| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US07644723B2 |
Transmix prevention lock
A method and apparatus for preventing a dense liquid such as diesel fuel from being dispensed into a storage tank that contains a less dense liquid, such as gasoline fuel and vice versa. The unloading process happens by gravity through a vertical down hole. The invention uses the gravitational flow of the fluid, a movable float that is moved by contact with a fluid of a predetermined density, and a magnetic member to activate the stopping feature. |
| US07644722B2 |
Medical valve and method to monitor intra-abdominal pressure
An apparatus for monitoring the intra-abdominal pressure of a hospitalized patient includes a urinary catheter connected to a urine valve providing selectable communication between a discharge end of the urinary catheter and either a drain or a fluid source. Preferably, the urine valve is adapted for remote actuatation and has a housing adapted to resist patient discomfort from leg-valve contact. Plumbing structure desirably maintains fluid supply and drain conduits in a substantially parallel arrangement to assist routing those conduits between a patient's legs. When the urine valve is oriented to permit communication with the fluid source, an infusion pump may be used to infuse a known quantity of fluid through the urine valve and into the patient's bladder. A pressure transducer desirably is connected in-circuit to indicate the fluid's pressure. To facilitate the infusion process, an automatic flow control device may be included in a fluid supply path and arranged to permit repetitive operation of a syringe to inject a bolus of fluid into the patient's bladder. Subsequent to a period of time in which to make a pressure measurement, preferred embodiments of the urine valve automatically return to a bladder draining position. |
| US07644721B2 |
Synchronized four-bar linkages
A mechanism that is comprised of two or more four-bar linkages is shown. Each linkage shares a common link with each adjacent linkage and the movement of said two or more linkages is synchronized by mechanical means such that said mechanism may move between a collapsed and an extended state. Said mechanical means may be in the form of additional links or geared connections. |
| US07644716B2 |
Apparatus for manufacturing a carbonaceous heat source chip
Apparatus for manufacturing a carbonaceous heat source chip, capable of drying an extrusion-molded carbonaceous heat source rod to proper hardness and supplying the same to a heat insulating material-wrapping device. The apparatus includes a hollow pipe that forms a conveying path for transporting the carbonaceous heat source rod continuously extrusion-molded by an extrusion molding machine, to the heat insulating material-wrapping device. The apparatus forms an airflow running through the hollow pipe by means of an air amplifier, and transports the carbonaceous heat source rod while drying the rod by using the airflow. |
| US07644712B2 |
Negative pressure conditioning device and forced air furnace employing same
A pneumatic signal conditioning device may have a first fluid path and a second fluid path. The first fluid path includes a first inlet and a first outlet, and is configured such that the first outlet provides a first conditioned signal representing a pressure at the first inlet. Similarly, the second fluid path is configured such that the second outlet provides a second conditioned signal representing a pressure at the second inlet. |
| US07644710B2 |
Grill
The present invention relates to a turning type charcoal roast board, and more particularly, to a turning type charcoal roast board, wherein if exchange of a used roast board is required during roast of meat using a charcoal fire, new roast rods are placed at an opening of a main body of the roast board in such a manner that the roast rods stored in a roast rod-supplying box are fed via a moving means through users simple operation of a control device for controlling the feeding of the roast rods installed on a main body of the charcoal roast board, and roast rods used at the opening of the main board are transferred to and received in a roast rod-receiving box by means of rotation of the moving means. According to the present invention, the roast board can be rapidly exchanged to prevent meat from being burned, and it is possible to eliminate inconvenience in use due to frequent exchange of roast boards. Further, roast rods that have been used for roast of meat can be easily discharged and washed, thereby ensuring convenience of use and always maintaining the roast board in a clean and hygienic state. |
| US07644707B2 |
Ignition device for an internal combustion engine
An Ignition device for an internal combustion engine including a control device and an ignition coil which is feedable on its primary side by a voltage supply unit. The control device is provided to interrupt or reduce the voltage impressed on the primary side of the ignition coil when a magnitude of a magnetic induction B on the primary side of the ignition coil is greater than a predeterminable maximum value. |
| US07644706B1 |
Breather device for an engine
The blow-by gas that has flowed from a front-stage breather-chamber inlet (33) into a front-stage breather chamber (28) floats up around a preliminary valve-seat peripheral wall (22) and a preliminary breather-passage peripheral wall (24) and flows from a breather-chamber inlet (21) into a breather chamber (3). When a breather-chamber peripheral wall (12) is removed from a breather-chamber attaching seat (11), a diaphragm valve (16) is attached to the breather-chamber attaching seat (11) and has a valve face (18) seated on a preliminary valve seat (23), and a plug (27) is taken out of a preliminary breather outlet (25), from which a breather pipe (5) is led out, thereby enabling the front-stage breather chamber (28) to be used for a single-stage breather chamber provided with the diaphragm valve (16). |
| US07644704B2 |
Fuel supply system
A fuel supply system includes a fuel pump, a filter element, a pressure regulating valve, and a filter case. The filter case is configured to cover radially inner and outer surfaces of the filter element. The filter case has a receiving portion. A bottom portion of the receiving portion and an end portion of the filter element defines therebetween an outflow chamber for storing fuel. The outflow chamber includes a partitioning member that partitions the outflow chamber into first and second outflow chamber sections. The second outflow chamber section is communicated with an inlet portion of the pressure regulating valve. The partitioning member has a communication portion that provides communication between the first and second outflow chamber sections. |
| US07644701B2 |
Fuel injection control apparatus and method in internal combustion engine
A preset waiting period is previously set on the basis of a signal in correspondence to a detection of a start point of a detection of a no-tooth portion of a signal rotor. In the case of a control for injecting a fuel after the preset waiting period has elapsed, an output of a signal indicating a start point of an actual detection of the no-tooth portion by a waveform shaping portion is delayed due to the existence of the no-tooth portion. A control computer corrects the preset waiting period to be shorter by an amount corresponding the delay. Accordingly, an accuracy of a fuel injection start timing control is improved. |
| US07644700B2 |
Fuel injection system for an internal combustion engine
The fuel injection system has at least two electrically actuated control valves for controlling the fuel injection; the control valves are each connected via electric lines to an electric control unit. In the fuel injection system, terminal elements for connection of the electric lines are provided. For a first of the control valves, a structural element is provided, on which the terminal elements for all the control valves are disposed, and which can be secured to a housing part of the fuel injection system. At least one electric connecting line from the terminal elements to the second control valve disposed inside a housing part of the fuel injection system is integrated with the structural element. |
| US07644699B2 |
Fuel system, especially of the common rail type, for an internal combustion engine
A fuel system for an internal combustion engine includes at least one first fuel pump and a pressure region into which the fuel pump pumps and which communicates with an elastic volume reservoir. The elastic volume reservoir has a characteristic pressure/volume curve, which is defined by at least two points. It is proposed that a first point is defined by a first volume at a first pressure that is somewhat greater than a vapor pressure of the fuel at ambient temperature, and that a second point is defined by a second volume and a second pressure in the pressure region that corresponds to a maximum pressure; the difference between the first and second volumes corresponds at least approximately and at least to a value by which the volume of the fuel in the pressure region decreases upon cooling down from a maximum temperature to ambient temperature. |
| US07644692B2 |
VVT control method during lock pin disengagement
A control method for an internal combustion engine of a vehicle that is used with a variable valve timing (VVT) system to promote lock pin disengagement. The method establishes if the VVT is at a lock pin position, establishes if a lock pin is not disengaged out of an associated recess, and can control the rate of movement of the VVT away from the lock pin position so that the lock pin can be disengaged out of the recess. |
| US07644689B2 |
Variable valve operating device
A variable valve operating device that makes it possible to reduce the loss in driving force transmission from a camshaft to a valve during a valve lift is provided. The rotary motion of a drive cam is transmitted to a swing member via intermediate rollers. A coupling member couples the intermediate rollers, to a swing fulcrum that is fastened to a control shaft. The swing fulcrum is positioned eccentrically to the center of the control shaft. Further, when the control shaft is positioned at a predetermined rotation position, the swing fulcrum is positioned so that the control shaft is placed between the swing fulcrum and the intermediate rollers. Preferably, the swing fulcrum, the control shaft, and the intermediate rollers are aligned. |
| US07644688B2 |
Valve actuator assembly having a center biased spool valve with detent feature
A valve actuator assembly for an engine includes a movable poppet valve, and movable first and second spool valves. The assembly also includes an intermediate channel interconnecting the first and second spool valve, a driving channel, and a first and second feedback channel interconnecting the second spool valve and the poppet valve. The valve actuator assembly includes an actuator cooperating with the first spool valve to position the first spool valve to selectively allow high pressure fluid flow to the second spool valve and the driving channel to position the engine valve. The valve actuator assembly further includes a first and second on/off valve in respective fluid communication with the first feedback channel and the second feedback channel to selectively exhaust the first and second feedback channel to control motion of the second spool valve. The second spool valve includes a detent feature operable to maintain the second spool valve in a center biased position. |
| US07644683B2 |
Method and apparatus for culturing marine larvae
An agitator is provided including an open system having a base holding a plurality of culturing beakers as well as a lid holding a tube transporting fresh seawater into each beaker, gently stirring the water within and eliminating any decaying embryos. Each beaker has at least a bottom made of mesh allowing water to flow through. The agitator can be used to culture any fragile planktonic organisms that require an extended rearing time. |
| US07644682B2 |
Round bale feeder
An elevated feeder or framework holds the round bales of feedstock off the ground while providing a convenient height for the livestock to feed from. The bale feeder is made by rigidly connecting tubular elements, of the same or different diameters together, at any angle, without the use of special fasteners. The elevated feeder holds the bales with the flat ends in a position that is the most convenient for the livestock to consume the feedstock. The elevated feeder keeps the feedstock bales off the ground by supporting the feedstock on an adjustable, flexible mesh bale support, with openings to permit rain and water to drain away from the feedstock. The mesh bale support length is adjusted by moving the mesh support clamping bars closer to or farther away from the ends of the mesh raises or lowers the bale to accommodate the feeding height of the livestock being fed. |
| US07644678B2 |
Mixing apparatus and method for the repair of can ends
This invention generally relates to a mixing apparatus and a method useful in the repair of coating adhered on a can end used in the food and beverage packaging industry. The mixing apparatus has a plurality of holding tanks in fluid communication with a first fluid delivery system and a mixer. A pressure tank is provided which is in fluid communication with the mixer. A spray device is provided which is in fluid communication with a second fluid delivery system and the pressure tank. A plurality of liquids or fluids are flowed through the first fluid delivery system, the plurality of liquids or fluids are mixed in the mixer to yield a mixed solution which is flowed to the pressure tank and the mixed solution is flowed through the second fluid delivery system and dispensed on the can end. A method for the repair of coating adhered on a can end is provided as well. |
| US07644676B2 |
Storage tank containing liquefied natural gas with butane
Disclosed is a liquefied natural gas composition. The composition contains methane, ethane and propane and butane. The composition contains a substantial amount of butane while being substantially free of hydrocarbon molecules larger than butane. |
| US07644672B2 |
Monohull sailing vessel having a lifting hydrofoil
A monohull sailing vessel (102, 202, 402, and/or 502) having a lifting hydrofoil (104 and/or 204) having a stowed position and a deployed position in which the hydrofoil extends outward of a leeward side of the hull (138). The hydrofoil may have an aspect ratio greater than 2.5:1, may be oriented at an angle of attack between 2 and 6 degrees, and may be oriented at a mean angle (124) of between 5 and 20 degrees to horizontal. The hydrofoil may have a projected area adapted provide a righting moment and a lifting force for partially but not fully lifting the vessel out of the water. The hydrofoil may have an exposed span (112) that is greater than about 7% of a height of the tallest mast (134). The vessel may include an actuation assembly (128, 228, 308, and/or 316) for moving the hydrofoil between the stowed and deployed positions. |
| US07644671B2 |
Method and system of manufacturing a mattress and components thereof
A system (10) for manufacturing a mattress (300) comprises multiple modules or stations (12, 132, 188, 200) used to sew together multiple components into a casing (252). A spring or other core (270) is inserted into the casing (252) before a top (274) is secured to the casing (252) to complete the mattress (300). Two or more flanges (261, 266) may be incorporated into the casing (252) for securing the core (270) inside the casing (252), The system (10) provides an operator flexibility to manufacture different types of mattress with minimal changes. |
| US07644669B2 |
Coal fired process heaters
An embodiment of the invention consists of a process heater with a radiant section and an overhead convection section, the radiant section having a vertical cylindrical, contiguous, helical, tubular coil, having a bottom process fluid inlet and top process fluid outlet. The process fluid coil is contained in a refractory lined enclosure of square cross section and is exposed to an up flowing stream of combustion products, generated by burning coal on a continuous, traveling, chain grate stoker. The stoker is located at the base of the radiant section, receives a continuous deposit of coarse coal, with a minimum of fines, from a hopper located at one end of the stoker chain grate and discharges essentially coal free ash at the opposite end of the chain grate, thru a nozzle provided with a water seal. One or more centrifugal solids—gas separators are provided at the radiant section flue gas outlets for the purpose of removing ash particulates from the flue gas streams, before the latter enter the overhead convection section. Since the flue gas enters the convection section very nearly devoid of particulates, the convection section may be of conventional design, utilizing bare or extended surface tubes, on closely spaced equilateral or quadrilateral centers. |
| US07644668B2 |
Feeding system for plasma melting-furnace
The present invention provides a feeding system which operates under an environment of negative pressure on feeding waste materials to prevent contaminant of a plasma furnace from leakage and so can be used in related industries of processing radioactive wastes. |
| US07644667B2 |
Table tops constructed from blow-molded plastic
Blow molded plastic structures are provided for use in various structures such as, but not limited to, tables, chairs, walls, backboards, storage bins, sports equipment and the like. The blow molded plastic structure has a first surface and a second surface extending between a first end and a second end and forming a chamber there between. A plurality of depressions is formed on the second surface and extends into the chamber. The depressions are usually unitary structures formed by a depression wall. Generally, the steeper the depression wall, the more strength is provided to the structure. In addition, where the plurality of depressions has a low profile and a greater density, increased strength is provided to the structure. The depressions may or may not be joined to the first surface. |
| US07644661B1 |
Networked electronic ordnance system
The networked electronic ordnance system connects a number of pyrotechnic devices to a bus controller using lighter and less voluminous cabling, in a more efficient network architecture, than previously possible. Each pyrotechnic device contains an initiator, which includes a pyrotechnic assembly and an electronics assembly. One or more pyrotechnic devices each contain a logic device having a unique identifier. The pyrotechnic devices are individually controlled by the bus controller by addressing the unique identifier of each logic device. Each pyrotechnic device preferably includes an energy reserve capacitor which stores firing energy upon arming. Both digital and analog fire control conditions are provided before an armed pyrotechnic device can be fired. A plurality of initiators and/or other components of the system may be packaged together on a single substrate and networked together via that substrate. |
| US07644660B1 |
Simultaneous, multi-layer pad printing transfer apparatus and method for flat and bulging pads
A pad printing system comprises, in one aspect, a flexible pad (100) with a front surface (125). One or more applicator heads (120, 130) applies one or more substances, including inks, paints, coatings, decals, water, varnish, solvents, catalysts, adhesives, and the like, to the front surface of the pad. The various substances can be applied in layers in any order. During or after application of the substance, applicator heads (140, 145) optionally apply treatments, such as radiative energy, gas, humidity, and the like, to the substance being applied. All components of the system are under the control of a controller (150) that derives information about the image to be printed from an image source (155). After an image and any overlying or underlying coatings are applied, the surface of the pad is urged into contact with a receiving object 200, whereupon the image and coatings are transferred from the pad to the receiving object. The pad is flat during application of substances to the pad. It is optionally bulged prior to transfer of the substances to the receiving surface. |
| US07644659B2 |
Cleaning apparatus for cylinder surfaces of a printing machine and spray nozzle for such a cleaning apparatus
A cleaning device for surfaces of cylinders of a printing machine is provided, having at least one nozzle 23 with a nozzle opening 4 for a jet of cleaning fluid 13, a distribution line 22 for cleaning fluids, in which the nozzle 23 is inserted, as well as a cleaning element 20 for lifting contaminants, dissolved by the cleaning fluids, off the surface of the cylinder. The nozzle 23 is embodied as a separate component and detachably inserted in the distribution line 22. The nozzle 23 is made from a soft-elastic material. The nozzle 23 is provided with a deflector surface 6 arranged downstream from the nozzle opening 4 for deflecting and fanning a jet 13 exiting the nozzle opening 4, as well as a base 1 for inserting it into a distribution line 22, and a channel 11, which extends, on the one side, to a base opening 3 and, on the other side, to the nozzle opening 4. Furthermore, the invention relates to a nozzle for insertion in such a cleaning device. |
| US07644657B1 |
Deformable pad for pad printing
A deformable pad (100) for pad printing has an initially flat side (105) and an opposite bulged side (110). An ink image (610) is applied to the flat side of the pad using an inkjet head (605) or other ink image source. The pad is then distorted using a ram (600) or hydrostatic or pneumatic source applied to a chamber (1300) so that the initially bulged side is flattened and the initially flat side bulges. After distortion, the now bulged side with the ink image is pressed against a receiving surface for transfer of the ink image to the surface. An alternative embodiment starts by deforming a pad to produce a flat surface, inking the surface with an image, then allowing the pad to relax, rendering the previously flat, image-bearing surface newly bulged. The newly-bulged surface is then temporarily urged against a receiving surface for transfer of the ink image. |
| US07644656B2 |
Liquefier
Conventional type liquefier appliance that incorporates an anti-drip system consisting of a “T”-shaped spout seal, besides the inclusion of a series of non-slip strips on the connecting gears between the drive unit and the rotary elements, which enable it to come to a sudden stop without the inertia of said elements forcing them in an upward direction, furthermore the grater disc is not fixed to the drive element by a through-screw but rather said screw is welded to its under side, while in addition the push piston terminates in a concavity which engages the piece to be liquefied during use and wherein said piston may be replaced by a feed hole reducer piston. |
| US07644654B2 |
Method of pasteurizing, monitoring PU-uptake, controlling PU-up-take and apparatus for pasteurizing
A continuous flow pasteurization apparatus for a liquid product includes a pasteurization area divided into plural pasteurization zones, each with a connection for heating and/or cooling the product, so that if production stops, it is possible to hold the temperature below the pasteurizing temperature. Upon restarting, the product is reheated to a temperature close to the pasteurizing temperature. The apparatus provides for the control and monitoring of pasteurization units (PU's). |
| US07644649B2 |
Mobile or portable apparatus with pressurized gas supply for preparing beverages or similar products
Mobile or portable apparatus for preparing beverages comprising a module for delivering a beverage by supplying a pressurized liquid, a liquid feed tank of sufficient capacity for supplying the module with several volumes of liquid for supplying more than one beverage, gas pressurizing means suitable for supplying the module with pressurized liquid, a liquid feed chamber, of which the capacity is several times smaller than the capacity of the tank, said chamber being arranged, in a module feeding configuration, to communicate with the gas pressurizing means in order to pressurize the liquid in the chamber and to inject pressurized liquid into the module and thereby permit the delivery of the liquid through the module. |
| US07644647B2 |
Hydraulic actuating device for actuating a shift rod in particular of a gearbox for motor vehicles
There is disclosed a hydraulic actuating device for actuating a shift rod in particular of a gearbox for motor vehicles, which comprises a cylinder chamber provided in or on a gear housing for accommodating a shift piston which is actively connected to the shift rod and which divides the cylinder chamber into two working chambers which can selectively be acted upon by a pressure medium from a reservoir for the latter, said working chambers being separated from one another by means of a sealing arrangement arranged on the shift piston. The sealing arrangement is designed in a valve-like manner so that, when at least one working chamber is acted upon by pressure medium, it connects said working chamber to an auxiliary chamber which is delimited by the sealing arrangement and which in turn can be connected to the reservoir for the pressure medium. As a result, a cost-effective hydraulic actuating device is provided which is vented in a simple and efficient manner during operation from the working chambers via the auxiliary chamber to the reservoir. |
| US07644646B1 |
Three position servo system to control the displacement of a hydraulic motor
