vibratable flowtube, so as to determine properties of a fluid within the flowtube, contains a drive signal component and a coriolis mode component. The flowmeters are operable to determine drive parameters of the drive signal component, as well as coriolis parameters of the coriolis mode component. By analyzing the sensor signal based on the drive signal parameters, and not on the coriolis signal parameters, the flowmeters are able to provide stable and accurate determinations of the properties of the fluid. |
| US07643947B2 |
System and method for flow profile calibration correction for ultrasonic flowmeters
A method for calibrating a flowmeter, comprising choosing a pipe configuration from a list of pipe configurations, defining a number of diameters downstream from the pipe configuration where a transducer is to be installed, determining an initial curve number for the chosen pipe configuration, wherein the initial curve number corresponds to a predetermined flow profile correction curve, determining a swirl factor for the chosen pipe configuration, and computing a calibration factor for a given Reynolds number. |
| US07643942B2 |
Method for controlled source electromagnetic reconnaissance surveying
Method for conducting an efficient and interpretable controlled-source electromagnetic reconnaissance survey for buried hydrocarbons. While a part of the survey area is being set up for measurement and data are being acquired, data from a nearby part of the survey area, surveyed just previously, are being rapidly processed and analyzed (110). If the analysis shows resistive anomalies of interest in a portion of a survey area, a fine-grid survey is quickly designed for that portion, and that survey is conducted next before moving source and receivers to a more distant part of the survey area. |
| US07643941B2 |
Cloud water characterization system
A system and method for providing a statistical measure of the size of liquid water droplets in a cloud, as well as a system and method for the detection and/or measurement of the presence of a cloud, liquid water content in the cloud and ice water content in the cloud, among other parameters. |
| US07643937B2 |
Navigation apparatus
A navigation apparatus includes notification means for notifying an advance direction at a branching point in a route guiding, storage means for storing a plurality of moving methods and notification methods corresponding to the respective moving methods, input means for selecting one of the plurality of moving methods stored in the storage means, and control means for causing the notification means to perform notification by the notification method corresponding to the moving method selected by the input means. Thus, it is possible to easily set a route guiding such as a distance to the branching point where guiding is started for each of the moving methods and a sound volume. |
| US07643934B2 |
Method and control system for positioning a mine vehicle
A method and a control system for positioning a mine vehicle. Measurement of a distance travelled by the mine vehicle is based on monitoring rotation of a wheel. In the invention, an error caused in the distance measurement by wear of the wheel is compensated for automatically when the distance value obtained from monitoring is corrected by a correction factor. The value of the correction factor is updated at predetermined intervals during use. |
| US07643925B2 |
Automatic transmission clutch timing optimization apparatus and method
A method for determining when in the course of a shift event an on-coming clutch gains torque capacity is provided. The method includes closed-loop controlling an off-going clutch to maintain a predetermined slip threshold by generating an off-going clutch pressure command, causing the on-coming clutch to engage during the closed loop control of the off-going clutch, generating a first derivative with respect to time of the off-going clutch pressure command, and using the first derivative to determine when the on-coming clutch gained torque capacity. A neural network method is preferably employed in analyzing the first derivative to locate a transition in the rate of commanded pressure indicative of off-going clutch release. A corresponding apparatus is also provided. |
| US07643922B2 |
Turning behavior control device for vehicle
A turning behavior control device for vehicle has a left and right wheel driving force adjustment mechanism for adjusting a difference in driving force between right and left, a braking force adjustment mechanism for adjusting a difference in braking force between the wheels, an auxiliary steering mechanism for adjusting a steering angle of the wheels, a vehicle velocity sensor, a steering wheel sensor, and a yaw rate sensor for detecting the behavior of a vehicle, and a control unit for controlling the foregoing mechanisms based on the vehicle velocity, the steering angle, and the yaw rate detected by the sensors. The control unit operates the front wheel auxiliary steering mechanism before operating at least one of the left and right wheel driving force adjustment mechanism and the braking force adjustment mechanism. |
| US07643919B2 |
Crash detection system
A crash sensor arrangement for a motor vehicle is disclosed. The crash sensor arrangement includes a first set of sensors (3,4) comprising a respective sensor on each side of the vehicle. Each sensor (3,4) is an accelerometer and has a predetermined sensing axis (5,7). Each sensor (3,4) is mounted on the vehicle (1) close to the outer skin of the vehicle and at a first longitudinal position such that the sensing axis (5,7) of each sensor (3,4) makes a predetermined angle to the longitudinal axis (6) of the vehicle (1). The predetermined angle is between 30° and 60°, or between −30° and −60°. The sensing axes (5,6) are mirror symmetrical to each other relative to the longitudinal axis (6) of the vehicle (1), so that at said first longitudinal position, there are said two respective sensors (3,4), the sensing axes of the two sensor extending in different directions. |
| US07643915B2 |
Diagnosing malfunctioning wheel alignment system
A diagnostic system allows a service technician to diagnose a malfunction that occurs during operation of a wheel alignment system after the malfunction has occurred and is no longer apparent. The system, which includes one or more cameras for gathering images of the alignment, gathers information in real time about the alignment of a plurality of wheels. The images include reflections from a target mounted on each wheel, and a processing system in communication with the cameras receives the images and generates analysis data based on them, the analysis data providing an analysis of the alignment of the wheels. A memory device stores the images and the analysis data, and a storage control causes the memory device to store the images and the analysis data in response to activation of the storage control by the operator during the occurrence of the malfunction. A display device in communication with the memory device selectively displays the images and the analysis data, and a play-back control causes the display device to selectively display the images and the analysis data to the service technician in response to activation of the play-back control after the occurrence of the malfunction. |
| US07643913B2 |
Vehicle remote control apparatus and system
A vehicle remote control apparatus for causing a vehicle to perform a requested operation in response to a remote operation request from a vehicle user includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire information about vehicle condition of the vehicle, and an operation instruction transmission controlling unit configured to compare a remote operation requested from the vehicle user with the information about the vehicle condition, to transmit an operation instruction corresponding to the requested remote operation to the vehicle if the requested remote operation has not been performed, and to refrain from transmitting an operation instruction corresponding to the requested remote operation to the vehicle if the requested remote operation has already been performed at the vehicle and is thus not performable. |
| US07643909B2 |
Highly responsive master-slave valve positioning
A master valve and at least one slave valve are connected via a network, wherein upon broadcast of a position setpoint of the master valve the at least one slave valve achieves a corresponding position within a shortened period of time, such network being a dedicated network or high speed shared network with position setpoint priority. |
| US07643903B2 |
Method of assuming acting point of floor reaction force to biped walking mobile body and method of assuming joint moment of biped walking mobile body
While a biped walking mobile body is in a motion, such as level-ground walking, the position of the center of gravity (G0) of the biped walking mobile body, the position of an ankle joint (12) of each leg (2), and the position of a metatarsophalangeal joint (13a) of a foot (13) are successively grasped. The horizontal position of any one of the center of gravity (G0), the ankle joint (12), and the metatarsophalangeal joint (13a) is estimated as the horizontal position of a floor reaction force acting point on the basis of the combination of the contact or no contact with the ground at a spot directly below the metatarsophalangeal joint 13a of the foot 13 and a spot directly below the ankle joint 12, which is detected by ground contact sensors 51f and 51r, respectively, provided on the sole of the foot 13. The vertical position of the floor reaction force acting point is estimated on the basis of the vertical distance from the ankle joint (12) to a ground contact surface. |
| US07643897B2 |
Method for automatically checking sequence of loading boats and batches for semiconductor manufacturing process
A method for automatically checking a sequence of loading boats and batches for a semiconductor manufacturing process is provided. According to a developed logic, a loading sequence is automatically calculated by a system. By comparing the actual loading sequence with the calculated sequence when the boats are entering, it is ensured that no errors occur when loading the boats in the batches. When loading the boats in the batches, operators can truly load the boats in the batches according to the entering sequence together with the current confirmation mechanism, so as to ensure the boat positions for the loaded materials to be correct. The method for automatically checking the sequence of loading boats and batches is further capable of calculating the loading sequence through the developed logic by automatically determining runnable boat positions for the material after recording a parameter for detecting a previous boat by the system. |
| US07643894B2 |
Audio network distribution system
This invention is a networked audio system (20). The invention includes a plurality of speaker nodes (100), a plurality of self-sufficient audio source node devices (300), an internet interface (400), a network control server (310), a legacy converter and controller (600) that connects to one or more legacy sources (500), all connected via an internet protocol network (200). |
| US07643891B2 |
Virtual field controller
An arrangement includes a first computer having a first operating system, the first computer having a memory containing software derived from field controller software executed on physical field controllers of a building control system. The physical field controllers employ a second operating system. The software further contains an operating system abstraction layer operable to convert at least some operating system calls of the field controller software to corresponding calls in the first operating system. |
| US07643887B2 |
Abdominally implanted stimulator and method
An retaining device for attaching to a contractile organ such as a digestive tract organ or stomach is provided. One aspect may include a lead for stimulating a digestive organ. The device may be an electrical stimulation device configured to deliver electrical signals to the organ. The device may be implanted in the abdomen using a laparoscopic or other method. |
| US07643886B2 |
Hydraulic actuation of lead fixation member
A medical electrical lead includes a primary lumen, a hydraulic lumen, and a fixation portion including at least one expandable fixation member. The fixation member communicates with a plunger disposed in the hydraulic lumen, and is actuated from an expanded configuration to a collapsed configuration by the introduction and release of hydraulic pressure in the hydraulic lumen. The hydraulic actuation of the fixation member allows for the delivery, positioning, re-positioning, and/or retrieval of the lead. |
| US07643883B2 |
Device and method for treating skin
A system and method for heating a tissue volume under a skin surface of an individual from an initial temperature to a predetermined treatment temperature in the range of 42°-60° C. The method comprises applying electrodes to the skin surface and providing from the electrodes a continuous wave RF energy or a quasi-continuous wave RF energy, where the RF energy has a power selected to heat the tissue volume to the final temperature in an amount of time exceeding 0.5 sec. The system of the invention comprises electrodes and an RF generator configured to provide a continuous wave RF voltage energy or a quasi-continuous wave RF voltage across the electrodes where the RF energy has a power selected to heat the tissue volume to the final temperature in an amount of time exceeding 0.5 sec. |
| US07643881B2 |
Neurostimulation with activation based on changes in body temperature
Methods and devices for detecting and/or predicting onset of an undesirable physiological event or neural state, such as an epileptic seizure, facilitate rapid intervention with a treatment therapy such as neurostimulation or drug therapy. The methods and devices involve monitoring the patient's body temperature, preferably by an implanted temperature sensor, to detect a change in a body temperature parameter over a first time period, which may comprise an increase or decrease in the patient's body temperature, time rate of change of body temperature, moving average temperature, increase or decrease in body temperature exceeding a target temperature, elevated or reduced body temperature, or temperature stability parameter over a first time period. The sampling period may be changed manually or depending upon a sensed body parameter, including temperature. When a parameter change is detected that exceeds a threshold, neurostimulation therapy is delivered to a neural structure of the patient. |
| US07643878B1 |
System and method for determining atrioventricular pacing delay based on atrial depolarization
Techniques are provided for estimating optimal atrioventricular pacing delay values for use in pacing the ventricles based on features of an intracardiac electrogram (IEGM) signal. Briefly, atrioventricular pacing delay pacing values are set based upon the location of atrial repolarization events within the IEGM. In one example, the end of an atrial repolarization is identified, then the interval from the atrial depolarization to the end of the atrial repolarization is measured. The atrioventricular pacing delay is then set by subtracting an offset value from that interval so as to time delivery of V-pulses prior the end of atrial repolarization. In this manner, atrioventricular pacing delay values are set based only IEGM signals and hence can be set to optimal/preferred values by the device itself without requiring surface electrocardiogram (EKG) signals and Doppler echocardiography or other cardiac performance monitoring techniques. |
| US07643874B2 |
Dermal patch
The invention is generally directed to a kit and patch for transdermal or intradermal delivery of at least one substance into the skin. The kit includes a dermal patch having an electrochemical cell with two electrodes and a retainer for retaining a conductive fluid which further includes an active substance. The conductive fluid can be deposited on at least one of the two electrodes. Alternatively, the conductive fluid can be applied topically to the skin. |
| US07643873B2 |
Exercise data apparatus
Exercise data apparatus for use on the body of a user during exercise, includes an electrocardiogram detector for detecting electrocardiogram data of the user during exercise; an attachment device for attaching the electrocardiogram detector onto the chest of the user; a motion detector for detecting body motion data indicative of steps of the user during exercise; a processor for calculating exercise data based on the electrocardiogram data detected by the electrocardiogram detector and the body motion data detected by the motion detector, the exercise data including at least one of heart rate, speed and distance, and calorie consumption of the user; and an output device for informing the user of the exercise data calculated. |
| US07643868B2 |
Method and apparatus for determining the position of the tibial exit point of the anterior cruciate ligament
In order to establish an optimum position on the upper side of the tibia for the exit point of an anterior cruciate ligament replacement, it is proposed that, with the leg bent, the position of a number of points along the front edge of the notch is detected and in this way their position and progression on the femur are also determined, that, with the leg straight, the course of this front edge of the notch is projected onto a projection plane which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tibia in the region of the upper side of the tibia, and that, within the region enclosed by this projected curve, the exit point is selected such that it maintains at least a distance corresponding to the radius of the implant from the projected curve. Furthermore, an apparatus for carrying out such a method is proposed. |
| US07643867B2 |
Fiducial marker devices, tools, and methods
This document discusses, among other things, fiducial marker devices, tools, and methods. One example illustrates a combined computed tomography (CT) imagable fiducial locator head, an integral bone screw, and an integral divot for receiving a positioning wand of an image-guided surgical (IGS) workstation. A further example includes a fluid/gel-absorbing coating or cover into which a magnetic resonance (MR) imagable fluid is introduced, thereby permitting both CT and MR imaging. Protective caps and collars may be used to protect the fiducial marker from mechanical impact and/or to guide the fiducial marker during affixation. A bull's-eye or other template is used to select a center of a substantially spherical fiducial marker head on an image, such as for use during patient registration. |
| US07643866B2 |
Method for producing a computed tomography display of tissue structures by applying a contrast medium
A method is disclosed for producing a computed tomography display of tissue structures by applying a contrast medium. A contrast medium is applied to a patient for better visualization of the tissue structure to be examined. An X-ray scan is performed during the presence of the one contrast medium, and computed tomography 2- or 3-dimensional pictures are subsequently reconstructed from the X-ray scan data obtained. In the method, absorption data are measured for at least two different energy spectra, a computed tomography intermediate image is reconstructed per energy spectrum, and the distribution of the one contrast medium in the tissue is determined from the different energy-specific absorption behavior between tissue and contrast medium. |
| US07643864B2 |
Adaptive imaging parameters with MRI
Systems, methodologies, media, and other embodiments associated with automatically adapting MRI controlling parameters are described. One exemplary method embodiment includes configuring an MRI apparatus to acquire MR signal data using a non-rectilinear trajectory. The example method may also include acquiring MR signals, transforming the MR signals into image data, and selectively adapting the MRI controlling parameters based, at least in part, on information associated with the MR signals. |
| US07643860B2 |
Portable instrument for measuring a physiological quantity, including a device for illuminating the surface of an organic tissue
A portable instrument for measuring a physiological quantity arranged to contact with the surface of organic tissue includes, essentially arranged in the same plane: an illumination device including at least one light source with an illumination surface for subjecting a portion of organic tissue to light emission in at least one wavelength range; and a detection device distant from the illumination device for detecting intensity of light emission produced by the illumination device after propagation in the organic tissue. The illumination device includes an optical element forming a guide coupled to the at least one light source for guiding light emission from the source by total internal reflection in a substantially parallel direction to the surface of the organic tissue and for distributing light emission into several illumination zones on the surface of the organic tissue over a substantially broader area than the illumination surface of the light source. |
| US07643858B2 |
System and method for detection of brain edema using spectrophotometry
Embodiments of the present invention relate to a system and method of detecting or monitoring brain edema in a patient. One embodiment of the present invention includes emitting a first light into the patient's brain tissue at a first wavelength, emitting a second light into the patient's brain tissue at a second wavelength, detecting the first and second lights after dispersion by the brain tissue at a detector, and determining an amount of water proximate the brain tissue based on the detected first and second lights. |
| US07643857B2 |
Foldable electronic device
A foldable electronic device (100) has at least two components hinged together by a hinge assembly. The foldable electronic device includes: a cover (10), a rotating element (20), an elastic element (30) and a frame (40), a set of magnetic elements (50) and a body (60). The rotating element has two notches defined therein. The elastic element has a latching portion. The elastic element is fixed in the rotating element. The frame slidably engages with the rotating element. The frame is engaged with the cover. The rotating element rotatably connects with the body. The magnetic elements make the cover close relative to the body. When the latching portion of the rotating element engages in different notches of the rotating element, magnetic force between the magnetic elements decreases so as to open the cover relative to the body. |
| US07643853B2 |
Apparatus and method for selecting an antenna in a communication system
An apparatus and a method for selecting an antenna appropriate for a data service type in a communication system employing multiple antennas. The method of performing data communication through a transceiver using multiple antennas includes determining the type of the data services contained in a received signal, selecting one of the multiple antennas with a communication quality corresponding to the type of the data services, and employing the selected antenna to perform the data communication. |
| US07643851B2 |
Wireless communication apparatus, wireless communication system, and control method thereof
During wireless data communication with a digital camera, when a setting operation of communication parameters is designated by a communication setting button, the data communication with the camera is suspended, and the network is switched to a network for setting communication parameters for another camera. With this network, a setting operation of communication parameters for another camera is performed. Thereafter, the network for setting communication parameters is switched to the network for data communication with the original camera. |
| US07643848B2 |
Multi-antenna transceiver system
A transceiver system includes a first section coupled to a first antenna, a second section coupled to a second antenna, and a radio frequency (RF) unit. The first section includes a transmit path and a first receive path for a first (e.g., GSM) wireless system, a transmit path and a first receive path for a second (e.g., CDMA) wireless system, and a transmit/receive (T/R) switch that couples the signal paths to the first antenna. The second section includes a second receive path for the first wireless system and a second receive path for the second wireless system. The first and second receive paths for the first wireless system are for two frequency bands. The first and second receive paths for the second wireless system are for a single frequency band and provide receive diversity. The transceiver system may include a GPS receive path coupled to a third antenna. |
| US07643847B2 |
Versatile baseband signal input current splitter
A current steering mechanism is provided in a radio transmitter (e.g., a multiband radio transmitter) to provide compatibility with a variety of baseband parts. Different proportions of an input signal current (“in”) may be steered to a dummy load (103), a mixer for a first band (106), and a mixer for a second band (108). In one example, five different loads are provided, one dummy load (103) and two different loads (105, 107) for each band. Possibilities include: 1. All current steered into dummy load via transistor A; 2. All current steered into Band 1 mixer via transistor B; 3. All current steered into a Band 1 mixer via transistor C, causing 6 dB input signal amplification; 4. All current steered into Band 2 mixer via transistor E; 5. All current steered into a Band 2 mixer via transistor D, causing 6 dB input signal amplification; 6. Like cases 2-5 but with diversion of some portion of current via a dummy load for attenuation of input signal in 1 dB steps. |
| US07643846B2 |
Retrieving voice-based content in conjunction with wireless application protocol browsing
A WAP-enabled device can request text-based and/or voice based content from a WAP Server. The WAP device communicates over a conventional wireless service provider network. This network provides a connection between the WAP device and a WAP Gateway. The WAP Gateway operates as a gateway between the wireless service provider network and the TCP/IP-based Internet. Content requests are sent from the WAP gateway to the WAP Server. When a request for voice-based content delivery is received, the WAP Server responds by sending a TCP/IP instruction to a Voice Portal Node. The Voice Portal Node is operative to establish a voice-based communication session with the WAP device. The WAP Server will transmit voice-based content to the Voice Portal Node. An audible transmission is then played over the telephone connection established between the Voice Portal Node and the WAP device in response to the request initiated by the WAP device. |
| US07643843B2 |
Method and system for transmit power control in a multiple-input multiple-output wireless communication system
The present invention is related to a method and system for transmit power control in a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) wireless communication system. Both a transmitter and a receiver comprise multiple antennae for transmission and reception. The transmitter comprises a power allocation unit for controlling transmit power based on a feedback received from the receiver. The receiver comprises a channel estimator and a singular value decomposition (SVD) unit. The channel estimator generates a channel matrix from a signal received from the transmitter and the SVD unit decomposes the channel matrix into D, U and V matrices. The receiver sends a feedback generated based on output from the SVD unit to the transmitter for controlling the transmit power. The feedback may be one of an eigenvalue, a transmit power level or a power control bit or command. A hybrid scheme for selecting one of them based on channel condition may be implemented. |
| US07643842B2 |
Method and apparatus for adjusting power control setpoint in a wireless communication system
Techniques to adjust the setpoint of a power control loop in a wireless communication system. The setpoint may be adjusted based on frame status indicative of erased/good decoded frames, one or more (typically soft) metrics indicative of the confidence in the decoded results, power surplus/deficit indicative of the difference between the received signal quality and the setpoint, setpoint surplus/deficit indicative of the difference between the setpoint and a threshold Eb/Nt needed for the desired level of performance, or a combination thereof. The metrics may include re-encoded symbol error rate, re-encoded power metric, modified Yamamoto metric, minimum or average LLR among decoded bits, number of decoding iterations, and possibly others. The setpoint may be adjusted in different manners and/or by different amounts depending on the above-noted factors. The techniques may be employed for forward and/or reverse links in CDMA systems. |
| US07643840B2 |
System and method for changing a talk group of a mobile communication terminal
A system and method for changing a talk group of a mobile communication terminal, which includes a PTT (Push To Talk) server and a mobile communication terminal is described. The PTT server is configured to transmit a message requesting the mobile communication terminal to change a talk group based on a location of the mobile communication terminal. The mobile communication terminal is configured to transmit a message approving change of the talk group. |
| US07643839B2 |
Method and system for diversity processing
In an RF communication system, aspects for diversity processing may comprise processing a plurality of received multipath signals as clusters of signals. The received multipath signals may be diversity signals received from diversity transmit antennas at a base station. Timing information may be generated for tracking the clusters of signals. Complex phase and amplitude information may also be estimated for at least some of the multipath signals in the clusters of signals. At least a portion of the received multipath signals may be combined to form a single path processed diversity signal. A plurality of the single path processed diversity signals may be combined together, where each of the single path processed diversity signals may be derived from one of the plurality of diversity transmit antennas at the base station. The diversity signals may be transmitted via at least one of a plurality of diversity modes. |
| US07643838B2 |
Integrity protection count synchronization method
An integrity protection count synchronization method (200) initiates (210) a new connection when a user equipment (UE) is already in connected mode with a network. If new security keys are pending, the UE sends (250) a START value of zero in an initial direct transfer message. If no new security keys are pending, the UE sends (240) a non-zero START value based on a Universal Subscriber Interface Module (USIM). Sending a START value of zero when new security keys are pending at the UE forces the network's COUNT-I integrity count value to match the zero COUNT-I value at the UE, which prevents call set-up failure due to inability to pass an integrity protection security check. |
| US07643836B2 |
Determining approximate locations of network devices that are inaccessible to GPS signals
Methods, apparatus, and computer program products for determining approximate locations of network devices. Information is received concerning last known locations of portable network devices that attach to a network, and used to compute an approximate location of an obscured network device attached to the network. In some embodiments, the last known locations of the portable network devices may be determined using information from GPS satellites. The approximate location of the obscured network device may be used as the approximate location of other stationary network devices connected to the same network. |
| US07643835B1 |
System and method for determining a nearest network resource using GPS coordinates
A system and method are provided for determining a nearest network resource using GPS coordinates. A GPS enabled device may obtain its location by requesting its GPS location. A list of network resources storing the desired data may be obtained by the GPS enabled device and the distance between each of the network resources and the GPS enabled device may be calculated. The system then connects to the resource having the shortest distance without requiring a user to know and decide which network resource is closest to their location. |
| US07643833B2 |
Methods and systems for proximity communication
Methods and systems for proximity based communication between users of proximity communication devices (“PCDs”). A localized communication network is established by peer-to-peer communication between PCDs. Each PCD communicates with other PCDs in a wireless, localized, peer-to-peer network structure. Each PCD is identified to other PCDs in its own localized area by its geographical position and/or other attributes. A user may therefore establish communications with another user based upon the other user's proximity to the first user's PCD or other attributes rather than by a fixed ID code such as a phone number or address. The PCDs may share multiple synchronization channels derived from multiple timing sources and may select among the synchronization channels when establishing a connection. The PCDs may provide a user interface to permit filtering of display of PCDs in the proximity of communication and may also provide multi-player video gaming through the proximity communication features hereof. |
| US07643830B2 |
Methods and apparatus for soft-decision based inter-radio access technology handover triggering
Methods, apparatus, processors and computer readable medium for inter-radio access technology (RAT) handover are provided that incorporate a soft-decision making process. By implementing configurable functions, soft-decision making allows for handover measurement limits to fall within a prescribed acceptable range and for the totality of the handover measurements to be used in making a final decision on inter-RAT handover. Thus, the currently described aspects provide for more flexible handover decision-making and better utilization of network radio resources. Further, in some instances, the currently described aspects may provide for the weighting of handover measurements, thereby allowing network administrators to place more or less emphasis on a selected handover measurement and, thus, better manage the handover process. |
| US07643824B2 |
Wireless telephone data backup system
A system for backing up data on a wireless telephone having a data store containing a user's personal information. A method and application are provided. |
| US07643823B2 |
Ubiquitous connectivity and control system for remote locations
A thermostat control system for monitoring and controlling environmental characteristics of a building includes a base station unit and a remote access unit continuously interfacing through instant wireless private direct connectivity. The system also includes a plurality of sensors that measure the environmental characteristics and provide the thermostat unit with the measurements. |