A three position servo system. The servo system has a servo housing that has first and second control ports disposed therein in a cavity in fluid communication with the first and second control ports. A servo piston having at least one pressure chamber disposed therein is then used to communicate the pressure within the first and second ports into the first end of the cavity. Thus, when pressure is applied below a threshold pressure to both ports a first position is achieved, when pressure is applied above the threshold pressure in only one port a second position is achieved, and when pressure is applied above the threshold pressure in both ports a third position is achieved. Therefore, the servo system provides three different operating positions. |
| US07644641B2 |
Operating lever device
A rotor and a seat mounted on a first shell is disposed between an annular first shell and an annular second shell both constituting a damper case, thereby forming a rotary damper device. A damper lever on which the rotor is mounted is hooked on a fixing pin fixed to a body. Viscous fluid such as highly viscous oil is charged into a damper chamber formed between the rotor and the seat, and a viscous resistance is applied to the rotor and the seat. In a state in which a rotation center of the rotary damper device is deviated from a rotation center of the shaft which is rotated by the operating lever, the damper case is fixed to a flange portion of the shaft, the rotor and the seat are allowed to rotate relatively to each other by an inclining operation of the operating lever, and a resistance force from the rotary damper device is applied to the operating lever. |
| US07644638B2 |
Automatic transmission
An automatic transmission has a clutch mechanism, an oil pump, and a valve body that encloses a clutch hydraulic pressure control mechanism. The valve body is arranged axially adjacent to the clutch mechanism. The oil pump is offset from an input shaft of the transmission and arranged so as to overlap the valve body and/or the clutch mechanism when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the automatic transmission. This automatic transmission improves the control response of the clutch of the transmission while avoiding an increase in the size of the transmission. |
| US07644637B2 |
Method and apparatus for transfer of samples in a controlled environment
An apparatus for the transfer of samples from an analytical instrument has a sealable transfer capsule and a means for connecting the transfer capsule to a vacuum instrument, such as a FIB, through an interface connected to the instrument. The capsule has a door that can be opened to insert a sample holder, such as a TEM sample holder, into the instrument, and then closed when the sample holder holding an excised sample is retracted back into the transfer capsule. The instrument interface contains means for sealing the instrument before the transfer capsule holding a sample is disconnected, and for purging the transfer capsule with an inert gas. The sample may thus be transported in the sealed transfer capsule without exposure to the ambient atmosphere. The sample may be transported to and connected to a glove box also purged with an inert gas for examination or further operations. |
| US07644632B2 |
Viscometric flowmeter
A meter for reproducibly and accurately measuring the delivery or flow rate of known fluids in chromatography and other pressure driven pumping systems, comprising a sense tube of known effective radius and length, coupled to a temperature measuring device, and enclosed in such a way as to allow the temperature of the tube and fluid to be measured, and optionally regulated. The invention is also useful for determining the viscosity of an unknown fluid or combination of fluids. |
| US07644629B2 |
Tensile specimen measuring apparatus and method
A tensile specimen measuring apparatus includes a generally elongated base, a generally elongated pin channel provided in the base, a measuring pin carrier slidably mounted in the pin channel of the base, at least one contact pin carried by the measuring pin carrier, at least one contact pin disposed at an end of the pin channel of the base in generally spaced-apart relationship with respect to the at least one contact pin carried by the measuring pin carrier and an electronic measuring device engaging the at least one contact pin carried by the measuring pin carrier. A tensile specimen measuring method is also disclosed. |
| US07644625B2 |
Differential pressure sense die based on silicon piezoresistive technology
A method and apparatus for designing a differential pressure sense die based on a unique silicon piezoresistive technology for sensing low differential pressure in harsh duty applications is disclosed. The pressure sense die comprises of an etched pressure diaphragm and a hole that is drilled through the sense die wherein the pressure sense die possess a backside and a front side and are associated with varying pressures. A top cap can be attached to the front side and an optional constraint for stress relief can be attached to the backside of the differential pressure sense die. The top cap and the constraint comprise of glass and/or silicon and can be attached with an anodic bonding process or glass frit process. |
| US07644621B2 |
Capped and chambered pressure sensor
The present invention relates to a pressure sensor. The pressure sensor includes a substrate assembly. The substrate assembly defines closed channels and includes a conductive layer. A conductive membrane extends from the substrate assembly and is spaced from the conductive layer. The conductive membrane defines a plurality of apertures. A cap extends from the substrate assembly to cover the membrane. |
| US07644617B2 |
Device and method for acoustic source localization in a sound measurement testbed
An enclosed test stand may be enclosed by at least two reverberant boundary surfaces. Two of said at least two reverberant boundary surfaces may abut against each other to form an edge. A first linear array of microphones may be configured to detect acoustical signals of a sound field. The linear array of microphones may be arranged along the edge. An evaluating unit may be coupled to the linear array of microphones. The evaluating unit may be configured to locate sound sources of the sound field. |
| US07644613B2 |
Flow detector device with self check
A thermal flow sensor is equipped with a self-test unit that monitors the device and generates a fault signal in the presence of a malfunction. The self-test unit can e.g. monitor the integrity of a membrane carrying the heater and temperature sensors, or it can monitor various operational parameters of the device, thereby increasing the safety of the device. |
| US07644611B2 |
Downhole fluid analysis for production logging
A downhole fluid analysis tool capable of fluid analysis during production logging that includes a phase separator and a plurality of sensors to perform analysis on the fluids collected at a subsurface location in a borehole. |
| US07644610B2 |
Automated formation fluid clean-up to sampling switchover
Apparatus and method for downhole formation fluid sampling include conveying a carrier into a well borehole that traverses a subterranean formation of interest, the carrier having a port and placing the port in fluid communication with the subterranean formation of interest. The method includes urging a fluid into the port using a fluid control device, the fluid containing a formation fluid and a contaminant, generating a first signal indicative of a first fluid characteristic of the fluid using a first test device in communication with the fluid, and generating a second signal indicative of a second fluid characteristic of the fluid using a second test device in communication with the fluid. The first signal and the second signal are processed using a processing device to estimate a level of contamination in the fluid, and a control signal is generated when the estimated level of contamination meets a predetermined value, the control signal actuating the fluid control device to direct fluid having a level of contamination at about or below the predetermined value to a fluid sampling chamber carried by the carrier. |
| US07644607B2 |
Method for monitoring the load condition of an engine and corresponding device
There is described a method for monitoring the load condition of a variable speed engine. Said method shows a determination of an actual speed and an actual load moment during operation. A warning signal is emitted when the actual load moment remains outside a monitoring range, predetermined depending on the speed, for the duration of a predetermined delayed reaction time. |
| US07644602B2 |
Method of measuring transverse sensitivity of sensor for detecting acceleration and acceleration measuring method
A sensor obtains transverse sensitivity in a sensitivity matrix of an acceleration sensor with a uniaxial vibration generator. The acceleration is measured by vibrating the table 12. As the measurement of the main axis sensitivity, transverse sensitivity Szx associated with the X-axis is obtained from measured results of the acceleration sensor 5 and measured results of a measuring instrument for measuring the surface motion of the table 12 independently. Likewise, transverse sensitivity Szy associated with the Y-axis is obtained by fixing on the table 12 the cubical block on which the acceleration sensor 5 is mounted in such a manner that the Y-axis direction defined with respect to the acceleration sensor 5 aligns with the vibration direction of the table 12. |
| US07644600B1 |
Method and device for forming an essentially flat metal blank to produce a thin-walled, shell-type body, and the use of same
The invention relates to a vacuum-assisted method and a device for forming an essentially flat blank (12) of metal into a thin-walled, shell-type body (14), especially for performing the method in accordance with one of the preceding claims, that has a supporting structure (16) forming a mold chamber (18) that holds the blank (12) during increasing deformation into the thin-walled, shell-body (14), a device (20) allocated to the supporting structure (16) for clamping the blank (12) about its circumference (22) to the supporting structure (16), that seals the reverse face (24) of the blank (12) facing towards the mold chamber (18) against the front face (26) of the blank (12) facing away from the mold chamber (18), and a device (28) allocated to the mold chamber (18) that also communicates with the mold chamber (18) for applying a vacuum and evacuating the mold chamber (18), and at least one forming tool (50) applied to the front face (26) of the blank (12) is/are allocated to the supporting structure (16), and the use of same. |
| US07644598B2 |
Vacuum valve for an I.S. machine
A vacuum valve for use with a blow mold in an I.S. machine. When the blow molds close around a parison, vacuum is applied to the wall of the blow mold. At some time following the application of the vacuum, final blow will occur blowing the parison into a bottle. This vacuum will be applied until the parison has been blown into a bottle. During the period during which vacuum is applied but final blow has not started, vacuum is reduced by operating a needle valve in the vacuum line. |
| US07644594B2 |
Method and apparatus for self-contained anesthetic gas reclamation
A method and apparatus are disclosed for recovering and separating anesthetic gas components from waste anesthetic gases to be purged from a healthcare facility. With minimal reliance on the utility infrastructure and supplies of a healthcare facility, the method and apparatus needs only electrical or mechanical power, a source of waste anesthetic gases, and an atmospheric vent in order to operate. A heat exchanger/condenser, which uses a dedicated heat transfer fluid as a refrigerant, is employed to condense anesthetic gas components from the waste anesthetic gases as either liquid condensates or solid frosts. The warmed heat transfer fluid is cooled in a separate refrigeration unit and recycled back to the heat exchanger/condenser. A preferred embodiment of the invention is a self-contained, packaged unit which can be easily accommodated in a physician's office, small animal clinic, dental office or other healthcare facility requiring effective waste anesthetic gas management. |
| US07644593B2 |
CO2 refrigeration circuit with sub-cooling of the liquid refrigerant against the receiver flash gas and method for operating the same
CO2 refrigeration circuit (2) for circulating a refrigerant in a predetermined flow direction, comprising in flow direction a heat-rejecting heat exchanger (4), a receiver (10) having a liquid portion (12) and a flash gas portion (14), and subsequent to the receiver (10) a medium temperature loop (20) and a low temperature loop (24), wherein the medium and low temperature loops (24) each comprise in flow direction an expansion device (26, 28), an evaporator (30, 32) and a compressor (46, 38), the refrigeration circuit (2) further comprising a liquid line (16) connecting the liquid portion (12) of the receiver (10) with at least one of the medium and low temperature loops (20, 24) and having an internal heat exchanger (54), and a flash gas line (50) connecting the flash gas portion (14) of the receiver (10) via the internal heat exchanger (54) with the inlet of the low temperature compressor (46), wherein the internal heat exchanger (54) transfers in use heat from the liquid flowing through the liquid line (16) to the flash gas flowing through the flash gas line (50). |
| US07644589B2 |
Cooling device for a product and a packaging and dispensing assembly for a corresponding product
A device is provided to cool and apply a product. The device includes a pressurized container configured to hold a liquefied refrigerant product. The pressurized container includes a longitudinal axis and is provided with a refrigerant product dispensing element with a product coating surface. The device also includes cooling means with at least one refrigerant product vaporization conduit connected in fluid communication with the refrigerant product dispensing element. The device further includes an applicator coating element disposed adjacent to the vaporization conduit so as to exchange heat with the vaporization conduit while the refrigerant product is dispensed from the dispensing element into the vaporization conduit. The applicator coating element typically includes a surface complimentary to an applicator so that the applicator may be coated with product. |
| US07644584B2 |
Method for modulating turbocharger braking
A method for operating an internal combustion engine includes compressing intake air using a compressor, supplying the compressed intake air to at least one combustion chamber of the engine, operating the at least one combustion chamber to output exhaust gas, and directing the exhaust gas to an inlet of a turbine configured to drive the compressor. The method also includes directing the exhaust gas from an outlet of the turbine to an exhaust system, bypassing at least a portion of the compressed intake air around the at least one combustion chamber, and adjusting a geometry of the turbine from a first configuration to a second configuration. The turbine is in the second configuration when the at least the portion of the compressed intake air is bypassed around the at least one combustion chamber. |
| US07644583B2 |
Turbocharger apparatus having an exhaust gas sealing system for preventing gas leakage from the turbocharger apparatus
Turbocharger apparatus (1) comprising a housing (4), a compressor, a turbine (40), a first inlet (39) for enabling air to be conducted to the compressor, an outlet (36) for enabling air from the compressor to be conducted to an engine, a second inlet (53) for enabling exhaust gases from the engine to be conducted to the turbine (40), a chamber (96), a bearing assembly (82) for permitting the rotation of the turbine (40), and a control system (5, 10) for controlling the speed of the turbine (40), the control system (5, 10) having an exhaust gas sealing system (8, 21, 26) which prevents exhaust gas leakage from the turbocharger apparatus (1), and which allows expansion of parts within the exhaust gas sealing system (8, 21, 26) at high temperatures. |
| US07644582B2 |
External combustion engine
An external combustion engine including a container 10 sealed with a working medium 14 in liquid phase adapted to flow, a multiplicity of evaporators 201 to 204 for heating and evaporating part of the liquid-phase working medium 14, a multiplicity of condensers 221 to 224 for cooling and condensing the working medium 14 evaporated in the evaporators 201 to 204, and an output unit 11 for outputting by converting the displacement of the liquid-phase portion of the working medium 14 into mechanical energy. The multiplicity of the evaporators 201 to 204 share a heat source from which heat is supplied thereto. The engine further includes an influent liquid amount regulation unit whereby the liquid-phase portion of the working medium 14 in a greater amount flows into the evaporators nearer the heat source upon displacement of the liquid-phase portion of the working medium 14 toward the multiplicity of the evaporators 201 to 204 from the output unit 11, while the influent liquid amount is smaller for the evaporators farther from the heat source. In this way, heat loss is reduced resulting in improved efficiency. |
| US07644581B2 |
Stirling engine
A stirling engine includes a flow path which communicates a working space of the stirling engine and a crankcase of the stirling engine. An output of the stirling engine is controlled so that the output lowers when a pressure inside the working space is higher than a pressure in the crankcase, with a transfer of a fluid in the working space to the crankcase via the flow path thereby causing a decrease in the pressure of the working space. |
| US07644580B2 |
Control coupling for changing the feeding speed of feeding members in a delimbing and cutting apparatus
A control coupling of pressurized medium in a delimbing and cutting apparatus, provided for feeding members and for changing their feeding speed, said control coupling comprising at least: a first motor and a second motor that are coupled in parallel and drive a feeding member a third motor that is a multicapacity motor comprising a first half-motor and a second half-motor and that is coupled in series with the first motor and drives a feeding member; a fourth motor that is coupled in series with the second motor and drives a feeding member; first valve members that for the purpose of free rotation allow the feedback of the pressurized medium exiting the third motor to the first half-motor; and first control members that monitor the pressure of a first line and couple the first valve members to free rotation if said pressure is lower than the set value. |
| US07644578B2 |
Vehicle exhaust aftertreatment system
A vehicle exhaust aftertreatment system for controlling emissions from an engine includes, in serial order: an exhaust outlet from the engine, an exhaust catalyst assembly that is in fluid communication with the exhaust outlet and includes a first NOx component coupled with a downstream oxidation catalyst, and a second NOx adsorber that is downstream from and in fluid communication with the oxidation catalyst of the exhaust catalyst assembly. |
| US07644563B2 |
Clamping device for a round baler
A round baler is disclosed having a bale forming chamber. A duck bill, which comprises a pair of elongate plates that are biased towards one another to grip the wrapping material between them, is movable between an advanced position and a retracted position to introduce the free end of a wrapping material drawn from a supply roll into the bale forming chamber of the baler. A cutting device is located between the retracted position of the duck bill and the bale forming position for severing the length of wrapping material wrapped around the bale in the bale forming chamber at the end of a bale wrapping cycle from the supply roll. In the invention, a clamping device is provided to apply an additional force to urge the plates of the duck bill towards one another while the duck bill is in the retracted position in order for the wrapping material to be gripped more firmly between the plates of the duck bill between bale wrapping cycles. |
| US07644562B2 |
Method of making a cartridge for a medicament respiratory delivery device
A medicament respiratory delivery device including a housing having a chamber, an inlet and an outlet generally coaxially aligned with the chamber, wherein the chamber includes a medicament cartridge having a body including a generally cylindrical passage extending through the opposed ends of the cartridge generally coaxially aligned with the inlet and outlet of the housing having thin burstable polyolefin membranes having a burst pressure of between 1.2 and 10 atmospheres stretched taut over the ends of the cartridge, such that fluid delivered to the inlet ruptures the membranes, entraining medicament contained within the cartridge passage which is delivered to the patient's respiratory system through the outlet. The method of forming the cartridge includes stretching out and bending a membrane to one end of the cartridge, preferably by heat bonding, filling the cartridge with a medicament and sealing the opposed end preferably with a second burstable membrane by stretching out a membrane over a convex surface and heat bonding. |
| US07644561B2 |
Apparatus for extracting air from packages
An apparatus for extracting air from within flexible packages having granular or otherwise flowable contents includes a package conveyor and a downwardly-open, vacuum extraction hood through which the packages are conveyed so that an upper portion of each package is moved through the extraction hood. The interior of the hood is joined in fluid communication with a vacuum source, so that air is extracted from within each package as it is conveyed through the hood. The present apparatus further includes a closing mechanism positioned immediately downstream of and in operative association with the extraction hood, whereby the upper portion of each package is maintained in a closed configuration prior to sealing, so that the interior of each package is not exposed to ambient conditions after it is conveyed out of the extraction hood, and prior to sealing of the upper portion. |
| US07644560B2 |
System and method for providing a regulated atmosphere for packaging perishable goods
A new method and system for establishing, and optionally maintaining, a desired atmosphere for perishable or atmosphere-sensitive goods during their storage and/or transportation. In one embodiment, a conveyor is used to move a pallet with goods from station to station. A mechanical arm at a sheeting station lifts goods from a pallet while one or more sheets are placed between the goods and the pallet. A bottom plate with fingers having hollow tubes holds the pallet while the pallet is being wrapped and enclosed. A portable manifold may also be connected to the hollow tubes and a controller samples and adjusts atmosphere inside the pallet via the portable manifold. |
| US07644558B1 |
Robotic case packing system
A robotic case packing system loads articles from a moving conveying system into a container. The system has a pivot drive shaft pivotally connected to a support frame for selective rotation about a selected axis of rotation and has a drive linkage operatively connected between a servo motor and to the pivot drive shaft to selectively pivot the pivot drive shaft. A two-axis-robot is mounted on the pivot drive shaft along the axis of rotation such that movement of the two-axis-robot along its two axes of movement occurs within planes substantially parallel to the axis of rotation. A controller operatively connected to the servo motor is used to selectively actuate the servo motor to rotate the pivot drive shaft in order to enable selective picking and placing of articles with the robotic case packing system. |
| US07644551B2 |
Double skin door apparatus
A hollow core door comprises a perimeter frame, and first and second molded skins. Each skin has an exterior surface and an interior surface secured to opposing sides of the frame. At least one of the skins has an outer planar area, an inner planar area, and an asymmetric profile surrounding the inner planar area and interconnecting and integral with the outer planar area and the inner planar area. The asymmetric profile area has a convex portion extending outwardly from and relative to the plane of the outer planar area. |
| US07644550B2 |
Articulating raised access floor panel
A precast under floor air delivery construction is provided which includes a plurality of precast concrete system having an upper base floor surface and a lower surface, a plurality of floor panel support means bearing directly to the upper base floor surface capable of an under floor air delivery between the floor panels and the upper surface, a plurality of access floor panels connected to the support means, and a fire protection barrier applied between the concrete slabs. |
| US07644549B2 |
Hybrid window wall/curtain wall system and method of installation
There are currently two major types of exterior building envelope finishing systems: window wall systems, and curtain wall systems. Window wall systems use panels which fit between concrete floor slaps, and hence, are prone to leakage and are not aesthetically appealing. Curtain wall systems are installed proud of the concrete slabs, so have better performance, but are expensive to install. The system of the invention has the high performance of a curtain wall system, with the ease of installation of a window wall system. The invention uses rigid panels which cover the face of a building like a curtain wall system, providing a complete gasketed seal without the need for caulking as in the case of window wall systems. The vertical mullions are notched, so that the mullions can be easily anchored to the upper and lower surfaces of the concrete slabs. |
| US07644548B2 |
Lightweight concrete compositions
A lightweight concrete composition containing from 10 to 90 volume percent of a cement composition, from 10 to 90 volume percent of particles having an average particle diameter of from 0.2 mm to 8 mm, a bulk density of from 0.03 g/cc to 0.64 g/cc, an aspect ratio of from 1 to 3, and from 0 to 50 volume percent of aggregate; where the sum of components used does not exceed 100 volume percent, and where after the lightweight concrete composition is set it has a compressive strength of at least 1700 psi as tested according to ASTM C39 after seven days. The concrete composition can be used to make concrete masonry units, construction panels, road beds and other articles. |
| US07644546B2 |
Utility pipe tape fitted in pre-construction to prevent the gaps next to utility pipes that let termites in
Disclosed is a utility pipe tape to act as a termite barrier and a support for a waterproof membrane to prevent gaps from forming between pipe and slab that lets ground termites in through the slab. |
| US07644544B2 |
Compact security shelter device for motorcycles, bicycles, four-wheelers and other small personal transportation vehicles
The invention is an apparatus that can be temporarily or permanently secured to the ground or other flat surface to provide a clam-shell like housing for storage of a personal transportation vehicle such as a motorcycle, bicycle, or a four-wheeler. It protects the vehicle from rain and other damaging weather and from persons who might wish to steal the vehicle or otherwise damage or vandalize it. It also prevents passers-by from taking stored or other items left with the vehicle. The user can, in most cases, ride the vehicle into the unit and then securely lock the lid down to the lower half of the unit. |
| US07644543B2 |
Seclusion room with movable wall
A seclusion room for patients having emotional disturbances has one moving wall positioned ahead of a fixed wall. The moving wall can be moved to an extended position to narrow the patient space leading to the main door to the room. A second door to the room enables an extraction team member enter the space between the fixed and moving wall, where the team member can remove a hatch from the moving wall and enter the space behind the patient. The team member can use the hatch as a shield to push the patient gently toward the exit door. A bench or seat disappears when the moving wall is moved to its extended position. |
| US07644540B2 |
Door opening/closing apparatus for operating multiple doors with one driving unit
A door opening/closing apparatus is provided with a motor, a first clutch which transmits power from the motor to a door opening/closing mechanism of a slide door when current is applied to the motor while breaking transmission of power to the door opening/closing mechanism of the slide door when current is not applied, and a second clutch which transmits power from the motor to a door opening/closing mechanism of a back door when current is applied while breaking transmission of power from the motor to the door opening/closing mechanism when current is not applied. |
| US07644538B2 |
Turn/tilt closure
A closure includes a frame that is selectively pivotable about a vertical axis and a horizontal axis. A drive assembly is disposed in a groove of the frame to selectively determine which axis the frame pivots about as the frame pivots between an open position and a closed position. The drive assembly includes a plurality of actuating members and a plurality of transmission rods that operatively connect adjacent actuating members to each other. Each of the actuating members and each of the transmission rods has a single tenon which is disposed in only one side of the groove. |
| US07644533B2 |
Fish-luring apparatus
An apparatus for fish-luring use with a separate fishing line includes a fishing-line-attachable shaft (e.g., a straight length of rigid wire) on which are mounted first and second rotator members. At least the first rotator is mounted rotatably and slideably for rotation and axially movement relative to the second rotator in response to water pressure when the shaft is moved forwardly in a body of water. The interaction of an irregular non-planar rearwardly facing end on the first rotator with an irregular non-planar forwardly facing end on the second rotator produces fish-luring vibrations. In one embodiment, the second rotator is also mounted rotatably and slideably, with the first rotator rotating clockwise, the second rotator rotating counterclockwise, and circumferentially spaced apart protrusions on the rearwardly facing end of the first rotator interacting with circumferentially spaced apart indentations on the forwardly facing end of the second rotator to produce the fish-luring vibrations. |
| US07644524B2 |
Walk-behind trenching machine
A walk-behind trenching vehicle incorporating a trenching boom with an endless trenching chain. The trenching boom may be connected to a forward end of the vehicle via a pivot joint that is offset from a drive axis of the trenching chain. The boom may be movable between an operating position and a transport position via a single actuator, e.g., hydraulic cylinder. |
| US07644523B2 |
Mobile vacuum boring and excavation method
A compact mobile vacuum boring, mud recovery, excavation and surface cleaning method comprising a device which will create a vacuum condition within a vacuum container and the vacuum container may be mounted on an incline slope to provide space beneath it to locate a water storage container. A vacuum conduit may be used to transport liquid or solid particles into the vacuum container. The vacuum conduit may be mounted adjacent to an articulated boom with one or more elbows and arms and the boom arm may have multiple utilities and tools attached. The vacuum tank may be mounted at a slope sufficient to assist emptying it's contents by gravity. An air filter housing may be adjacently mounted above the vacuum tank for efficiency and compactness. A dispensing device may be added to dispense a liquid or a solid from the vacuum container without eliminating the vacuum environment within the vacuum container, and said vacuum container having the ability to fill, store and dispense its contents simultaneously. The vacuum container may further comprise a means to separate a liquid from solids. |
| US07644522B2 |
Soles with adjustable and interchangeable supports
A shoe insert system with adjustable and interchangeable supports comprising: a base sole, a longitudinal arch, a heel insert, and a transverse arch; the base sole being generally planar and having a perimeter which covers the underside of a foot from the heel region up to the bottom of a person's toes, a longitudinal arch, the longitudinal arch having a d-shape with perforated holes and a row of pins sized to mate with perforations of the base sole, a heel insert, the heel insert having alternating perforated holes and pins near the edge defining a general circumference of the heel insert, the pins are sized to mate with corresponding perforated holes on the base sole, the transverse arch having a hole side and a pin side, the transverse arch having a series of perforated holes on the hole side and at least one pin sized to mate with a corresponding perforated hole on the base sole on the hole side. |
| US07644520B2 |
Detachable sole for an ankle and foot covering
A combination that preferably includes at least: a ski boot; a detachable sole detachably attached to the ski boot; and a detachable sole storage rack attached to the ski boot for use in storing the detachable sole when detached from the ski boot is disclosed. The detachable sole preferably includes at least: heel and toe chassis portions each formed from a baffled support matrix and overmolded with tread portions; and a latch assembly for securing the baffled support matrix adjacent the ski boot. The ski boot preferably provides a contoured heel portion and the latch assembly preferably incorporates a catch configured to conform to the contoured heel portion, a catch support interacting with the catch; a chassis attachment member communicating with said chassis; and an adjustment member interposed between said catch support and said chassis attachment member to accommodate a snug conformance of the catch adjacent the heel portion. |
| US07644519B2 |
Waterproof shoes with thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) insteps
This present invention describes a system of waterproof shoes with thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) insteps, including vamp, instep and sole, in which the waterproof welt coated with waterproof glue is gummed on the seam between the vamp and the sole; the metal section, instep, mid-sole and inner welt is formed in integration by injecting with TPU polyurethane, in which the outer and inner welts are gummed with glue and sewn firmly with threads on the opposite sides of the instep; a metal piece is put between the thin bottom and the filling materials on the bottom side of the instep. The waterproof methods (the waterproof outer surface of the instep, and the waterproof welt coated with waterproof glue and gummed on the seam between the vamp and the sole reach the purpose of saving the materials and labor, obtaining the waterproof effects which is even better than those of the traditional waterproof shoes and may provide more functionality and better visual effects. |
| US07644513B2 |
Laundry dryer and method for controlling drying course of the same
Method for controlling a drying course of a laundry dryer including the steps of (a) starting a drying course by using high temperature drying air, and sensing dryness of a drying object periodically, (b) determining a dryness saturation time point at which the dryness sensed thus exceeds a preset reference value Q, (c) determining a load of the drying object according to the drying saturation time point T_sat, and (d) varying a drying algorithm depending on the load of the drying object determined thus, whereby preventing a small amount of laundry from sticking to a drum in a drying course by varying a control algorithm of the drying motor in a case an amount of the drying object is determined to be small accurately with reference to a saturation time point of an electrode sensor. |
| US07644511B2 |
Heating and blowing apparatus
A heating and blowing apparatus includes a main body housing having an inlet port and a discharge port. An air flow path extends from the inlet pod to the discharge port. A rotatingly driven fan and a heating unit are arranged on the air flow path. A bypass flow path branches off from the air flow path and leads to an ion emission port. An ion generator including a discharge electrode and an opposing electrode is arranged in the bypass flow path Further, the apparatus includes a cover arranged at the ion emission port and having an opening through which ions pass. One or more protrusions are provided on a rear surface of the cover. The protrusions make contact with the opposing electrode such that the cover is grounded through the opposing electrode. |
| US07644491B2 |
Device for assembling composite structure incorporating flipper assemblies
A device for assembling a composite structure is disclosed. An illustrative embodiment of the device includes a table module, a first plurality of flipper devices carried by the table module and a second plurality of flipper devices carried by the table module in adjacent and adjustable relationship with respect to the first plurality of flipper devices, respectively. The first plurality of flipper devices and the second plurality of flipper devices are capable of accommodating a variation in thickness of the composite structure. |
| US07644486B2 |
Method of making a flanged body
A method for forming flanged end of an inner conductor of a coaxial resonator at one end of the conductive body. The flange is formed integral to the conductive body by flaring the end of the conductive body. The size and shape of the flange are selected to achieve a desired capacitance surface area for use in a resonator. A combination of expanding tool and calibration tool are used to control the size and shape of the flange that will be formed on the end of the conductive body. |
| US07644483B2 |
Method for reproducing a wiper blade, device for carrying out said method and wiper blade produced according to said method
The invention relates to a method to manufacture a wiper blade (10) as well as a device to perform the method and a wiper blade (10) that is manufactured accordingly, wherein the wiper blade (10) features at least a basic body (56) featuring a wiper strip (24) and a supporting element (12). According to the method, the basic body (56) is supposed to be positioned in a holding device (58) in such a way that a clearance (63) remains between the supporting element (12) and holding device (58) at least in areas. The wind deflector strip (44) is gripped, at least one claw (46, 48) formed on the wind deflector strip (44) is threaded on the supporting element (12) and the wind deflector strip (44) is placed over the supporting element (12). |
| US07644480B2 |
Method for manufacturing multilayer chip capacitor
A method for manufacturing a multilayer chip capacitor includes: forming screen patterns on mother green sheets such that a widthwise margin is not formed on the mother green sheets, the screen patterns are spaced apart from each other in the width direction and the longitudinal direction, and a width of each screen pattern is greater than a spacing between the adjacent screen patterns; forming internal electrode patterns on the mother green sheets; forming a stack of the mother green sheets; forming a capacitor body having internal electrodes by cutting the stack of the mother green sheets along cutting lines arranged in the width direction and the longitudinal direction; forming chip-protecting side members on both sides of the capacitor body such that the chip-protecting side members contact both sides of the internal electrodes, respectively; and forming a pair of terminal electrodes on the outer surface of the capacitor body. |
| US07644476B2 |
Cap for button, fixing member and button
Provided is a cap (41) for a button, of which material is a polygonal plate. The cap (41) includes a main surface covering portion (42) formed substantially at the center of the polygonal plate and a plurality of holding piece portions (44) formed by bending corners of the polygonal plate from an outer peripheral end of the main surface covering portion (42) to a rear surface side of the main surface covering portion (42). Provided between the main surface covering portion (42) and the plurality of holding piece portions (44) is a lateral side covering portion (43) around the outer peripheral end of the main surface covering portion (42). |
| US07644471B2 |
Vacuum cleaner with adjoining chamber for accessory pieces
A vacuum cleaner, comprising a housing, in which a dust chamber is embodied for housing a dust separator, which may be sealed by means of a dust chamber lid, mounted on the housing and a housing for accessory pieces which can be closed by the dust chamber lid. According to the invention, the contamination of the accessory pieces by dust from the dust chamber may be prevented, whilst maintaining easy access to the accessory pieces by means of the dust chamber lid, whereby the housing is embodied as an adjoining chamber, directly adjacent to the dust chamber which is separated from the dust chamber in a dust-tight manner by means of a separating wall. The above has the advantage of permitting a user to remove an accessory piece without getting dirty. |
| US07644468B2 |
Wringer for scrubbing buckets
The inventive wringer for scrubbing buckets basically consists of two independent tilting parts of a wringer (4) which are pivotally coupled inside the space of a support (1) fixed to the bucket mouthpiece. Said independent parts (4) are pivotally coupled with parallel axes communicating with the end spaces (3) of the support (1) and are tiltable oppositely to the resistance of spring elements (5). |
| US07644456B2 |
Slide lock for center beam of a bed frame
A bed frame or other structural construction having a locking mechanism to allow two structural members to be affixed and locked together. A first structural member sits atop of the second structural member and has a pair of posts that interfit into a pair of holes formed in the second structural member. The locking mechanism is located at an end of the first structural member and includes a slide that is movable along the longitudinal axis of the first structural member to slide between a retracted, unlocked position and an extended, locked position where the slide contacts the lower surface of the second structural member to sandwich the second structural member between the first structural member and the slide to block the structural members from moving with respect to each to withdraw the posts from the holes, thereby locking the first and second structural members together. |
| US07644454B2 |
Mechanical lifting system
The subject of the invention is a mechanical lifting system with seat which enable the disabled people with paralysis or paresis of lower limps to stand up from the wheelchair and without excessive energy expenditure take upright position in standing frame and came back to the wheelchair. This mechanical lifting system can be used in a kind of walking frame, static standing frame or mobile standing frame and is very useful in rehabilitation of disabled people. |
| US07644450B2 |
Toilet ventilation system
A premium ventilated toilet having an automated toilet ventilation system for removing noxious fumes from a bowl area of the toilet is disclosed. The ventilation system is mostly built-in to the toilet (e.g., ventilation ducts, and sensors) so that it is unobtrusive and attractive looking, however the active parts (e.g., a blower unit containing a blower impeller, a backflow shutoff valve, and electronic control circuitry) are contained in an simple housing that is unobtrusively and removably attached to the surface (preferably on the side) of the toilet base for simplified installation, maintenance, and replacement as needed. Automated operation is enabled by a non-contact occupancy (proximity) sensor and a flush sensor, both preferably built into a flush handle of the toilet. Detection of occupancy causes the ventilation system to operate and flushing turns it off. |
| US07644449B2 |
Load-bearing equipment
A load-bearing system is provided which includes a web of sufficient strength to support predetermined loads suspended from the web. The system also includes an array of apertures in the web. The apertures can be elongate slots, and the array may be such that the slots can form plural pairs of slots which can define respective positions. At each of the positions, a pouch may be attached to the web via an attachment arrangement that can form a closed loop through the respective pair of slots. |
| US07647639B2 |
Methods for detecting executable code which has been altered
Methods of detecting executable code which has been altered are provided. Upon an initial loading of an executable code a calculation is performed to generate a score associated with the executable code, the initial score is retained. Subsequently, one or more additional calculations are performed on the executable code to generate subsequent scores. Any subsequent score not matching the initial score indicates the executable code has been varied in some way. If variations have occurred, determinations are made to assess whether the variations correspond to valid conditions, especially valid conditions of a vendor supplying the executable code. If variations do not correspond to valid conditions, the executable code is then partially or completely disabled and optionally unloaded from the operating system within which it resides. Moreover, the vendor may be notified, or other events triggered. Calculations may be performed on the executable code randomly, periodically or other. |
| US07647637B2 |
Computer security technique employing patch with detection and/or characterization mechanism for exploit of patched vulnerability
A patch or set of patches may be deployed, often to a subset of potentially vulnerable systems, to address a particular vulnerability while providing a facility to monitor and, in some cases, characterize post-patch exploit attempts. Often, such a patch will check for an exploit signature and, if an exploit attempt is detected or suspected, take an appropriate action. For example, the patch may include code to log indicative data or trigger such logging. In some exploitations, the patch may generate or contribute to a warning or advisory regarding an additional target (or targets) of the exploit and, if appropriate, initiate a patch or protective measure for the additional target(s). In some exploitations, the patch may simulate responses or behaviors suggestive (to an attacker) of unpatched code. In some exploitations, the patch may direct an exploit attempt to a service (or simulated service) hosted or executing in an isolated protection domain. |
| US07647636B2 |
Generic RootKit detector
A generic RootKit detector is disclosed that identifies when a malware, commonly known as RootKit, is resident on a computer. In one embodiment, the generic RootKit detector performs a method that compares the properties of different versions of a library used by the operating system to provide services to an application program. In this regard, when a library is loaded into memory, an aspect of the generic RootKit detector compares two versions of the library; a potentially infected version in memory and a second version stored in a protected state on a storage device. If certain properties of the first version of the library are different from the second version, a determination is made that a RootKit is infection the computer. |
| US07647635B2 |
System and method to resolve an identity interactively
A system and method for resolving an identity includes a security console, which displays security information regarding a secure network. The security information includes at least a first identity used to access the secure network. An operator selects the first identity, and the security console sends it to a resolver. The resolver connects with an identity server to find an access session record with an identity matching the first identity. A second identity is extracted from this record, and the resolver returns a result that includes the second identity. The security console displays the second identity; The first identity can be a user identity of a user, where the second identity is corresponding host identity, or vise versa. In this manner, an efficient interface to security information is provided to an operator, where the operator may resolve a user/host identity to a host/user identity interactively. |
| US07647632B1 |
Object reference in a system
A system can be configured using configuration objects that have the ability to refer to one another. In one embodiment, the present invention includes such a system having a plurality of objects used to configure the system, each object having a uniform resource identifier (URI), and an object reference table to enable the plurality of objects to reference each other without using URIs. |
| US07647628B2 |
Authentication to a second application using credentials authenticated to a first application
Systems, methods, and program products are provided for switching identity of a user that has a first username associated with a first class of users. According to the method, login information is received from the user, with the login information including the first username, an alternate class, and a password. The user is authenticated based on the first username and the password, and access to the computer system is provided as the alternate class, with the alternate class being different than the first class. In one preferred embodiment, the login information further includes a second username, and access to the computer system is provided with the rights and privileges of the second username. |
| US07647624B2 |
Techniques for preserving and managing identities in an audit log
Techniques are provided for preserving and managing identities within an audit log. Initial entries into a log do not include an explicit and direct reference to an agent that performs a transaction; rather, the agent acquires a temporary transaction identity for the transaction and an indirect reference to the transaction identity is written to the log while the transaction is pending. Once the transaction completes a direct reference to the transaction identity is written to the log, the identity of agent remains transparent until the identity of the agent expires, if at all. |
| US07647617B2 |
Method for association between telephony and television network equipment
A method for user assisted association between a television and a telephony device is provided. A set-top box requests an identification code from a server. The server identifies the set-top box, generates the code and transmits it to the set-top box. The set-top box displays the code and a user transmits the code back to the server via a telephony device. The server identifies the telephony device, and using the code, associates between the set-top box and the telephony device. |
| US07647614B2 |
Fast-start streaming and buffering of streaming content for personal media player
A personal media broadcasting system enables video distribution over a computer network and allows a user to view and control media sources over a computer network from a remote location. A personal broadcaster receives an input from one or more types of media sources, digitizes and compresses the content, and streams the compressed media over a computer network to a media player running on any of a wide range of client devices for viewing the media. The system may allow the user to issue control commands (e.g., “channel up”) from the media player to the broadcaster, causing the source device to execute the commands. The broadcaster and the media player may employ several techniques for buffering, transmitting, and viewing the content to improve the user's experience. |