| US07643822B2 |
Method and system for processing queries initiated by users of mobile devices
In one embodiment, a method for processing queries initiated by users of mobile devices includes receiving an incoming message containing a query initiated be a user of a mobile device, and extracting the query from the received message. The message further includes obtaining a result of the query and creating an outgoing message with the result of the query for delivery to the mobile device. |
| US07643818B2 |
E-mail messaging to/from a mobile terminal
Systems and methods for sharing an e-mail address between a host system (100) and a mobile terminal (102) addressable by a temporary wireless identity (122D) in an access network (114). A terminal identifier (122A) is assigned to the mobile terminal (102) or its user. The system comprises a connectivity function (600) and a messaging centre (110) that collectively maintain an association (610, 612) between the terminal identifier (122A), encryption information (122C) and the temporary wireless identity (122D). When detecting an e-mail message addressed to the terminal identifier (122A), the connectivity function encrypts the e-mail message with the encryption information (122C). The messaging centre determines the temporary wireless identity (122D) of the mobile terminal and transmits the encrypted e-mail message to the mobile terminal which receives and decrypts the encrypted e-mail message. |
| US07643817B2 |
Method and apparatus for rapid secure session establishment on half-duplex AD-hoc group voice cellular network channels
Techniques are provided for secure group communications in a wireless dispatch system which includes a group of devices. The group of devices can include a first secure device which communicates with a plurality of second secure devices over a channel. |
| US07643815B2 |
Apparatus and method for automatically detecting presence of strobo in mobile terminal
Disclosed is an apparatus and method for automatically detecting the presence of a strobo in an earphone jack port of a mobile terminal wherein the strobo is automatically enabled without the additional operation of the mobile terminal when the strobo is plugged into an earphone jack while a user uses a built-in digital camera. The present invention safeguards the mobile terminal against severe damage being done thereto by mistakenly choosing options to enable a strobo without knowing that an earphone/microphone set is plugged in the earphone jack of a mobile terminal. |
| US07643812B2 |
Method and apparatus for a single-path enhanced-algorithm digital automatic gain control integrated receiver with power management and XM interference enhancement
A single-path enhanced-algorithm digital automatic gain control (SDAGC) integrated receiver is presented. The SDAGC has a front-end RF/IF reception/processing block and associated RF/IF AGC, which outputs to a single ADC. Output from the ADC is split into two TDM and one COFDM signal pathways, each with a respective DAGC. The TDM DAGCs are controlled according to TDM post-power signals, while the COFDM, DAGC is controlled according to COFDM post- and pre-power signals. An IF Gain Decision block determines the RF/IF gain based upon the respective gains of the TDM and COFDM DAGCs. A Gain Distributor block then distributes the total gain of the system across the RF/IF AGC and the various DAGCs. To save power, the COFDM pathways may be disabled if the COFDM pre-power signal falls below a threshold value. |
| US07643810B2 |
Method and system for noise floor calibration and receive signal strength detection
A system for detecting the level of the noise floor due to circuit noise as seen at the ADC for a wireless receiver. The system measures power after digitizing and filtering, and subtracts off any variable gain used in the analog front end to determine differentially the size of the signal at the antenna. The system further differentially detects the signal size of any incoming signal at the antenna in a similar fashion, and determines its size relative to the measured noise floor. If the level of the circuit noise of the receiver is known absolutely, the absolute signal size of the incoming signal can likewise be determined with this inventive method and system. |
| US07643809B1 |
Method and apparatus for tuning RF integrated LC filters
Using low impedance switches and coupling to a virtual ground, one or more capacitors are selectively switched into or out of an inductive-capacitive resonant circuit portion of an integrated circuit filter to alter the resonant frequency based on a phase difference between the resonant frequency and a reference frequency. The capacitors are sized for a sequence of total capacitances proceeding by halves or doubles between values corresponding to minimum and maximum desired frequency adjustments, allowing a binary count of pulses representative of the phase difference to address the correct combination of capacitors. An exact or ratioed replica of the inductive-capacitive resonant circuit, controlled by the same capacitance selection signal, may be used as a frequency-selective amplifier load or matching network, or to form a ladder filter. |
| US07643802B2 |
Mixer circuit and method for reducing an up-conversion mixer leakage
A mixer circuit includes a first oscillator, a second oscillator, an up-conversion mixer, a down-conversion mixer, and a detect and control unit. The up-conversion mixer has a first input terminal coupled to the first oscillator and an output terminal. The down-conversion mixer has a first input terminal coupled to the output terminal of the up-conversion mixer and a second input terminal coupled to the second oscillator. The detect and control unit is coupled to the down-conversion mixer. |
| US07643801B2 |
Clipping of transmission signal
A transmitter clips a transmission signal before transmission in order to reduce the strength of at least one peak of the transmission signal exceeding a predetermined threshold. The transmitter includes a clipper having a minimizer, a filter and an adder. The minimizer minimizes of a cost function with respect to an optimization signal, the cost function having weighted terms as a function of the optimization signal. The terms relate to an effective modulation distortion and an effective overshoot exceeding the predetermined threshold. The filter forms a clipping signal by filtering the optimization signal formed as a result of the minimization according to the spectrum emission mask requirements of the radio system. The adder subtracts the clipping signal from the transmission signal. |
| US07643791B2 |
Method and apparatus for optimizing signal processing
An booster/amplifier receives a plurality of RF signals, including a subject RF signal. A location-based signal spectrum is determined by performing either a frequency scan or an information lookup operation. An initial filter bandwidth for the booster/amplifier is set based at least in part on the determined signal spectrum and a target time delay interference. In one embodiment, the initial filter bandwidth is set such that both the TDI and ACI are optimized/minimized. The initial filter bandwidth subsequently may be adjusted from its initial value based on actual measured ACI and/or TDI values. |
| US07643785B2 |
Image heating device capable of changing pressure applied to heating nip
An image heating device includes a pressure-changing mechanism configured to change pressure applied to a heating nip. A cam of the pressure-changing mechanism acting on a pressure-applying mechanism is attached to a rotating shaft of a conveying roller that conveys recording materials. With this, an increase in the cost of the device can be regulated. |
| US07643781B2 |
Transfer device and image forming apparatus
A transfer device transfers an image formed on each of image-carrier rotating members onto a transfer belt by applying a bias voltage to the image-carrier rotating members. A rotation axis of one of image-carrier rotating member located the most upstream is positioned closer to the transfer belt than those of the other image-carrier rotating members. Each of the bias-applying rotating members is displaced downstream of the corresponding image-carrier rotating member, and a line on which a rotation axis of the bias-applying rotating member and that of the corresponding image-carrier rotating member fall is orthogonal to a moving direction of the transfer belt. |
| US07643780B2 |
Developing cartridge and image forming apparatus having the same
A developing cartridge usable with an image forming apparatus, the developing cartridge includes a supporting frame, a developing member which is supported in the supporting frame, and to supply the developer to an electrostatic latent image of a photosensitive body of the image forming apparatus, a supplying member which is supported in the supporting frame, and to supply the developer to the developing member, and an elastic unit which is supported in the supporting frame, and to elastically support the supplying member so that the supplying member can move toward and away from the developing member. |
| US07643775B2 |
Method and device for controlling the circulation speed of an endless belt and arrangement for generation of a braking force on an endless belt
In a method for control of circulation speed of an endless belt arranged in a printer or copier, the endless belt is directed over at least two rollers where the belt is driven with a preset first circulation speed via at least one of the rollers as a driven roller. Various load states act on the endless belt in successive operating phases during a printing or copying process, and via said various load states the belt being braked with different strengths so that a slippage is generated at least between the belt and the driven roller. A braking force acting directly on the endless belt is generated. Braking force is controlled such that a substantially constant slippage is generated between the driven roller and the belt based on the operating phases so that the endless belt is braked to a second circulation speed. |
| US07643772B2 |
Image forming apparatus having door positioning device
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, an apparatus body, a door, a sheet conveyance unit, and a positioning device. The image forming unit forms an image on a sheet. The image forming unit is disposed in the apparatus body. The door is provided in the apparatus body so as to be openable and closable. The sheet conveyance unit conveys the sheet to the image forming unit. The sheet conveyance unit is provided in the door. The positioning device positions the door in relation to the apparatus body in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. The positioning device performs positioning of the door in the vicinity of the image forming unit. |
| US07643771B2 |
Developer cartridge and image-forming device with improved sealing
A developer cartridge includes a casing, a developing roller, a sheet member, and a plurality of seal members. The casing accommodates developer and is formed with an opening for communicating inside of the casing with outside thereof. The developing roller is disposed on the opening and is rotatably supported on the casing. The sheet member is disposed between the casing and the developing roller. The plurality of seal members is attached to the sheet member in order to prevent the developer from leaking through the opening. |
| US07643769B2 |
Image forming system, an apparatus, and method for controlling the same
When a printing process on a first apparatus is interrupted due to an error and the printing process is resumed by a second apparatus, it is determined whether a predetermined function (for example, stapling) is selected for the printing process according to the printing mode. If the predetermined function is selected for the printing process, the second printing apparatus prints the number of copies including the copy interrupted in the first machine according to the print setting. If the predetermined function is not selected for the printing process, the second printing apparatus prints the number of copies excluding the interrupted copy and the unprinted pages in the interrupted copy according to the print setting. |
| US07643762B2 |
Sheet remainder detecting device and image forming apparatus
A sheet remainder detecting device for detecting the remaining amount of sheets in a sheet stack is provided with a displacing member displaceable according to the thickness of the sheet stack; a first and a second optical sensors each having a light emitting element for emitting light toward the displacing member and a light receiving element for receiving the light emitted by the light emitting element and reflected by the displacing member; and a controller for discriminating the remaining amount of the sheets based on detection signals of the first and second optical sensors. The displacing member includes a light irradiation region to be irradiated with the lights from the light emitting elements and movable according to an amount of displacement of the displacing member. |
| US07643761B2 |
Method and apparatus for processing optical duobinary signals
An optical receiver adapted to apply multiple-sampling processing to an optical duobinary signal received over a transmission link in an optical communication system. In one embodiment, the receiver has an optical-to-electrical signal converter coupled to a decoder adapted to process an electrical signal generated by the converter to generate a bit sequence corresponding to the optical signal. To generate a bit value, the decoder first obtains two or more bit estimate values by sampling the electrical signal within a corresponding signaling interval two or more times. The decoder then applies a logical function to the bit estimate values, which produces the corresponding bit value for the bit sequence. Advantageously, embodiments of the present invention improve overall back-to-back (i.e., source-to-destination) system performance, e.g., by reducing the number of decoding errors associated with timing jitter and/or spontaneous beat noise in the received optical signal. |
| US07643760B1 |
Direct detection differential polarization-phase-shift keying for high spectral efficiency optical communication
Efficient apparatus, methods, systems and devices to generate, transmit and detect optical differential polarization-phase-shift keying signals are disclosed for high spectral efficiency optical communication systems. It includes an electrical encoder and an optical encoder for generation of differentially encoded polarization-phase modulated optical signals and optical demodulators and balanced detectors for detection of the optical signals. The optical signals are transmitted through optical fiber links or free space. The electrical encoder maps independent data channels into differentially-encoded data sequences. In the optical encoder, the encoded data sequences from the electrical encoder drive optical modulators to generate differentially-encoded polarization-phase modulated optical signals at a symbol rate equal to the bit rate of each input data channel. After transmission through a transmission medium, the optical signals are demodulated optically and the original data are recovered by multilevel detection, without recovering the polarization state of received signals. |
| US07643758B1 |
CWDM system architecture with amplification
Methods and apparatus for providing amplification to coarse wave division multiplexing channels or signals are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, an arrangement that adds gain to a set of signals that may be divided into a first band including signals of lower wavelengths and a second band including signals of higher wavelengths includes a multiplexer, first and second optical amplifiers, and a processing arrangement. The multiplexer multiplexes the set of signals. The first optical amplifier has a first gain peak and provides amplification to the set of signals, while the second optical amplifier has a second gain peak and provides amplification to the second band but not to the first band. The processing arrangement passes the second band from the first optical amplifier to the second optical amplifier, and substantially prevents the first band from passing from the first optical amplifier to the second optical amplifier. |
| US07643753B2 |
Enhanced passive optical network (PON) processor
An enhanced passive optical network (PON) processor adapted to serve a plurality of PON applications is disclosed. The PON processor is a highly integrated communications processor that can operate in different PON modes including, but not limited to, a gigabit PON (GPON), a broadband PON (BPON), an Ethernet PON (EPON), or any combination thereof. In an embodiment of the present invention the provided PON is fabricated on a single integrated circuit (IC). |
| US07643751B2 |
Network managing apparatus, optical add/drop multiplexer, and network managing method
A network managing apparatus is connected to one of multiple OADM nodes that execute optical communication on an optical ring network configured by a two-line transmission path including of an active line and a backup line. The apparatus includes a storing unit that stores arrangement information of the OADM nodes and operating wavelength information of optical signals transmitted by the nodes. A controlling unit updates the operating wavelength information retained in the storing unit based on fault information from the OADM nodes and distributes the updated operating wavelength information to the OADM nodes. |
| US07643749B2 |
Camera module
A camera module includes an image sensor, a first lens, a second lens and a beam splitting and combining component. The beam splitting and combining component is disposed between the first lens, the second lens and the image sensor. The first lens is suitable for imaging a first light beam of a first object onto the image sensor, while the second lens is suitable for imaging a second light beam of a second object onto the image sensor. In addition, both the first light beam and the second light beam are imaging onto the image sensor through the beam splitting and combining component. Therefore, the camera module is able to provide a two-way image-capturing function. |
| US07643740B2 |
Hand-shake correction module for digital camera
Provided is a hand-shake correction module for a digital camera, which has a small volume and small operational load when moved. The hand-shake correction module includes a base plate; a first sliding member which moves in a first axis direction with respect to the base plate; a second sliding member including an image pickup device, the second sliding member being movable with respect to the first sliding member in a second axis direction perpendicular to the first axis; and a pressing means which generates a magnetic force preventing the first sliding member and the second sliding member from being separated from the base plate. |
| US07643734B2 |
Bottle eject mechanism
The present invention is directed toward apparatuses, devices, methods, kits, programs, and combinations to eject a bottle or container from a compartment. For example, in one embodiment of the present invention an ejector is provided that cantilevers over the bottle and is configured to eject the bottle from the container when sufficient force is applied to the ejector. In other embodiments, an ejection mechanism is disposed on a housing assembly of a device at a position to eject the container from the compartment, wherein the ejection mechanism is disposed in a non-retaining relationship with the container. The ejector mechanisms of the present invention can be used with a variety of devices, including, for example, a diffuser used to disperse an active material and/or generate an aesthetic lighting display, such as multicolored displays, color-changing displays, projection displays, shine-through displays, or the like. The diffusers may also provide control over varying emission of light and/or fragrance. |
| US07643731B2 |
Low power DVD playback in a portable computing system
In a DVD playback mode only, the first type interface is disabled and a DVD driver unit having a hardware DVD decoder connected to a DVD reader unit arranged to read video data from a DVD inserted therein is powered on. In the described embodiment, the DVD decoder unit is also connected to the display screen by way of a second type interface is powered on. The video data is read from the DVD by the DVD reader unit and sent by the DVD reader unit to the hardware DVD decoder unit which then decodes the video data before passing it directly to a timing controller unit coupled to the display screen by way of the second type interface. The timing controller unit converts the video data at a native resolution to a display screen resolution that is then displayed on the display screen. |
| US07643730B2 |
Video recorder to be connected to a digital video camcorder via IEEE 1394 serial bus
A video recorder connected to a DV (Digital Video) camcorder via an IEEE serial bus comprises a memory for storing time codes in dubbing-unwanted information, commanded by a user, in a DV tape. When commanded by the user for video recording, a microprocessor of the video recorder controls the DV camcorder to fast forward the DV tape for data area other than the dubbing-unwanted information based on the time codes about the dubbing-unwanted information as stored in the memory, and to reproduce the video information in the dubbing-unwanted information. This makes it possible to significantly reduce the time required for the user to check the video information to be dubbed. |
| US07643726B2 |
Recording medium containing moving picture data and additional information thereof and reproducing method and apparatus of the recording medium
The present invention relates to a recording medium containing moving picture data and additional information thereof and to reproducing method and apparatus of the recording medium. The present recording medium has script files including additional information about moving picture data, e.g., scene descriptive text and introduction of characters, etc. In addition, information linking each script file with a section of moving picture data to be presented with contents of the script file is included in a link data file or is contained in a filename of the script file. In reproduction of the recording medium, a script file linked with presently reproduced moving picture data section is determined and searched for based on the link data file or every filename of the script files, and contents of the found script file are presented together with the presently reproduced moving picture data. Furthermore, previously presented additional information is removed depending on data or filename of the found script file. |
| US07643724B2 |
Fast motion trick mode using non-progressive dummy predictive pictures
The invention concerns a method and system for performing a trick mode on a video signal containing a plurality of original pictures. The method includes the steps of selectively skipping at least one of the original pictures to convert the video signal to a trick mode video signal in response to a trick mode command and selectively inserting at least one dummy predictive picture in the trick mode video signal using field-based prediction. The method can also include the steps of monitoring the trick mode video signal in which the step of selectively inserting at least one dummy predictive picture in the trick mode video signal can be done if the bit rate of the trick mode video signal exceeds a predetermined threshold. |
| US07643723B2 |
Image processing apparatus and image processing method
In an image processing apparatus, when a plurality of items of moving-image data, modified data obtained by modifying the plurality of items of moving-image data, and presentation-description data which indicates the presentation order of the plurality of items of moving-image data and the modified data, are processed, an editing screen formed of representative images of moving-image data for which presentation is specified in the presentation-description data, and of a representative image of the modified data is generated according to the presentation-description data, and the representative images of the moving-image data and the representative image of the modified data can be distinguished from each other. |
| US07643721B2 |
Moving picture processing device, information processing device, and program thereof
To present a moving picture processing device having a user interface very easy to use when selecting part of moving pictures from multiple moving pictures. The moving picture processing device comprises a moving picture display unit for displaying whole or part of plural stored moving pictures sequentially, an input accepting unit for accepting an input for display of moving picture, a moving picture menu compiling unit for compiling a menu of moving pictures displayed when the input accepting unit accepts the input, and a menu display unit for displaying a menu of moving pictures compiled by the moving picture menu compiling unit. |
| US07643719B1 |
Superlens and a method for making the same
A superlens for controlling the size and the phase of an electromagnetic beam that passes through it, and a method for independently controlling the horizontal and vertical focusing of the electromagnetic beam using the superlens is provided. The superlens comprises a vertically GRIN multi-layer structure with one or more horizontally curved sidewalls. The vertical focusing is controlled by varying the longitudinal thickness of the multi-layer structure. The horizontal focusing is controlled by varying the profile and the radius of curvature of the horizontally curved sidewalls. Varying the thickness and radius of curvature is done by etching. Also provided is a method for making the superlens. |
| US07643713B2 |
Composite cable
A composite cable to be laid by being drawn or blown into a cable tube, which has at least two insulated copper wires (1, 2) which are stranded with one another, and at least one single-fiber optical waveguide (3, 4) and a cable sheath (5). The insulation of the copper wires has an inner layer (1b, 2b) with foamed polymer and an outer layer (1c, 2c) including an unfoamed polymer (foam skin). The optical waveguide(s) (3, 4) being arranged in the stranding gaps in the insulated copper wires (1, 2) which are stranded with one another, and reinforcing elements (5a) are made from a material having a high tensile strength being embedded in the sheath (5). |
| US07643708B2 |
Optical modulator
Herein disclosed is an optical modulator, comprising: a substrate (1) having an electro-optic effect; an optical waveguide (3) formed in the substrate; a traveling wave electrode (4) including a center electrode (4a) and ground electrodes (4b, 4c) to have a high frequency electric signal applied thereto, the traveling wave electrode and the optical waveguide collectively forming a high frequency interaction portion (20) to have the incident light phase modulated under the condition that the high frequency electric signal is applied to the traveling wave electrode; and bias electrodes each including a center electrode (22a, 23a) and ground electrodes (22b, 22c, 23b, 23c) to have a bias voltage applied thereto, each of the bias electrodes and the optical waveguide collectively forming a bias voltage interaction portion (19, 21) to have the incident light phase modulated under the condition that the bias voltage is applied to the bias electrode, in which the traveling wave electrode and the bias electrodes are extended in a propagation direction of the incident light with the traveling wave electrode (20) positioned between the bias electrodes (19, 21). |
| US07643706B2 |
Image management tool with calendar interface
Techniques are provided for automatically organizing and presenting photographs based on the date information associated with photographs. In one embodiment, a calendar-like user interface is provided. By interacting with the user-interface, the user can select specific dates. In response to the user's selections of the specific dates, the image organization tool displays all photographs that are associated with date information that falls within the specific dates. |
| US07643705B1 |
Techniques for using a captured image for the retrieval of recorded information
A method for determining a recorded presentation information document is provided. The method comprises: receiving information identifying an input image; comparing the input image with a plurality of image file documents to determine an image file document in the plurality of image file documents that includes information that is considered to match the input image; and determining a recorded presentation information document that is associated with the image file document that was determined. |
| US07643704B2 |
Cropping a digital image and preserving reserves
A method of cropping a digital image and preserving a reserve for subsequent use includes cropping the digital image to produce a first cropped digital image, the first cropped digital image having a first size and a first aspect ratio; determining, based on the location of the cropping, at least one reserve portion of the image adjacent to at least one edge of the first cropped digital image; and storing, in an image file, the first cropped digital image and the reserve(s). |
| US07643702B1 |
Object detection in images using a graphics processor
Methods, systems and apparatus, including computer program products, for processing electronic images. An electronic image is transformed to generate a transformed image according to a first coordinate transformation. The transformed image is filtered, and a second coordinate transformation is applied to the filtered image to align the filtered image with an accumulation array that includes multiple accumulation elements. Each accumulation element is updated based on a respective value in the aligned image. The operations of generating a transformed image according to a first transformation, filtering the transformed image, applying a second transformation and updating each accumulation element are iterated for one or more further first coordinate transformations. These techniques can be implemented to detect features in the image using a graphics processing unit. |
| US07643701B2 |
Imaging apparatus for correcting a distortion of an image
A document camera (1) detects a figure of a known shape on a stage (13) and acquires the coordinates of the figure, and acquires image processing area and projection correction parameter. The document camera (1) extracts image data of the image processing area from image data acquired by shooting the stage (13) and an original (4), and performs projection correction on the image data using the projection correction parameter. Further, the document camera (1) performs rotation correction on image data undergone projection correction. Furthermore, the document camera (1) performs zoom correction on image data undergone rotation correction, and generates output input image. |
| US07643694B2 |
Method and apparatus for processing a compressed image in an order other than the order in which it was compressed
An image processing system that can receive compressed image data corresponding to a representation of an image and process that image data in an order that is independent of the order in which that image data was compressed. A first pass decoding identifies certain information pertaining to the coded units within the compressed image data. Based upon that information, the coded units in the compressed image data may be decoded in an order that is different than the order in which they were encoded, and portions of the image may be rotated by a multiple of 90° independently of other portions of the image, thereby reducing the amount of memory needed to decompress and rotate the compressed image data. |
| US07643684B2 |
Apparatus for and method of constructing multi-view face database, and apparatus for and method of generating multi-view face descriptor
An apparatus for generating a multi-view face descriptor includes a multi-view face database storing sets of training face images and sets of test face images, each set including a mosaic view of a single identity; a basis matrix generator generating a basis matrix of the training face images shown from respective viewpoints searched from the multi-view face database; a feature extractor extracting feature vectors of a test face image shown from each viewpoint using the basis matrix of the training face images searched from the multi-view face database; a to-be-registered view selector searching the test face images using the feature vectors extracted by the feature extractor and selecting a plurality of viewpoints as registered viewpoints according to the search results; and a face descriptor generator generating a multi-view face descriptor by synthesizing face descriptors having the plurality of selected viewpoints. |
| US07643682B2 |
Method of identifying redundant text in an electronic document
A method of identifying redundant text fragments, which create artificial artifacts only, in an electronic page description language document includes a) providing a page having a plurality of text fragments, each text fragment comprising at least one glyph, the document including Unicode values for all glyphs and geometric information of all text fragments on the page and page description language parameters of all glyphs, b) identifying two text fragments as redundant candidates, if the Unicode sequence of the text fragments have identical corresponding Unicode sequences, c) defining a bounding box of quadrangular shape for each of the two redundant candidates according to their font characteristics, d) calculating the overlapping area of the two bounding boxes, and e) determining whether the two candidates form redundant text fragments by comparing the ratio of the overlapping area to the area of the smaller bounding box of both text fragments with a predetermined threshold. |
| US07643679B2 |
Method and apparatus for block based image compression with multiple non-uniform block encodings
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method and apparatus for block based image compression with multiple non-uniform block encodings. In one embodiment, an image is divided into blocks of pixels. In one embodiment the blocks are four pixels by four pixels, but other block sizes are used in other embodiments. In one embodiment, a block of pixels in the original image is compressed using two different methods to produce a first and second compressed block. Thus, each block in the original image is represented by two, typically different, compressed blocks. In one embodiment, color associated with a pixel is determined by combining the compressed information about the pixel in the first compressed block with information about the pixel in the second compressed block. In another embodiment, global information about the image is combined with the information in the first and second compressed blocks. |