| US07647604B2 |
Methods and apparatus for media source identification and time shifted media consumption measurements
Methods and apparatus for media source identification and time shifted media consumption measurements are disclosed. A disclosed method identifies a media source by generating first signature information based on media presented via a media delivery device and comparing the first signature information to second signature information. The second signature information is derived from a library of signature information local to the media delivery device. The disclosed method generates a collection of matching signature information based on the comparison of the first and second signature information, and identifies a source of the media presented via the media delivery device based on the collection of matching signature information. |
| US07647600B2 |
Method for the direct call of a function by a software module by means of a processor with a memory-management unit (MMU)
System and method for direct call of a target function by a start function by means of a processor with a memory management unit (MMU) in a computer operated by an operating system. A first task with a first memory context and with the staff function as a component executes the start function to perform a context switch from the first memory context into a second memory context. The target function is a component of a second task with the second memory context. The target function is executed in the second memory context, and the context switch is reversed to return to the first memory context after executing the target function. |
| US07647597B2 |
Transparent and sub-classable proxies
A system and method for interacting with an object is provided. The system includes a method call interceptor that intercepts a method call made on an object and that routes the method call to a proxy. The method call interceptor is accessible to application code. The system also includes an application code generic proxy that after overriding a base class invocation method can receive intercepted method calls, can invoke methods on the object that the proxy images, can receive results from the object that the proxy images and can pass results to the entity that generated the intercepted method call. |
| US07647595B2 |
Efficient event notification in clustered computing environments
The disclosed techniques for event notification enable applications that rely on event notifications to be ported transparently to clustered computing systems. The disclosed techniques for event notification exploit the characteristics of a clustered computing system and the characteristics of event notification in order to provide efficient event notification in clustered computing environments. |
| US07647593B2 |
Image processing system for volume rendering
A CPU 111m segments the jobs from each of the volume rendering processing on hand, prioritize processing sequence for each job, transmits one job which has reached the processing order to the computers (21 to 2k) on the accepting side and other computers equivalent to the self computer simultaneously, and executes the job for self processing. Then, after if receiving the processing result from the computer which has completed the processing of the transmitted job the earliest, the CPU 111m issues a halt command of the job to other computers on the accepting side. At this time, if any job to be requested on hand remains uncompleted, a series of processing procedures starting with the simultaneous communication is repeated. |
| US07647590B2 |
Parallel computing system using coordinator and master nodes for load balancing and distributing work
Embodiments of the invention provide a method, system and article of manufacture for parallel application load balancing and distributed work management. In one embodiment, a hierarchy of master nodes may be used to coordinate the actions of pools of worker nodes. Further, the activity of the master nodes may be controlled by a “coordinator” node. A coordinator node may be configured to distribute work unit descriptions to the collection of master nodes. If needed, embodiments of the invention may be scaled to deeper hierarchies. |
| US07647589B1 |
Methods and systems for safe execution of guest code in virtual machine context
Methods and systems for safe execution of guest code in virtual machine context are presented. A method for running a virtual machine in a computing system includes (a) launching a virtual machine monitor (VMM) that uses a software debugger; (b) launching a virtual machine (VM) that can natively run safe instructions; (c) determining, at runtime, if the instruction is safe or potentially unsafe; (d) executing safe instructions in a native mode; and (e) activating control logic to process potentially unsafe instructions in the software debugger. The software debugger can bypass at least one of the potentially unsafe instructions. The potentially unsafe instructions include instructions that cannot be safely executed in the context of the VM, and instructions that can cause unpredictable results in the context of the VM. |
| US07647585B2 |
Methods and apparatus to detect patterns in programs
Methods and apparatus are disclosed to detect patterns in an executing program. An example method disclosed herein develops a trace of a program; identifies a sequence of program states from the trace by comparing intersecting sets of data at least partially indicative of addresses associated with the trace; develops a set of probabilities of transitioning between pairs of program states in the series of program states; identifies a current program state of the program; and predicts a next program state of the program based on the current program state and at least one of the probabilities. |
| US07647578B2 |
Programmatic creation and management of tasks in a graphical program
System and method for programmatic creation of a task specification in a graphical program. A graphical program is programmatically analyzed. The graphical program implements a task, and includes a plurality of interconnected nodes that visually indicate functionality of the graphical program, including a function node that requires a task specification as input. The task specification includes hardware and/or software specifications for performing the task. The task specification is programmatically generated in response to the analyzing, and programmatically provided to the function node as input, where the function node operates to execute in accordance with the generated task specification to perform at least a portion of the task. The analyzing, generating, and providing are performed at run-time of the graphical program, e.g., during execution of the graphical program, and may be invoked or performed by a graphical program execution system, by a node in the graphical program, or both. |
| US07647568B2 |
Manufacturing method of mask and optimization method of mask bias
In a fabrication method of a semiconductor device a manufacturing method of a mask and an optimization method of a mask bias incorporating an optical proximity correction are provided. The manufacturing method of the mask incorporating an optical proximity correction can form a pattern in an excellent quality in a dense area where a micro design pattern in an irregular array state is formed. Also, a desired design pattern can be formed using a mask according to embodiments of the present invention regardless of an array state. |
| US07647567B1 |
System and method for scheduling TRS rules
A system and method for Term Rewriting System hardware design employs a scheduler that incorporates a preference order in scheduling conflicting rules. The scheduler schedules a conflicting rule to execute when its predicate is true, and it is preferred over other conflicting rules in the preference order. The preference order may be, in one embodiment, a user-specified preference order enumerated by a designer. Such an order may be chosen according to efficiency criteria, such that the conflicting rule most essential for efficient hardware will be scheduled to execute on a given state rather than less essential conflicting rules The system and method advantageously permits a schedule to be computed in a time frame polynomially related to the number of rules, and produces more predictable and more easily understood schedules than conventional methods. |
| US07647566B2 |
Method for creating new via
A method for creating new vias in an integrated circuit chip. The method automatically creates a plurality of new vias around an original via for electrically connecting two metal layers to each other in circuit layout data of the integrated circuit chip. The new vias also electrically connect the two metal layers to each other. According to the new vias, the probability of certainly electrically connecting the two metal layers of the integrated circuit chip to each other can be increased when the integrated circuit chip is being manufactured. |
| US07647561B2 |
System, method and computer program product for application development using a visual paradigm to combine existing data and applications
A system, method and computer program product are provided for generating an application. An interaction with a first application is recorded for capturing a functionality of the first application. An interaction with a second application is also recorded for capturing a functionality of the second application. A pattern is generated based on the recorded interactions. An application is generated based on the pattern. The interactions recorded in the pattern are repeated upon replay of the pattern for providing the functionalities of the first and second applications. A method for executing the pattern-based application is provided. Upon receiving a request for data, a pattern for retrieving the requested data is selected. The pattern is replayed. The recorded interaction is conducted as specified in the pattern for obtaining the requested data. The requested data is received. |
| US07647559B2 |
Method and computer-readable medium for navigating between attachments to electronic mail messages
A method and computer-readable medium are provided for navigation between attachments to electronic mail messages. According to the method, a list of e-mail messages is displayed that includes header information associated with each of the messages. When one of the messages in the list is selected, a determination is made as to whether the selected message has attachments. If the selected message has attachments, an identifier is displayed adjacent to the header information for each attachment. The identifier indicates that the attachment is associated with the selected message and may provide other information such as the type and size of the attachment. The identifiers are displayed in a manner to indicate clearly to a user that the attachments are associated with the selected e-mail message. The identifiers may be selected to preview the corresponding attachment. |
| US07647558B2 |
User interface for presenting object representations
A graphical user interface (GUI) for presenting representations of selected objects in a computer system. The GUI presents an object selected from a collection of objects using a selected visual representation selected from at least first and second visual representations to be initiated using different initiation techniques. A first input control causes the selected object to be presented using another visual representation instead of the selected visual representation. A second input control causes another object to be presented instead of the selected object using any visual configuration that is currently used in presenting the selected object. The first and second input controls may be located in an object header area that remains essentially unchanged when changing between the at least first and second visual representations. |
| US07647549B2 |
Method and device for processing a request for obtaining multimedia data
The invention concerns a method of processing a request for obtaining multimedia digital data, said request having a number of descriptors characterizing it, characterized in that said method has the following steps: analysis of the descriptors characterizing the request being processed; comparison of the result of the analysis with the descriptors of other requests processed earlier; according to the result of the comparison, a decision as regards knowing whether the request being processed is: identical to a request processed earlier, in the sense that the two requests have the same request descriptors; similar to a request processed earlier, in the sense that the two requests have at least one request descriptor in common; new compared with the requests processed earlier. |
| US07647543B2 |
Reprogrammable field programmable gate array with integrated system for mitigating effects of single event upsets
An integrated system mitigates the effects of a single event upset (SEU) on a reprogrammable field programmable gate array (RFPGA). The system includes (i) a RFPGA having an internal configuration memory, and (ii) a memory for storing a configuration associated with the RFPGA. Logic circuitry programmed into the RFPGA and coupled to the memory reloads a portion of the configuration from the memory into the RFPGA's internal configuration memory at predetermined times. Additional SEU mitigation can be provided by logic circuitry on the RFPGA that monitors and maintains synchronized operation of the RFPGA's digital clock managers. |
| US07647534B2 |
Method for avoiding repetition of user actions by using past users' experiences
A method for assisting a user to connect a problem with a device, such as a printer includes extracting, from records comprising user actions on the device, string of user actions on the device. The string of user action is compared with at least one predetermined sequence of user actions for correction of predefined problem with the device. Based on the comparison, an evaluation is made as to whether at least one prior user has attempted the predetermined sequence and, if so, a procedure is implemented to avoid a user repeating the prior attempt. |
| US07647530B2 |
Network fault pattern analyzer
Network state information and network topology information associated with a network is retrieved and transformed using a meta-language. The transformed data is compared against known network fault patterns to identify a matching network fault signature. The matching network fault signature is used to diagnose potential cause(s) of network problems that resulted in the matched signature. |
| US07647529B2 |
Display apparatus having electronic album function and method thereof
A display device having electronic album function and the method thereof is disclosed. The present invention includes an Electronic Photo Frame (EPF) controller which checks the existence of the memory and reads image data from the memory if any, an interface device which converts the interface format of the image data from the EPF controller, transmits it to main controller and sends interrupts to the main controller when there is a transmission error, and a counter which counts the number of interrupts transmitted to the main controller. When the number of interrupts with the same clock exceeds a predetermined number, the main controller ignores the interrupts, resets the interface device and reloads the image data from the memory. Otherwise, the main controller performs the regular interrupt routine. |
| US07647526B1 |
Reducing reconstruct input/output operations in storage systems
The present invention provides a system, method, and computer program product for partially pre-writing data stored in an array of mass storage devices to a spare disk dedicated to the array prior to detecting a failure in the array. The system then reconstructs data from the failed disk using data partially pre-written to the spare disk. Since some of the data has already been pre-written to the spare disk, embodiments of the present invention reduce the number of I/O operations performed by a storage system during a process of reconstructing data from the failed disk to the spare disk. |
| US07647524B2 |
Anomaly detection
A system such as a Web-based system in which a plurality of computers interact with each other is monitored to detect online an anomaly. Transactions of a service provided by each of a plurality of computers to another computer are collected, a matrix of correlations between nodes in the system is calculated from the transactions, and a feature vector representing anode activity balance is obtained from the matrix. The feature vector is monitored using a probability model to detect a transition to an anomalous state. |
| US07647523B2 |
Dynamic binding and fail-over of comparable web service instances in a services grid
A computing services grid. The grid can include a service desk coupled to one or more computing service instances. Each service instance can conform to an interface which is common to all service instances in the grid. A routing component can be disposed in the grid. Specifically, the routing component can route individual service requests to individual ones of the service instances. An instance selection service is used to satisfy QoS characteristics associated with the requester of the service. The grid further can include a service instance monitoring component. The monitoring component can monitor the performance of individual service instances charged with processing individual service requests. Fail-over logic can be configured to re-route service requests from selected service instances to others of the service instances where the monitoring component detects a fail-over condition in the selected service instances. In that regard, fail-over conditions can include error conditions and a performance deficiency conditions in which the performance of a selected service instance lags behind guaranteed levels of performance. |
| US07647520B2 |
Electronic device for generating synchronization signals
The invention relates to electronic devices for generating synchronization signals, in particular to ultrahigh resolution synchronization signals whose temporal accuracy is less than a nanosecond. The inventive device operates not only with an internal clock but also with the external clock of a synchronizable device, thereby avoiding any temporal drift and uncertainty of the synchronization signals. The main element of the device is embodied in the form of a programmable digital component which operates with the external clock frequency and comprises programmable delay lines enabling to attain ultrahigh temporal resolutions. Said invention also relates to a system comprising several synchronization devices which are interconnected in such a way that the synchronization of different devices remains perfect. The invention makes it possible to control with high accuracy a quasi-unlimited number of devices. |
| US07647518B2 |
Replay reduction for power saving
In one embodiment, a processor comprises a scheduler configured to issue a first instruction operation to be executed and an execution core coupled to the scheduler. Configured to execute the first instruction operation, the execution core comprises a plurality of replay sources configured to cause a replay of the first instruction operation responsive to detecting at least one of a plurality of replay cases. The scheduler is configured to inhibit issuance of the first instruction operation subsequent to the replay for a subset of the plurality of replay cases. The scheduler is coupled to receive an acknowledgement indication corresponding to each of the plurality of replay cases in the subset, and is configured to inhibit issuance of the first instruction operation until the acknowledge indication is asserted that corresponds to an identified replay case of the subset. |
| US07647517B2 |
PCI express system and method of transitioning link state including adjusting threshold idle time according to a requirement of data transmission
A PCI Express system and a method of transitioning link state thereof. The PCI Express system includes an upstream component, a downstream component and a link. The upstream component and the downstream component transmit data to each other via the link. When at least one of the upstream component and the downstream component stops data transmission under a normal working state and if the system idle time period reaches a threshold idle time, then transiting the link into a second link state. |
| US07647512B2 |
Method and apparatus for switching performance
A method and an apparatus for switching performance are provided. The method includes: providing a performance adjustable circuit working at a specific threshold frequency; determining a working power supply of the performance adjustable circuit; when the working power supply is higher or lower than a specific threshold level range corresponding to the specific threshold, adjusting the performance adjustable circuit to work at another specific threshold frequency. |
| US07647508B2 |
Methods and apparatus for providing integrity protection for management and control traffic of wireless communication networks
Embodiments of methods and apparatus for providing integrity protection for management and control traffic of wireless communication networks are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed. |
| US07647506B2 |
Method and configuration for the transmission of signals from generating functional units to processing functional units of electrical circuits
In an integrated-circuit chip having intercommunicating modular functional units of electrical circuits, wired transmission of sensitive information signals between the functional units of the electrical circuits involves generating a reference signal and coding the sensitive information signals, after being emitted by a generating functional unit in the chip, with the reference signal to disguise the sensitive information represented by the sensitive information signals. The coded sensitive information signals are decoded with the reference signal before the sensitive information signals are received by a processing functional unit in the chip. At least one signal of the reference signal and the decoded sensitive information signals are monitored, and a hacker attack is identified in response to a determination that the decoded sensitive information signal is other than a plausible signal. |
| US07647504B2 |
Method and system for efficiently retrieving secured data by securely pre-processing provided access information
A method and system for efficiently retrieving secured data by securely pre-processing provided access information, provides data store security based on a single piece of access information, which is generally public, such as the proper name of a business or individual that is used to retrieve mailing address information. The access information is hashed for access to a secured data store and efficient access and low data storage for permutations of input access information are provided by verifying the presence of an entry for the hashed access information in a look-up table. If an entry is found, the data store is accessed using the hashed access information, but if an entry is not found, another look-up table corresponding to another information type may be tried or the input access information permuted and retried. |
| US07647497B2 |
Method and program for user authentication in a network storage system
Provided is a storage system for solving the problem in that, when the registration of a nonexistent user is deleted, only a system administrator can access files that the user left, so that a load placed on the administrator increases at the time of an audit. The authentication program for permitting a user, who is attempting to log in to a storage system, to access a file recorded in the storage system, the program including: a first step for receiving a user name and a password from the user; a second step for referring to a validity term corresponding to a pair of the user name and the password recorded in the storage system; and a third step for permitting access by the user to a file corresponding to the validity term based on a result of the second step, the first to third steps being executed by a processor. |
| US07647495B2 |
Method for protecting a computer from the manipulation of register contents and a corresponding computer for carrying out this method
For protecting a computer from manipulation of register contents, copies of registers to be protected (6; PC) are created in separate redundancy registers (10a-10c). At each instruction execution, the content of the register to be protected is compared with the copy thereof. The instruction is only executed if there is a match of register contents. If there is a mismatch of register contents, this is interpreted as an indication that the content of the register to be protected has been manipulated, and error handling is performed. |
| US07647492B2 |
Architecture for routing and IPSec integration
The invention is directed towards routing a packet using both IPSec and common routing protocols within dynamic network topologies in a VPN. The routing of IPSec packets employs Open System Interconnection (OSI) layer three information. In one embodiment, a tree mechanism is used for looking up layer three information that may be associated with a protected subnetwork. When a packet is identified as being associated with a protected subnetwork, the packet may be encrypted and encapsulated, including the original destination and source IP address header information within another packet employing the IP Encapsulating Security Payload (ESP) protocol. New source and destination IP addresses are provided for the new packet using IP addresses associated with an entry gateway and an exit gateway to the VPN. The new packet may then be routed through the VPN using traditional routing protocols. |