| US07643678B2 |
Streak compensation with scan line dependent ROS actuation
Xerographic machines can print documents that have unintentional streaking parallel to the process direction. There are many possible source of the streaking. Currently, the streaking is minimized by using a cross process direction dependent modulation, called a profile, to modulate a modulated light beam being scanned across the photoreceptor. The profile is purely a function of cross process direction position. The profile can minimize, and often eliminate, streaking for any one area coverage, but only for that one area coverage. Different profiles can be produced that work best for different area coverages. Choosing a profile from a group of profiles for use with each scan line can minimize parallel streaking for a wider range of area coverages. |
| US07643675B2 |
Strategies for processing image information using a color information data structure
Strategies are described for processing image information using a data structure which conveys color information. The color information describes color-related formatting applied to the image information. The data structure can be passed down a video processing pipeline, where each functional component in the pipeline can draw color information from the data structure to improve the accuracy of its processing. Further, each component can supply previously unknown color information to the data structure for use by other (downstream) components in the pipeline. Exemplary fields of the data structure can include one or more of: a video transfer function field; a color primaries field; an image light field; a transfer matrix field; a nominal range field; and a video chroma sampling field. The transfer matrix field can be used to convert image information from one color space to another, such as a luma-related color space to an RGB-related color space. Processing operations can be performed on progressive and linear RGB image information. |
| US07643673B2 |
Markup language for interactive geographic information system
Data-driven guarded evaluation of conditional-data associated with data objects is used to control activation and processing of the data objects in an interactive geographic information system. Methods of evaluating conditional-data to control activation of the data objects are disclosed herein. Data-structures to specify conditional data are also disclosed herein. |
| US07643669B2 |
System for generating three-dimensional electronic models of objects
An image generation system for developing three-dimensional electronic models of objects includes a scanner and a computing system. The scanner may be selectively positioned adjacent to an object in different geographic positions. The scanner may provide scanner position information and image data representative of the object to the computing system. The computing system may generate a three-dimensional electronic model of the object from the image data and the scanner position information. The three-dimensional electronic model may be stored and utilized in other applications, such as an electronic navigational map. |
| US07643662B2 |
System and method for flattened anatomy for interactive segmentation and measurement
Systems and methods are provided for accessing three dimensional representation of an anatomical surface and flattening the anatomical surface so as to produce a two dimensional representation of an anatomical surface. The two dimensional surface can be augmented with computed properties such as thickness, curvature, thickness and curvature, or user defined properties. The rendered two dimensional representation of an anatomical surface can be interacted by user so as to deriving quantitative measurements such as diameter, area, volume, and number of voxels. |
| US07643660B1 |
System, method and computer program product for fingerprint verification
A computer program product comprising a computer readable medium carrying program instructions for verifying a fingerprint when executed using a computing system, the executed program instructions executing a method, the method: producing a test image of a fingerprint-under-test; producing a test ridge map from the test image and a reference ridge map from each of one or more reference fingerprint images; extracting fingerprint points of interest from the ridge maps; screening candidate reference ridge maps based upon a correspondence between the points of interest from the reference ridge maps and the points of interest from the test ridge map wherein the correspondence includes a first threshold and one or more candidate ridge maps having the correspondence within the first threshold are included in a set of candidate ridge maps; comparing local ridge data surrounding one or more points of interest of the test ridge map within a second threshold with local ridge data surrounding corresponding one or more points of interest of each of the test ridge maps in the set of candidate ridge maps; and asserting a comparison signal responsive to a correspondence between the local ridge data of the test ridge map and the local ridge data from one or more candidate ridge maps of the set of candidate ridge maps. |
| US07643657B2 |
System for selecting a keyframe to represent a video
A key frame representative of a sequence of frames in a video file is selected. The sequence of frames is divided into shots, sequences of frames captured by a single continuous operation of the camera, by detecting shot boundaries. Shot boundaries are detected by measuring changes in motion activity between frames using measures of pixel intensity and histogram differences between frames. The most interesting shot in the sequence of frames is selected using measures of motion activity, spatial activity, skin pixel color and shot length. The key frame is selected in the most interesting shot using measures of spatial activity and motion activity. |
| US07643655B2 |
System and method for animal seizure detection and classification using video analysis
A system and method for analyzing video images including images of an animal to detect and classify seizure behavior of the animal. Seizure-salient features are detected from identified postures and identified movements of body parts of the animal. The seizure-salient features are used to detect and classify the occurrences of seizures. |
| US07643654B2 |
Image processing apparatus, distant view image display method, and distant view image display program
An image processing apparatus is disclosed that displays a three-dimensional map including displays of a road and a three-dimensional building on a display unit. The image processing apparatus includes a managing unit that divides bearings into a predetermined number of bearing regions and manages identification information of a distant view pattern assigned to each of the bearing regions for each of a plurality of locations, an acquisition unit that acquires identification information of the distant view pattern assigned to each of the bearing regions for a current location, and a depiction unit that depicts a background image behind a display area for displaying the road and the building based on the acquired identification information of the distant view pattern. |
| US07643653B2 |
System for automated screening of security cameras
The present invention involves a system for automatically screening closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras for large and small scale security systems, as used for example in parking garages. The system includes six primary software elements, each of which performs a unique function within the operation of the security system to provide intelligent camera selection for operators, resulting in a marked decrease of operator fatigue in a CCTV system. Real-time image analysis of video data is performed wherein a single pass of a video frame produces a terrain map which contains parameters indicating the content of the video. Based on the parameters of the terrain map, the system is able to make decisions about which camera an operator should view based on the presence and activity of vehicles and pedestrians, furthermore, discriminating vehicle traffic from pedestrian traffic. The system is compatible with existing CCTV (closed circuit television) systems and is comprised of modular elements to facilitate integration and upgrades. |
| US07643652B2 |
Method and apparatus for embedding watermarks
Methods and apparatus for embedding a watermark are disclosed. An example method to embed media identification information in a compressed media data stream disclosed herein comprises reconstructing an uncompressed media data stream from the compressed media data stream, the uncompressed media data stream separate from the compressed media data stream, embedding the media identification information in the uncompressed media data stream to determine a watermarked uncompressed media data stream, and modifying a first mantissa value corresponding to a first transform coefficient associated with the compressed media stream to embed the media identification information in the compressed media data stream without uncompressing the compressed media data stream, the modification of the first mantissa value based on a difference between the first transform coefficient and a corresponding second transform coefficient generated from the watermarked uncompressed media data stream. |
| US07643651B2 |
Information processing device
There is provided an information processing device, which comprises a determination unit to analyze a main image and a watermark image to be added to the main image to determine an overlap part of the main image and the watermark image, a transparency adjustment unit to adjust transparency of the overlap part in the watermark image to first transparency, and an overlap processing unit to obtain an overlap image of the main image and the watermark image of which transparency is adjusted by the transparency adjustment unit by overlaying the watermark image of which transparency is adjusted on the main image. |
| US07643649B2 |
Integrating digital watermarks in multimedia content
A method for decoding auxiliary data from media signals in multimedia content decodes auxiliary data, including digital watermarks, from different media signals and uses the watermarks to control processing of the multimedia content. A copy control method decodes a watermark from one of the media signals in multimedia content, and uses the watermark to control processing of the multimedia content. Another method uses a watermark decoded from a first media signal to decode a second media signal. Yet another method uses a watermark decoded from a media signal to decode metadata associated with the media signal. Finally, another method forms a key for decoding data from at least first and second watermarks extracted from first and second media signals. |
| US07643647B2 |
Lay-in tile speaker system
A speaker support system is adapted for use in a suspended ceiling with grid openings and ceiling panels. The system has a speaker support base capable of supporting at least one speaker within a ceiling opening without interfering with the operation of the speaker. A guide flange is integral to the speaker support base and is adapted to align at least a portion of a ceiling tile within the grid opening. A support flange having an offset at each end is integral to the system, connected to the guide flange, and supports at least a portion of the ceiling tile within the ceiling grid opening so that the opening is filled with the speaker support base and the remaining portion of the opening is filled with ceiling tile. The base and guide flange are formed from a single piece of material, which is perforated substantially to at least some of the edges thereof. |
| US07643641B2 |
System for communication enhancement in a noisy environment
The invention is directed to a method comprising receiving input signals emanating from at least two microphone arrays each comprising at least two microphones, processing the input signals of each microphone array by a beamformer to determine temporal and spatial information about the input signals of each microphone array. |
| US07643639B2 |
Process automation system and process device for a process automation system
A process automation system in which process devices (1-6) execute predetermined functions as part of the process automation and exchange data (23, 24) relevant to functions and/or devices with the process automation system. Some but not all of the data (23, 24) are exchanged in encrypted form. |
| US07643637B2 |
Efficient code constructions via cryptographic assumptions
A system that facilitates efficient code construction comprises a component that receives a first code and a transformation component that transforms the first code to a new code. The new code has essentially same length parameters as the first code but is hidden to a computationally bounded adversary. The first code can be designed in the noise model and appear random to a computationally bounded adversary upon transformation. |
| US07643630B2 |
Echo suppression with increment/decrement, quick, and time-delay counter updating
Hands-free phones with voice activity detection using a comparison of frame power estimate with an adaptive frame noise power estimate, automatic gain control with fast adaptation and minimal speech distortion, echo cancellation updated in the frequency domain with stepsize optimization and smoothed spectral whitening, and echo suppression with adaptive talking-state transitions. |
| US07643628B2 |
Communication system having conference server
A communication system having a conference server device, a conference control unit, a plurality of moderator units, and a plurality of telecommunication devices. The moderator units are used to control allocation of a communication right. The decisions of the moderator units regarding the allocation of the communication right are combined to form an unambiguous overall decision, and overall decision is made using a majority decision. |
| US07643623B2 |
Flexible mobile prepaid scratch card recharge
This invention relates to a method and apparatus for flexibly controlling prepaid telecommunications charges. A scratch card recharge arrangement is used to prepay for future telecommunications calls. A flexible arrangement is provided to translate between the face value of a scratch card and the amount of telecommunications charges authorized for that scratch card. Advantageously, different vendors of scratch cards may provide different amounts of service for a scratch card with a given face value. |
| US07643611B2 |
Method and apparatus for shadow aperture backscatter radiography (SABR) system and protocol
A shadow aperture backscatter radiography (SABR) system includes at least one penetrating radiation source for providing a penetrating radiation field, and at least one partially transmissive radiation detector, wherein the partially transmissive radiation detector is interposed between an object region to be interrogated and the radiation source. The partially transmissive radiation detector transmits a portion of the illumination radiation field. A shadow aperture having a plurality of radiation attenuating regions having apertures therebetween is disposed between the radiation source and the detector. The apertures provide illumination regions for the illumination radiation field to reach the object region, wherein backscattered radiation from the object is detected and generates an image by the detector in regions of the detector that are shadowed by the radiation attenuation regions. |
| US07643610B2 |
Method and devices for performing stereotactic microbeam radiation therapy
A radiation delivery system generally includes either a synchrotron source or a support frame and a plurality of microbeam delivery devices supported on the support frame, both to deliver a beam in a hemispherical arrangement. Each of the microbeam delivery devices or synchrotron irradiation ports is adapted to deliver at least one microbeam of radiation along a microbeam delivery axis, wherein the microbeam delivery axes of the plurality of microbeam delivery devices cross within a common target volume. |
| US07643607B2 |
CT detector array having non-pixelated scintillator array
The present invention is a directed to a non-pixelated scintillator array for a CT detector as well as an apparatus and method of manufacturing same. The scintillator array is comprised of a number of ceramic fibers or single crystal fibers that are aligned in parallel with respect to one another. As a result, the pack has very high dose efficiency. Furthermore, each fiber is designed to direct light out to a photodiode with very low scattering loss. The fiber size (cross-sectional diameter) may be controlled such that smaller fibers may be fabricated for higher resolution applications. Moreover, because the fiber size can be controlled to be consistent throughout the scintillator array and the fibers are aligned in parallel with one another, the scintillator array, as a whole, also is uniform. Therefore, precise alignment with the photodiode array or the collimator assembly is not necessary. |
| US07643606B2 |
X-ray computed tomography apparatus with light beam-controlled x-ray source
An x-ray computed tomography apparatus has a stationary x-ray detector that at least partially surrounds the examination volume in one plane and a stationary device for generation of x-ray radiation. The device for generation of x-ray radiation is composed of an x-ray source that extends annularly around the examination volume over an angle of at least 180° as well as one or more light scanning units with which an x-ray focus moving along the x-ray source can be generated on the x-ray target by scanning of the x-ray source with a light beam, from which x-ray target an x-ray beam is directed through the examination volume onto respective, momentarily opposite detector elements of the stationary x-ray detector. The computed tomography apparatus has one or more light scanning units are arranged and fashioned outside of a central ring axis of the x-ray source such that only an angle range <360° is respectively scanned with each light scanning unit without crossing the ring axis. |
| US07643600B2 |
Techniques for performing gain and phase correction in a complex radio frequency receiver
A receiver (300) includes a first mixing digital-to-analog converter (DAC) (336, 332), a second mixing DAC (338, 334), a direct digital frequency synthesizer (DDFS) (302), a phase correction circuit (340), a selectable load (306) and a magnitude correction circuit (350). The first mixing DAC (336, 332) includes a first input for receiving an input signal, a second input for receiving a digital first local oscillator (LO) signal and an output. The second mixing DAC (338, 334) includes a first input for receiving the input signal, a second input for receiving a digital second local oscillator (LO) signal and an output. The DDFS (302) is configured to provide the first and second LO signals, which are quadrature signals. The phase correction circuit (340) is configured to provide a phase correction signal to a control input of the DDFS (302). The first selectable load (306) includes an input coupled to the output of the first mixing DAC (336, 332) and a control input. The magnitude correction circuit (350) is configured to provide a first magnitude correction signal to the control input of the first selectable load (306). |
| US07643599B2 |
Method and apparatus for detecting linear phase error
Disclosed herein is a method and apparatus used to detect phase error information between edges of an input data signal and a clock signal for use at ultra-high frequencies and where linear phase error information is required. This invention extends the usefulness of a given integrated circuit logic technology to twice the frequency range of application while maintaining the desired linear phase error measurement operation. Flip flops are used to sample the data input signal with the clocking signal and processing is done separately for rising and falling data edges. Analog recombination of phase error information from both edges is then done in a fashion that is not limited by the integrated circuit speed. This invention overcomes limitations of prior methods in that it operates in data applications, provides linear phase error information at very high phase-error bandwidth and can operate at the same maximum speed as the flip flop and logic process technology will allow by operating on bit cells that are a full 1-bit minimum rather than half-bit cells. |
| US07643597B2 |
Methods for selecting a subsequence of video frames from a sequence of video frames
A method for selecting a subsequence of video frames (72-84) from a sequence of video frames (70) comprising defining a distance function between video frames (72-84) in the sequence of video frames (70). An optimization criterion is defined to express a feature of a plurality of subsequences of video frames (72-84) selected from the sequence of video frames (70). A method is disclosed for displaying key frames for browsing and streaming. |
| US07643591B2 |
Transition balancing for noise reduction /Di/Dt reduction during design, synthesis, and physical design
A method for noise comprising synthesizing blocks of sequential latches, e.g., a pipeline circuit architecture or clocking domain, which comprises combinational logic, synthesizing a root or a master clock and at least one phase-shifted sub-domain clock for each block, assigning primary inputs and primary outputs of the block to the root clock, assigning non-primary inputs and non-primary outputs of the block to the sub-domain clock, splitting root clock inputs into root clock inputs and phase-shifted sub-domain clock inputs, assigning each of the blocks a different phase-shifted sub-domain clock phase offset, creating a clock generation circuitry for the root clocks and the phase-shifted sub-domain clocks. |
| US07643588B2 |
Method of estimating fading coefficients of channels and of receiving symbols and related single or multi-antenna receiver and transmitter
The method is for estimating the fading coefficients of a plurality of transmission channels on which signals to be sent, generated as a function of a sequence of symbols, are transmitted according to a particular modulation, e.g. AM-PSK modulation. The fading coefficients are estimated by using estimations of the transmitted symbols obtained in advance, thus obtaining DC components of the received signal by coherent demodulation locked to the phases of the transmitted AM-PSK signals, and processing these DC components. The method may not require the choice of a stochastic distribution model of the channel fading, thus it remains efficient even when the channel characteristics vary significantly. Moreover, the method works correctly even if the received stream is disturbed by inter-symbolic interference (ISI) and/or by multi-path fading. |
| US07643587B2 |
Frequency offset estimating method and frequency offset correcting apparatus utilizing said method
A frequency offset correcting unit estimates frequency offsets in a preamble period, corrects digital received signals by the estimated initial frequency and further corrects them by residual frequency signals. A receiving weight vector computing unit computes receiving weight vector signals by using LMS algorithm. Based on the error vectors or receiving weight vector signals derived by LMS algorithm, the frequency offsets contained in corrected received signals are also estimated and are outputted as the residual frequency signals. A multiplier weights the corrected received signals with the receiving weight vector signals. An adder sums up outputs of the multiplier so as to output a synthesized signal. |
| US07643584B2 |
Efficient joint detection
Data signals are received over a shared spectrum in a code division multiple access communication format as a combined signal. The combined signal is sampled as a plurality of received vector versions. A plurality of system matrices and an associated covariance matrix using codes and estimated impulse responses of the data signals is produced. Each system matrix corresponds to a received vector version. The system and covariance matrices are extended and approximated as block circulant matrices. A diagonal matrix of each of the extended and approximated system and covariance matrices are determined by prime factor algorithm-fast Fourier transform (PFA-FFT)without division of the matrix. The received vector versions are extended. A product of the diagonal matrices and the extended received vector versions is taken. An inverse block discrete Fourier transform is performed by a PFA-FFT a on a result of the product to produce the estimated data. |
| US07643580B2 |
Signal generator circuit having multiple output frequencies
A signal generator circuit includes an oscillator operative to generate a first signal having a first frequency associated therewith, and a phase stepper circuit coupled to the oscillator. The phase stepper circuit is configured to receive a plurality of control signals indicative of respective phases of the first signal, and to generate a second signal as a function of the plurality of control signals. The second signal has a second frequency associated therewith that is a fractional multiple or a fractional division of the first frequency. The second signal has a phase associated therewith which changes with periods of the second signal. |
| US07643579B2 |
Multiple differential demodulator using weighting value
The present invention relates to a multiple differential demodulator using a weighting value. The multiple differential demodulator according to the present invention includes a weighting value generator for integrating a real part and an imaginary part of a value acquired by multiplying one of a plurality of differentiated reception signals by a conjugated value of a differentiated PN code signal corresponding to a preset symbol, and determining the greater of the integrated real and integrated imaginary parts to apply a predetermined weighting value to the greater value, where the PN code signal is differentiated in the same fashion as the differentiated reception signals. |
| US07643578B2 |
Angle estimation for modulated signal
Angle estimation for modulated signal. A novel compensation technique is presented by which angle estimation may be performed for a modulated signal. More specifically, the angle between a constellation corresponding to a received signal and a constellation corresponding to a received signal may be very efficiently estimated using any one of the possible embodiments corresponding to various aspects of the invention. After this angle has been estimated, the received signal or the expected constellation may be rotated (or de-rotated) to compensate for this angular difference. In doing so, better estimates of the information bits that are demodulated and decoded from the received signal may be made. This approach may be implemented and adapted to any of a wide variety of communication systems including, but not limited to, single-input-multiple-output (SISO), single-input-multiple-output (SIMO), multiple-input-single-output (MISO), multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO), and even space-time block code (STBC) communication systems or other communication systems. |
| US07643576B2 |
Data-signal-recovery circuit, data-signal-characterizing circuit, and related integrated circuits, systems, and methods
A data-signal-recovery circuit includes a flip-flop and a controller. The flip-flop has an adjustable sampling threshold, and, in response to a sampling clock, is operable to generate a recovered digital signal having a first level if an input data signal is above the threshold and having a second level if the input data signal is below the threshold. The controller is operable to adjust the threshold and phase shift of the sampling clock. Because the flip-flop has an adjustable sampling threshold, one can calibrate the flip-flop to the characteristics of the eye pattern at the flip-flop's input node. |
| US07643575B2 |
AC coupling bandwidth switch
The present invention relates to receiver equipment with AC-coupled receiver circuits and AC coupling filters. A switch connected between a first stage and a second stage among the receiver circuits is adapted to switch from a high coupling corner frequency, for rapid settling of a signal during preparation of data reception, to a low corner frequency, for low signal distortion during data reception. The receiver circuits are adapted to use known properties in the signal to perform the switch at a time when the short term DC-components of the signal are as low as possible. |
| US07643565B2 |
Portable terminal, communication system, and communication method
A portable terminal communicates with a plurality of base stations by use of an OFDM signal. The portable terminal includes a communication unit sending and receiving the OFDM signal to and from the base stations, a switching timing detector, and an OFDM signal controller. The switching timing detector detects switching timing at which handover and a normal state are switched therebetween. The OFDM signal controller changes a guard time length of the OFDM signal upon detecting the timing by the switching timing detector. |
| US07643564B2 |
Method and apparatus for recording and editing digital broadcast content
A wireless mobile terminal (10) and method for utilizing digital broadcast content records (204) selected digital broadcast content as received, for example, by a digital broadcast receiver (16) and provides editing of the selected digital broadcast content based on digital rights management data to generate customized clips of information. The selected digital broadcast content is edited (206) to produce mobile terminal edited digital broadcast content that may be, for example, distributed (208) by the mobile terminal to a plurality of peer devices. A broadcast content editor (24) allows for the editing of clips of content wherein the edited clips are then stored in memory as recorded clips for distribution by the mobile terminal. In another embodiment, a network element is remotely controlled by the mobile terminal to effect editing through the mobile terminal at the network element. |
| US07643562B2 |
Signal processing using pilot based coding
Data coding and entropy coding are performed with interconnection, and grouping is used to enhance coding efficiency. The present invention includes the steps of obtaining mode information and obtaining a pilot reference value corresponding to a plurality of data and a pilot difference value corresponding to the pilot reference value according to data attribute indicated by the mode information and obtaining the data using the pilot reference value and the pilot difference value. |
| US07643560B2 |
System and method for scalable video coding using telescopic mode flags
Systems and methods for scalable video coding using special inter-layer prediction modes (called telescopic modes) are provided. These modes facilitate accelerated operation of encoders with improved coding efficiency. |
| US07643553B2 |
Optimal rate allocation for a group of channels
The present invention relates generally to systems, methods, and computer program products for optimally allocating a fixed number of bits among a plurality of multi-media data channels. The optimal number of bits is determined by preprocessing each channel to calculate complexity data, and then the complexity data is used to determine the optimal number of bits to assign to each channel. The optimal number of bits may be determined by a closed loop controller in communication with one or more channel encoders, and the multi-media channels may contain video data conforming to the MPEG2 video format. |
| US07643551B2 |
Compressing video frames
A method includes generating first difference frames and compressing the first difference frames to form compressed difference frames. The compressed difference frames are decompressed to form decompressed difference frames, and the decompressed difference frames are used in the generation of the first difference frames. |
| US07643547B2 |
Radio quality estimation system, base station, mobile station, and radio quality estimation method
An object of the present invention is to provide a radio quality estimation system, a base station, a mobile station, and a radio quality estimation method whereby, regardless of influence of fading, a radio quality of a predetermined measurement period is more accurately estimated. An interference power calculator calculates an interference-signal power of each of local estimation intervals which are parts of the predetermined estimation interval. An SIR calculator calculates an SIR of the predetermined estimation interval based on the interference-signal powers calculated by the interference power calculator. |
| US07643545B2 |
Calibrating automatic test equipment to account for magnitude and phase offsets
A method of calibrating automatic test equipment (ATE) having transmission paths that transport signals includes obtaining amplitude gains of the signals across the transmission paths, obtaining phase delays of the signals across the transmission paths, obtaining magnitude and phase offsets associated with the signals based on the amplitude gains and the phase delays, and calibrating the ATE using the magnitude and phase offsets. |
| US07643544B2 |
Communication quality controller and a communication quality control method
A communication quality controller can avoid, when periodically changing noise is abruptly occurring, disconnection of a communication line used for data communication and prevent resetting of a link speed for the data communication. During the data transmission at a beforehand set link speed, a CRC error counter monitors for a predetermined period of time whether or not an error occurs in a CRC error detector at a period less than a noise period changing periodically. According to presence or absence of the error taking place during the monitoring by the counter, a periodic noise detector determines presence or absence of a periodic noise period abruptly taking place. If presence of the periodic noise is determined, disconnection of an associated communication line is avoided, and after the occurrence of the periodic noise is terminated, the data communication is conducted at the link speed. |
| US07643539B2 |
Multi-path equalizer configuration technique
A technique for arranging a receiver device (20) includes equally spacing adjacent rake receivers (26-30) within an observation window (OW). A disclosed technique for updating an observation window includes changing the position of one of the rake fingers (24, 30) while maintaining a position of other ones of the rake fingers. The disclosed technique for arranging rake fingers in a receiver device (20) does not depend on searching and tracking channel conditions and reduces computational complexity without sacrificing receiver performance. |
| US07643532B2 |
Manufacturable sampled grating mirrors
The present invention relates to the tailoring the reflectivity spectrum of a sampled-grating distributed Bragg reflector (SGDBR) by applying digital sampling theory to choose the way each reflector is sampled. The resulting mirror covers a larger wavelength span and has peaks with a larger, more uniform, coupling constant (κ) than the mirrors produced using conventional approaches. The improved mirror also retains the benefits of the sample grating approach. Additionally, most of the embodiments are relatively simple to manufacture. |
| US07643531B2 |
Optical semiconductor element including photodetecting element with comb-tooth structure
An optical semiconductor element includes: a surface-emitting type semiconductor laser that emits laser light; a photodetecting element formed above the surface-emitting type semiconductor; a first electrode of a first polarity formed on the surface-emitting type semiconductor laser; a second electrode of a second polarity different from the first polarity formed on the photodetecting element; and an additional electrode that covers the first electrode and the second electrode. |
| US07643530B2 |
High-power external-cavity optically-pumped semiconductor lasers
External-cavity optically-pumped semiconductor lasers (OPS-lasers) including an OPS-structure having a mirror-structure surmounted by a surface-emitting, semiconductor multilayer (periodic) gain-structure are disclosed. The gain-structure is pumped by light from diode-lasers. The OPS-lasers can provide fundamental laser output-power of about two Watts (2.0 W) or greater. Intracavity frequency-converted arrangements of the OPS-lasers can provide harmonic laser output-power of about one-hundred milliwatts (100 mW) or greater, even at wavelengths in the ultraviolet region of the electromagnetic spectrum. These high output powers can be provided even in single axial-mode operation. Particular features of the OPS-lasers include a heat sink-assembly for cooling the OPS-structure, a folded resonator concept for providing optimum beam size at optically-nonlinear crystals used for frequency conversion, preferred selection of optically-nonlinear materials for frequency-conversion, and compound resonator designs for amplifying second harmonic-radiation for subsequent conversion to third or fourth harmonic radiation. |
| US07643529B2 |
Laser system
An apparatus/method may comprise a line narrowed pulsed lithography laser light source which may comprise: a seed pulse providing laser system which may comprise: a first pulsed seed laser producing seed pulses at a rate of X kHz; a second pulsed seed laser producing seed pulses at a rate of X kHz; an amplification system which may comprise: a first amplifier gain system which may comprise a first and a second pulsed gas discharge amplifier gain medium, each with a nominal center wavelength in the UV range, and each operating at ½ X kHz on output pulses from the first seed laser; a second amplifier gain system which may comprise a first and a second pulsed amplifier gain medium, each with a nominal center wavelength in the UV range, and each operating at ½ X kHz on output pulses from the second seed laser. |
| US07643523B2 |
Thermally self-correcting gain modules and associated systems and methods
Aspects of the present invention are directed to the use of optical gain structures that include alternating layers of gain medium and transparent heat conductors in which the gain medium itself functions as a correction optic. The gain medium changes to an optimum or desired shape because of the thermal changes occurring as the materials of the optical gain structure(s) reach a desired optical output condition. At the desired optical output conditions, the gain medium conforms to a desired shape. The desired shape may be, for example, that of an optical surface of a transparent heat conductor. By designing the initial shape of the gain medium such that the physical contact with the transparent heat conductor is maximized at the desired optical output conditions, conductive heat transfer between the gain medium and heat conductor(s) is maximized at the desired optical output condition. |
| US07643522B2 |
Method and apparatus for gas discharge laser bandwidth and center wavelength control
A gas discharge laser system bandwidth control mechanism and method of operation for controlling bandwidth in a laser output light pulse generated in the gas discharge laser system is disclosed which may comprise a bandwidth controller which may comprise an active bandwidth adjustment mechanism; a controller actively controlling the active bandwidth adjustment mechanism utilizing an algorithm implementing bandwidth thermal transient correction based upon a model of the impact of laser system operation on the wavefront of the laser light pulse being generated and line narrowed in the laser system as it is incident on the bandwidth adjustment mechanism. The controller algorithm may comprises a function of the power deposition history in at least a portion of an optical train of the gas discharge laser system, e.g., a linear function, e.g., a combination of a plurality of decay functions each comprising a respective decay time constant and a respective coefficient. |
| US07643521B2 |
Material processing system with variable repetition rate laser
A system for using a pulsed laser beam to process materials includes a selector for varying the pulse repetition rate of the laser beam. Also included is a control unit for identifying an optimal pulse repetition rate that is compatible with the required pulse energy level for processing the material. Variations in the pulse repetition rate can be made during a procedure pursuant to either pre-programmed instructions, or in response to closed loop feedback controls. |
| US07643518B2 |
Method for transferring and separating telephone call data
The present subject matter relates to apparatus and methodologies for allowing old telephone line capacity to provide near DSL or superior DSL quality telephone connections. A method of handling a telephone call with an associated data package over a telephone system having a power pair of lines and a second pair of communication lines with the steps of: a) determining the types of data desired to create a data group from the group consisting of voice, picture, bio-marker (finger print, retinal scan, etc.), card holder information (credit card number, etc.), DNIS and ANSI call data, generating at least one first byte digital data from at least one first digital data generator; generating at least one second type digital data from at least one second digital data generator; prioritizing the data between the at least one first byte digital data and at least one second type digital data so that the at least one first byte digital data is given priority; determining the bandwidth associated with transmission of the at least one first byte digital data; preferentially sending the at least one first byte of digital data within the bandwidth associated therewith; and adding bandwidth as required to include the at least one second type digital data. The data is separated and forwarded on at a site remote from the phones. Data is carried to the phone as well as away from the phone using this prioritized process. |
| US07643517B2 |
Method and circuit for de-skewing data in a communication system
Method and circuitry for de-skewing data in data communication networks such as a SONET. The data is sent from a system chip to a framer chip where the data is de-skewed. To detect data skew, the system chip sends a training sequence to the framer chip. The information bits sent to the framer chip are searched in order to detect the training sequence. The training sequences contain clear transition patterns at which all 16 bits of the transmit data and the TCTL signal line are inverted. If any bit does not invert, this bit must be a skewed bit. Based on the data one clock cycle before and one clock cycle after this transition, the skewed bit can be corrected back. After the data skew is detected, a multiplexing logic circuitry is used to correct the skew based on one clock cycle either before or after the transition. The multiplexing logic circuitry includes at least three registers coupled to the inputs of the multiplexing logic circuitry. |
| US07643516B2 |
Method and arrangement for compensating for jitter in the delay of data packets
To compensate for jitter in the delay of data packets (1) which are transmitted over a transmission link (40), e.g. a data network, the data packets (1) are buffer-stored in a jitter buffer (10) and are then played out of the jitter buffer (10) at preset intervals of time, after an additional play-out delay (ΔT). The additional play-out delay (ΔT) is set in this case as a function of a magnitude that is determined of the delay jitter, for which purpose differences in delay between successive data packets (1) are determined and an integrated value of the differences in delay is formed by integration. The additional play-out delay (ΔT) is then set on the basis of the integrated value of the differences in delay. |
| US07643511B2 |
Frame alteration logic for network processors
Packet switching node in a communication system includes apparatus for receiving incoming information packets or frames which contain header portions with formatting control blocks. Information in the frame's header contains frame alteration commands for modifying the information in the frame. The modifications include adding new information, deleting information, and overlaying information. Decoders and control devices in an alteration engine interpret the commands and apply the modifications to the frame data. Common and standard data patterns are stored for insertion or overlaying to conserve data packet space. |
| US07643507B2 |
Multicast packet processing apparatus and method
A multicast packet forwarding apparatus and method that can combine an internal processor of a multicast packet processor into a forwarding unit and a packet duplicator in order to minimize delay in the processing time of a forwarder and a packet transmitter. In the apparatus, a packet receiver is adapted to receive unicast and multicast packets. A forwarding unit has a unicast forwarder for forwarding a unicast packet to a destination when the packet receiver receives the unicast packet, and a multicast forwarder for multicasting a multicast packet to respective output interfaces when the packet receiver receives the multicast packet. A packet duplicator is adapted to convert the multicast packet output from the multicast forwarder into a several unicast packets. A packet dispatcher is adapted to reintroduce the unicast packets converted by the packet duplicator to the forwarding unit again. A scheduler serves to port-schedule packets output via the forwarding unit and duplicated packets according to a scheduling policy. |
| US07643503B2 |
System and method for dynamically determining retransmit buffer time
A packetized data receiver establishes at the beginning of receiving each respective stream a buffer length for sending packets to higher levels of a protocol stack in the event that a packet is missed. This can be done by requesting retransmission of the first packet and measuring the actual time delay between request and receipt of the retransmitted packet. |
| US07643501B1 |
Method and system for setting up and/or clearing a communications link between two types of devices
A method and an arrangement are specified for setting up and clearing communications links via a private branch exchange. A number of types of communications device are driven via the same controller. New devices with a transport network for transporting the communications data can thus be integrated in a private branch exchange by using TDM-based devices. The central configuration of the controller allows already existing central interfaces and databases relating to subscribers to be used. If required, service feature controllers can still be used. |
| US07643500B1 |
Overhead replication for SONET signals
A communication system comprises a first interface system and a second interface system. The first interface system receives a SONET signal including section overhead and line overhead in a transport overhead and including path overhead and user data in a payload. In response, the first interface system transfers the section overhead, line overhead, path overhead, and user data. The second interface system receives the section overhead, line overhead, path overhead, and user data. In response, the second interface system regenerates the SONET signal including the section overhead and line overhead in the first transport overhead and including the path overhead and user data in the payload. The second interface system transfers the regenerated SONET signal. |
| US07643499B2 |
Extending IP/MPLS services reachability over ATM backbone networks
The invention enables an LSP or embedded LSPs to be mapped directly to an SPVC and carried over the ATM network. A unidirectional SPVC is established by associating it to a particular ingress LSP at the SPVC source endpoint on a multi-service switch, and to an egress LSP on the SPVC destination endpoint on another multi-service switch. The information necessary to establish the SPVC is appended in the SPVC setup message and includes LSP specific information such as the far end router ID and LSP label information, be it transport label or the full label stack. The information in the modified setup message is then used by the destination endpoint to find and connect the SPVC to the correct LSP. Incoming traffic from the LSP is switched to the SPVC at the source endpoint. The SPVC carries this traffic through the ATM network, and then the traffic is switched to the egress LSP when it emerges from the ATM network at the destination endpoint. |
| US07643495B2 |
PCI express switch with encryption and queues for performance enhancement
A switching interface comprising a switch having an input and a plurality of outputs, and a memory associated with the switch. The switch is adapted to receive a packet from the input, the packet to be forwarded to a destination device coupled to a one of the plurality of outputs. The switch is responsive to store the packet in the associated memory. The switch is further responsive to a signal from the destination device to forward the packet from the associated memory to the destination device through the one of the plurality of outputs. Optionally, the switching interface may further comprise a packet encryption engine coupled between the input and the associated memory. Typically, the output devices coupled to the plurality of outputs will each have its own separate encryption process; in these scenarios the encryption engine will have logic for determining the appropriate encryption for the output device. |
| US07643491B2 |
Scheduling connections between peers in a peer-to-peer file sharing environment
Various embodiments can utilize a distributed solution for scheduling connections between peers in a file sharing environment. In accordance with at least some embodiments, individual nodes in a peer-to-peer system include scheduling software that enables the nodes to make scheduling decisions with regard to how, when and where connections are made with other peers. Scheduling decisions can be based on a number of different parameters. In at least some embodiments, a synchronization negotiation manager is embodied with logic that drives the negotiation and scheduling process. This logic is represented by an innovative state machine that is designed to implement the negotiation and synchronization process. |
| US07643490B2 |
Live content switching method, source device, and sink device
A live content switching method, a source device, and a sink device are provided. The method includes switching from first content to second content by using a dummy connection, the second content using the same resource of the source device as the first content. Accordingly, by using dummy connections set between a source device and a sink device, it is possible to switch the sink device from one live content to another live content without the need to cut off existing connections set between the source device and the sink device. |
| US07643487B2 |
System and method for delivering the magic packet to wake up a node in remote subnet
A system and method for delivering the magic packet to wake up a node in a remote subnet are disclosed. A method includes receiving a message generated by a source node located on a first subnet at a switching device located on a second subnet, where the message includes an address associated with a target node. The switching device determines if the target node is located on the second subnet by comparing the address to a plurality of network addresses included in a memory of the switching device. The message is communicated to the target node if the address matches one of the network addresses in the memory and is used to wake up the target node. |
| US07643486B2 |
Pipelined packet switching and queuing architecture
A pipelined linecard architecture for receiving, modifying, switching, buffering, queuing and dequeuing packets for transmission in a communications network. The linecard has two paths: the receive path, which carries packets into the switch device from the network, and the transmit path, which carries packets from the switch to the network. In the receive path, received packets are processed and switched in a multi-stage pipeline utilizing programmable data structures for fast table lookup and linked list traversal. The pipelined switch operates on several packets in parallel while determining each packet's routing destination. Once that determination is made, each packet is modified to contain new routing information as well as additional header data to help speed it through the switch. Using bandwidth management techniques, each packet is then buffered and enqueued for transmission over the switching fabric to the linecard attached to the proper destination port. The destination linecard may be the same physical linecard as that receiving the inbound packet or a different physical linecard. The transmit path includes a buffer/queuing circuit similar to that used in the receive path and can include another pipelined switch. Both enqueuing and dequeuing of packets is accomplished using CoS-based decision making apparatus, congestion avoidance, and bandwidth management hardware. |
| US07643483B2 |
System and method for using a hop limited cast for internet egress point selection
A system and method for using a hop limited cast for Internet egress point selection. One aspect of the present invention includes a computer-implemented method. The computer-implement method includes casting an Internet egress announcement to a network. The announcement has a range associated therewith. A list is then created with discovered Internet egress points within the range. Another aspect of the present invention includes an egress mesh node with an Internet egress point. The egress mesh node is configured to cast an Internet egress announcement to a range of the network. |
| US07643482B2 |
System and method for virtual switching in a host
A system including a plurality of virtual network interface cards (VNICs); and a Vswitch table associated with a virtual switch, wherein each entry in the Vswitch table is associated with one of the plurality of VNICs, wherein each of the plurality of VNICs is located on the host, and wherein each of the plurality of VNICs is associated with the virtual switch. The first VNIC in the plurality of VNICs is configured to receive a packet associated with a hardware address (HA), determine, using the HA, whether one of the plurality of entries in the Vswitch table is associated with the HA, send the packet to a VNIC associated with HA if one of the plurality of entries in the Vswitch table is associated with the HA, wherein the VNIC is one of the plurality of VNICs. |
| US07643480B2 |
Method and system for reliably and efficiently transporting data over a network
A data transport system for transporting data between a server (21) and a client receiver (27) over a network (23) includes a receiving proxy cache (25) coupled to a client receiver (27) via a reliable connection (29), such as a cable connection. The majority of data is transported from the server (21) to the receiving proxy cache (25) over an efficient data transmission channel (41). The receiving proxy cache (25) verifies the status of the data transmitted over the efficient channel (41). If there is an error in the data transmission, a portion of the data associated with the error is retransmitted from the server (21) to the receiving proxy cache (25) over a reliable data transmission channel (43). The complete data at the receiving proxy cache (25) is delivered to a client receiver (27) over a reliable connection (29). |
| US07643473B2 |
Instant messaging with audio connection formation
Instant messaging with audio connection formation is described. In an implementation, a method includes forming a communication to authenticate a client with a proxy during an instant messaging session and forming an invitation by the client for communication to the proxy that identifies another client, with which, to communicate via an audio connection. An acceptance is received from the other client via the proxy to form the audio connection. |
| US07643470B2 |
Method and an associated device for setting up a transfer of data between two communications devices
A technique of setting up a transfer of data between two communications devices. The devices are connected to an IP network via respective subscriber lines each conveying a voice and signaling channel and a data channel. The IP address of one of the devices is sent to the other device on the voice and signaling channel using a signaling mode of that channel. The transfer of data is effected after setting up a session on the data channel. |
| US07643468B1 |
Data-center network architecture
A data-center network architecture. The data-center network architecture incorporates a front end having an aggregation layer exhibiting integrated service-module intelligence. A server farm connects the front end with a storage network. In a specific embodiment, the aggregation layer includes plural interconnected multilayer switches incorporating service-module intelligence implemented via one or more service modules. Plural layer-2 switches communicate with the plural multilayer switches. The server farm includes one or more servers that are dual homed or multihomed with the plural layer-2 switches. The storage network includes plural interconnected multilayer directors and one or more Fibre Channel hosts using Host Bus Adapters (HBAs) that interface one or more data-storage devices to the server farm. |
| US07643463B1 |
Method and apparatus for a dual-mode radio in a wireless communication system
The present invention is a novel method and apparatus for a dual-mode radio (DMR) in a wireless communication system. The present invention allows Bluetooth™ protocol and 802.11 protocol devices to co-exist. The present inventive method classifies Bluetooth™ protocol and 802.11 protocol events according to importance. In the basic dual-mode radio method, the present invention assigns two levels of importance or priority Bluetooth™ events: “high” and “low”. In the enhanced dual-mode radio method, the present invention assigns three levels of importance or priority to Bluetooth™ events: “high”, “low” and “promotable”. The present inventive apparatus provides a means for disabling 802.11 transmissions when high-priority Bluetooth™ events are detected. |
| US07643457B2 |
Wireless communications network with radio access points with dynamically adaptable transmission power level
A management device (D) for radio access points (AP), of a wireless communications network (WLAN), comprises processing means (PM) responsible for dynamically determining the transmission power level of each access point (AP) that it manages depending on the presence and/or respective locations of communication terminals (UEj) in relation to the said access points and to at least one criterion selected, so that said access points establish said levels. |
| US07643451B2 |
Method and apparatus for extending a mobile unit data path between access points
Fast transitions between access points (APs) in a wireless network may be accomplished when a mobile unit (MU) moves between the APs, by causing a first tunnel to be established between the APs, and causing a second tunnel to be established between the new AP and the MU. A data path having established security and quality of service parameters between the MU and the old AP may be extended through the tunnels, so that communication with the MU is not disrupted while transitioning between APs. Transition processing thus may be decoupled from movement of the MU, so that the MU may continue to receive access to data over the data path. Optionally, once the data path has been so extended, the MU and new AP may engage in authentication and other messaging to formally affect a handover of the data path to the new AP. The APs and MU may be configured to communicate according to the 802.11 protocol. |
| US07643446B2 |
Route optimization of media channel in mobile wireless network
An exemplary embodiment of a method is implemented in a wireless network and is advantageous in that an undesired interim media channel link which would have been used in prior art systems is identified during call setup and avoided. In response to a call request in the wireless network for a call with a first user's wireless subscriber unit, a determination is made if one of a calling home node and a called home node of the first user's wireless subscriber unit should not be used as a node in the media channel such as due to the one node's remote location relative to the rest of the nodes in the media channel. A resulting media channel is established so that the one of the calling home node and the called home node is not part of a path of the media channel thereby minimizing the total distance and delay of the media path. |
| US07643440B1 |
Integrated television and broadband data system for aircraft
An integrated airborne broadband data and television system is disclosed. The integrated system includes an aircraft mounted pointable antenna unit. Further, the integrated system includes pointing command electronics providing pointing commands to the antenna unit. The pointing commands are based on requested access to one of data services and television services. Further, the disclosed integrated system includes a processing unit directing signal information to one of a data transmitter receiver and a television signal receiver decoder unit. |
| US07643438B2 |
Method of determining random access channel preamble detection performance in a communication system
In a method for determining link level performance of random access channel (RACH) preamble detection in a wireless communication system, link level performance results may be obtained without having to perform extensive simulation. Link-level performance results of RACH preamble detection may be characterized by determining a conditional detection probability. The conditional detection probability may be conditioned upon an instantaneous channel coefficient, and the conditional detection probability may be expressed in terms of an instantaneous detection metric. Instantaneous link-level performance may be characterized using a look-up table, so that a system model evaluated in accordance with the method may accurately represent instantaneous system behavior. |
| US07643435B1 |
Method and system for establishing a voice communication solution for business transactions and commerce applications
A method and a system for establishing a self-owned and self-managed network-based voice communication solution (VCS) for supporting business transactions and commerce applications over the communications network(s) including the Internet and PSTN. The voice communication solution is requested by a merchant or business entity at a computer connected to the Internet by providing (i) information needed for approval and (ii) system configuration for accepting the solution. Through a friendly interactive process with a web server and a solution server, the necessary software for voice communication is downloaded to a merchant's designated computer host, turning it to be a VCS server. Upon activation, the VCS server can support voice over IP (VOIP) communication and connect an incoming call to a telephone via PSTN or a PBX network. The VCS server can receive a VOIP call from anyone at anyplace via an Internet connected voice enabled computer. The caller launches a call agent via the merchant's web page(s) or via a computer desktop interface or via a VOIP phone interface to reach the 15 privately held voice communication server. The server connects the caller to a receiver according to the caller or merchant designated phone number. These phone numbers are designated as e800 numbers and are listed in various e800 directories for public use. Hence the VCS system can convert any local phone number into an e800 number with ‘800’ like properties, serving as a self-owned, self-activated and self-managed network-based voice communication system and solution. |
| US07643433B2 |
Automatic local LAPB device configuration method and apparatus
A method and apparatus is disclosed for configuring a local LAPB device in accordance with a remote LAPB device using a received frame provided by the remote LAPB device. |
| US07643432B2 |
Method for analyzing a network environment
A method for analyzing a network environment, is provided. First acquiring a plurality of connection data of all network cards of a terminal device is performed. Then, according to connection data, determining whether or not a terminal device uses a PPPoE connection to connect to a network system. Finally, determining whether or not an IP address of the terminal device is a public IP address and determining whether or not the terminal device uses DHCP to acquire a target IP address. |
| US07643427B2 |
Multipath routing architecture for large data transfers
A multipath routing architecture for large data transfers is disclosed. The architecture employs an overlay network that provides diverse paths for packets from communicating end hosts to utilize as much capacity as available across multiple paths while ensuring network-wide fair allocation of resources across competing data transfers. A set of transit nodes are interposed between the end-hosts and for each end-to-end connection, a transit node can logically operate as an entry gateway, a relay or exit gateway. Packets from the sender enter the entry node and go to the exit node either directly or through one of a plurality of relay nodes. The exit node delivers the packets to the receiver. A multipath congestion control protocol is executed on the entry node to harness network capacity for large data transfers. |
| US07643424B2 |
Ethernet architecture with data packet encapsulation
A method of encapsulating data packets for use in a distributed computer network is disclosed. The method includes providing a data packet for transmission over the distributed computer network, the data packet selected from one of a customer data packet and an OAM data packet; and encapsulating the data packet with a medium access control outer packet. The disclosed data packet handling method includes receiving a data packet from a customer facing data port, the customer facing data port within a network node of a computer network; performing medium access control (MAC) learning for the received packet; determining whether the data port is a MAC-in-MAC port; performing a packet mapping to a destination address based on a service provider destination address; and encapsulating the received data packet with a header associated with the service provider. |
| US07643420B2 |
Method and system for transmission control protocol (TCP) traffic smoothing
Various aspects of a method and system for transmission control protocol (TCP) traffic smoothing are presented. Traffic smoothing may comprise a method for controlling data transmission in a communications system that further comprises scheduling the timing of transmission of information from a TCP offload engine (TOE) based on a traffic profile. Traffic smoothing may comprise transmitting information from a TOE at a rate that is either greater than, approximately equal to, or less than, the rate at which the information was generated. Some conventional network interface cards (NIC) that utilize TOEs may not provide a mechanism that enables traffic shaping. By not providing a mechanism for traffic shaping, there may be a greater probability of lost packets in the network. |
| US07643419B2 |
Method and apparatus for implementing a data lifespan timer for enhanced dedicated channel transmissions
A wireless communication system, which supports enhanced dedicated channel (E-DCH) data transmissions, includes a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU), at least one Node-B and a radio network controller (RNC). The WTRU includes a buffer, a data lifespan timer, a data retransmission counter, a hybrid-automatic repeat request (H-ARQ) process and a controller. The timer establishes a lifespan for at least one data block stored in the buffer. If physical resources have not been allocated for a data block associated with a lifespan timer that is close to expiration, the WTRU sends an urgent channel allocation request. If physical resources have been allocated, the data block is prioritized for transmission with respect to other data blocks. The data block is discarded if the lifespan timer expires or if the WTRU receives feedback information indicating that the data block was successfully received by the Node-B. |
| US07643416B2 |
Method and system for adaptively applying performance enhancing functions
An approach for adaptively providing network performance enhancing functions in a secure environment, such as a virtual private network, is disclosed. Traffic, for example, Internet Protocol (IP) packets, is received for transport over an access network (e.g., satellite network). Next, characteristics (e.g., latency) of the access network are determined. A connection (which supports the performance enhancing functions) is selectively established based on the determined characteristics for transport the received packets over the access network. An encrypted tunnel is provided over the established connection to transmit the received packets. |
| US07643415B2 |
Method for controlling link connections in a communication system and corresponding communication system
To control links in a communication system, a message having information about the transmission format is transmitted in response to a link request. After the determination of whether sufficient transmission capacity is available for this transmission format, link data and priority attributes are used to check if an existing link can be stopped in favor of the desired link. |
| US07643414B1 |
WAN keeper efficient bandwidth management