| US07647491B2 |
System and method for selectively starting one of a plurality of operating systems according to whether or not the system is connected to a docking station
A computer system which includes a CPU for performing various processes by program control and storage elements which store at least one operating system and a BIOS, wherein upon starting a system, the CPU recognizes the system's own hardware configuration, and starts a selected one operating system stored in the storage elements in accordance with the recognized hardware configuration under the control of the BIOS. |
| US07647485B2 |
Data processing system for debugging utilizing halts in a parallel device
A data processing device for debugging code for a parallel arithmetic device that includes a plurality of data processing circuits arranged in a matrix and that causes, for each operating cycle, successive transitions of operation states in accordance with object code includes: operation execution means for causing the parallel arithmetic device to execute state transitions by means of the object code; device halt means for temporarily halting the state transitions for each operating cycle; a result output means for reading and supplying as output at least a portion of held data, connection relations, and operation commands of the plurality of data processing circuits of the halted parallel arithmetic device; a resume input means for receiving as input a resume command of the state transitions; and an operation resumption means for causing the operation execution means to resume the state transitions upon input of a resume command. |
| US07647484B2 |
Low-impact performance sampling within a massively parallel computer
An apparatus, program product and method sample at different times nodes that are performing similar work. Performance data associated with first and second node subsets performing the similar work are sampled at different times, e.g., in a round-robin fashion, and in accordance with a given sampling rate. The performance data is analyzed. Nodes whose performance suffers as a result of a sampling operation may be identified and removed from a subsequent operation. |
| US07647482B2 |
Methods and apparatus for dynamic register scratching
Apparatus and methods of reducing dynamic memory stack by a register stack engine are disclosed. An example apparatus and method identifies a local parameter of a caller function. A scratch register corresponding to the local parameter is moved to the top of a register stack, and a local parameter of a callee function is assigned to the scratch register. |
| US07647481B2 |
Reducing power by shutting down portions of a stacked register file
Many processor architectures include registers in the form of a stacked register file, for holding data used during execution of processing operations. As taught herein, the physical registers forming the stack are organized into banks. One or more of the banks is activated and deactivated, as needed to meet the demands of register allocations. |
| US07647480B2 |
Handling of conditional instructions in a data processing apparatus
A data processing apparatus and method of handling conditional instructions in such a data processing apparatus are provided. The data processing apparatus has a pipelined processing unit for executing instructions including at least one conditional instruction from a set of conditional instructions, and a register file having a plurality of registers operable to store data values for access by the pipelined processing unit when executing the instructions. A register specified by an instruction may be either a source register holding a source data value for that instruction or a destination register into which is stored a result data value generated by execution of that instruction. The register file has a predetermined number of read ports via which data values can be read from registers of the register file. The pipelined processing unit is operable when executing the at least one conditional instruction to produce a result data value which, dependent on the existence of the condition specified by that conditional instruction, represents either the result of the computation specified by that conditional instruction or a current data value stored in the destination register for that conditional instruction. Further, each conditional instruction in the set is constrained to specify a register that is both a source register and a destination register for that conditional instruction, thereby reducing the minimum number of read ports required to support execution of that conditional instruction by the pipelined processing unit. |
| US07647478B2 |
Suppression of store checking
An apparatus and method are provided for extending a microprocessor instruction set to allow for selective suppression of store checking at the instruction level. The apparatus includes fetch logic, and translation logic. The fetch logic receives an extended instruction. The extended instruction has an extended prefix and an extended prefix tag. The extended prefix specifies that store checking be suppressed for the extended instruction. The extended prefix tag is an otherwise architectural opcode within an existing instruction set. The fetch logic precludes store checking for pending store events associated with the extended instruction. The translation logic is coupled to the fetch logic. The translation logic translates the extended instruction into a micro instruction sequence that sequence directs the microprocessor to exclude store checking during execution of a prescribed operation. |
| US07647475B2 |
System for synchronizing an in-order co-processor with an out-of-order processor using a co-processor interface store data queue
A processor includes a coprocessor interface unit that couples a coprocessor that executes instructions in-program order to an execution unit that executes instructions out-of-program order. The coprocessor interface unit includes a coprocessor store data queue. If data stored in a register of the coprocessor is to be stored in a register file of the execution unit, the data is transferred from the coprocessor to the coprocessor store data queue. A graduation unit coupled to the coprocessor is also provided. The graduation unit provides a signal to the coprocessor that determines whether an instruction executed by the coprocessor is permitted to alter an architectural state of the processor. |
| US07647471B2 |
Method and system for collective file access using an mmap (memory-mapped file)
A method for processing using a shared file that includes creating a plurality of mmaps between a shared file and a plurality of address spaces, wherein each of the plurality of mmaps maps at least a portion of the shared file to one of the plurality of address spaces, and wherein each of the plurality of address spaces is associated with one of a plurality of processors, transferring, in parallel, data between the shared file and the address spaces using the plurality of mmaps associated with the plurality of address spaces, processing the data in parallel by the plurality of processors to obtain a result, wherein the plurality of processors access data from the plurality of address spaces, and storing the result in the shared memory. |
| US07647466B1 |
Linear space allocation mechanisms in data space
An indication to allocate storage is received, where the storage is to be used to store previous version data associated with a protected data set. One or more storage groups are allocated of at least a prescribed allocation group size and comprising a set of physically contiguous storage locations. |
| US07647465B2 |
Storage-system-portion sufficiency determination
A method, for determining sufficiency of a given set of portions included within a storage system (SS) to accommodate one or more flows of data anticipated as flowing therethrough, may include: configuring the given set to include at least one of following portions, a given stable of one or more providers of data-storage (PDSs), and an SS-infrastructure; identifying components within members of the given set as queuing centers according to the one or more flows, respectively; estimating one or more capacity values, based upon the one or more flows, that will be demanded of the components, respectively; and determining whether the estimated one or more capacity values are acceptable in a context of corresponding capacity values attributed to the components, respectively. |
| US07647463B2 |
Apparatus, system and method for detection of mismatches in continuous remote copy using metadata
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for detecting mismatches in a mirror volume. A receive module receives a start indicator from a primary storage system. The start indicator includes a starting location of a first block to be modified on a track in a secondary storage system. The first block corresponds to an identically located first block of a modified record in the primary storage system. The tracks the first blocks on the primary and secondary storage systems each comprise irregular count key data (“CKD”) tracks. A compare module compares the first block location indicated by the start indicator with block locations listed in track metadata. The track metadata describes user records on the irregular CKD tracks of the secondary storage system. An alert module generates an alert in response to the first block not aligning with a beginning block of a record on the secondary storage system. |
| US07647459B2 |
Multi-stream access scheme for high speed access and recording using a hard disk drive
A system for high-speed access and recording includes a demodulator, a buffer memory, and a hard disk. During a write cycle, a content stream is stored in buffer memory and thereafter transferred to the demodulator. When the buffer memory reaches its storage capacity, its contents are transferred to the hard disk for storage. During a read cycle, contents from the hard disk are read and then stored in the buffer memory. The hard disk further includes includes a high-speed zone and a random-access zone, which are configured to operate in a high-speed mode, a random-access mode, and a buffer-cleaning mode. |
| US07647453B2 |
Cache management system with application-independent polling
Embodiments disclosed herein provide a cache management system comprising a cache and a cache manager that can poll cached assets at different frequencies based on their relative activity status and independent of other applications. In one embodiment, the cache manager may maintain one or more lists, each corresponding to a polling layer associated with a particular polling schedule or frequency. Cached assets may be added to or removed from a list or they may be promoted or demoted to a different list, thereby changing their polling frequency. By polling less active files at a lower frequency than more active files, significant system resources can be saved, thereby increasing overall system speed and performance. Additionally, because a cache manager according to embodiments disclosed herein does not require detailed contextual information about the files that it is managing, such a cache manager can be easily implemented with any cache. |
| US07647450B2 |
Method, computer and computer system for monitoring performance
Performance of a storage subsystem is monitored at a proper level in a computer system having host computers, the storage subsystems, and a management computer. Each storage subsystem has physical disks and a disk controller to control input/output of the data to/from the physical disks. The disk controller provides storage areas of the physical disks as one or more logical volumes to the host computer. The management computer makes each of the logical volumes correspond to one of a plurality of groups, sets monitoring conditions of the logical volumes every group, monitors performance information of the logical volumes in accordance with the set monitoring conditions, and if a correspondence between the logical volume and the group is changed, changes the monitoring conditions set to at least one of the plurality of groups. |
| US07647448B2 |
Backup and archiving system by means of tape volume cassettes for data processing units
A backup and archiving system utilizing tape cassettes avoids bottlenecks at a higher performance level that may be caused by a central working storage, especially during backup and archiving procedures. Such a backup and archiving system provides a distributed hardware architecture in which several Component Computers work without reciprocal obstruction. |
| US07647447B2 |
Data bus connection for memory device
A data bus of a DVD+RW recorder between a DSP and a SDRAM usually needs a multilayer wiring board. In order to simplify the layout of the wiring board of the data bus there is provided a method for connecting at least a first and a second integrated circuit by providing the first integrated circuit having a plurality of first logical I/O ports physically arranged in a first order at the periphery, and providing the second integrated circuit having a plurality of second logical I/O ports physically arranged in a second order at the periphery, wherein each first I/O port is to be connected to one of said second I/O ports. The first and second I/O logical ports are connected independently from the first and/or second physical order, so that connection lines do not cross each other. |
| US07647445B2 |
Processor bus arrangement
A processor bus has several data processing units, each connected to a line system which acts as a bus having bus segments connected in a separable manner through connection units. Functional units arranged on the bus carry out the information thereof. The functional units may carry out exchanges independently of each other. Conversely, functional units in different groups may carry out information exchanges simultaneously. The connection units define combinatory connections of the signal lines, with physical connections between the connection units provided by the bus segments. The connection units can carry out information exchanges with as many connected functional units as desired. The information path from a functional unit to selected functional units can be multiplexed or switched by toggling simultaneous connections to several functional units or by bridging non-participating functional units. |
| US07647436B1 |
Method and apparatus to interface an offload engine network interface with a host machine
A system that includes a host including at least one per-connection data structure and at least one per-processor data structure, wherein the at least one per-connection data structure is associated with a connection, and an offload engine operatively connected to the host. The engine includes offload engine connection registers and functionality to update the at least one per-connection data structures in the host, wherein the offload engine is configured to send and receive network data on the connection, wherein the host and the offload engine communicate using the at least one per-processor data structure, and wherein the offload engine communicates a status of the connection to the host using the offload engine connection registers. |
| US07647434B2 |
Technique for in order delivery of traffic across a storage area network
A technique is disclosed for managing in-order-delivery of data traffic in a storage area network which includes at least one host device adapted to communicate with at least one storage device via a fiber channel fabric. When a change in at least one route in the fiber channel fabric is detected, a first zone, flow and/or device in the network which is affected by the route change is identified, and frames associated with the first zone/flow/device are temporarily dropped for a temporary time period T. In one embodiment, the first zone/flow/device includes at least one device which is sensitive to the order in which data traffic is received. According to a specific implementation, a second zone/flow/device in the network which is affected by the route change, and which is not sensitive to the order in which data traffic is received may also be identified, and frames associated with the second zone/flow/device forwarded to their destination address during the temporary time period T. |
| US07647421B2 |
Extension header compression
A method and apparatus for controlling header compression and decompression for a link of a packet data network, wherein a predetermined header extension size for the link is initially set, and wherein a packet which will not be used as reference for subsequent decompression is transmitted from the compressor to the decompressor, if an extension header list of a size larger than the predetermined header extension size has been received. At the decompressing side, the transmission of an acknowledgement is suppressed, if an extension header list of the size larger than a predetermined header extension size configured at the decompressor has been received. Thereby, inconsistency of compression context between compressor and decompressor is prevented and a higher compression efficiency is achieved since there is no need to repair the context and correctly decompressed packets can be delivered to upper network layers without discarding any packets. |
| US07647415B1 |
Dynamic web services stack
System and method for providing a binary encoding protocol as an alternative to markup language protocols for Web services. Embodiments may provide a Web services stack with a single API that supports a binary encoding protocol in addition to a markup language protocol. Embodiments may dynamically and transparently switch between the markup language protocol and the binary encoding protocol, for example for communications between servers and clients in a Web services network environment. An exemplary markup language is XML. An exemplary binary encoding protocol that may be used is WS-Fast, which may use Abstract Syntax Notation One (ASN.1) and a mapping from XML Schema to ASN.1 for on-the-wire binary messages. Some embodiments may be implemented as a Java Web services stack that implements WS-Fast as an alternative to XML, while still supporting XML and providing one API to both protocols. |
| US07647412B2 |
Method for management and/or administration of access authorizations in a network
Within the scope of the method for management and/or administration of access authorizations in a network, especially of access authorizations for internet and/or network main portals, the user administration is designed as a standardized, web protected and a decentralized process. For each main portal, a separate application is required and it is made possible for the user to seek possible internet and/or network main portals. |
| US07647411B1 |
System and method for controlling distribution of network communications
A network appliance controls access to network resources by identifying network paths passing through the network appliance to a protected network, drawings conclusions about the type of communications traveling along those paths, and then controlling, i.e. limiting, access to the protected network's resources for transmitting communications on a path-by-path basis. Recipient controlled mechanisms are used to control access to the recipient's network's resources, namely, restricting bandwidth, controlling allocation of SMTP or other connections, and packet level traffic shaping techniques including controlling of parameters of TCP and/or IP communications, such as TCP receive window size and Maximum Segment Size, or otherwise decreasing the amount of network traffic per unit of time passing through the network appliance. This limits the amount of network resources that may be used by incoming communications. Multiple network appliances may communicate with one another to operate in concert to protect a greater portion of network resources. |
| US07647410B2 |
Network rights management
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implement techniques of processing data packets in a computer network. The computer network includes a multiport network device and a computer executing a software application. The multiport network device is configured to receive data packets to be transmitted using the computer network and the network device stores one or more authorized network descriptors. The software application generates data packets to be transmitted to the computer network through the network device. The software application registers the network rights descriptor with the network device and inserts the network rights descriptor in each generated data packet. The network device is configured to discard the data packet if the network rights descriptor in the data packet does not match an authorized network rights descriptor and to process the data packet if the network rights descriptor in the data packet matches an authorized network rights descriptor. |
| US07647408B2 |
Methods for enhancing SDP preconditions signalling for IP multimedia sessions
This application describes how Session Description Protocol (SDP) preconditions signaling can be enhanced to support lead role negotiation, precondition capability exchange, premature precondition attempts and concatenated preconditions processing. The application describes the use of send and receive tags in an SDP message for a given media line. In a given message, a success or failure tag may be associated with a send or receive tag in addition to an optional or mandatory condition indicator tag. A lead role indicator may also be associated with a send or receive tag to indicate a desired preference with regard to the sender or receiver taking the lead role. These additions lead to a greater chance of successful session set-up completion, reduce the number of signaling exchanges in general, and enable precondition attempts to be started earlier and to be executed in parallel. |
| US07647405B2 |
Method for reducing variability and oscillations in load balancing recommendations using historical values and workload metrics
The present invention provides a method of preventing harmful variability and oscillation in weight based, dynamic load balancing environments. More specifically, the present invention relates to methods to effectively determine the magnitude of weight changes in dynamic load balancing environments based on the workload magnitude and server farm capacity. This method depends on the development of new multi-system characteristics such as a relative workload metric to characterize the workload of the system relative to the collective capacity of all of the systems to handle the workload. |
| US07647402B2 |
Protecting contents of computer data files from suspected intruders by renaming and hiding data files subjected to intrusion
Protecting data files from being stolen or compromised in a data processing operation having stored data in a plurality of data files by receiving user requests for access to data files, determining whether said requests are unauthorized intrusions into the requested data files and, responsive to a determination that a request is an unauthorized intrusion, changing the identification of the requested data files by renaming the files. Preferably, the rename should be one which does not identify the contents of the file, i.e. the rename disguises the file contents. Then, it is also desirable that the renamed file be moved to a new “hidden” directory. In such a case, the renamed file is also assigned a covert name which indicates a covert location in the new directory. Then, there is provided a log referencing each renamed file to the covert name of the respective file so as to indicate the covert location of said file in said new directory. |
| US07647397B2 |
Method and apparatus for modifying remote devices monitored by a monitoring system
A method and apparatus for monitoring at least one network connected device (monitored device) using a controller is disclosed. More specifically, a method of modifying monitored devices supported by the monitoring system includes updating information stored in a system support database (SSD) if the information stored in the SSD is insufficient to support the monitored device. The updating step is performed without reprogramming the monitoring system, thereby allowing flexibility in modifying the monitored devices supported by the monitoring system. |
| US07647394B2 |
Scaling UPnP v1.0 device eventing using peer groups
Disclosed is a method for scaling and extending the reach of UPnP device discovery and eventing by leveraging the use of a peer-to-peer network infrastructure. Peer-to-peer networking allows for the organization of a set of nodes into a group for efficient exchange of information and the group has an efficient and scalable mechanism for flooding data to all members in it. In one embodiment one PC in a peer group can receive device discovery announcements and subscribe for device event notifications. A discovery proxy and an eventing proxy running on the PC package the announcement and/or notification in a record and proceed to flood it to the group. The group flooding semantics route the notification to the subscribed controllers, which can subsequently take suitable action. Ultimately, this method produces a result whereby device discovery and eventing tasks can be fulfilled by locating the closest peer and obtaining the device announcements and notifications from that peer. |
| US07647386B2 |
System, method, and computer program product for remotely determining the configuration of a multi-media content user