The present invention is directed to a call admission controller that is operable to: (a) determine at least one of (i) a bandwidth utilization level for a first path including a first link; (ii) an available bandwidth level for the first path; and (iii) one or more Quality of Service or QoS metrics for the first path; (b) compare the at least one of (i) a bandwidth utilization level; (ii) an available bandwidth level; and (iii) one or more Quality of Service or QoS metrics to one or more selected thresholds to determine whether a new live voice communication may be set up with a first selected codec; and (iii) when a new live voice communication may not be set up with the first selected codec, perform at least one of the following operations: (i) select a second different codec from among a plurality of possible codecs for the new live voice communication, wherein the second codec has a lower bit rate than the first codec; (ii) change an existing live voice communication from the first codec to the second codec; and (iii) redirect the new live voice communication from the first path to a second different path, wherein the second path does not include the first link. |
| US07643413B2 |
System and method for providing quality of service in asynchronous transfer mode cell transmission
A method and apparatus for scheduling the transmission of cells onto an network, or other packet switching network, is disclosed. The central feature of the scheduling mechanism is a quality of service engine (QoS Engine) which accelerates the processing of packets in a packet switching networks, such as an ATM network, by assisting the accurate pacing of many ATM virtual circuits. The QoS Engine allows the concurrent support of a wide variety of port speeds, traffic classes using different priorities and traffic parameters. quality of service engine (QoS Engine) works in conjunction with a network processor (NP) to allow it to maintain software flexibility, and for it to achieve accurate pacing. |
| US07643408B2 |
Restoration time in networks
A restoration path planner minimizes cost while meeting restoration-time constraints of a network by reducing the worst-case number of cross-connections that must be performed in a network in the event of a single element failure. The planner involves optimization that identifies primary and restoration path plans for demands within the network such that the worst-case number of cross-connections at any node within the network is minimal and/or bounded. Embodiments further constrain the cost of the path plan. In one embodiment, restoration time is bounded and cost is relaxed until a solution is found. In another embodiment, the restoration time bound is relaxed to a limit while path plans and their costs are stored. These plans can later be chosen amongst for the desired balance of cost and restoration time. At least one approach to minimization of network cost involves maximizing sharing within restoration path plans. |
| US07643407B2 |
Method and apparatus for determining protection transmission unit allocation
Protection transmission unit allocation, such as STS# in a SONET/SDH network utilizing time slot interchange on the working path, may be determined by disseminating connection information, connection identification information, and a prioritization scheme, to nodes on the network and allowing them to deterministically allocate protection transmission units to connections on the protection cycle. Network elements forming physical or logical rings may thus ascertain the location on protection for a given connection without requiring protection unit allocation to be disseminated from a central controller. Since each node is starting with the same connection information and running the same priority determination, each will end up with the same result and will know where to place and find connections on protection. Aspects of the invention may be employed for example in a SONET/SDH based network, a mesh network, or other type of network with dedicated protection paths and transmission allocation on those protection paths. |
| US07643406B2 |
System and method for enhancing capacity for a wireless communication system
A system and method for sharing a forward link time slot are disclosed. Information being sent to each user sharing a time slot in a 1× evolution data only (1×EV-DO) frame is assigned a number of Walsh codes and allocated an amount of transmit power. The total amount of transmit power used by a base transceiver station for a time slot is divided among the users. The number of Walsh codes and amount of transmit power assigned to each user sharing a time slot can be based upon the RF conditions being experienced by the user. |
| US07643404B2 |
MIMO OFDM system
A MIMO OFDM system includes a plurality of space-time encoders for encoding respective data blocks with independent space-time codes. The transformed data block signals are transmitted by a plurality of transmit antennas and received by a plurality of receive antennas. The received data is pre-whitened prior to maximum likelihood detection. In one embodiment, successive interference cancellation can be sued to improve system performance. Channel parameter estimation can be enhanced by weighting the channel impulse response estimates based upon a deviation from average. |
| US07643402B2 |
Information recording carrier and method of reproducing the same
Plural grooves or lands formed in an information recording carrier include at least a wobbling region and data is recorded wobblingly in this wobbling region by frequency shift modulation while recorded digitally with a single or multiple waves as a channel bit. |
| US07643401B2 |
Optical information recording medium and stamper
Disclosed is an optical information recording medium having a printable region on a label surface which is extended to a clamping area, and label information such as a name of a manufacturer is printed in the clamping area. The optical information recording medium includes a substrate having label information pits serving as non-recording and non-reproducing pits that are formed in the clamping area and a reflective layer laminated on the label information pits, and a dummy substrate to be attached to the substrate through an adhesive layer formed on the reflective layer. The multiple label information pits are formed substantially in an entire region of the clamping area to display the label information which emerges by linking portions where the label information pits are not formed. |
| US07643398B2 |
Recording medium having data structure for managing reproduction of data streams recorded thereon and recording and reproducing methods and apparatuses
The data structure includes a navigation area of a computer readable medium storing navigation data associated with a data stream representing a portion of at least one reproduction path. The navigation data includes indication information, and the indication information indicates whether the data stream represents multiple reproduction paths or the data stream represents a single reproduction path. If the indication information indicates the data stream represents multiple reproduction paths, the navigation data includes path number information and an indicator associated with each reproduction path. The path number information identifies a number of the multiple reproduction paths, and each indicator indicates a file associated with the associated one of the multiple reproduction paths. |
| US07643394B2 |
Optical disk, optical disk recording method, and optical disk recording apparatus
In an optical disk recording method of recording data onto a recordable optical disk which includes a data zone where data is recorded and a management data zone where management data indicating the recorded part of the data zone is recorded, an extended management data zone in which the management data is to be recorded is set in the data zone in response to an extension instruction. |
| US07643393B2 |
Systems and methods for optical media modification
Theft, distribution, and piracy of digital content on optical media (software, video, audio, e-books, any content of any kind that is digitally stored and distributed) is often accomplished by copying it directly to another disc using commonly available copy tools and recordable optical media, or the copying of media to another mass manufactured disc. Methods which cause the copy process to become lengthy and inconvenient, or which produce copies that are significantly measurably different from the original and therefore be recognizable as copies, may deter or prevent an unauthorized individual from making copies. In addition, methods which generate an intended slow-down in the read process of the media can be used to authenticate the media at run time. This offers significant advantages to content creators who wish to protect their products. |
| US07643391B2 |
Optical head, optical-information medium driving device, and sensor
When the tilt of an optical disk is detected using a light source of an optical head, the optical head cannot be simplified enough and an optical-disk tilt cannot be detected adequately. The optical head includes: an LED chip; a light-converging element that converges the light which is emitted from the LED chip upon an optical disk; a light-converging element driving means which drives the light-converging element; and a sensor which detects a tilt or a positional shift of the optical disk. In the sensor, the LED chip is placed on a semiconductor substrate which is provided with a plurality of light-receiving chips; the light emitted from the LED chip irradiates the optical disk; the light which is reflected from the optical disk is received by the plurality of light-receiving chips; and based upon the quantity of light which is received at the plurality of light-receiving chips, a tilt or a positional shift of the optical disk is detected. |
| US07643387B2 |
High-density read-only optical disc, and optical disc apparatus and method using the same
A high-density read-only optical disc, and an optical disc apparatus and method using the same. The apparatus and method record data on a lead-in area of a high-density read-only optical disc such as a BD-ROM (Blu-ray disc ROM (Read Only Memory)) in the form of pre-pit strings associated with an HFM (High-Frequency Modulated) groove applied to a BD-RW (Blu-ray Disc Rewritable). Moreover, the apparatus and method continuously apply the same tracking servo operation to an entire area of the same high-density read-only optical disc or rewritable optical disc. Therefore, the apparatus and method can simplify an algorithm for controlling a plurality of tracking servo operations, and avoid an increased size of the optical disc apparatus. |
| US07643384B2 |
Method for controlling an optical pick-up for reading data streams for simultaneous reproduction
Optical discs may support “Out Of Multiplex” formats, meaning that different presentation components, like video, audio and subtitles, are stored on different files on the disc, e.g. Blu-ray discs. The different data streams are read by a single pick-up, requiring frequent pick-up jumps and extensive data buffering. The method for operating a scheduler for an optical pick-up reduces the number of pick-up jumps while optimizing the required buffer space. The scheduler is based on a static schema, meaning that the buffer for the data stream with the highest data rate is of minimal size, and therefore refilled in short periods, while the buffers for the lower rated streams are dimensioned such that they can be refilled in multiples of the short period. Deviations from the static schema may be allowed, e.g. due to multi-angle video technique. Afterwards the scheduler returns to the original schedule. |
| US07643383B2 |
Multiple layers optical recording for recording data over two or more layers
An optical disk having a dual layer layout includes two recording layers each having a data area for recording information. An optical information recording apparatus handles the two data areas of the two recording layers of the optical disk as a single continuous data area and divides the continuous data area into plural divided areas such as sessions and fragments. The optical information recording apparatus then records data on each of the sessions or fragments corresponding to the divided areas. |
| US07643380B2 |
Receiving circuit and time piece
A receiving circuit is provided with an amplifier circuit for amplifying the electric signal received by an antenna circuit, a frequency converter/detector circuit for converting a frequency of the electric signal amplified by the amplifier circuit to acquire an intermediate frequency signal, and for detecting the intermediate frequency signal to acquire a demodulated signal, and a filter circuit for removing an intermediate frequency component from the demodulated signal acquired by the frequency converter/detector circuit. Further, the frequency converter/detector circuit is provided with a local oscillation circuit for generating an oscillation signal, plural mixer circuits each for mixing the electric signal amplified by the amplifier circuit with the oscillation signal generated by the local oscillation circuit, whereby plural intermediate frequency signals are generated, which are shifted in phase from each other, plural detecting circuits for detecting the plural intermediate frequency signals generated by the plural mixer circuits, respectively to output plural demodulated signals, and an adder circuit for combining the plural demodulated signals output respectively from the plural detecting circuits. |
| US07643365B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit and method of testing same
A semiconductor integrated circuit able to operate by different power supply voltages resulting from fluctuations in production, provided with a process monitor circuit for obtaining a grasp of a delay characteristic corresponding to the conditions of a production process, a memory circuit for storing data concerning an extent of process variation acquired by the process monitor circuit, and a power supply voltage control circuit for adaptively controlling the power supply voltage in accordance with the extent of process variation acquired by the process monitor circuit and stored in the memory circuit, and a test method for guaranteeing the operation of the semiconductor integrated circuit. |
| US07643364B2 |
Semiconductor memory device
A semiconductor memory device including a bit line sense amplifier for amplifying a voltage corresponding to a charge stored in a capacitor of a memory cell and outputting an amplified voltage and an I/O sense amplifier for receiving the output of the bit line sense amplifier, amplifying a voltage level of the output and outputting an amplified voltage level is disclosed. The semiconductor memory device includes a sense amplification enable signal control portion which receives an initial sense amplification enable signal, sequentially delays the initial sense amplification enable signal by a plurality of predetermined time periods and selectively outputs a plurality of delayed sense amplification enable signals in view of both an operation speed and a manufacturing yield of a semiconductor memory device; a plurality of clocked sense amplifiers which each receive an output signal of the I/O sense amplifier, amplify the output signal of the I/O sense amplifier in response to each of the plurality of delayed sense amplification enable signals, and sequentially output an output signal of a power voltage level or a ground voltage level in response; and a previous-step output driving circuit which sequentially receives the output signals of the plurality of clocked sense amplifiers, delays the output signals of the plurality of clocked sense amplifiers by a predetermined time period, and then intercepts an output of the clocked sense amplifier of a previous step. |
| US07643363B2 |
Concept for testing an integrated circuit
An integrated circuitry operable in a normal and test mode has a processing circuit, an output circuit associated with the processing circuit and a storage with a plurality of memory cells. The output circuit is formed to process in normal mode an output signal of the processing circuit and to provide a processed output signal to an output terminal. The output circuit further provides in test mode a test signal as processed output signal based on a drive signal which may be supplied externally or from the processing circuit. The storage receives in test mode the test signal and performs an evaluation of a memory property of at least one memory cell of the plurality of memory cells based on the test signal, and, in response to this evaluation, to output an evaluation signal indicating the memory property of the at least one cell of the plurality of memory cells. |
| US07643362B2 |
Semiconductor memory device in which redundancy (RD) of adjacent column is automatically repaired
A semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell array having a plurality of memory cells, a redundancy cell array having a plurality of redundancy cells, and a detection circuit which detects a bad bit line at an end of a bad column of the memory cell array. The semiconductor memory device further includes a repair circuit which repairs the bad column of the memory cell array by use of the redundancy cell array and repairs an adjacent column which lies adjacent to the bad column on the bad bit line side detected by the detection circuit by use of the redundancy cell array. |
| US07643361B2 |
Redundancy circuit capable of reducing time for redundancy discrimination
A redundancy circuit in a semiconductor memory apparatus includes a comparison signal receiving unit to receive a plurality of comparison signals and a fuse enable signal in parallel, wherein the comparison signals are generated by comparing a plurality of row address signals to a plurality of fuse address signals; and a redundancy control signal generating unit for providing a redundancy control signal by controlling an output signal path of the comparison signal receiving unit in response to a signal level of a row address enable signal. The comparison signal receiving unit receives the plurality of the comparison signals and the fuse enable signal while the row address enable signal is activated. |
| US07643358B2 |
Non volatile semiconductor memory device
A non volatile semiconductor memory device wherein it is possible to transfer Vpp without a drop in voltage of the transfer transistor Vth (threshold voltage) in a transfer circuit or decoder circuit for selectively transferring Vpp by using a usual LVP (low voltage P type transistor) to reduce step(s) of production process and costs. An LVP (low voltage P type transistor) instead of a HVP (high voltage P type transistor) for a transfer circuit is used. Two-way diodes each of which threshold value becomes about Vdd are inserted between the gate and the drain. |
| US07643356B2 |
Semiconductor memory device having input device
A semiconductor memory device includes a pad for receiving an external signal through a first external pin, a reference voltage pad for receiving an external reference voltage through a second external pin, an internal reference voltage generator configured to generate an internal reference voltage using an external voltage in response to a reference voltage select signal, a reference voltage supply unit for generating the reference voltage select signal in response to a plurality of select signals, and selecting one reference voltage between the external reference voltage and the internal reference voltage to output the selected one as a reference voltage, a buffer for converting an output signal of the pad into an internal voltage level on the basis of the reference voltage, and a signal selector for controlling an internal signal to be inputted/outputted through the reference voltage pad in response to the plurality of select signals. |
| US07643354B2 |
Neural network model for instruments that store and retrieve sequential information
A method and design is provided for distributing and storing sets of temporally ordered information in a systematic and sequential fashion. This method is based on a model of how the brain functions in the distribution and storage of temporally ordered memories, but it can also be applied to the design of new biological, electronic or optical devices. These devices may be used in the testing and development of new therapeutic drugs, in the detection of toxic agents or impaired performance, or in the development of new industrial and consumer devices in which the orderly storage of sequential information is important. |
| US07643353B1 |
Content addressable memory having programmable interconnect structure
A content addressable memory (CAM) device includes a CAM array, a programmable interconnect structure, and a priority encoder. The CAM array includes a plurality of CAM rows, each row including a number of CAM cells for storing a data word and coupled to a match line that indicates a match result for the CAM row. The programmable interconnect structure is coupled to each CAM row and is configured to selectively route the match results from a first CAM row as an input match signal to any number of arbitrarily selected CAM rows at the same time. |
| US07643347B2 |
Semiconductor memory device
The semiconductor memory device related to an embodiment of the present invention including a memory string in which a plurality of memory cells are connected, a bit line connected to an end of the memory string, a power supply circuit which generates a voltage or a current related to an operation state of each memory cell, a sense amplifier which supplies a control voltage or a control current which controls an operation state of each memory cell via the bit line according to the voltage or the current generated in the power circuit, and a transient response adjustment circuit which adjusts the transient response characteristics of the voltage or the current generated in the power supply circuit when the sense amplifier supplies to the bit line the control voltage or the control current which shifts the memory string from a first operation state to a second operation state. |
| US07643340B2 |
Method and apparatus for programming multi level cell flash memory device
A method of programming a selected cell in a multi-level flash memory device comprises determining whether to program an upper bit or a lower bit of a selected memory cell, detecting a current logic state of two bits of data stored in the selected memory cell, determining a target logic state for the upper or lower bit, generating a program voltage and a verify voltage for programming the upper or lower bit to the target logic state, and applying the program voltage and the verify voltage to a word line connected to the selected memory cell. |
| US07643339B2 |
Multi-bit flash memory devices having a single latch structure and related programming methods, systems and memory cards
A multi-bit non-volatile memory device is provided. The memory device includes a memory cell array including a plurality of memory cells. A page buffer is electrically coupled to the memory cell array. The page buffer includes a plurality of latches configured to store a first bit of multi-bit data to be written into or read out from one of the plurality of memory cells of the memory cell array. A buffer random access memory (RAM) is electrically coupled to the page buffer. The buffer RAM is configured to store a second bit of the multi-bit data to be written into or read out from one of the plurality of memory cells of the memory cell array. Related systems, memory cards and methods are also provided. |
| US07643334B1 |
High-speed controller for phase-change memory peripheral device
Phase-change memory (PCM) cells store data using alloy resistors in high-resistance amorphous and low-resistance crystalline states. The time of the memory cell's set-current pulse can be 100 ns, much longer than read or reset times. The write time depends on the write data state and is relatively long for set, but short for clear. A PCM chip has a lookup table (LUT) caching write data that is later written to a PCM bank. Host data is latched into a line FIFO and written into the LUT, reducing write delays to the slower PCM. The PCM chip has upstream and downstream serial interfaces to other PCM chips arranged as a token stub. Requests are passed down the token-stub while acknowledgements are passed up the token-stub to the host's memory controller. Shared chip-enable lines are driven by the upstream PCM chip for requests, and by the downstream PCM chip for acknowledgements. |
| US07643333B2 |
Process for erasing chalcogenide variable resistance memory bits
A method of erasing a chalcogenide variable resistance memory cell is provided. The chalcogenide variable resistance memory cell includes a p-doped substrate with an n-well and a chalcogenide variable resistance memory element. The method includes the step of applying to the variable resistance memory element a voltage that is less than a fixed voltage of the substrate. The applied voltage induces an erase current to flow from the p-doped substrate through the n-well and through the variable resistance memory element. |
| US07643332B2 |
MRAM cell using multiple axes magnetization and method of operation
A magnetic random access memory cell includes a free layer structure and a reference layer structure including an anti-ferromagnetic layer structure pinning the magnetization orientation of the reference layer structure, the reference layer structure having a higher magnetic coercivity and being magnetically polarizable bidirectional and parallel to more than one axes by a magnetic field applied during a writing procedure so as to store information in the reference layer structure while heating the anti-ferromagnetic layer structure above its blocking temperature. |
| US07643327B2 |
Driving a memory matrix of resistance hysteresis elements
A memory matrix (10) comprises rows and columns of cells, each cell comprising a resistance hysteresis element (24) and a threshold element (22) coupled in series between a row terminal and a column terminal of the cell (20). The resistance hysteresis element (24) has a mutually larger and smaller hysteresis thresholds of mutually opposite polarity respectively. Voltage differences are applied between the column terminals and the row terminals of cells (20) in a selected row, so as to perform read actions. These voltage differences have a read polarity so that the voltage across the cell (20) is in a direction corresponding to the larger hysteresis threshold. Voltage differences are applied between the column terminals and the row terminals of cells (20) in a selected row, so as to perform erase actions, all cells (20) of a selected row being erased collectively in the erase action. The voltage differences for erase actions have the read polarity. Furthermore voltage differences are applied between the column terminals and the row terminals of cells (20) in a selected row, so as to perform write actions. The voltage differences for the write actions have a write polarity corresponding to the smaller hysteresis threshold, for updating cells (20) that are selected dependent on write data. |
| US07643323B2 |
Power converter
A power converter of the present invention is connected between a direct current power source and controls power to a load by switching equipment. The converter is equipped with a first conductor for connecting a negative pole of the power converter and the switching equipment, and a second conductor for connecting a housing of the power converter and the negative pole of the power converter to the first conductor through a resistor. |
| US07643322B1 |
Dual loop constant on time regulator
A circuit for improving the regulation of a current or voltage output using a constant-on-time regulator. The circuit uses a dual sense loop design. One sense loop is used to adjust a reference signal or a sense signal. A second sense loop compares the adjusted reference signal to a sense signal or compares the adjusted sense signal to a reference signal. Accordingly, the use of dual sense loops may maintain more accurate output regulation while enabling an increased dynamic response to changes in output voltage or current. |
| US07643321B2 |
Bi-directional current sensing circuit
A current sensing circuit that determines an output current of a bi-directional converter circuit comprises a current transformer that receives a first current signal and that outputs a second current signal. The first current signal is indicative of the output current and flows in one of a first direction and/or a second direction. The second current signal is indicative of the first current signal. A current sensing module receives the second current signal and has a first state and a second state. A converter control module simultaneously transitions the first current signal from the first direction to the second direction and transitions the current sensing module from the first state to the second state. The converter control module transitions the current sensing module to the first state after a resetting period. |
| US07643319B2 |
7-level wye-connected H-bridge converter topology for powering a high-speed electric motor
A 7-level wye-connected H-bridge converter that provides redundancy for continued operation when one bridge phase has failed and more particularly to a topology that includes multiple semiconductor H-bridges and a three-phase semiconductor mid-bridge. The converter may continue operation with failure of any bridge, as a three-phase, wye-connected H-bridge by bypassing the failed bridge. Individual bridges of the converter may be operated at different dc-bus voltages to maximize power output. The converter may employ synchronous gating signals for the semiconductor devices of the bridges, including a zero-current notch waveform for minimizing harmonic distortion of the output waveform. |
| US07643312B2 |
Method and apparatus for a wireless power supply
An apparatus for a wireless power supply including a mechanism for receiving a range of RF radiation across a collection of frequencies. The apparatus includes a mechanism for converting the RF radiation across the collection of frequencies, preferably at a same time into DC. A method for a wireless power supply including the steps of receiving a range of RF radiation across a collection of frequencies. There is the step of converting the RF radiation across the collection of frequencies, preferably at a same time into DC. |
| US07643311B2 |
Electronic circuit protection device
An electronic device protected against electromagnetic disturbances comprising: a support structure having a first and second electronic component, wherein the support structure includes a conductive means surrounding each of the first and second electronic components; a first and second insulating block formed overlying the first and second electronic components on the support structure; and a metal layer overlying the first and second insulating blocks that are formed over the first and second electronic components, wherein the metal layer is electrically connected to the support structure through the conductive means to protect the first and second electronic components from the electromagnetic disturbances irradiating from each of the first and second electronic components. |
| US07643310B2 |
Shielding device
A shielding device (10) and method are provided. The shielding device (10) includes a frame (21) and an enclosure (22). The enclosure (22) includes a cover portion (221) and a first peripheral wall (222) connecting to the cover portion (221). The frame (21) includes a second peripheral wall (21) and a plurality of guiding sheets (215) connected to the second peripheral wall (211). The first peripheral wall (222) is detachably received in the frame (21). A gap (23) is formed between the first peripheral wall (222) and the guiding sheets (215), used to detach the enclosure (22) from the frame (21). |
| US07643309B1 |
Ruggedized electronics sub-system module
A ruggedized electronics sub-system module is disclosed. The ruggedized electronics sub-system module includes a ruggedized housing and an electronic sub-system environmentally sealed within the ruggedized housing. At least one electrical interface is configured to couple to an external electrical connector. |
| US07643300B1 |
Heat dissipation device for memory module cards
A heat dissipation device used for removing heat from a plurality of memory module cards, includes a first bracket, a second bracket placed on the first bracket and a fin set arranged on the second bracket. The first bracket has a plurality of first sheets extending downwardly from a bottom thereof and defines a plurality of slots therein. The second bracket has a plurality of second sheets extending downwardly from a bottom thereof. The first sheets are respectively attached to sides of the memory module cards. The second sheets are respectively extended through the slots of the first bracket and attached to opposite sides of the memory module cards and opposite to the first sheets. |
| US07643299B2 |
Clip for heat sink
A clip for mounting a heat sink on a circuit board includes a positioning coil for rotatably engaging with the heat sink. Two elongated arms extend from two ends of a line bisecting the positioning coil respectively, and a pair of hooks formed at distal portions of the two arms respectively for engaging with the circuit board. |
| US07643289B2 |
Frame for mounting data storage device
A frame for mounting a data storage device, includes a holder configured for mounting the data storage thereto, a baffle board mounted to the holder, and a V-shaped air guiding board mounted to the holder between the baffle board and the data storage device. An intake defined in the baffle board is configured to let airflow therethrough to cool the data storage device mounted to the frame. The opening of the “V” of the air guiding board faces the data storage device. Because of the V-shaped air guiding board, the frame efficiently dissipates heat from and around the data storage device. |
| US07643288B2 |
Foldable computer with partially visible display when closed
A portable computer has a base supporting a keyboard and a cover with a display screen, with the cover being foldable away from the base to an open configuration to view the entire screen and operate the keyboard. The cover can also be folded flush against the base to a closed configuration. A portion of the screen remains viewable in the closed configuration, either by virtue of a window formed in the base or by virtue of the portion of the cover extending past the base. |
| US07643286B2 |
Symmetric multiprocessing computer and star interconnection architecture and cooling system thereof
A symmetric multiprocessor computer is provided with a star interconnection architecture and a cooling system. The star interconnection architecture include a middle plane, and plural first processor boards and second processor boards configured vertically onto opposite surfaces of the middle plane. The first processor boards and the second processor boards are crisscross to each other at the opposite surfaces of the middle plane. The cooling system includes a first cooling module and a second cooling system module configured for generating a plurality of first airflows and second airflows for the first processor boards and the second processor boards respectively, wherein the paths of the first airflows and the second airflows are crisscross to each other at the opposite surfaces of the middle plane. |