A system, method, and computer program product for determining the configuration of an end user's computer system. In particular, the media players and network connection speed of the user are determined. This configuration information is then received by a delivery management server. The configuration information is used to format multi-media content for delivery to the user. Because the content is formatted according to the configuration information, the content is compatible with the user's configuration. The configuration determination process involves server contact code placed in the web page of the content provider. When the web page is loaded by the user, the server contact code directs the browser to retrieve code from the delivery management server. When the code is executed by the user, the media player of the user is determined. This information is saved in cookies at the user and is sent to the delivery management server. If the configuration information is indeterminate or incomplete, the user is presented with a preferences page in which the user can indicate the configuration. The preferences page also contains a mechanism for determining the connection speed of the user. The preferences page can also make specific recommendations to the user, e.g., recommend that the user choose a specific media player. The preferences page contains a block of data having a known size. The time required to transfer the block is measured, and the connection speed is then calculated and provided to the delivery management server. |
| US07647385B2 |
Techniques for limiting network access
A network architecture in a Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) network includes a resource sharing service to govern the distribution of resource information from a server to a recipient entity (such as rendering device or a control point). The network architecture includes one or more of the following provisions: (a) setting the server to operate in a predetermined private address range or an Auto IP range; (b) operating one or more parts of the network architecture on the same subnet; (c) setting a time to live (TTL) parameter associated with messages transmitted by the server to a predetermined number; (d) setting a number of permitted recipient entities to a predetermined number; (e) setting a number of permitted concurrent content distribution sessions to a predetermined session number; (f) granting access to a recipient entity on condition that the recipient entity has generated a message that conforms to the UPnP protocol; and (g) retiring a URL used to identify a location of a resource provided by the server after a predetermined amount of time. |
| US07647382B2 |
Instant messaging with caller identification
A method for providing caller identification information to instant messaging communication participants can include identifying an online presence for at least a first instant messaging client and determining caller identification information for a user associated with the first instant messaging client. The caller identification information can be provided to a second instant messaging client. |
| US07647374B2 |
Method for managing sessions between network parties, methods, network element and terminal for managing calls
The invention relates to a management of sessions between parties being connectable with a network. Thereby a first party registers to the network and invites a second party to a session. It is determined from a session information whether said session is to be retained by the network. The retaining comprises storing at least part of the session information for a subsequent re-establishment or release of the session by the network on behalf of said first party, releasing said retained session by the network towards the second party on behalf of the first party, when the first party deregisters from the network or loses connection to the network, re-establishing the retained session by the network towards the second party on behalf of the first party, when the first party repeatedly registers to said network or re-establishes connection with said network. Furthermore, the invention relates to methods and a network element for managing multiple simultaneous sessions between parties participating in one or a plurality of calls and to a corresponding terminal. |
| US07647364B2 |
Onsite backup of internet-based data in a requested format
A system for onsite backup of internet-based data is provided. The system includes a central computer, a client computer, a communications link between the central computer and the Internet, and a communications link between the client computer and the Internet. The system also includes at least one database containing a plurality of data records accessible by the central computer, each data record containing a client identification number. Software executing on the central computer receives a data backup request, and software executing on the central computer transmits the data backup to the client computer. |
| US07647361B2 |
Automatically maintaining metadata in a file backup system
A technology for automatically saving an original copy of an image file in a location hidden from a user is disclosed. The technology accesses metadata associated with an image file and determines whether an original copy of the image file exists. Provided an original copy of the image file exists, an edited version of the image file along with an identifier is saved. If an original copy of the image file does not exist, an original copy of the image file is created, the original copy of the image file is stored, and an edited version of the image file along with an identifier is saved. |
| US07647353B2 |
Event searching
Events can be searched by identifying a query that includes a time interval and a search component, determining a time increment associated with the time interval, and partitioning the time interval into partitions based on the time increment. For each partition, a relevance of each event in a collection of events that occur at a time in the partition is determined based on the query. A pre-determined number of the relevant events are displayed. |
| US07647351B2 |
Web scrape template generation
A system for automatically locating and data-typing information originating from many Web pages, and then collecting that information in a database. The database is then made available via an online data marketplace which allows users from different organizations to buy and sell related data, associated advertisements, and access to the communities of end-users who may also view advertisements and make purchases. |
| US07647350B2 |
Database access server with compression translator
A database access server includes a network interface device and a processing device coupled to the network interface device via a bus. The network interface device receives a data request that includes a data identifier. The processing device retrieves data having the data identifier. The processing device determines if the retrieved data is compressed. The processing device decompresses the retrieved data if the retrieved data is compressed. The processing device sends the uncompressed retrieved data in response to the data request. |
| US07647341B2 |
Map editing-and-displaying apparatus, map managing system, map managing method, and map storing medium
Provided is a map editing-and-displaying system that acquires partial map data from a database that contains map data. The partial map data includes appended index data. The system automatically assigns a map name to the partial map data based on the appended index data. A user can then identify and select the map according to the assigned map name. |
| US07647337B2 |
Global information architecture
The present invention provides a Global Information Architecture (GIA) to create an object-oriented, software-based modeling environment for the modeling of various data sources and allowing queries and transactions across those sources. The modeling environment is described in itself. Introspection is achieved since the model is described in the model, and early validation that the infrastructure is correct is established in that the infrastructure must execute against itself. Object traversal is done via vectors that describe how an object can be reached from other objects. Objects are linked by describing what type of object (data source) is to be reached and on the basis of what possible attribute values of that object. GIA allows different users to have different views of these data sources depending upon their WorldSpace. A user's view of the data source is controlled by his WorldSpace, which are the attributes he has that makes him unique. These attributes can include (among others) his username, roles, language, locale, and organization. These WorldSpace views can also impact the behavior of the data sources. GIA allows for object to object event driven behavior and provides a configuration centric versus coding centric methodology for integrating those various data sources. |
| US07647334B2 |
Method for checking index consistency in database
The present invention provides a system, a method, and a program for checking index consistency online in a database that includes a main database storing a plurality of data segments and an index database storing a plurality of index segments. A system according to an aspect of the present invention includes a record creating unit for sequentially reading out the index segments from the index database and creating a pointer record that contains a pointer value and a key value and for sequentially reading out the data segments from the main database and create a segment record that contains a storage address and an indexed field value of an index target segment to be indexed among the read out segments, a scan point setting unit for setting scan points that indicate progress of creation of the pointer record and the segment record. |
| US07647329B1 |
Keymap service architecture for a distributed storage system
A keymap service architecture for a distributed storage system. A system may implement storage nodes configured to store replicas of data objects, where each of the replicas is accessible via a respective locator value, and keymap instances each configured to store keymap entries corresponding respectively to the data objects. A given keymap entry may indicate a mapping from a given key value corresponding to a given data object to each respective locator value of its replicas. Each of the keymap instances may store a replica of the given keymap entry and may index its respective stored keymap entries within a respective index data structure including hierarchically arranged index nodes corresponding to keymap entries. For a given keymap entry having a given corresponding index node, each tag value associated with each ancestor of the given corresponding index node may be a prefix of the given key value. |
| US07647317B2 |
Search techniques for page-based document layouts
Systems, methods, and/or techniques (“tools”) for improved search techniques for page-based document layouts are described herein. The tools may analyze markup elements defined for pages within source documents, and may determine whether the markup elements for the page may include at least part of a search string. |
| US07647316B2 |
Link optimization
In an embodiment of the present invention, keywords may be dynamically optimized. This may include techniques for reducing the number of keywords assigned to a particular web page (and selecting which keywords to eliminate). This may also include techniques for reordering keywords, introducing new keywords, and/or changing the attributes of keywords (e.g., size, font, color, spacing, etc.) assigned to a particular web page. Any of these techniques may be dynamically implemented by basing the optimization on one or more metrics and data collected from user interactions with the webpage. |
| US07647305B2 |
Method and apparatus for implementing search engine with cost per action revenue model
The inventive technology enables the search engine operator to charge the advertisers who place their links on the search engine only if the user uses the search results to visit the advertiser's web portal(s) and generates revenue for the advertiser. This concept is especially attractive to the advertisers because it eliminates the risk, which the advertisers face in conventional search engines, when they are changed by the search engine per user click irrespectively of whether the user's visit resulted in advertiser's revenue. |
| US07647304B2 |
Adaptive picker for selecting data in disparate information systems
An adaptive picker for selecting data in disparate information systems is provided. The adaptive picker may be implemented by an application to pick items from one or more data stores, which are associated with other applications. The adaptive picker determines items provided by the data store that are available for picking and the types of data associated with the items. The adaptive picker receives key information provided by a user through the first application and searches for the available items based on the key information. The adaptive picker also filters the items to identify a desired item. The adaptive picker can determine the filtering capabilities associated with the data stores and automatically adapt to these filtering capabilities. The adaptive picker can retrieve a desired item with a key information search that matches the key information with a unique identifier associated with desired item. The key information search enables a user to pick an item without browsing. If the search returns multiple items, the adaptive picker can provide a disambiguation menu for selecting the desired. The search results can also be filtered by context determined by the adaptive filter. The context may include any parameter, such as the identity of a user, the time of day, an application the user is working within, an organizational discipline of the user, or the like. |
| US07647303B2 |
Document processing apparatus for searching documents, control method therefor, program for implementing the method, and storage medium storing the program
A document processing apparatus which is capable of retrieving an object to be searched quickly and accurately. A target document is divided into a plurality of text blocks according to each of a plurality of search engines. An index of the target document based on a character string included in each of the text blocks is created according to each of the search engines. |
| US07647302B2 |
Method for searching layered data
Enables search and test for at least one value in layers of audience specific data comprising language, regional, regulatory and/or cultural specific values per layer. The word “audience” for the purposes of this specification means a group of document consumers such as people or computers that are associated with a language, country, region, regulation, culture or any other user defined division. A search utilizing at least one embodiment of the invention occurs with respect to data that makes use of rule-based inheritance. Testing multiple audience layers for all values that meet a specific fine or coarse grained search criteria allows quality assurance testing across all target audiences for a document before publication. |
| US07647289B2 |
Learning belief distributions for game moves
We describe an apparatus for learning to predict moves in games such as chess, Go and the like, from historical game records. We obtain a probability distribution over legal moves in a given board configuration. This enables us to provide an automated game playing system, a training tool for players and a move selector/sorter for input to a game tree search system. We use a pattern extraction system to select patterns from historical game records. Our learning algorithm learns a distribution over the values of a move given a board position based on local pattern context. In another embodiment we use an Independent Bernoulli model whereby we assume each moved is played independently of other available moves. |
| US07647287B1 |
Suggesting a relationship for a node pair based upon shared connections versus total connections
A first total number of nodes in a first node set directly linked to a first node can be computed. A second total number of nodes in a second node set directly linked to a second node can be computed. A shared total number of nodes in a union of the first node set and the second node set can be computed. A mutual information metric can then be computed from the first total, the second total, and the shared total. A decision as to whether a new connection should be added between the first node and the second node, which were not previously directly connected, can be determined from the value of mutual information metric. |
| US07647285B2 |
Tools for health and wellness
A tool for providing health and/or wellness services is described herein. Not necessarily clean or unclean data about a plurality of self-selected or non-selected or unselected subjects is received. The data can be aggregated and mined at least in part by employing a statistical algorithm, a data-mining algorithm and/or a machine-learning algorithm. The data can be further employed to provide health and/or wellness services to participants. |
| US07647284B2 |
Fixed-weight recurrent neural network controller with fixed long-term and adaptive short-term memory
A controller for a plant having a fixed-weight recurrent neural network with at least one external input signal representative of a desired condition of the plant and actual condition of the plant, and an output connected as a control signal to the plant. The fixed recurrent neural network includes a set of nodes with fixed weight interconnections between the nodes and at least one feedback input interconnecting an output from at least one of the nodes to an input of at least one node. These nodes collectively determine the value of the output from the neural network as a function of the input signal and the feedback input. The controller also includes an adaptive neural network having a plurality of nodes with variable weight interconnections between the nodes. A cost input from the plant is connected to the adaptive neural network while an output from the adaptive neural network is coupled as a processed feedback signal to nodes of the fixed-weight recurrent neural network. |
| US07647283B2 |
Method, system, and computer program product for adaptively learning user preferences for smart services
A method, system, and computer program product are described for adaptively learning user preferences for smart services. According to an exemplary embodiment, a method for adaptively learning user preferences for smart services includes modeling an availability of a subscriber for responding to an event associated with a service in terms of probability values associated with attributes of the event and subscriber context information available to determine a current situation of the subscriber related to the service, the subscriber context information based on private information of the subscriber. The availability of the subscriber for responding to the event is determined using a probability value associated with an event attribute and a probability value associated with at least a portion of the subscriber context information. At least one of the probability values associated with the event attribute and the portion of the subscriber context information is updated based on feedback received from the subscriber in response to being presented a response to the event. |
| US07647278B1 |
Method for facilitating a transaction between a merchant and a buyer
A method includes inputting into the computer a digital content file of the merchant, the digital content file including a header with information related to purchasing a digital content product and the digital content product in encoded form. The computer reads the downloaded header and displays at least some of the information related to purchasing the digital content product while concurrently downloading the encoded digital content product into the computer. |
| US07647271B2 |
System and method for commodity valuation based on online auction bid information
A system for determining latent demand for at least one of a plurality of commodities includes an offer analyzer and a commodity selector. The offer analyzer analyzes at least a plurality of initially unaccepted offers for each of the plurality of commodities. The commodity selector selects at least one of the plurality of commodities to offer for sale which satisfies at least one criteria based on the analysis by the offer analyzer. |
| US07647269B2 |
Computer-based right distribution system with reserve pricing
An automated ticket auctioning system receives and evaluates bid information records received from a plurality of remote terminals. Each bid information record corresponds to at least one bid for one or more desired seats at a venue. Each bid information record may also include a plurality of additional bids identified for different seats in the venue. The separate bids in each bid information record are prioritized. The automated ticket auctioning system includes a central controlling computer operable to receive the bid information records and determine, in order of priority, whether any of the bids in a bid information record is accepted. If one bid in a bid information record is accepted, all lower priority bids in that bid information record are dismissed. |
| US07647268B1 |
System and method for implementing a recurrent bidding process
A system and method for implementing a recurrent bidding process is disclosed. According to one embodiment, a method for implementing a recurrent bidding process to dispose of a portfolio of consumer debts may comprise the steps of: offering the portfolio of consumer debts in an initial bidding among a plurality of potential buyers to identify a first buyer and a second buyer, wherein the first buyer is the highest bidder in the initial bidding and is allocated a first portion of the portfolio, and wherein the second buyer is the next highest bidder in the initial bidding and is allocated a second portion of the portfolio; maintaining the allocation of the portfolio of consumer debts between the first buyer and the second buyer for a first time period; designating a portion of the portfolio as an at-risk volume for a second time period; offering the at-risk volume in a second bidding between the first buyer and the second buyer, wherein the highest bidder in the second bidding is allocated the at-risk volume; and maintaining the resulting allocation of the portfolio of consumer debts between the first buyer and the second buyer for the second time period. |
| US07647261B2 |
Method and apparatus for retirement income planning
Embodiments of the invention generally provide a method and apparatus for retirement income planning. One embodiment of a method for planning an income stream includes receiving personal data relating to an individual, where the personal data includes the value of the individual's projected income and the value of the individual's projected expenses. The difference between the projected expenses and the projected income is then calculated, and an annuity is purchased in substantially real time from among a plurality of annuities presented in an auction-style format, where the annuity provides a sum to offset the calculated difference. |
| US07647260B2 |
Return on investment (ROI) tool
The present invention provides a system and related method that enables a user to use one or more appropriate ROI tools according to the needs of the users. Specifically, the user provides data related to the organizations and technical expenditures, and this information is used to determine an applicable set of ROI tools. The inputted data is then provided to the applicable ROI tools for automatically examining a company's financial data, and using this evaluation to assess the desirability of technology expenditures. |
| US07647257B2 |
System and method for web access to financial data
A web application that enables access to a client's specific account transaction detail. The charge transaction detail can include anything related to charge or credit card transactions including travel transaction detail, corporate card detail and corporate purchasing card detail. The transaction detail can be captured from many sources and can include third party data. The clients can use a web application and web page to access the account data and create report views of the information. The system can also includes a create a report capability, which allows users to add filters and data elements to an existing report format and create a report specific to their needs and data. |
| US07647256B2 |
Techniques for establishing and managing a distributed credential store
Techniques are provided for establishing and managing a distributed credential store. An identity service aggregates identity information from one or more identity stores and maintains the information as a remote credential store. Initially, the remote credential store, or portions thereof, is transmitted to a principal service as an initial configuration of a local credential store. A principal interacts with the principal service for defining or modifying a policy that identifies portions of the remote credential store which are to be synchronized with the local credential store. In some embodiments, the principal interacts with the principal service for defining a local policy that identifies portions of the local credential store which are not synchronized with the remote credential store. The interactions between the credential stores are trusted and secured. |
| US07647253B1 |
Methods and system of conducting business-to-business operations by registered sellers and buyers using an internet accessible platform