| US07643280B2 |
Assembling structure for electronic module
The assembling structure for electronic module comprise a case and a side frame, the characteristic is the case fixed on the base frame of the assembling structure by two front pivots and the case pivoted thereon. Besides, the side frame is installed adjacent to the case. In addition, the case and the side frame respectively include a plurality of locking holes, the side frame further including a locking controller with a first latch and a second latch corresponding to the locking holes, thereby locking the case at a horizontal and oblique position. |
| US07643278B2 |
Electronic device and keyboard thereof
An electronic device and keyboard thereof. The electronic device comprises a body and a keyboard. The body has a recess. The keyboard comprises a base and a securing mechanism. The securing mechanism comprises a track and a sliding member. The track is disposed on the base. The sliding member selectively moves relative to the track between a first position and a second position. When the sliding member is in the first position, an extending part of the sliding member engages with the recess. When the sliding member is in the second position, the extending part separates from the recess. |
| US07643275B2 |
Adjustable portable computer
Portable computers include a display unit and a base unit. The base unit often includes a keyboard and a touch-sensing device. The position of the display unit relative to the base unit can be adjusted. In one embodiment, a track and support bar is used to vary the display unit's height. In another embodiment, a collapsible support bar is used to vary the display unit's height. In another embodiment, a ball-and-socket joint is used to pivot the display unit. In another embodiment, a retractable touch-sensing device is attached to the base unit. |
| US07643274B2 |
Protective cover for laptop computer
An exterior cover for a laptop computer having a display portion and a keyboard portion is disclosed. The exterior cover includes a first rigid planar element for placement on an outside surface of the display portion. The first rigid planar element includes a raised edge along a perimeter of the first rigid planar element, wherein the raised edge extends toward the display portion. The first rigid planar element further includes a plurality of tabs located on the raised edge, wherein each tab extends from the raised edge for gripping the display portion. The exterior cover further includes a second rigid planar element for placement on an outside surface of the keyboard portion. The second rigid planar element includes a raised edge extending toward the keyboard portion. The second rigid planar element further includes a plurality of tabs for gripping the keyboard portion. |
| US07643270B2 |
Electrode foil for capacitors and solid electrolytic capacitor
A solid electrolytic capacitor that includes a cathode foil and solid electrolyte made of conductive polymer. This cathode foil is made by providing a nickel layer on a surface of a base material made of valve metal. This nickel layer includes a layer containing only nickel and a layer containing nickel oxide. Both large capacitance and low equivalent series resistance are achievable at the same time with this simple structure at low cost. |
| US07643268B2 |
High capacitance density vertical natural capacitors
Disclosed are embodiments of a capacitor with inter-digitated vertical plates and a method of forming the capacitor such that the effective gap distance between plates is reduced. This gap width reduction significantly increases the capacitance density of the capacitor. Gap width reduction is accomplished during back end of the line processing by masking connecting points with nodes, by etching the dielectric material from between the vertical plates and by etching a sacrificial material from below the vertical plates. Etching of the dielectric material from between the plates forms air gaps and various techniques can be used to cause the plates to collapse in on these air gaps, once the sacrificial material is removed. Any remaining air gaps can be filled by depositing a second dielectric material (e.g., a high k dielectric), which will further increase the capacitance density and will encapsulate the capacitor in order to make the reduced distance between the vertical plates permanent. |
| US07643267B2 |
Optical emission spectrometry device
An optical emission spectrometry device is provided. In the optical emission spectrometry device, a discharge path is formed by connecting an ignition circuit to a discharge gap, and further connecting in parallel a plurality of sets of coils and driving circuits, each set having one coil and one driving circuit. Each driving circuit has two operation modes: an increasing operation mode of applying a predetermined potential difference to the corresponding coil of the set to increase the current passing through the corresponding coil, and a sustaining operation mode of directly connecting the corresponding coil of the set to the discharge path to sustain the current passing through the corresponding coil. Moreover, each driving circuit is controlled in such a way that the timing for the increasing operation mode in which the current passing through the coil increases alternates with the timing for the increasing operation mode of other driving circuit. |
| US07643263B2 |
Controlling over-current from a power supply to a device
Apparatus (230) for controlling over-current from a power supply (110) to a device (250), the apparatus comprising two power supply inputs (232a, 232b) and two respective device outputs (234a, 234b), a control circuit (120) having control inputs (126x, 126y) connected across a variable resistance circuit (240) coupled between a said power supply input (232a) and a said respective device output (234a), the control circuit arranged to disconnect one of the power supply inputs (232a) from the respective device output (234a) in response to detecting a predetermined over-current voltage across the variable resistance circuit (240), the resistance of the variable resistance circuit (240) being varied dependent on an over-current setting signal (270) received from the device (250). |
| US07643261B2 |
Semiconductor device
There is provided a semiconductor device capable of supplying an analog input signal higher than or equal to an operating power supply voltage. An electrostatic discharge protection circuit corresponding to the analog input signal is provided for an external terminal that is supplied with an analog input signal generated with a first power supply voltage. A voltage divider resistor divides the analog input signal passing through the electrostatic discharge protection circuit into a voltage corresponding to a second power supply voltage lower that the first power supply voltage. An input circuit operating on the second power supply voltage receives the analog input signal divided by the voltage divider resistor to form an internal analog signal. There are provided first and second unidirectional elements. The first unidirectional element passes current from the input circuit's input terminal to the second power supply voltage. The second unidirectional element passes current from a circuit ground potential to a first circuit's input terminal. |
| US07643260B2 |
System for EMI filter surge voltage clamping
A pair of back-to-back-coupled zener diodes is coupled from the input to the output of each leg of a common mode choke used in a LC circuit for reducing EMI into the power supply of an electrical device. The reversed biased zener diode of each pair breaks down when ringing voltage amplitude resulting from a voltage surge applied at the inputs of the common mode choke exceeds the breakdown threshold voltage of the zener diode. Transorb devices may be substituted for the back-to-back-coupled diode pairs. |
| US07643259B2 |
Substrate, with ESD magnetically induced wires, bound to passives/product ICS
A device is protected from induced or unexpected current spikes or surges, by receiving the current spikes through a conducting wire. The conducting wire is placed adjacent to a parallel conducting wire having opposing current flow. Magnetic fluxes in either conducting wire create induced currents that reduce the current in the other conducting wire. |
| US07643257B1 |
Wiring device with multi-shot miswire
The present invention is directed to a protective wiring device that includes a plurality of line terminals coupled to a plurality of load terminals by way of at least one conductive path. A miswire detection circuit is coupled to the at least one conductive path. The miswire detection circuit is configured to monitor signal propagation characteristics on the at least one conductive path and generate a miswire detection signal based on the signal propagation characteristics commencing each time source power is applied to either the plurality of line terminals or the plurality of load terminals. A fault detection circuit is coupled to the at least one conductive path. The fault detection circuit is configured to detect a fault condition propagating on the at least one conductive path. The fault detection circuit is configured to generate a trip signal in response to either the fault condition or the miswire detection signal. A circuit interrupter is coupled to the fault detection circuit. The circuit interrupter is configured to introduce an electrical discontinuity in the at least one conductive path in response to the trip signal. |
| US07643256B2 |
Electromechanical switching circuitry in parallel with solid state switching circuitry selectively switchable to carry a load appropriate to such circuitry
A switching system is provided. The switching system includes electromechanical switching circuitry, such as a micro-electromechanical system switching circuitry. The system may further include solid state switching circuitry coupled in a parallel circuit with the electromechanical switching circuitry, and a controller coupled to the electromechanical switching circuitry and the solid state switching circuitry. The controller may be configured to perform selective switching of a load current between the electromechanical switching circuitry and the solid state switching circuitry in response to a load current condition appropriate to an operational capability of a respective one of the switching circuitries. |
| US07643253B2 |
HGA rotational micro-actuator including an s-shaped frame and method of making thereof
A rotational micro-actuator (20) used in hard disk driver is disclosed. It comprises a frame (21) approximately in the shape of letter “S” and PZT pieces (28, 29) attached to said frame (21), wherein said frame (21) is formed with a central coupling portion (213) by which the micro-actuator (20) is coupled to a suspension tongue (177), and two pieces of said PZT (28, 29) are arranged in central symmetry manner about said central coupling portion (213) such that said micro-actuator (20) can rotate about said central coupling portion (213) in response to the driving signals applied to said PZT pieces (28, 29), thus cause the displacement of the head element secured to the micro-actuator (20) so as to achieve the fine positioning of the head element. With above configuration, the micro-actuator of this invention will not cause the resonance of the suspension base plate during operation. Thereby the servo bandwidth of the hard disk driver is expanded. |
| US07643248B2 |
Optoelectronic emitter mounted on a slider
An apparatus comprising a slider including a slider substrate with a trailing side and a writer with bond pads disposed on the trailing side. The writer has an optic input for receiving an optic output. The apparatus comprises an optoelectronic substrate having a substrate surface facing the trailing side, and having contacts on the substrate surface that are joined to the bond pads by conductive bridges, and having an optoelectronic emitter adjacent the substrate surface for generating the optic output. |
| US07643242B2 |
Hard disk drive assembly, mounting structure for hard disk drive, and mobile phone adopting the mounting structure
Provided is a hard disk drive (HDD) assembly. The HDD assembly includes: a HDD including a base member, a cover member, a spindle motor, a data storage disk, and an actuator; and a printed circuit board (PCB) disposed beside the HDD and operating the HDD. The HDD assembly can be mounted on an electronic device, for example, a mobile phone. In this case, the HDD assembly is mounted between a main PCB and a back cover of the mobile phone using a first damping pad interposed between the cover member and the main PCB and a second damping pad interposed between the base member and the back cover. The PCB for the HDD is disposed on the main PCB of the mobile phone to be placed beside the HDD. |
| US07643237B2 |
Data loss prevention method of a media storage device and media storage device
A media storage device which reads and writes data from and to a storage medium using a head prevents in advance data loss due to thermal relaxation of data recorded on the storage medium. Management information is created, in units of received write commands, for holding the recording areas on the storage medium of the write data and signal quality information; the management data is stored in a management table, and signal quality is measured, updated, and used in re-recording judgements, in write command units. Thermal relaxation state management can be performed in write command units; thermal relaxation processing is simple, and moreover degradation of recorded data due to thermal relaxation can be detected accurately, and data loss can be prevented. |
| US07643236B2 |
Centrifugal machine
A centrifugal machine comprises a rotor drivable and rotatable by a motor while holding a specimen, and including a recording medium for recording data therein; a Peltier element, when a voltage is applied thereto, for controlling the temperature of the rotor; a recording head disposed at a position adjacent to the rotor for reproducing data from the recording medium or for recording data into the recording medium; and, a control device not only for controlling the operation of the Peltier element when the Peltier element controls the temperature of the rotor but also for controlling the operation of the recording head when the recording head reproduces the data from the recording medium or records the data into the recording medium, wherein the control device, when carrying out the data reproduction or data recording with respect to the recording medium provided in the rotor, controls the Peltier element in such a manner that the operation of the Peltier element is caused to stop. |
| US07643235B2 |
Synchronization for data communication
Timing recovery and synchronization for data communication is utilized. A pilot sequence of signals can be selected to improve recovery of a phase offset and a frequency offset in a communication system. Sampling instances can further be adjusted based on pilot sequences within a user data portion. |
| US07643234B2 |
Servo patterns for self-assembled island arrays
Servo patterns and associated methods of fabricating servo patterns are described. For patterned storage media, data sectors and servo sectors may be patterned using self-assembly. In one embodiment, self-assembly is used to form a first array of islands and a second array of islands in servo sectors that are track-wise offset. A servo writing process is then performed to write a desired servo pattern in the arrays, such as for burst fields, synchronization fields, etc. |
| US07643231B2 |
Tilt adjustment locking mechanism for a head-mounted night vision device
A mechanism for permitting selective adjustment of the angular position of a head-mounted night vision device is provided. The mechanism comprises a housing positioned adjacent the night vision device. A shaft defining a longitudinal axis is at least partially positioned within or adjacent the housing. The shaft is rotatively coupled to the night vision device, wherein rotation of the shaft induces rotation of the night vision device. A moveable lever is coupled to the shaft for rotating the shaft. Means for selectively limiting rotation of the shaft are provided, wherein the means are moveable between a first position and a second position. In the first position the means permit rotation of the shaft and the optical device, and in the second position the means limit rotation of the shaft and the optical device. |
| US07643227B2 |
Lens system and optical apparatus
A lens system includes a first lens which is formed of a medium exhibiting negative refraction, and a second lens having a positive refractive index. Accordingly, it is possible to provide a lens system in which a negative refractive index medium for which a curvature of field is reduced. Moreover, it is also possible to have a lens system in which a lens having a positive focal length and a lens having a positive focal length, which is made of a positive refractive index medium, are combined. |
| US07643225B1 |
Optical lens system for taking image
An optical lens system for taking image comprises, in order from the object side to the image side: a first lens element with positive refractive power; a second lens element with negative refractive power; a third lens element with negative refractive power having a convex object-side surface and a concave image-side surface; a fourth lens element with negative refractive power being provided with at least one aspheric surface. In the optical lens system for taking image, the number of lens elements with refractive power is limited to four. Such arrangements can reduce the volume and the sensitivity of the optical lens system while providing higher resolution. |
| US07643224B2 |
Zoom lens and image pickup apparatus equipped with same
A zoom lens includes a positive first lens unit G1, a negative second lens unit G2 and a rear group having a positive refracting power having at least one lens unit. The lens unit located closest to the object side in the rear grout is a third lens unit G3 having a positive refracting power. The zoom lens has an aperture stop S disposed closer to the image side than the second lens unit G2 and closer to the object side than the lens surface located closest to the image side in the third lens unit G3. The zoom lens satisfies a prescribed conditional expression. |
| US07643215B2 |
Head up display device
An external mounting type head up display device for a vehicle, which can be mounted irrespective of kind of vehicle, is disclosed. The head up display device includes a display unit to convert a signal into an image and output the image, an optical element decentered with respect to an optical axis of the display unit, the optical element magnifying the image and transmitting the image, and a combiner provided in front of a driver to provide the driver with the transmitted magnified image. |
| US07643207B2 |
Semiconductor optical amplifier with lateral and distributed gain stabilisation
A stabilised gain semiconductor optical amplifier (CG-SOA) includes and active waveguide (1) comprising an amplification medium (2), extending in longitudinal (Z), lateral (X) and vertical (Y) directions, and coupled to a laser oscillation structure comprising at least two resonant cavities (13, 14) extending in first (D1) and second (D2) directions which are different from the longitudinal direction (Z) of the active waveguide (1) and arranged in such a way as to permit the establishment of laser oscillations having at least two different relaxation oscillation frequencies. |
| US07643206B2 |
Optical amplifier
An optical amplifier of the present invention comprises: first and second optical amplifying sections connected in series to each other between an input port and an output port; a first variable optical attenuator arranged on a former stage of the first optical amplifying section; a second variable optical attenuator arranged between the first and second optical amplifying sections; an optical amplification control section that controls the first and second optical amplifying sections; and an optical attenuation control section that controls the first and second variable optical attenuators. The optical amplification control section controls each of the optical amplifying sections so that a gain of the entirety of the optical amplifier is held constant, and the optical attenuation control section controls attenuation amounts of the variable optical attenuators so that monitor values of the output powers from the variable optical attenuators approximate the same value, provided that a value of the sum of the attenuation amounts of the variable optical attenuators decided according to the signal light input power per one wavelength of a WDM light is held constant. As a result, it becomes possible to provide at a low cost the optical amplifier capable of achieving flat output wavelength characteristics and the favorable NF, irrespective of the signal light input power per one wavelength of the WDM light and the number of wavelengths thereof. |
| US07643203B2 |
Interferometric optical display system with broadband characteristics
Broad band white color can be achieved in MEMS display devices by incorporating a material having an extinction coefficient (k) below a threshold value for wavelength of light within an operative optical range of the interferometric modulator. One embodiment provides a method of making the MEMS display device comprising depositing said material over at least a portion of a transparent substrate, depositing a dielectric layer over the layer of material, forming a sacrificial layer over the dielectric, depositing an electrically conductive layer on the sacrificial layer, and forming a cavity by removing at least a portion of the sacrificial layer. The suitable material may comprise germanium, germanium alloy of various compositions, doped germanium or doped germanium-containing alloys, and may be deposited over the transparent substrate, incorporated within the transparent substrate or the dielectric layer. |
| US07643202B2 |
Microelectromechanical system having a dielectric movable membrane and a mirror
A microelectromechanical (MEMS) device includes at least one electrode, a first reflective layer, and a movable functional element. The movable functional element includes a flexible dielectric layer and a reflective element. The flexible dielectric layer flexes in response to voltages applied to the at least one electrode to move the functional element in a direction generally perpendicular to the first reflective layer. The reflective element has a first portion mechanically coupled to the flexible dielectric layer and a second portion spaced from the flexible dielectric layer and defining a gap therebetween. |
| US07643198B2 |
Micro-oscillating member, light-deflector, and image-forming apparatus
The present invention provides a resonance type micro-oscillating member capable of retraining a fluctuation of angular velocity, and specifically provides a micro-oscillating member, which is a nested micro-oscillating member, wherein there exist a reference oscillation mode which is the characteristic oscillation mode of a reference frequency, and an even numbered oscillation mode which is the characteristic oscillation mode of a frequency being approximate even number times the reference frequency. |
| US07643197B2 |
Method of manufacturing oscillator device, and optical deflector and optical instrument having oscillator device
A method of manufacturing an oscillator based on etching a monocrystal silicon substrate, the method including a mask forming step for forming, on the monocrystal silicon substrate, an etching mask having a pattern with a repetition shape comprised of a plurality of mutually coupled oscillators each including a torsion spring between a supporting base plate and a movable member, an etching step for etching the monocrystal silicon substrate while using the etching mask as a mask, to form on the monocrystal silicon substrate a repetition shape comprised of a plurality of corresponding mutually coupled oscillators, and a dicing step for determining a width of the movable member and the supporting base plate of each of the oscillators in the repetition shape, which width is effective to determine a resonance frequency of the individual oscillators required when these are used as oscillators, and for cutting by dicing the movable member and the supporting base plate between adjoining oscillators, at the determined width. |
| US07643190B2 |
Method for controlling image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus that previously rotates a polygonal mirror drive motor before starting a job and forms a latent image by using an optical scanning unit including the polygonal mirror drive motor is provided. The image forming apparatus includes a control unit configured to perform control such that, in the determination of the presence or absence of each of color toners before a previous rotation is started, if it is determined that any one of the color toners is absent, only the polygonal mirror drive motor corresponding to a black toner is previously rotated. |
| US07643189B2 |
Method and device for encoding and reconstructing computer-generated video holograms
A method and a device for encoding and reconstructing computer-generated video holograms using a conventional LC display: it provides holographic reconstruction of three-dimensional scenes using electronically controllable pixel in a holographic array (3) with a conventional resolution, and is reasonably free from flickering and cross-talk. Reconstruction is in real time, and for both eyes at the same time, over a large viewing zone. The method takes advantage of an optical focusing means (2) in order to image vertically coherent light emitted by a line light source (1) into viewing windows (8R, 8L) after modulation by the pixel array (3). The holographic reconstruction (11) of the scene is rendered visible from viewing windows (8R, 8L) for both eyes of an observer by way of diffraction at the pixels. According to the invention, the controllable pixels are disposed in vertical pixel columns (15, 16), which encode separate holograms of the same scene for each of the viewer's eyes (R, L), where said holograms are one-dimensional in the vertical direction and horizontally interleaved. An image separation means (7) with separating elements arranged parallel to the pixel columns reveals the respective pixel columns (15, 15′ or 16, 16′) for one eye and covers them for the other eye. |
| US07643187B2 |
Image processing apparatus and preview image displaying method
An image processing apparatus which previews a read image is disclosed. The image processing apparatus includes a preview image processing unit in which a user is allowed to set a processing condition for the read preview image by operating on the read preview image and a preview image processed by the processing condition is displayed together with the setting of the processing condition on a displaying section. |
| US07643184B2 |
Scanner having a driving device for stable driving movement of an image sensor carriage
A driving device for a scanner includes an elongate guiding unit mounted in a base and disposed under an image sensor carriage that extends in a first direction, extending along a second direction transverse to the first direction, and having first and second side rail surfaces transverse to a top rail surface. A roller unit is mounted rotatably on a bottom side of the image sensor carriage, and includes a first roller rotatable about a first axis parallel to the first direction and disposed to roll along the top rail surface, and a second roller rotatable about a second axis transverse to the first and second directions and disposed to roll along the first side rail surface. A spring-loaded retaining unit is mounted on the image sensor carriage, and is disposed to contact rotatablely the second side rail surface. A driving unit drives the image sensor carriage to move in the second direction in the base. |
| US07643183B2 |
Imaging apparatus
The imaging apparatus includes a light application unit that applies light to an object to be imaged, a first converging unit that converges diffuse reflection rays from the object to be imaged, a second converging unit that converges specular reflection rays from the object to be imaged, an image pickup unit that receives the rays converged by the first converging unit and by the second converging unit, and generates image signals corresponding to each rays, an image data generating unit that generates image data by combining first image signals corresponding to the rays converged by the first converging unit with second image signals corresponding to the rays converged by the second converging unit, and an image data output unit that outputs the image data generated by the image data generating unit. |
| US07643182B2 |
System and method for processing image data
In one embodiment, a method of processing image data for compression is provided, wherein the image data represents an image and includes a plurality of image data values, each image data value representing an appearance characteristic of a pixel of the image. In one embodiment, the method includes determining a variance between n image data values, comparing the variance to a variance threshold to determine whether the variance meets a preselected condition relative to the variance threshold, and if the variance meets the preselected condition, then changing at least one of the n image data values to reduce the variance. |
| US07643179B2 |
Image forming apparatus and image forming method
A disclosed image forming apparatus for recording images includes: an image processing unit to create toner image data on four colors of yellow (Y), cyan (C), magenta (M), and black (K) such that toner images have line-shaped periodic structures; and an image forming unit to form the toner images using coloring materials of the four colors and superposing the toner images on a recording medium, wherein the line-shaped periodic structures of the toner images of the four colors are determined based on screen ruling of 200.0, 180.3, 180.3, and 200.0 for Y, C, M, and K colors and screen angles of 0.0, 146.3, 33.7, and 90.0 for Y, C, M, and K colors. |
| US07643177B2 |
System with a random number generator used to remove contouring in CMOS imager data having an extended dynamic range
The present invention is a method of image data processing that includes determining whether the image data indicates photodiode saturation, and removing contouring from the image data caused by the saturation. The contour artifact removal is accomplished by adding a random number to adjusted photodiode data from an extended range imager when the data from the imager indicates that the photodiode has been saturated. The adjusted photodiode data is a sum of photodiode data and spillover rate adjusted diffusion data. |
| US07643176B2 |
Method and apparatus controlling printed color tone conditionally using a representative point or alternative representative point
A printed tone control method for adjusting a printed color tone by comparing image data serving as a reference and image data obtained by reading an image from a print actually made by a printing machine. The method includes a representative point setting step for setting a representative point for use in control of the color tone based on image data, an alternative representative point setting step for setting an alternative representative point that satisfies a predetermined condition when a point inappropriate for tone measurement is selected as the representative point, and a tone adjusting step for adjusting the color tone by using the alternative representative point. |
| US07643164B2 |
Method and system for distribution policy enforcement on fax
According to a first aspect of the present invention, a method for enforcing a distribution policy with respect to information transmitted from a sending fax machine to a recipient fax machine as fax traffic is presented. The method comprising defining an information distribution policy with respect to the fax traffic, then monitoring the fax traffic in accordance with the distribution policy, where the monitoring comprising: (i) de-modulating the fax traffic being monitored into a digital stream; (ii) reconstructing from the digital stream a graphic image representing at least part of the information within the fax traffic; and (iii) analyzing information within the reconstructed image, and then applying the distribution policy with respect to the analyzed fax traffic. |
| US07643160B2 |
Spool file modifying device
A spool file modifying device employed in a print server is connected with a printer. Further, the print server and at least one external terminal are interconnected. A spool file representing a print job that is instructed at the external terminal is converted into print data adaptable to the printer. The spool file modifying device includes a font data extracting system that extracts font data included in the spool file, a registering system that registers the extracted font data with the print server, and a modifying system that modifies the spool file to create a modified spool file in accordance with modifying information included in the spool file. The modified spool file is converted into the print data using the extracted font data, and then transmitted to the printer. |
| US07643159B2 |
Three-dimensional shape measuring system, and three-dimensional shape measuring method
A three-dimensional shape measuring system includes: a light projecting/receiving apparatus which causes a light receiver to receive light reflected on a surface of a measurement object onto a light receiving surface thereof at a predetermined cycle multiple times, while changing a projecting direction of the light; and a measuring apparatus for measuring a three-dimensional shape of the measurement object, utilizing light receiving data. The measuring apparatus includes: a light receiving time setter for setting a light receiving time in each cycle with respect to each of light receiving areas constituting the light receiving surface; a data converter for converting an output value representing the light receiving data obtained in each cycle into an output value standardized with respect to the light receiving time in each cycle, if the light receiving times are different in the cycles; a projection timing acquirer for acquiring a projection timing at which the light receiving amount of each light receiving area is maximum; and a position acquirer for acquiring a position of a measurement point on the surface of the measurement object corresponding to each light receiving area. |
| US07643155B2 |
Partially coherent illumination for inverse scattering full-field interferometric synthetic aperture microscopy
Methods and apparatus for three-dimensional imaging of a sample. A source is provided of a beam of light characterized by partial spatial coherence. The beam is focused onto a sample and scattered light from the sample is superposed with a reference beam derived from the source onto a focal plane detector array to provide an interference signal. A forward scattering model is derived relating measurement data to structure of an object to allow solutions of an inverse scattering problem, based upon the interference signal so that a three-dimensional structure of the same may be inferred. The partial spatial coherence of the source, which may be fixed or variable, may advantageously provide for rejection of multiple scattering artifacts and thus improve image quality. |