A method for using an internet accessible computer system to conduct business to business operations among a plurality of buyer companies and a plurality of seller companies. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of registering each of the plurality of seller companies with an internet accessible computer system, wherein each of the plurality of seller companies sells goods to a corresponding one of the plurality of buyer companies, and the corresponding one buyer company makes payment for the goods sold by that seller company; and registering each of the plurality of buyer companies with the internet accessible computer system, wherein the registration of each of the plurality of buyer companies depends on the registration of its corresponding seller company. |
| US07647252B2 |
Methods and systems for an alternative payment platform
Methods and systems are provided for providing an alternative payment platform, including method and systems for providing a platform for presenting an alternate offer to a user who is engaged with a primary offer and receiving an indication of the user's engagement with the alternate offer, wherein the user's engagement with the alternate offer serves as an alternative form of payment for an item associated with the primary offer. Such methods and systems may further include methods and systems for selecting one or more alternate offers engagement with which serves as an alternative form of payment for an item associated with a primary offer, presenting the selected alternate payment offers to a user, receiving an indication of engagement with at least one of the alternate offers, receiving payment in exchange for presenting the accepted offer and providing payment to the offeror of the primary offer. |
| US07647247B2 |
Method and system to enhance web-based shopping collaborations
A method for collaborating between Web-based shopping carts can include the step of identifying a Web-based shopping cart associated with an online store and a shopper of the online store. Access privileges can be established between the shopping cart and at least one other shopping cart, the other shopping carts being associated with shoppers different from the shopper. A linkage can be established between the Web-based shopping cart and the at least one other shopping cart in accordance with the access privileges. Through the linkage, the shopper can be permitted to access items in the another shopping cart. |
| US07647242B2 |
Increasing a number of relevant advertisements using a relaxed match
The number of ads potentially relevant to search query information may be increased by relaxing the notion of search query keyword matching. This may be done, for example, by expanding a set of ad request keywords to include both query keywords and related keywords. The scores of ads served pursuant to a relaxed notion of matching (those with keyword targeting criteria that matched words related to words in the search query, but not the words from the search query) may be discounted relative to the scores of ads served pursuant to a stricter notion of matching. This may be done by using a score modification parameter, such as an ad performance multiplier (when an ad score is a function of ad performance information) The score modification parameter may be updated to reflect observed performance data, such as that associated with {word-to-related word} mappings. |
| US07647241B1 |
Computer program product for determining and reducing customer service impact
In general, in one aspect, the invention features a computerized method for determining customer service impact. The method includes receiving item orders having a requested completion date. The method also includes scheduling a scheduled completion date for each item order. The method also includes selecting at least one item order, each item order having a scheduled completion date. The method also includes comparing the scheduled completion date with the requested completion date for each selected item order. The method also includes deriving a customer service measurement for each selected item order based on the comparing step. The method can include the optional step of reporting and/or displaying customer service measurement data. In general, in another aspect, the invention relates to a system for determining customer service impact that performs the method steps just described. |
| US07647238B2 |
Computer-implemented vehicle repair claims rules generator system
A computer-implemented warranty knowledge base construction system and method. An user interface receives a first rule related to vehicle repair claim processing. A rules syntax data store stores syntax rules for constructing repair claim-related rules. A knowledge base generator module connected to the user interface and to the rules syntax data store determines whether the first rule is in an acceptable syntax based upon the stored syntax rules. The first rule is used in a knowledge base system to process repair claims. |
| US07647235B1 |
System and method for reducing the placebo effect in controlled clinical trials
A method and system for performing a clinical trial having a reduced placebo effect is disclosed. The method includes randomizing study participants into three or more treatment groups and performing a first phase of testing on the groups. In a typical embodiment, the first phase of testing includes administering an active treatment to a first group, and administering a placebo to a second group and to a third group. Responders and non-responders are determined for each group. A second phase of testing is then performed. The second phase of testing includes administering the placebo to non-responders in the first group, administering the active treatment to non-responders in the second group, and administering the placebo to non-responders in the third group. The data from the first phase of testing and from the second phase of testing is pooled and analyzed to determine response rates to active treatment and placebo. |
| US07647234B1 |
Cardiovascular healthcare management system and method
The disclosure relates to an interactive, web based cardiovascular healthcare management system which has an infomediary site with databases having information relating to cardiovascular disease risk factors such as age, blood pressure, LDL, HDL and subfractions thereof and cardiovascular disease management such as diet, exercise, drugs and cardiovascular education materials. The physician can communicate electronically with the infomediary site to obtain patient test results and formulate a patient treatment plan from the diet, exercise and drug data. The physician can electronically communicate treatment plans to the patient through a record in the infomediary site. The patient can electronically communicate compliance information to the physician through the patient record. The infomediary site may also provide a case manager to provide initial draft treatment plans to the physician, gather patient history data and/or patient treatment plan compliance data. |
| US07647233B2 |
Systems and methods for providing business intelligence based on shipping information
A business intelligence system is disclosed that utilizes shipping information to provide business intelligence to a user. The business intelligence system receives information pertaining to originating parcel pickup and delivery information, stores the information in a shipping information database, and allows a user to formulate various types of transaction requests. The transaction results provide shipping information categorized in various ways in regard to past shipments as well as compare one category shipping information with another category of shipping information or with categories of non-shipping information. In addition, the system can extrapolate certain categories of shipping information into the future. Further, the system provides information to a user in a variety of formats including various graphical formats, tabular formats, and cartographical formats. |
| US07647231B2 |
Flexible mail delivery system and method
The principles of the present invention provide the ability to flexibly change the delivery point and time for a mail item, while the item is en route. The recipient, sender, or mailer may flexibly change the delivery point of the item alone or in combination with each other. While an item is en route between the sending point and the delivery point, a notification is sent to indicate that the item is in transit. In response, the delivery of the item may be changed. For example, the destination specified by the sender (e.g., the delivery address written on the item) may be changed or a delivery time may be specified. The item is then delivered to the new delivery point and/or at the specified delivery time. |
| US07647228B2 |
Method and apparatus for speech processing incorporating user intent
An audible utterance is received from a user. A procedure determines a user intent associated with the audible utterance and identifies multiple parameters associated with the user intent. The procedure then determines whether any of the multiple parameters associated with the user intent are missing from the audible utterance. If any parameters are missing, an audible response requesting the missing parameters is generated and communicated to the user. If all parameters associated with the user intent are contained in the audible utterance, a response to the user's request is generated and communicated to the user. |
| US07647223B2 |
Robust composite quantization with sub-quantizers and inverse sub-quantizers using illegal space
A sub-quantizer for sub-quantization of a vector includes a sub-codevector generator that generates a set of candidate sub-codevectors, and transformation logic that transforms each candidate sub-codevector into a corresponding codevector. A memory stores an illegal space definition representing illegal vectors. A legal status tester determines legal codevectors among the codevectors based on the illegal space definition. An error calculator generates error terms corresponding to the candidate sub-codevector, and a sub-codevector selector determines a best one of the sub-codevectors corresponding to a legal codevector and a best error term. The vector includes parameters relating to a speech and/or audio signal, such as Line Spectral Frequencies (LSFs). |
| US07647222B2 |
Apparatus and methods for encoding digital audio data with a reduced bit rate
A method and an apparatus for encoding digital audio data with reduced bit rates, the apparatus having a provider of psycho-acoustically quantized digital audio data with a bit rate being higher than the reduced bit rate. The apparatus further has an identifier for identifying a frequency band according to a selection criterion, the selection criterion being such that an impact on the quality of the digital audio data when the data in the identified frequency band is replaced by generated noise is smaller than the impact on the quality of the digital audio data, which would arise when the data in a different frequency band is replaced by generated noise. The apparatus further has a replacer for replacing data in the identified frequency band of the digital audio data by a noise synthesis parameter. |
| US07647221B2 |
Audio level control for compressed audio
Audio level control is provided for compressed audio. Scale factors for the compressed audio are extracted from an MPEG audio data stream, the extracted scale factors are altered without decompressing the compressed audio, and the MPEG audio data stream is updated with the altered scale factors. All of the scale factors in the MPEG audio data stream are altered based on a parameter identifying how the gain levels in the MPEG data stream are to be altered. |
| US07647216B2 |
Methods and systems of thermal simulation for fire analysis of objects
A method for predicting the structural behavior of an object when a fire is applied to it for a given period of time, comprising the following steps: Preparing a computer-implemented 3D Finite Element Model of said object including its thermal relevant material properties and a computer-implemented 2D Finite Volume Model for simulating a fire inside said object and obtaining predicting information regarding its thermal effects; Obtaining the heat transfer coefficients of the structure using said predicting information regarding the thermal effects inside said object; Applying said heat transfer coefficients and other relevant thermal boundary conditions in said 3D Finite Element Model, simulating the application of a fire to said object and obtaining a thermal mapping of the object during said application of fire. The invention also refers to a system for carrying our said method. |
| US07647213B1 |
Method for modeling and analyzing linear time invariant systems with time delays
A method and apparatus are provided to model, analyze, and build linear time invariant systems with delays. The method and apparatus model a linear time invariant system as a linear fractional transformation of matrices of a delay free linear time invariant model with a bank of pure delays. The method and apparatus of the present invention can further accommodate input delays and output delays associated with the linear time invariant system with delays. |
| US07647210B2 |
Parametric modeling method and system for conceptual vehicle design
An electronic method for parametric modeling of a conceptual vehicle design. The method includes (a) receiving dimensional input including one or more vehicle level parameters and one or more component level parameters; (b) receiving geometrical input including one or more non-dimensional design inputs; and (c) generating a parametric concept model based on dimensional input and the geometrical input. |
| US07647207B2 |
Method and system for tracking and reporting emissions
The present invention relates to methods and systems of tracking enterprise gas emissions such as greenhouse gas emissions. The systems and methods relate to collecting or entering data relating to one or more emissions source of an enterprise or an enterprise location, calculating emissions totals, and, according to certain embodiments, generating emissions reports. |
| US07647201B2 |
Compressor information network and method
A compressor information network includes a remote module operable to communicate with a plurality of local modules. Each local module includes a processor and a first non-volatile memory associated with the processor. The processor communicates with the first non-volatile memory and the second non-volatile memory associated with a compressor. The remote module includes a database of information copied from the second non-volatile memory. |
| US07647200B2 |
Monitoring motion of a crusher
A method of measuring one or more motion parameters of a main shaft in a gyratory or cone crusher is disclosed. Signals are directed from a stationary sensor means located apart from the main shaft to one or more signal reflective surfaces situated on a target located on or adjacent to an upper portion of the main shaft. The target rotates and otherwise moves in unison with the movement of the main shaft. From the elapsed time the distances from the sensor the reflective surfaces on the target are determined. Analyzing the distances over time will yield information on the movement of the main shaft. |
| US07647199B2 |
Method for determining positions of points to be measured
A position determination method for a set of new points to be surveyed, using a geodetic device and reference points whose positions in an absolute coordinate system are known. The position determination is effected by referencing the new points relative to a set of reference points and measurement of the reference points and of the new points in a relative coordinate system for referencing by the geodetic device—relative measured quantities being registered. Furthermore, the new points and the reference points are updated by successive addition in each case of the measured new points and reference points to the set of new points and set of reference points, respectively, and updating the position determination of the new points taking into account all of the respective actual reference points is effected if a specified minimum coefficient of determination for the referencing is ensured by the actual set of reference points. |
| US07647196B2 |
Human activity monitoring device with distance calculation
A method of monitoring human activity includes monitoring accelerations using an inertial sensor disposed at one of a plurality of locations on a human body, wherein at least one of the plurality of locations is not a foot location. A plurality of steps are counted based on the accelerations. A gait characteristic of the plurality of steps is determined. The characteristic is used to determine a stride length. At least one of a distance traveled and a speed of travel are determined based on the stride length. |
| US07647195B1 |
Method and apparatus for a virtual accelerometer system
A method and apparatus for a virtual accelerometer is described. The virtual accelerometer includes an active process identifier engine to identify any active application that may use accelerometer data. The virtual accelerometer also includes an intelligent signal interpretation and separation (ISIS) engine to separate raw accelerometer data for each of the active applications that use the accelerometer data. Additionally, the virtual accelerometer includes a universal application program interface (API) to provide separated accelerometer data to an application. |
| US07647190B2 |
Analyzing system, diagnostic information processing device, and computer program product thereof
An analyzing system, comprising: a sample processor for processing a sample based on a designated dilution parameter; a measurement section for measuring the sample processed by the sample processor; a dilution parameter memory for storing a first dilution parameter and a second dilution parameter which is different from the first dilution parameter and can be supplied by a user of the analyzing system; and a measurement controller for controlling the sample processor and the measurement section so as to process the sample based on the first dilution parameter and obtain a measurement value by measuring the processed sample; wherein, when a comparison of the measurement value and a predetermined threshold indicates a retest, the second dilution parameter is used for the retest, is disclosed. A diagnostic processing device and computer program product thereof are also disclosed. |
| US07647188B2 |
Systems and methods for processing nucleic acid chromatograms
Computer systems, computer program products and methods for processing an input nucleic acid chromatogram having a plurality of substantially simultaneous traces. Each trace in the plurality of traces has a plurality of datapoints. Each respective datapoint in each of the plurality of datapoints represents a signal amplitude at a position in the trace corresponding to the respective datapoint. A first peak is identified in a first trace that is substantially overlapping a second peak in a second trace in the plurality of traces. The first peak is outputted to a first output homozygous representation and the second peak is outputted to a second output homozygous representation. The first output homozygous representation is a first homozygous sequence representation or a first homozygous nucleic acid chromatogram corresponding to the input nucleic acid chromatogram. The second output homozygous representation is a second homozygous sequence representation or second homozygous nucleic acid chromatogram of the input nucleic acid chromatogram. |
| US07647182B2 |
Apparent dip angle calculation and image compression based on region of interest
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for logging an earth formation and acquiring subsurface information wherein a logging tool is conveyed in borehole to obtain parameters of interest. The parameters of interest obtained may be density, acoustic, magnetic or electrical values as known in the art. The parameters of interest may be transmitted to the surface at a plurality of resolutions using a multi-resolution image compression method. Parameters of interest are formed into a plurality of Cost Functions from which Regions of Interest are determined to resolve characteristics of the Features of interest within the Regions. Feature characteristics may be determined to obtain time or depth positions of bed boundaries and borehole Dip Angle relative to subsurface structures, as well borehole and subsurface structure orientation. Characteristics of the Features include time, depth, and geometries of the subsurface such as structural dip, thickness, and lithologies. |
| US07647181B2 |
Computer generated land cover classification
A method and system for generating land cover classifications is provided. Embodiments of the invention are directed toward a method in a computing environment for determining land cover classification that includes identifying a geographic unit and determining a human presence datum corresponding to the geographic unit. The method can further include determining an environmental datum corresponding to the geographic unit and/or a cultural datum corresponding to the geographic unit. The method can still further include assigning a land cover classification to the geographic unit based on at least the human presence datum and (a) the environmental datum, (b) the cultural datum, or (c) both (a) and (b). In certain embodiments, the method can still further include determining a geographic region corresponding to the geographic unit and assigning a land cover classification to the geographic unit based on at least the geographic region. |
| US07647179B2 |
System and method for coordinate mapping onto airport diagrams
A bounded diagram having latitude and longitude points is identified. Two lines of latitude and two lines of longitude contained within the bounded diagram are identified. The points of where the lines of latitude and the lines of longitude intersect with the boundary of the bounded diagram are determined. Two latitude connecting lines and two longitude connecting lines are determined from the intersection. A latitude coordinate and a longitude coordinate of a latitude/longitude point is obtained. Latitude and longitude points corresponding to the latitude and longitude coordinates are determined along each of the connecting lines. Latitude and longitude position lines are determined by the points along the connecting lines. An intersection point of the latitude position line and the longitude potion line is determined and an object representing the latitude/longitude point is placed at the intersection point. |
| US07647177B2 |
System and method for determining a position of a vehicle
A time estimator determines a first aggregate elapsed time between the transmission of the first transmission signal to a first beacon and receipt of a return signal, a second aggregate elapsed time between the transmission of the first transmission signal to a second beacon and receipt of a return signal, and a third aggregate elapsed time between the transmission of the first transmission signal to a third beacon and receipt of a return signal. A bias compensator compensates for bias delay associated with at least one of the first transmitter, the first beacon, the second beacon and the third beacon. A converter converts the first aggregate elapsed time, the second aggregate elapsed time, and the third aggregate elapsed time into position curves. A data processor estimates a position of the vehicle at a confluence or intersection of the position curves. |
| US07647176B2 |
Method and system for wireless power transfers through multiple ports
A system and method for wireless power transfer to an electronic device in motion, such as an inertial sensor assembly, is disclosed. In the method, a power level of a battery in the electronic device is monitored to determine whether the power level is at or below a prescribed threshold. One or more internal power ports of the electronic device are aligned with one or more external power ports when the power level is at or below the prescribed threshold. A wireless power signal is transmitted from the one or more external power ports to the one or more internal power ports. The power signal received by the one or more internal power ports is processed to charge the battery in the electronic device. |
| US07647167B2 |
Navigation system, route search method, and storage medium
There are provided a navigation system, a route search method and a storage medium which are easily capable of setting a destination even if a telephone number, which is not contained in a storage device, is entered. A route search processing unit, in the case where, for example, positions corresponding to telephone numbers that match the number expressing the area of the entered telephone number are four or more, selects four telephone numbers that are approximate to the entered telephone number, and sets the point of intersection, which is formed when the positions corresponding to the selected telephone numbers are connected diagonally by straight lines, as a destination. The route search processing unit searches for a route from the position of a user's car, which is calculated by a vehicle position measuring unit, to a point that is set as a destination. |
| US07647166B1 |
Method of providing narrative information to a traveler