| US07643154B2 |
Optical image measurement device
An optical image measurement device comprises: a light source configured to emit a low-coherence light; an interference-light generator configured to generate an interference light, by splitting the low-coherence light into a signal light and a reference light, and superimposing the signal light passed through a measurement object and the reference light passed through a reference object; a changer configured to change a difference in optical path length; a detector configured to detect the interference light; an image forming part configured to form an image of the measurement object within a predetermined frame based on the result of the detection; an analyzer configured to analyze the image, and specify a position of the image within the frame; and a controller configured to control the changer based on the specified position to change the difference so that an image newly formed is placed in a predetermined position within the frame. |
| US07643146B2 |
Methods and apparatus for reducing noise in scatterometry measurements
Methods and apparatus for performing scatterometry measurements of biological samples as described herein. A substrate having formed therein one or more sample wells is provided. Each sample well is configured to hold a sample solution containing objects that are to be characterized based on their light scattering properties. One or more sample solutions are dispensed into the sample wells. A specular reflection reducing element is applied to at least some of the sample solutions in the sample wells to decrease reflections of light into one or more detectors. A light beam is directed from a light source onto the objects in the sample wells. Light scattered by the objects in the sample wells is collected and transmitted to one or more detectors. The signal from the detectors is analyzed to detect the one or more characteristics of the one or more samples. |
| US07643145B2 |
Detection and analysis of optical sensing probes
The present invention relates to the detection of optical sensors by means of measurement of information relative to the signal intensity and signal modulation phase shift. The proposed method employs the use of CMOS and/or CCD imager and illuminations with different wavelengths. The system is able realize a contactless measurement of a phase shift to curse on a gas concentration an distance. |
| US07643141B2 |
Method and apparatus for inspecting color filter
A method for inspecting a color filter includes a first step of disposing the color filter so that the color filter is opposed to a light source, a second step of outputting, from the light source, monochromatic light of a color corresponding to one of the colors of color layers of the color filter and entering the light into the plurality of color layers, and a third step of inspecting for display unevenness in each of the color layers with light transmitted through the color layers. |
| US07643140B2 |
Method and apparatus for inspecting a semiconductor device
A semiconductor defect inspection apparatus using a method of comparing an inspected image with a reference image includes the following: (1) a light source and an illuminating optical system, (2) plural defect optical imaging systems and photo detectors for scattered light detection, (3) a substrate holder and a stage for a scan, (4) means for obtaining the misalignment information on an adjacent die image using the inspection image of a defect optical imaging system with the highest spatial resolution, and means for transmitting the misalignment information to all the defect inspection image processing units, (5) means for correcting misalignment information so that a design and adjustment condition of each optical imaging system may be suited, and means for calculating a difference image between dies based on the corrected misalignment information, and (6) a defect detection and image processing unit for performing defect determination and detection processing based on the difference image between the dies. |
| US07643136B2 |
Device for inspection of narrow spaces and objects in narrow spaces
A device for visual inspection of narrow spaces and objects located in narrow spaces such as solder joints between a component and a printed circuit board has an image prism for deflecting light from the spaces and objects to be inspected and an image sensor that can be connected to a display. For illuminating the solder joints light sources are provided that are located at the transmission path of light from the image prism to the image sensor. The light sources are connected to light guides having outlet ends that are located to issue light at the sides of the light entrance surface of the image prism. Special illumination prisms can be provided to direct the light. The issued light is directed to the field of view, if desired in directions obliquely down into the surface at which the spaces or objects are located and in a weakly converging fashion. Extra light sources can be connected to light guides of a background illumination unit. The light guides may be part of an illuminating unit that can be attached the rest of the device by a snapping function. |
| US07643133B2 |
Air cargo power drive unit for detecting motion of an overlying cargo container
An air cargo power drive unit has a motor, at least one driver roller element coupled to said motor, a light source, a light detector, and a processor having memory associated therewith, said memory storing instructions. The device is configured to emit light from the light source, receive reflected light from the light detector when an air cargo is overhead, and convert the detected light into a time series of a digital samples representing a time-varying intensity of the received light. The processor then performs calculations on the digital samples to determine whether the unit load device is moving. This determination may be based, for instance, on spikes among the digital samples, and/or on first, second, or even higher-order, statistics of the detected samples. |
| US07643130B2 |
Position measuring apparatus and positional deviation measuring method
A position measuring apparatus includes a holder having storage spaces in which a three-point support member for supporting a backside of a substrate being a mask at three points, and a vacuum chuck member for holding a backside of a substrate being a mask are prepared, a stage on which one of the three-point support member and the vacuum chuck member prepared in the storage spaces of the holder is mounted, a vacuum pump to hold and chuck the substrate through the vacuum chuck member in a state of being mounted on the stage, and a recognition unit to recognize a position of a pattern written on the substrate supported by the three-point support member mounted on the stage and a position of a pattern written on the substrate held by the vacuum chuck member on the stage. |
| US07643124B2 |
Liquid crystal, and liquid crystal material combination and liquid crystal display each containing the same
A liquid crystal is provided, which can be used in a liquid crystal display (LCD) to provide an LCD exhibiting a good transmittance. The liquid crystal according to the invention has the following properties: (i) a dielectric anisotropy (Δ∈) ranging from about −2.5 to about −5; (ii) a splay elastic constant (K11) ranging from about 1.1×10−11 N to about 1.6×10−11 N; (iii) a bend elastic constant (K33) ranging from about 1.1×10−11 N to about 1.6×10−11 N; and (iv) Δ∈, K11 (N) and K33 (N) conforming to the following equation: K 11 + K 33 10 × Δ ɛ < 1.28 × 10 - 12 . A liquid crystal material combination is also provided which comprises the liquid crystal according to the invention above mentioned and a polymerizable monomer. |
| US07643121B2 |
Liquid crystal display of line-on-glass type
A line-on-glass (LOG) type liquid crystal display device prevents deterioration in picture quality due to line resistances in LOG signal lines includes a display area having liquid crystal cells arranged at crossings of gate and data lines, a storage capacitor arranged within each of the liquid crystal cells for maintaining charged pixel voltages, and a dummy gate line. A line-on-glass type signal line group outside the display area transmits driving signals to the gate driver integrated circuits for driving the gate lines. A first signal line outside the display area is mounted on gate tape carrier packages. A second signal line connects the first gate low voltage and dummy lines, is insulated from, and crosses the gate lines outside the display area. A third signal line connects the first gate low voltage line and the dummy gate line to connect the first and second gate low voltage lines in parallel. |
| US07643118B2 |
Liquid crystal panel and liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal panel of the present invention includes at least a liquid crystal cell, a first polarizer disposed on one side of the liquid crystal cell, a second polarizer disposed on the other side of the liquid crystal cell and a retardation film (A) disposed between the liquid crystal cell and the first polarizer, wherein the retardation film (A) contains a thermoplastic polymer having at least a substituent (a) represented by the following formula (I) and its in-plane retardation value (Re[750]) at a wavelength of 750 nm is larger than its retardation value (Re[550]) at a wavelength of 550 nm. The liquid crystal panel has such an effect that it reduces coloring of characters or images and a color shift even if a screen is viewed from any direction at an angle range of 360°. |
| US07643117B2 |
Liquid crystal panel and liquid crystal display apparatus
There is provided a liquid crystal panel, in which a color shift in an oblique direction is small even when observed from any azimuth angle of 0° to 360°, and the viewing angle in the horizontal direction is wide. A liquid crystal panel according to the present invention includes: a liquid crystal cell; a first polarizer placed on one side of the liquid crystal cell; a second polarizer placed on the other side of the liquid crystal cell; and a first optical compensation layer and a second optical compensation layer placed between the first polarizer and the second polarizer, wherein: the first optical compensation layer is placed between the first polarizer and the liquid crystal cell; a slow axis direction of the first optical compensation layer is substantially perpendicular to an absorption axis direction of the first polarizer; the first optical compensation layer has a refractive index profile of nx>ny≧nz; the first optical compensation layer includes a retardation film (A) which contains a polyvinyl acetal-based resin and whose in-plane retardation value (Re[750]) at a wavelength of 750 nm is larger than an in-plane retardation value (Re[550]) at a wavelength of 550 nm; the second optical compensation layer is placed between the first optical compensation layer and the second polarizer; and the second optical compensation layer has a refractive index profile of nx=ny>nz. |
| US07643115B2 |
Liquid crystal display unit
The present invention provides a transreflective type liquid crystal display unit, which can reduce power consumption of backlight and displays high-quality image. The liquid crystal display unit of the present invention comprises a first reflective electrode 105, which is installed on inner surface of one substrate 100 and has reflective surfaces on front and rear surfaces and is designed to have reflective lens structure with a convex portion to face to a counter electrode and has an opening 153 at the vertex of said convex portion. Further, the liquid crystal display unit has a second reflective film 104 having reflective surface on the surface facing to the first reflective electrode 105 between the first reflective electrode 105 and said one substrate 100 and under the opening 153 of the first reflective electrode 105. A light entering from the direction of said one substrate 100 is reflected by the rear surface of the first reflective electrode 105 and by the front surface of the second reflective film 104, and the light is converged to the opening 153 of the first reflective electrode 105 and is allowed to pass toward the other substrate 200. |
| US07643109B2 |
Color filter substrate and liquid crystal display panel
There are provided a substrate which has solved an unsatisfactory adhesion problem of a seal part in a liquid crystal cell comprising a retardation layer provided on the inner side of the cell, and a liquid crystal cell using the substrate. A color filter substrate includes a substrate 11, and at least a black matrix layer 12, a color filter layer 13, and a retardation layer 14 stacked on the substrate 11. The black matrix layer 12 and the color filter layer 13 are stacked on the substrate it while providing a margin around the periphery of the substrate 11. The retardation layer 14 is stacked on the black matrix layer 12 and the color filter layer 13 in a larger area than the area where the black matrix layer 12 and the color filter layer 13 are stacked. The substrate 11 in its margin, where neither the black matrix layer 12 nor the color filter layer 13 is stacked, is a predetermined seal area. |
| US07643108B2 |
Liquid crystal display panel
A liquid crystal display panel is provided. The panel comprises a first substrate and a second substrate which have a display area and a non-display area, which is located around the display area. The panel comprises a plurality of dummy pixel structures in the non-display area to provide a voltage for aligning the liquid crystal materials in the non-display area. |
| US07643105B2 |
Display system on reflective interaction guided by a light source
The present invention is to provide a system that displays interactive messages by light emission of preset response depending on the direction of the light from indefinite light source; a light collecting device is used to collect the incidental light from an indefinite light source into clustered beam with higher luminance to be projected into one end of a light guide device before being projected in one direction or multi directions from another end of the light guide device, or light emitted display of selected text or graphics. |
| US07643103B2 |
Backlight module having through hole with heat conductive metal plate therein and liquid crystal display including the same
A backlight module and a liquid crystal display (LCD) both have a heat conductive structure for reducing the non-uniformity phenomenon of display. The backlight module comprises a frame, a reflective sheet, a heat-conductive plate, and a circuit board, wherein the frame has a bottom portion and at least one substantially step-typed through hole is formed therein. The reflective sheet is disposed on the inner surface of the bottom portion, and the heat-conductive plate is disposed in the step-typed through hole, and is spaced from the reflection sheet at a predetermined distance. The circuit board is disposed on the outer surface of the bottom portion of the frame, and has at least one electrical component that is received in the substantially step-typed through hole. |
| US07643101B2 |
Polycrystalline liquid crystal display device and fabrication method thereof
A fabrication method of a polysilicon LCD device includes: forming a gate electrode on a substrate; forming a gate insulating layer over the gate electrode; forming a first amorphous semiconductor layer and a second amorphous semiconductor layer over the gate insulating layer; crystallizing the first and second amorphous semiconductor layers; forming source/drain electrodes on the crystallized second semiconductor layer; forming a passivation layer over the source/drain electrodes; and forming a pixel electrode connected to one of the source/drain electrodes. |
| US07643100B2 |
Method for forming finely-structured parts, finely-structured parts formed thereby, and product using such finely-structured part
In a formation method for forming a fine structure in a workpiece (30) containing an etching control component, using an isotropic etching process, a mask (32, 34) having an opening (36) is applied to the workpiece, and the workpiece is etched with an etching solution (38) to thereby form a recess (40), corresponding to a shape of the opening, in a surface of the workpiece. The etching of the workpiece is stopped due to the etching control component eluted out of the workpiece in the etching solution within the recess during the isotropic etching process. |
| US07643099B2 |
Television system with controlled tuning
Television systems comprising tuners (1), controllers (2) for controlling tuners (1), and stages (3) for receiving tuned signals from tuners (1) and for supplying control signals to controllers (2), use time-consuming automatic fine tuning signals while high speed tuning. By using lock signals (53) from phase-locked-loops (31) in stages (3) as control signals, an indication whether a channel is active or not can now be got much quicker due to lock signals being much faster available than automatic fine tuning signals. By using synchronization signals (54) from synchronization generators (4) as further control signals, a further indication is got. In a fast tuning mode, frequencies nearby active channels are detected, and in a fine tuning mode, channel frequencies are identified. According to the basic idea, lock signals originating from phase-locked-loops (31) in stages (3) can give first indications whether a channel is active or not, preferably and further advantageously in combination with second indications based upon synchronization signals (54). |
| US07643096B2 |
Information processing apparatus
Relationship information is previously generated and stored by learning based on camera motion estimation information expressing motion of a video camera, which is detected by a desired image signal picked up by the video camera, and camera motion information expressing physical motion of the video camera, which was obtained by a sensor for detecting physical motion at the same time when the desired image signal was picked up by the video camera. Camera motion estimation information with respect to an inputted image signal is detected from the inputted image signal. Camera motion prediction information with respect to the inputted image signal is generated, based on the camera motion estimation information detected and the relationship information. Based on the camera motion prediction information, a vibration signal for vibrating an object is generated. As a result, vibration data can be easily generated at low costs, based on existing video assets. |
| US07643092B2 |
Broadcast receiving system
When a main television is turned on, a power source A, a power source B, and a power source C operate. When the main television is turned off (stand-by state), the power source A and the power source B operate, if the sub-television is turned on, and only the power source A operates, if the sub-TV is turned off. Therefore, even when the main television is turned off, as long as the sub-television is turned on, a broadcast reception process and a wireless video transmission to the sub-TV are performed. If both the main television and sub-television are turned off, then electric power supplies to circuits for the broadcast reception processes are stopped, and as a result, electric power consumption is saved. |
| US07643091B2 |
Aspect ratio enhancement
An adaptive compensation system for aspect ratio conversion. Video information, intended for her first aspect ratio display, e.g. the standard NTSC aspect ratio, is processed to determine additional information that can enable that video to be displayed and fill a wider aspect ratio screen. The processing can be a calculation which calculates, for example, texture, color and/or brightness of the edge portions, and automatically calculates video information to match the texture, brightness or color. The processing can be a database lookup, which automatically looks up likely portions from a database. The processing can also be an adaptive determination of what vertical portions of the image can be stretched without affecting the viewability, and then an adaptive stretching of different portions by different amounts. |
| US07643084B2 |
Lighting control apparatus
A lighting control apparatus of a photographing apparatus comprises a lighting device and a signal supplying processor. The lighting device illuminates a photographic subject by receiving one of a sine wave signal, and a half-wave rectification wave signal, a saw wave signal, and a triangle wave signal in the exposure time. The signal supplying processor supplies one of the sine wave signal, the half-rectification wave signal, the saw wave signal, and the triangle wave signal, to be received, to the lighting device, in the exposure time. |
| US07643078B2 |
CCD with improved charge transfer
A charge coupled device having a plurality of non-adjacent first gate electrode pairs; a plurality of second gate electrode pairs placed in every second space between the first gate electrode pairs; a plurality of third gate electrode pairs placed in the spaces between the first gate electrode pairs not occupied by the second gate electrode pairs; wherein, in a full resolution mode, the first gate electrode pairs are clocked substantially 180 degrees out of phase with respect to the second and third gate electrode pairs and the second and third gate electrode pairs are clocked substantially equally; and wherein, in a half resolution, double speed mode, the second and third gate electrode pairs are clocked substantially 180 degrees out of phase with respect to each other and substantially 50% duty cycle and the first gate electrode pairs are clocked with 25% or less duty cycle and 90 degrees out of phase with respect to the second gate electrode pairs. |
| US07643077B2 |
Photoelectric conversion apparatus and photoelectric conversion system having the apparatus
In order to provide a photoelectric conversion apparatus, which is an apparatus excellent in reading speed, high S/N, high tone level, and low cost, the photoelectric conversion apparatus has a photoelectric conversion circuit section comprising a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements, switching elements, matrix signal wires, and gate drive wires arranged on a same substrate in order to output parallel signals, a driving circuit section for applying a driving signal to the gate drive wire, and a reading circuit section for converting the parallel signals transferred through the matrix signal wires to serial signals to output them, wherein the reading circuit section comprises at least one analog operational amplifier connected with each of the matrix signal wires, transfer switches for transferring output signals from the respective matrix signal wires, output through each amplifier, reading capacitors, and reading switches for successively reading the signals out of the reading capacitors in the form of serial signals. |
| US07643073B2 |
Image apparatus and method and program for producing interpolation signal
An image apparatus has signal slicing unit for two-dimensionally slicing a signal from an imaging device; pixel correlation detection unit for detecting correlation between a center pixel of the signal sliced by the signal slicing unit and its peripheral pixels; correction unit for executing a correction processing for each pixel signal sliced on the basis of the degree of correlation; and synchronization unit for extracting each color signal at the center pixel position of the area sliced by using a signal after correction. |
| US07643072B2 |
Signal processing method for image capturing apparatus, and image capturing apparatus including calculating image transfer efficiency
The present invention provides an image capturing apparatus which enables a desired image quality to be maintained regardless of transfer efficiency of a CCD image capturing element. R, G and B signals (CCD-RAW data) are acquired from the CCD image capturing element. In addition, various information, namely transfer efficiency of the CCD image capturing element, camera sensitivity upon photography, drive frequency of the CCD image capturing element, WB gains of the acquired R, G and B signals, pixel count, internal temperature of camera or temperature of the CCD image capturing element, and CCD color filter array of the CCD image capturing element are acquired. Signal processing on the acquired R, G and B signals is changed according to the acquired information in order to suppress image quality deterioration due to transfer efficiency degradation. |
| US07643069B2 |
Device and method for adjusting exposure of image sensor
A device for adjusting the exposure of an image sensor includes an average luminance value calculation unit, a first exposure control unit and a correction exposure value calculation unit. The average luminance value calculation unit calculates the first total average luminance value of pixels that are output from the image sensor. The first exposure control unit controls the exposure value of the image sensor based on a previously set exposure value. The correction exposure value calculation unit calculates a correction exposure value by multiplying the exposure value, which is previously set on the first exposure control unit, by the ratio of a target luminance value to the first total average luminance value. Additionally, the first exposure control unit receives the correction exposure value from the correction exposure value calculation unit and controls the exposure value of the image sensor based on the correction exposure value. |
| US07643067B2 |
Rectification system and method of stereo image in real-time
Disclosed is a system and a method for rectifying stereo images, which are acquired by two cameras, in real-time by using a calibration matrix resulting from camera calibration. The system includes a coordinate generation module; a rectification coordinate generation module; a bilinear interpolation value generation module; a rectification coordinate memory; a bilinear interpolation memory; an image buffer; an rectification module; and a control module. A structure of a hardware system capable of real-time stereo rectification is provided, and the operation results have been verified by implementing a hardware device. The real-time stereo rectification system makes it possible to acquire rectified images in real-time without using a separate computer system or a software program. |
| US07643064B1 |
Predictive video device system
A predictive device system includes a first device motion control input, determines a desired first device motion using the first device motion control input, and provides actual first device motion using the first device motion control input. The predictive system also determines motion inherent in a received signal using the actual first device motion, determines a difference to be simulated in a second device signal using the desired first device motion and the motion inherent in the received signal, and outputs a predictive signal using the first device motion control input and the difference to be simulated in the second device signal. |
| US07643063B2 |
Dual loop stabilization of video camera images
Dual loop stabilization of video images is disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a video camera having a first image stability control component configured to stabilize a video image in a first motion environment. A second image stability control component is coupled between the video camera and a moveable platform and is configured to stabilize the video image in a second motion environment. A motion sensing device detects movement of the video camera and transmits a control signal to adjust a stabilization response of the second image stability control component according to the movement. In some embodiments, a first amplitude range of the first motion environment is at least partially lower than a second amplitude range of the second motion environment, and a first frequency range of the first motion environment is at least partially higher than a second frequency range of the second motion environment. |
| US07643062B2 |
Method and system for deblurring an image based on motion tracking
A method and system for deblurring an image based on motion tracking. light is recorded at an image sensor of an imaging device to capture an image. motion of said image sensor is recorded at a motion sensor of the imaging device during the recording of the light at the image sensor. A blur kernel is generated based on the motion. |
| US07643061B2 |
Scintillation measuring method of display device and scintillation measuring device
A measuring method of scintillation appearing on a display image of a display device installed with a light source including: capturing the display image from a plurality of capturing positions respectively having different capturing angles relative to the display image to obtain a plurality of captured images; and acquiring scintillation by comparing pixels of the captured images each corresponding to a common pixel of the display image and acquiring data of pixels having different luminance as scintillation information. |
| US07643060B2 |
User guiding apparatus and an image capturing system, method and program for using same
The image capturing system includes: a fixed image capturing unit fixedly installed at a predetermined position; a three-dimensional image information storage section for storing a three-dimensional image of the region including the fixed image capturing unit; an image comparison section for comparing a portable captured image captured by a portable image capturing section held by a user with the three-dimensional image stored by the three-dimensional image information storage unit; a position determination section for determining the position and the orientation of the user holding the portable image capturing section based on the comparison result by the image comparison section; and a guiding information presentation section for presenting information for guiding the user to set the user in the frame of a fixed captured image captured by the fixed image capturing unit. The guiding information presentation section transmits information for guiding the user to a portable unit having the portable image capturing section to cause the portable unit to output the information. |
| US07643053B2 |
Reflective liquid crystal display device and projection display apparatus using the same
A reflective liquid crystal display device combined with an optical system with a wire grid is provided for light modulation by a liquid crystal layer. This layer, made of nematic liquid crystal having negative dielectric anisotropy, is formed such that first and second orientation directions on first and second substrates are rotated by “60±α” and “60±β” degrees in first and second rotating directions starting from a reference direction, respectively. The first and second rotating directions are mutually opposite, the reference direction is parallel to the first and second substrates and within in an angular range defined by a central angle plus ±5 degrees wherein the central angle is ±45 degrees from an oscillation direction of incident polarized light, and a relationship of |α|+|β|≦10 (α and β are zero or positive integers) is fulfilled. |
| US07643050B2 |
Optical signal generating apparatus, optical signal generating method, and image forming apparatus
An information recording apparatus for recording image information on an image forming body, the apparatus including: a light source for emitting light; a light valve of diffraction grating type, for modulating the light emitted from the light source according to the image information, the light valve comprising a plurality of ribbons arranged in an array; and an optical section for forming an image on the image forming body with the light diffracted and modulated by the light valve, wherein a longitudinal direction of the ribbons of the light valve is arranged at a specific angle with respect to a direction perpendicular to the array direction of the ribbons. |
| US07643046B2 |
Laser beam scanning device, image forming apparatus, and laser beam detecting method by the laser beam scanning device
A laser beam scanning device is disclosed. The laser beam scanning device includes a diffraction optical element which forms a pattern of a diffraction image including two images extending in a direction corresponding to the sub scanning direction and one image extending in a direction inclined by θ (0<θ<90°) from the direction corresponding to the sub scanning direction by inputting a laser beam which is led to a surface of a photoconductor drum, and a light receiving element which receives the pattern of the diffraction image. |
| US07643041B2 |
Display controller which outputs a grayscale clock signal
A display controller which outputs a grayscale clock signal for specifying a change point of a pulse width modulated signal. The display controller includes: a grayscale clock generation section which generates a grayscale clock signal having first to Nth (N is an integer greater than one) grayscale pulses within a predetermined period starting from a reference timing; and first to Nth grayscale pulse setting registers for setting edges of the first to Nth grayscale pulses. The grayscale clock generation section sets an interval between the reference timing and an edge of the first grayscale pulse and an interval between edges of the (i−1)th grayscale pulse (2≦i≦N, i is an integer) and the ith grayscale pulse, based on values set in the first to Nth grayscale pulse setting registers, and outputs the grayscale clock signal having the first to Nth grayscale pulses. |
| US07643035B2 |
High dynamic range image viewing on low dynamic range displays
In one aspect, a background image constructed from HDR image information is displayed along with portions of the HDR image corresponding to one or more regions of interest. The portions have at least one display parameter (e.g., a tone mapping parameter) that differs from a corresponding display parameter for the background image. Regions of interest and display parameters can be determined by a user (e.g., via a GUI). In another aspect, an intermediate image is determined based on image data corresponding to one or more regions of interest of the HDR image. The intermediate image has a narrower dynamic range than the HDR image. The intermediate image or a derived image is then displayed. The techniques and tools can be used to compare, for example, different tone mappings, compression methods, or color spaces in the background and regions of interest. |
| US07643033B2 |
Multi-dimensional texture mapping apparatus, method and program
Multi-dimensional texture mapping apparatus includes compression unit configured to compress texture image data including texture images by sampling the texture images in accordance with feature of material, the texture images acquired or created under different conditions, converter to convert the compressed texture image data into first multi-dimensional texture, the first multi-dimensional texture including a codebook and index images containing index information indicating addresses assigned to data of the codebook, the codebook storing image data extracted from same pixels in the texture images and collected, generation unit configured to generate second multi-dimensional texture of a size based on the first multi-dimensional texture, and mapping unit configured to map texture samples selected from the second multi-dimensional texture in accordance with the different conditions, based on a three-dimensional model data which specifies shape of an object mapped the texture samples. |
| US07643032B2 |
Texture-based packing, such as for packing 8-bit pixels into two bits
A method and system for rendering three-dimensional graphics, including text, provide a compressed texture bitmap. The texture bitmap may represent multiple symbols, each comprised of multiple pixels. Each pixel in the texture bitmap may store information for more than one symbol, including compressed pixels corresponding to multiple distinct symbols. For example, the compressed texture bitmap may have n-bit pixels (e.g., 8-bit pixels) that each store m (e.g., four) n/m-bit (e.g., 2-bit) compressed values. The compressed texture bitmap may be configured for unpacking by a conventional pixel shader, such as a pixel shader that does not typically perform bitwise operations. The unpacking may include matching a fetched pixel to a value in a lookup table, such as a 32-bit value from a 256-color palette. The looked-up value can be separated into separate sub-values to facilitate processing by the pixel shader. For example, the looked-up value can be split into RGBA values conventionally used in processing colored pixels. |
| US07643028B2 |
Image generation program product and image generation device
This program product causes a computer to function as the respective units for (a) arranging a model configured by intersecting a plurality of plate-shaped polygons in a virtual space, (b) calculating a parameter dependent on an angle formed from a first vector set in association with the model and a second vector set in association with the line of sight of the virtual camera, (c) selecting as a display target one among the plurality of plate-shaped polygons configuring the model according to the parameter, (d) mapping a prescribed texture to the plate shaped polygon selected with the polygon selection unit, and (e) generating an image obtained by performing perspective projection to the inside of the virtual space, in which the model mapped with the texture is arranged, on a perspective projection plane set in correspondence with a visual point of the virtual camera. |
| US07643023B2 |
Matrix type display device and display method thereof
In the case where graphic data GD1 needing a high-speed rendering are to be written in a frame memory (14) from an image writing unit (1), the graphic data GD1 are written in the frame memory (14) in accordance with an instruction from the image writing unit (1) irrespective of the read state of graphic data GD2 to be read from the frame memory (14). In the case of the graphic data GD1 needing an ordinary speed, on the other hand, a write wait signal WT is outputted from a data write control unit (2) to the image writing unit (1) for the period till the read of the graphic data GD2 from the frame memory (14) ends. For the period while the write wait signal WT is being outputted, the write of the graphic data GD1 from the graphic data writing unit (1) is made to wait. |
| US07643022B2 |
Panel source driver circuits having common data demultiplexing and methods of controlling operations of the same
Panel source driver circuits include a first data register and a second data register. A common data demultiplexer coupled to the first and second data registers is configured to provide control data from a first input of the demultiplexer to the first data register and control data from a second input of the demultiplexer to the second data register in a first operation mode and to provide control data from the second input to the first data register and control data from the first input to the second register in a second operation mode responsive to an operation mode select signal. A first decoder is coupled to an output of the first data register that is configured to select one of a plurality of first voltages having different levels responsive to the output of the first data register and to output the selected first voltage. A second decoder is coupled to an output of the second data register that is configured to select one of a plurality of second voltages having different levels in response to the output of the second data register and to output the selected second voltage. |
| US07643017B2 |
Servosystem
A servosystem, in particular a servosystem for a motor vehicle, includes a display showing a list of clickable menu items, a rotary knob with a rotary element to operate the rotary knob, with a number of mechanical detents to alternately increase the rotary momentum necessary for rotating the rotary element, with a brake to brake the rotary element and with a rotation sensor to measure the rotation of the rotary element with a resolution that is the least four times, in particular at least six times, and with particular preference at least eight times the number of mechanical detents per rotation of the rotary element, and a control for converting the rotation of the rotary element into a scrolling motion through a list and for activating the brake when the last clickable menu item of the list is reached or the first clickable menu items of the list is reached. |
| US07643016B2 |
Coordinate input pen and coordinate input apparatus having the same
The coordinate input pen according to the present invention is a coordinate input pen for specifying a current position of the coordinate input pen by emitting an ultrasonic wave, including: an ultrasonic wave oscillating section for oscillating the ultrasonic wave for specifying coordinates of the current position; an ultrasonic wave emitting outlet for emitting, to an outside, the ultrasonic wave oscillated by the ultrasonic wave oscillating section; and an ultrasonic wave propagation route which has a fixed length and extends from the ultrasonic wave oscillating section to the ultrasonic wave emitting outlet and is used to propagate the ultrasonic wave to the ultrasonic wave emitting outlet. As a result, it is possible to maintain the output level of the ultrasonic wave oscillated by the ultrasonic wave oscillating section constant regardless of how large a stroke pressure applied on the coordinate input pen is. |
| US07643015B2 |
Systems and methods for tracking impacts
Surface impacts are located and characterized based on an acoustic signal produced by the impact despite the presence of signal dispersion. Acoustic signals from the surface may be compared to acoustic signals detected external to the surface in order to eliminate spurious impact sensing due to external sounds. Low-frequency acoustic signals may be sensed and identified as explicit hard “bangs” which are of limited utility for pointing and tracking applications. |
| US07643014B2 |
Resistive touch screen measurement system
A voltage is generated after a touch screen is touched, and the voltage is transformed into a digital signal for detecting a touch point which the touch screen is touched. A touch sensing system includes a first switch having a first node coupled to a first voltage source, a second switch having a node coupled to a second voltage source, a first resistor coupled between the first switch and the second switch in a series connection, a comparator having a first input node coupled to a second node of the first switch, a successive approximation register (SAR) having an input node coupled to an output node of the comparator, and a simulation circuit. An output voltage of the simulation circuit is continuously adjusted by the comparator and the simulation circuit to transform the voltage generated on the touch screen into a digital signal. |
| US07643013B2 |
Input device
A capacitive input device, capable of stably adjusting the sensitivity of a counter electrode to improve the operability of the input device, and of improving the appearance of an electric apparatus is provided. In the input device, a conductive material is arranged between a counter electrode and an inner surface of a casing. |
| US07643010B2 |
Peripheral pixel noise reduction
Techniques for identifying and discriminating between different input patterns to a multi-touch touch-screen device are described. By way of example, large objects hovering a short distance from the touch-surface (e.g., a cheek, thigh or chest) may be identified and distinguished from physical contacts to the surface. In addition, rough contacts due to, for example, ears and earlobes, may be similarly identified and distinguished from contacts due to fingers, thumbs, palms and finger clasps. In one implementation, a unique technique to reduce the noise in segmented image peripheral pixels. |
| US07643006B2 |
Gesture recognition method and touch system incorporating the same
A gesture recognition method includes detecting multiple pointers in close proximity to a touch surface to determine if the multiple pointers are being used to perform a known gesture. When the multiple pointers are being used to perform a known gesture, executing a command associated with the gesture. A touch system incorporating the gesture recognition method is also provided. |
| US07643005B2 |
Semi-permanent electronic paper
An apparatus and method to control the writing on electronic paper. |
| US07643003B2 |
Liquid crystal display device having a shift register
An LCD device includes a plurality of gate lines formed in an LCD panel; a plurality of driving stages, each of which sequentially outputting a respective enabling scan pulse to a corresponding one of the plurality of gate lines; at least one dummy stage responsive to an enabling scan pulse from a first one of the plurality of driving stages and supplying a disabling scan pulse to a second one of the plurality of driving stages to disable outputting of the enabling scan pulse; and a dummy gate line electrically connected to the at least one dummy stage. |
| US07642997B2 |
Active matrix display compensation
An apparatus for selecting a stressing voltage for compensating for changes in the threshold voltages (Vth) for drive transistors in pixel drive circuits in an active matrix OLED display having a plurality of OLED light-emitting pixels arranged in an array is disclosed. |
| US07642996B2 |
Method of driving an organic electroluminescent device comprising a phosphorescent light emitter
A method of driving an organic electroluminescent device comprising a phosphorescent light emitter having an excited state emission decay time τ, which method comprises applying to the organic electroluminescent device a series of electrical pulses of duration td, such that the ratio td/τ is less than or equal to 0.1, at a frequency which is less than 1/τ. |
| US07642993B2 |
Driving method of plasma display panel
A method for driving a plasma display panel having a plurality of first electrodes, a plurality of second electrodes, and a plurality of third electrodes provided in a direction crossing the first and second electrodes while one frame is divided into a plurality of subfields, the plurality of first electrodes being divided into a plurality of groups each including a first group and a second group, and the plurality of second electrodes being biased at a first voltage during a reset period, an address period, and a sustain period. During the address period, a second voltage is selectively applied to a plurality of first electrodes included in the first group. A third voltage lower than the second voltage is selectively applied to a plurality of first electrodes included in the second group. |
| US07642991B2 |
Method for driving plasma display panel
A method for driving an AC type plasma display panel includes the steps of performing initialization at least once for each frame so as to clear binary setting of wall charge quantity in a screen by discharge except for micro discharge in which electrodes covered with a plurality of fluorescent materials become cathodes, and performing special initialization at frequency of once for M frames, where M=two or more, so as to erase unnecessary wall charge in the screen by discharge in which electrodes become cathodes and that is stronger than the discharge in the initialization. |
| US07642990B2 |
Method and device for guiding a user's head during vision training
A head-guide for diagnosing or training vision of a user and methods of user thereof are disclosed. The head-guide may include a head-support for orienting a head of the user, a display-support for orienting a display. The head-guide may also include a guide-support connected to the head-support and the display-support. The head-support and display-support may be pre-configured to fix the relative position of the head and the display and the display may present visual stimuli to diagnose or train the vision of the user. |
| US07642987B2 |
Monopole tower system
A monopole tower system including nested or telescoping tower structures which may be erected utilizing hydraulic cylinders instead of cranes. |
| US07642986B1 |
Range limited antenna
Range limited antenna includes at least two sets of antenna elements and an RF signal processing network connected to each set of antenna elements. The network has a function, F(Ξ,x)=ΦA(x)−ΦB(x)+ΦC(x)−ΦD(x) . . . +ΦN−1(x)−ΦN(x), where x is a signal, ΦA(x) is the phase angle of signal x at the first element set, ΦB(x) is the phase angle of signal x at the second element set, ΦN(x) is the phase angle of signal x at the set N, and Ξ contains all additional parameters which bear on the system. The network is configured to pass a signal for which F(Ξ,x)>ε, where ε is a threshold amount, such that the antenna has gain to signals within a radius and has attenuation outside the radius. |
| US07642985B2 |
Seat for vehicle
A seat for a vehicle includes: a detecting sensor detecting an occupant having a planar antenna electrode, at which electric filed is generated, and a ground electrode arranged with a clearance along an outer periphery of the antenna electrode. The antenna electrode can be provided with a hole at the center of the antenna electrode. |
| US07642982B2 |
Multi-band circular polarity elliptical horn antenna
A relatively low cost, easy to install and aesthetically pleasing multi-band, multi-port digital video broadcast from satellite (DVBS) elliptical horn antenna designed as part of a reflector antenna system to simultaneously receive satellite television broadcast signals with circular polarity on two frequency channels. This type antenna may be implemented with a single antenna feed horn with multiple feed horns that may be arranged separately or in one or more integral feed horn blocks. The antennas may be designed to achieve acceptable circular polarity performance over broad and multiple frequency bands through the use of oppositely sloped differential phase differential sections. |
| US07642970B2 |
Antenna device and wireless communication apparatus using same
An antenna device is provided which is capable of operating in a wider band of frequencies (in a plurality of transmitting and receiving frequency bands), achieving an excellent gain, maintaining non-directivity of vertically polarized waves in each of the transmitting and receiving frequency bands, and saving space. The antenna device includes the first antenna 101 being a chip-type antenna operating in a GSM band, second antenna 102 being a pattern antenna operating in DCS and PCS bands, third antenna 103 being a layer-stacked antenna operating in an UMTS band, all being mounted on a substrate 100. The second antenna 102 is connected to a line 105 extending from a power feeding port 104 connected to the first antenna 101. A gap is interposed between the second antenna 102 and third antenna 103 wherein the second antenna 102 is capacitively coupled to the third antenna 103 on the substrate 100 with no antenna switch being provided. |
| US07642969B2 |
Mobile communication terminal incorporating internal antenna
A mobile communication terminal and an internal multi-band antenna are described. The internal antenna is formed on a substrate and has a first pattern and a second pattern. Both patterns may be formed on one side of the substrate, or one pattern may be formed on each side of the substrate. The first pattern and the second pattern have different widths. The terminal may be of any type such as a folding type terminal, a slider-type terminal, or a bar type terminal. |
| US07642968B2 |
Portable device compact antenna
The present invention relates to a portable compact antenna comprising a first radiating element of the dipole type, operating in a first frequency band and formed by a first and at least one second conductive arm supplied differentially, the first arm, called cold arm, forming at least one cover for an electronic card wherein the second arm, called hot arm, is extended by a conductive wire element, the length of the assembly formed by the first arm, the second arm and the wire element being chosen to provide an operation in a second frequency band. |
| US07642965B2 |
Antenna device
An antenna device, includes a plurality of substrate type antennas arranged in a direction, each of the substrate type antennas includes a dielectric substrate, an electric supply line that includes a microstrip line and is formed on the dielectric substrate, and antenna elements each of which includes microstrip lines and formed on the dielectric substrate, and a reflector plate located along the direction that the substrate type antennas are arranged. The substrate type antennas each have different angles of inclination relative to the reflector plate. |
| US07642963B2 |
Soldier/ground vehicle passive ranging system utilizing compact spatiotemporal processor
A method of two-source passive ranging comprising the steps of determining the coordinates of a first position and a second position wherein a first soldier or ground vehicle is located at the first position and a second soldier or ground vehicle is located at the second position; determining individual angles between said first and second positions and a radio frequency source; and using individual single-angle accuracy values to estimate the range from the first and second positions to the radio frequency source. |
| US07642960B2 |
Command, control and communications with intelligent antennas
A system and method to provide a means of communication, command and control between a mobile antenna and a satellite receiver that allows the receiver to send tuning information to the antenna and the antenna to provide feedback to the receiver when a signal has been acquired. The antenna and the receiver can share the appropriate states and stats such as diagnostics, test, GPS coordinates, etc. |
| US07642957B2 |
GPS system utilizing multiple antennas
A GPS Mobile Unit is described. The GPS Mobile Unit may include at least two antennas, at least two GPS receivers, and a position solution module in signal communication with the at least two GPS receivers. |
| US07642956B2 |
System and method for monitoring and surveying movements of the terrain, large infrastructures and civil building works in general, based upon the signals transmitted by the GPS navigation satellite system
A measurement system for applications of monitoring and surveying based upon the signals transmitted by a GPS system includes a plurality of measurement stations equipped with at least one GPS receiver, one or more base stations for reception and processing of the measurements made by the plurality of measurement stations, and a network of communication between the stations. The GPS receiver is a receiver that works on a single carrier. The measurement stations are split into triangular sub-networks in which each vertex of a triangle contains a station. The base station is configured for calculating lengths of the baselines that join the measurement stations by means of the double differences, and the base station is configured for executing calculation of the solution in real time. |
| US07642955B2 |
Position privacy in an electronic device
A privacy enhancement device for electronic device such as a cellular telephone. The privacy enhancement device may include a jammer which may produces false information, e.g. false information indicative of pseudo ranges. In addition, the navigation information used on the position detecting device may be locally stored versions of dynamically changing information. The navigation operation may be carried out using a Web service. |
| US07642951B2 |
Dual channel spatially adaptive CFAR
A system for reducing CFAR loss due to sea clutter is disclosed. The system includes a first channel tuned for CFAR gain in a spatially correlated background and a second channel tuned for low CFAR loss in spatially uncorrelated backgrounds. Each of the channels employs a distribution free CFAR using rank ordered statistics to establish a constant false alarm rate. The output of each channel is fused by a hit correlation function and the stream of combined hits is processed by a target centroiding function. |
| US07642950B2 |
Radar device with transmission output control and transmission output control function abnormality determining means
Provided is a radar device includes a transmitting unit, a receiving unit for receiving the electromagnetic wave reflected by a target object of the transmission electromagnetic wave, a target object measuring unit for measuring at least a distance between the radar device and the target object on the basis of the transmission and reception electromagnetic waves, a transmission output control unit (S1, S2) for stopping or reducing a transmission output of the transmitting unit under a predetermined condition, a transmission output control function abnormality determining unit (S3 to S6) for determining that the transmission output control unit is abnormal upon receiving the reception electromagnetic wave having an intensity exceeding a predetermined threshold value even at the time of one of stop and reduction of the transmission output, and an abnormality determination time processing unit (S7) for stopping a power supply of the radar device when an abnormality is determined. |
| US07642949B2 |
Illumination source for millimeter wave imaging
Methods and apparatuses of scene illumination for millimeter wave sensing are presented. One embodiment features illuminating a subject with millimeter wave radiation produced by at least one fluorescent light, generating an image with a passive sensor using the millimeter wave radiation reflected from the subject, and analyzing the image to detect representations corresponding to concealed objects associated with the subject. Another embodiment features at least one fluorescent light which illuminates a subject with millimeter wave radiation, and passive millimeter wave sensor which receives the millimeter wave radiation effected from the subject, and generates an image which is analyzed to detect image representations corresponding to concealed objects. Another embodiment features at least one florescent light behind an optically opaque medium which is transparent to millimeter wave radiation, and illuminating a subject with millimeter wave radiation produced by the fluorescent light. |
| US07642944B2 |
A/D converter
A full-flash A/D converter, including a differential amplifier circuit row and a voltage comparison circuit row, has an adjusting circuit 107 for making the output dynamic range of differential amplifier circuits accurately fall within the input dynamic range of voltage comparison circuits. The adjusting circuit 107 includes a reference voltage generation circuit 119, which has therein voltage generation circuits 122 whose resistors are connected in series. By this series connection, the area of the voltage generation circuits 122 is reduced, while the output dynamic range of the differential amplifier circuits A1 to Am+1 in the differential amplifier circuit row 102 accurately falls within the input dynamic range of the voltage comparison circuits Cr1 to Crm+1 in the voltage comparison circuit row 103. Furthermore, half-circuits in the voltage generation circuits 122 are used to generate reference voltages, whereby the area of the voltage generation circuits is reduced further. |
| US07642940B1 |
Obsolescence mitigation for programmable waveform digitizers
Method for enabling use of the same, existing test programs for both an obsolete and new waveform digitizer, each having an analog input interface and a digital output interface, entails providing an automatic test equipment for hosting test programs for using a waveform digitizer, and determining scalers and low voltage monolithic analog-to-digital converters to couple to the analog input interface and digital output interface of the new waveform digitizer. As such, the new waveform digitizer provides the same function, or has the same functionality as, as the obsolete waveform digitizer, and the same, existing test programs can be used for the new waveform digitizer as were used for the obsolete waveform digitizer. |
| US07642938B2 |
Gray code to sign and magnitude converter
The present invention relates to Gray Codes and their conversion to sign and magnitude representation. Gray codes are used in flash ADCs (analogue to digital converters), which convert an analogue waveform into a sampled binary value. This can be done via a thermometer code, and the present invention addresses the issue of the propagation of error due to an indeterminant thermometer code value. In particular the invention provides a Gray code to sign and magnitude converter arranged to produce for the bits of its output other than the sign bit the same code for the Gray codes that are the same distance from the boundary where the sign bit changes value when the Gray codes are arranged in order of their value. |
| US07642934B2 |
Method of mapping a traditional touchtone keypad on a handheld electronic device and associated apparatus
A method of mapping a traditional touchtone telephone keypad on a handheld electronic device having a disambiguation function, and an associated apparatus comprises outputting a representation of a remapped character layout and generating a disambiguated interpretation of an input. |
| US07642929B1 |
Helicopter brown-out landing
An electromagnetic emissions free optical signal based helicopter landing assistance arrangement wherein helicopter rotor wash dust cloud-caused obfuscation of the intended landing site and other landing threats are overcome. Real time optical sourced data is collected early and used during helicopter approach to the intended landing site. Upgrading of this data for use during dust cloud presence is accomplished with image processing techniques applied in response to such inputs as helicopter flight data. Military use of the invention especially in current theatre conflict environments is contemplated. Dust cloud related landing hazards are disclosed as a significant difficulty in such environments and generate need for the invention. |
| US07642924B2 |
Alarm with CO and smoke sensors
A life safety device includes a smoke sensor and a carbon monoxide (CO) sensor. Smoke sensitivity of the device is adaptively adjusted based upon the smoke sensor signal and the CO sensor signal. |
| US07642922B2 |
Drive support apparatus for a movable body
A drive support apparatus that performs an interaction with a driver with respect to awareness of safe driving so as to make the driver drive safely. The drive support apparatus includes: a driving state detecting portion for acquiring driving state information including at least either information about a traveling situation of the movable body or information about a driving operation from an in-vehicle sensor; a driver information storing portion for storing awareness information representing digitized awareness of the driver with respect to safe driving; an interaction controlling portion for generating a question for checking the driver's awareness with respect to safe driving when the driving state information and the awareness information satisfy predetermined interaction-start conditions, outputting the question as a synthesized voice, and recognizing an answer content from a voice of the driver to the question; and an awareness information generating portion for updating the awareness information in accordance with the answer content recognized by the interaction controlling portion. |
| US07642921B2 |
Electronic swimmer monitoring system
Electronic Tags are mounted on swimmers to reduce their risk of drowning by identifying when their heads are underwater for periods of time which may indicate a dangerous submersion situation, and for triggering corresponding alerts and alarms. In this method, each monitored person is equipped with a lightweight electronic Tag worn on the body that communicates with monitors that issue the alerts and alarms, including audible and visible distress signals. The monitors, in turn, communicate the alarms to receivers used by supervisory personnel, such as lifeguards or parents. The invention may be used in aquatic environments, such as public recreation facilities, pools, waterfronts, and water parks, as well as in more private settings, such as homes, apartment buildings or hotels. |
| US07642920B2 |
Interaction analyzer
A method of analyzing participant activity includes providing an identification unit to a participant, receiving signals from the identification unit, determining location of the participant based on the received signals, storing the location information and the associated timestamp and analyzing the stored information. |
| US07642917B2 |
Antenna arrangement
A network of antennas for contactless reading or writing of RFID tags in a detection volume, including three or four flat, independent antennas sequentially connected to a single reader by a switch, wherein planes of the antennas pass through a reading/writing/detection volume centered in the detection volume, for every pair of antennas, an intersection of their planes is included in the optimal reading/writing volume, and the antennas are arranged so that any direction in the optimal reading/writing volume forms an angle of about 45° or less with at least one of the planes of the antennas. |
| US07642912B2 |
Remote control holder
The remote control holder of the present invention includes one or more recesses for holding remote controls and one or more cup holders. The holder may also include a heating device and/or a cooling device coupled to the cup holder. The holder may also include a paging system with one or more paging buttons. Each of the paging buttons is associated with one of the recesses. Each paging button may be a different color. In addition, each paging button may be associated with a paging receiver attached to a remote control to be stored in the recess that is associated with the paging button. The method for using the remote control holder includes locating a remote control by depressing a paging button, thereby causing the associated paging receiver attached to the remote control to emit an audible alarm. The remote control may then be disposed within the recess associated with the paging button. |
| US07642904B2 |
Rim mounted pressure monitoring system for a tire with protected monitoring module
A tire and wheel rim assembly includes a tire supporting rim having an outward facing mounting surface and at least one tire body mounted to the rim and positioning an internal tire cavity over the rim mounting surface. A tire pressure monitoring module assembly mounts to the rim mounting surface and includes a housing having an internal pressure chamber; a pressure sensing device and/or a temperature measuring sensor within the housing pressure chamber; and an elongate connecting member extending through the housing and the rim mounting surface. A crossover pipe connects the housing pressure chamber with a remote portion of the rim. The inflation pressure in the tire cavity is transferred through the axial passageway of the crossover pipe to the pressure chamber within the module housing. |
| US07642901B2 |
Vehicle display apparatus
When an ignition switch is turned on to display an image on a display apparatus, the display apparatus first displays a needle image of meter images and a warning indicator image. Out of the meter images, the display apparatus displays the needle image for a specified time period (e.g., 0.2 seconds), and then displays a dial image. After displaying the dial image for a specified time period, the display apparatus displays a navigation image. The specified time period may be set to 0.5 through 1.0 second, for example, long enough to visually check or recognize display of the meter image and the warning indicator image. Accordingly, it is possible to visually check the meter image and the warning indicator image while the navigation image is not displayed. |
| US07642899B2 |
Vehicle observation apparatus
The present invention is a vehicle observation apparatus for reducing the risk of injury to law enforcement persons during vehicle stops. The invention is also a vehicle equipped with the vehicle observation apparatus. In an embodiment, the apparatus may include a mast being mountable to and deployable from a law enforcement vehicle, means for two-way communication and observation secured about one end of the mast, means for operating the mast, and means for operating the means for two-way communication and observation. The mast may be telescopic and adapted to be placed in at least a first position and a second position, or may be non-telescopic and in an extended position when in use. In another embodiment, the invention may be a similar apparatus wherein the mast is mountable to and deployable from a check point structure. |
| US07642897B2 |
Cooperative vehicular identification system
Cooperative Vehicular Identification Systems and Methods, capable of monitoring and recording vehicular law violations, with the assistance and cooperation of the vehicles in violation, are disclosed. Real-time information from vehicular sensors is communicated to a Central Processing Unit (CPU). Strategically located Interrogator devices, on roads/highways, at intersections, in and around school zones, integrated with traffic lights, etc., issue inquiries/interrogations to passing-by vehicles. Vehicles proximate to such Interrogators respond with unique identifying information and with parameter lists provided by their vehicular sensors. Each Interrogator inquiry can provide data, including the lawful parameter limits (i.e. speed limit) associated with its location. In response to having successfully decoded an inquiry, and in response to the state of its vehicular sensors, a vehicular Transponder may transmit information to the specific Interrogator that has issued an inquiry. The Interrogator then relays relevant identifying information to the CPU for further processing. |