The present invention discloses a navigation system for communicating narrative information to a traveler moving through a geographic region. The present invention more specifically discloses a navigation system comprising: a position determining device; a means for associating each of a plurality of narrations with each of a plurality of locations within the geographic region, wherein each of the plurality of narrations relate to each of a plurality of points of interest within the geographic region; a means for associating each of a plurality of alerts with each of the plurality of locations within the geographic region; a means for communicating alerts to the traveler as the traveler freely moves throughout the geographic region, wherein the alerts are communicated when the traveler moves within a specified proximity to the locations associated with the alerts, and wherein the alerts provide the traveler with a means for receiving information with respect to the general nature of the point of interest associated with the location; and a means for providing the traveler with the narration associated with the point of interest associated with the location. |
| US07647165B2 |
Method and apparatus for vehicle tracking and control
A method and apparatus are disclosed for improving vehicle tracking and remote control. A wireless telecommunications system infrastructure receives a unique vehicle identifier via a shared-communications channel from a vehicle being tracked, as well as location information for that vehicle. The location information is derived from Global Positioning System signals or from the address of the local infrastructure currently in contact with the vehicle, or both. The same shared-communications channel is used to convey control messages to the vehicle, wherein the messages are mapped into control signals that can disable the vehicle's engine or control some other system that is part of the vehicle. |
| US07647163B2 |
Automated fueling information tracking and fuel hedging
An automated system collects information related to various factors that affect fuel costs, and determines an optimal amount of fuel to be loaded on an aircraft. Information related to an aircraft's fuel efficiency is collected from the aircraft; price information is collected for the stops made by the aircraft; and flight plan information is collected for each flight. The collected information is used to determine or estimate the fuel requirements of the aircraft and an optimal amount of fuel to load onto the aircraft at a location. |
| US07647162B2 |
Utilized function for fuel dynamics during engine start and crank-to-run transition
A fuel control system for an internal combustion engine includes a first module that determines a corrected injected fuel mass based on an engine temperature and a measured burned fuel mass and a second module that determines a raw injected fuel mass based on the corrected injected fuel mass and the engine temperature. A third module regulates fueling to a cylinder of the engine based on the raw injected fuel mass. |
| US07647157B2 |
Control device, control method, control unit, and engine control unit
There are provided a control device, a control method, a control unit, and an engine control unit, which are capable of controlling a controlled object with relatively large phase delay and dead time, while attaining elimination of lag in control timing between the input and output of the controlled object and improvement of control accuracy at the same time. A state predictor calculates a deviation (output deviation) between an output from an oxygen concentration sensor and a predetermined target value at a predetermined deviation calculation period. Then, a DSM controller calculates a target air-fuel ratio for converging the output from the oxygen concentration sensor to the predetermined target value, according to the calculated deviation, based on any one of a Δ modulation algorithm, a ΔΣ modulation algorithm, and a ΣΔ modulation algorithm at a predetermined calculation period shorter than the predetermined deviation calculation period. |
| US07647153B2 |
Method of controlling a vehicle while operating under a cruise control
A method is provided for controlling a vehicle while operating under a cruise control so as to improve response to driver braking operation and shorten the free running distance by applying a preliminary braking force to a braking device when a preceding vehicle can no longer be recognized during preceding vehicle following control. Basically, the method includes: detecting a preceding vehicle and an inter-vehicle distance to the preceding vehicle from a host vehicle equipped with the vehicle driving control device; executing a preceding vehicle following control to control the inter-vehicle distance to the preceding vehicle towards a target inter-vehicle distance when the preceding vehicle has been recognized; and generating a preliminary braking force upon determination that no preceding vehicle can be recognized during the preceding vehicle following control performed in which the preceding vehicle was previously detected. |
| US07647150B2 |
Vehicle attitude control device based on stability factor
A vehicle attitude control device derives a stability factor during turning of a vehicle based on the behavior of the vehicle to take the derivation result as an estimated stability factor (step 112), compares the estimated stability factor with a reference stability factor (steps 114 and 116), varies an attitude control necessary-or-not judgment sensitivity based on the comparison result (steps 118, 130 and 134), and executes the attitude control for the vehicle (step 126). |
| US07647145B2 |
Method for error processing in electronic controllers
A method for error processing in electronic controllers, particularly, in motor vehicles, is provided whereby errors determined on each vehicle start are permanently written in an error memory. On repeated recognition of similar errors, an error counter, provided for the error, is increased. In the case where it is determined that the error counter has reached a pre-determined state on a renewed vehicle start, a special “poor maintenance” is launched, which only permits the start of the monitored function when further tests are carried out and completed. |
| US07647140B2 |
System for aiding the piloting of an aircraft during the approach to a runway with a view to a landing
A system for aiding the piloting of an aircraft during a runway approach includes an information source that provides information relating to the aircraft and its environment. A computation unit determines, with the aid of information provided by the information source, an energy reference profile having a trajectory reference profile and a speed reference profile that allows the aircraft to regain a stabilized approach trajectory, if it follows the reference profile. A monitor verifies that the aircraft is following the reference profile. An indicator supplies the pilot with piloting indications for piloting the aircraft so as to follow the reference profile. |
| US07647137B2 |
Utility demand forecasting using utility demand matrix
One embodiment of the application provides a method of forecasting utility demand of a utility consuming entity for a future time period. The method includes: selecting a utility demand matrix from a set of utility demand matrixes as a function of a future date, wherein the set of utility demand matrixes are classified by type-of-day, and representing a relation of past utility demand of the entity to time-in-day interval and outdoor temperature in the vicinity of the entity during the type-of-day; identifying a utility demand element from the utility demand matrix as a function of a future time-in-day and a known factor (e.g., future outdoor temperature) thereof; and generating a utility demand forecast of the entity for the future time period as a function of the identified utility demand element. |
| US07647136B2 |
Method and apparatus for enhancing operation of a fluid transport pipeline
The present application is directed to an apparatus and method of managing transport of fluid commodities in a pipeline network. The method includes obtaining operational settings, which include equipment settings and measured parameters, associated with a pipeline network as a fluid commodity is transported through the pipeline network. From the operational settings, a recommendation is generated concurrently with the transport of the fluid commodity through the pipeline network to optimize at least one of the operational settings. The recommendation comprises revised equipment settings associated with equipment disposed along the pipeline network. The equipment settings in the recommendation may be based on empirical data from previous experience with the transport of fluid commodities through the pipeline network and/or based on theoretical data from modeling of the transport of the fluid commodity through the pipeline network. |
| US07647133B2 |
Method and apparatus for optimization of cutting lumber
A computer-based method for maximizing the use of lumber in the production of truss members for a truss assembly using a linear feed saw apparatus. The method comprises storing a list of truss members to be cut by the linear feed saw apparatus, selecting from the list a first truss member for cutting, the first member having a trailing end. A second truss member from the list is selected for cutting, the second member having a first end that will nest with the trailing end of the first member. The second member is oriented such that its first end nests with the trailing end of the first member. The members are then cut using the linear feed saw. The nesting members can abut across the entire member width, only across a portion of the member width or at a single point. The nested ends of the first and second members may be bevel cuts. The selecting of a second truss member may comprise comparing the angles of the cuts to be made on the trailing end of the first member to the angles of the cuts to be made on the ends of at least two of the members on the list. The selected member may have an angle to be cut which is supplementary to one of the angles of the trailing end of the first member or which is close fitting with an angle on the trailing end of the first member. The selected member is oriented such that the supplementary or close fitting angle of the selected member is adjacent the corresponding supplementary or close fitting angle of the first member. Orienting the selected member may further comprise rotating the member around its longitudinal axis, its lateral axis or both. |
| US07647131B1 |
Dynamic determination of sampling rates
A system that facilitates determination of a sampling rate to utilize in connection with sampling data in an industrial environment comprises a receiver component that receives data from an I/O port of a controller. An analysis component automatically and dynamically determines a rate at which data associated with the I/O port is to be sampled based at least in part upon the received data. The system can further comprise a sampling component that samples data at the rate determined by the analysis component. |
| US07647128B2 |
Methods, computer-readable media, and data structures for building an authoritative database of digital audio identifier elements and identifying media items
Methods, computer-readable media, and data structures for building an authoritative database of digital audio identifier elements from digital media accessed by clients. The digital media including one or more media items, such as tracks on a CD. The methods, computer-readable media, and data structures further identifying metadata associated with a media item accessed by a client utilizing the authoritative database of digital audio identifier elements. |
| US07647127B2 |
Component data managing method
As preset component data to perform processing on components for signal processing in a mixer engine, data for PC and data for transfer to be transferred to the mixer engine to cause the engine to perform signal processing are stored on the PC side, and data for engine is stored on the mixer engine side. When being directed to upgrade the preset component data on the mixer engine side, the PC compares the ID of each component included in the data for PC stored in the PC with the ID of each component included in the data for engine stored in the mixer engine, and, when detecting an ID existing only in the former, transfers the aforementioned data for transfer on the component corresponding to the ID to the mixer engine and causes the engine to store the data as the data for engine. |
| US07647124B2 |
Delivery catheter
A catheter used to deliver a medical electrical lead to a right atrium of a heart in close proximity to a His bundle. The catheter includes a proximal portion and a distal portion. |
| US07647119B1 |
Distributed compression amplitude mapping for a cochlear stimulation system
An implantable neural stimulation system, such as a cochlear implant system, utilizes a Distributed Compression Amplitude Mapping (DCAM) system to distribute signal compression between a pre-bandpass linear mapping function, and a post-bandpass compressive mapping function. The pre-bandpass linear mapping function is implemented, in one exemplary embodiment, as a traditional audio compressor to prevent distortion that might result from a non-linear mapping function. The post-bandpass compressive mapping function is implemented, in another exemplary embodiment, as a logarithmic transform to reflect natural hearing. As a result of the DCAM processing, the differences in amplitudes of components of the acoustic spectrum are maintained. By maintaining these differences, spectral smearing between channels is reduced and speech clues are preserved. |
| US07647118B1 |
Distributed compression amplitude mapping for a neural stimulation system
An implantable neural stimulation system, such as a cochlear implant system, utilizes a Distributed Compression Amplitude Mapping (DCAM) system to distribute signal compression between a pre-bandpass linear mapping function, and a post-bandpass compressive mapping function. The pre-bandpass linear mapping function is implemented, in one exemplary embodiment, as a traditional audio compressor to prevent distortion that might result from a non-linear mapping function. The post-bandpass compressive mapping function is implemented, in another exemplary embodiment, as a logarithmic transform to reflect natural hearing. As a result of the DCAM processing, the differences in amplitudes of components of the acoustic spectrum are maintained. By maintaining these differences, spectral smearing between channels is reduced and speech clues are preserved. |
| US07647117B2 |
Context-sensitive collection of neurostimulation therapy data
Techniques for collection and management of data relating to neurostimulation therapy involve selection of questions for the user to answer based on the context of the therapy delivered by the neurostimulation device at the time the questions are presented. In this manner, appropriate data may be collected for specific contexts. The techniques may involve storage of answers to the questions with information indicative of the contexts. Information indicative of the contexts may include information relating to the types of neurostimulation therapy requests made by the patient, stimulation settings associated with the neurostimulation therapy, and data and time information. The techniques may be implemented by neurostimulation therapy interface device such as a patient programmer that controls operation of an implanted neurostimulation device. |
| US07647115B2 |
Renal nerve stimulation method and apparatus for treatment of patients
A method and apparatus for treatment of heart failure, hypertension and renal failure by stimulating the renal nerve. The goal of therapy is to reduce sympathetic activity of the renal nerve. Therapy is accomplished by at least partially blocking the nerve with drug infusion or electrostimulation. Apparatus can be permanently implanted or catheter based. |
| US07647114B2 |
Baroreflex modulation based on monitored cardiovascular parameter
An aspect relates to a system for providing baroreflex stimulation. An embodiment of the system comprises a heart rate monitor to sense a heart rate and provide a signal indicative of the heart rate, and a baroreflex stimulator. The stimulator includes a pulse generator to intermittently generate a stimulation signal to provide baroreflex stimulation for a baroreflex therapy, and further includes a modulator to adjust the stimulation signal based on the signal indicative of the heart rate such that the stimulation signal provides a desired baroreflex stimulation corresponding to a desired heart rate. |
| US07647113B2 |
Electrode implantation in male external urinary sphincter
In a method of implanting an electrode of an electronic stimulator device into an external urinary sphincter of a male patient, a first incision is made in the perineum of the patient between the anus and the scrotal-perineal junction. A distal end of a stimulation lead is then fed through the first incision, through the perineal membrane and into the external urinary sphincter. The distal end includes the electrode. In one embodiment of the method, a second incision is made in the abdomen of the patient. In one embodiment, the second incision is made lateral to and cephalad to the pubis bone of the patient. Next, a proximal end of the stimulation lead is fed from the first incision to the second incision. In one embodiment, the proximal end of the stimulation lead is coupled to a control unit of the electronic stimulator device. Electrical signals are generated using the control unit and the electrical signals are delivered to the external urinary sphincter through the stimulation lead and the electrode. |
| US07647107B2 |
Addressing recurrent atrial fibrillation
Techniques for applying overdrive pacing to one or both atria following termination of an AF episode, to prevent a recurrent AF episode. An implantable medical device such as a pacemaker applies overdrive pacing according to overdrive pacing parameters, and sets the parameters as a function of the response of the patient to overdrive pacing. The parameters may be adjusted upward or downward, so that overdrive pacing may be applied effectively but not over-applied. |
| US07647102B2 |
Cardiac contractility modulation device having anti-arrhythmic capabilities and method of operating thereof
A cardiac contractility modulating (CCM) device (30) includes an anti-arrhythmic therapy unit (38) for detecting a cardiac arrhythmia in a heart (2) of a patient based on processing electrical signals related to cardiac activity sensed at the heart, and for delivering anti-arrhythmic therapy to the heart. The device includes a cardiac contractility modulating (CCM) unit (40) capable of delivering cardiac contractility modulating (CCM) signals to the heart for modulating the contractility of a portion of the heart. The device may provide to the anti-arrhythmic therapy unit control signals associated with the delivery of the CCM signals to the heart. The control signals may be used to prevent interference of the CCM signals with the detecting of the cardiac arrhythmia. The device (30) includes a power source. The device may be an implantable device or a non-implantable device. The device may also include a pacing unit. |
| US07647101B2 |
Physical conditioning system, device and method
Various system embodiments comprise a neural stimulator and a controller. The neural stimulator is adapted to generate a stimulation signal adapted to elicit sympathetic activity at a neural target. The controller is adapted to control the neural stimulator to provide a physical conditioning therapy. The controller is adapted to control the neural stimulator to intermittently elicit sympathetic activity at the neural target. Other aspects and embodiments are provided herein. |
| US07647099B2 |
Controlled release transdermal drug delivery
Provided herein is a device for controlling the release of a substance at a site of interest in a biological membrane comprising a means of monitoring a physiological state at the site of interest; and a means of releasing a variable amount of the substance to the site of interest where the amount varies in response to the status of the monitored physiological state. Also provided are methods of using the device. |
| US07647094B2 |
Method for deriving standard 12-lead electrocardiogram, and electrocardiograph using the same
In order to derive a standard 12-lead electrocardiogram, ones of limb leads and chest leads which constitute a lead system for the standard 12-lead electrocardiogram using 10 electrodes are selected. Electrocardiographic waveforms corresponding to the selected ones of the limb leads and the chest leads are obtained, as measured electrocardiographic waveforms, with electrodes attached on a living body. Electrocardiographic waveforms corresponding to a remaining ones of the limb leads and the chest leads are calculated, as non-measured electrocardiographic waveforms, with a prescribed transformation matrix and the measured electrocardiographic waveforms. |
| US07647091B2 |
Method and system for free space optical tomography of diffuse media
A method and a system for free space optical tomography provides one or more light source and one or more light sensors spaced, which in one embodiment are spaced apart from and object to be imaged. A surface capture system coupled to a variety of optical models provides the method and system with the ability to render accurate tomographic images though the light has propagated both through a diffuse medium and, in on embodiment, also through free space to the one or more light sensors. |
| US07647090B1 |
In-vivo sensing device and method for producing same
An in-vivo sensing device may include, for example, an in-vivo sensing module attached to a functional module. The in-vivo sensing module may include, for example, an in-vivo imager or sensor. The functional module may include, for example, a power source, a transmitter, or other components. |
| US07647088B2 |
Reconstruction method for images of the beating heart
Projection views of the moving heart and stationary background tissues are acquired and processed to provide corresponding moving tissue projection views. An average image is reconstructed in a conventional manner and a moving tissue image is reconstructed using a highly constrained backprojection method and a composite image formed from selected moving tissue projection views. The average image is then combined with the moving tissue image. The method is disclosed in a cardiac gated MRI scan. |
| US07647085B2 |
Method of and apparatus for investigating tissue histology
Apparatus for monitoring the presence of one or more chromophores in a tissue sample, comprises a light source for projecting light to illuminate an area of such tissue sample, a photo-receptor for receiving light remitted by the illuminated area of tissue, and spectroscopic analyzer means for monitoring the remitted light, a comparator having means for comparing variations in the intensity and spectral characteristics of the remitted light with respect to the intensity and spectral characteristics of the projected light at different wavelengths and with a record of the intensity and spectral characteristics of light remitted by a reference sample of such tissue and means for emitting a control signal in response to any such variations. Methods of analyzing tissue histology, especially skin histology, are discussed, and a mathematical model is proposed for the analysis and comparison of the remitted light with a reference sample. |
| US07647084B2 |
Medical sensor and technique for using the same
A sensor assembly is provided that includes a skeletal frame comprising a loop structure. The sensor assembly includes at least one physiological sensor attached to the loop structure. A coating is provided over the skeletal frame and the at least one physiological sensor to form a sensor assembly. The sensor may be placed on a patient's finger, toe, and so forth to obtain pulse oximetry or other physiological measurements. Methods of manufacturing the sensor and sensor body and of applying the sensor are also provided. |
| US07647082B2 |
Cover for portable device
The invention relates to a cover for a portable device (10) comprising: a main body (2) with resilient parts, an opening (3) provided in a resilient part (8) for insertion and removal of the portable device (10); and a releasable cap (1) shaped and configured to close the opening (3) and fit over at least a part of the resilient part (8) surrounding the opening (3). |
| US07647081B2 |
Electronic device sliding mechanism
The invention relates to a sliding mechanism and in particular to a sliding mechanism for an electronic device. The sliding mechanism comprises a first part and a second part, the first and second parts being slidably movable relative to one another between a first configuration and a second configuration; the first and second parts including respective first and second magnetic elements, the magnetic elements being arranged to attract one another to bias the first and second parts towards the first configuration. |
| US07647078B2 |
Power-saving method for wireless sensor network
A power-saving method of wireless communication device, which operates a sleep mode for minimizing power consumption except for an active mode for communication, initializes a sleep probability upon the device being turned on, operates the active mode for communication with starting an active mode timer, transits to the sleep mode when there is no packet to transmit or receive before the active mode timer expires; and determines an exit from the sleep mode on the basis of the sleep probability. |
| US07647070B2 |
Method and apparatus for disabling the RF functionality of a multi-function wireless communication device while maintaining access to local functionality
A method and apparatus for disabling the communication functionality (i.e., disabling the transmission and/or reception of RF signals) of an integrated device, while still providing access to the local functionality of such device. A control and select function, such as a switch that is implemented by hardware or software or a combination thereof, is provided in an integrated device to allow the end user of the device to access the local data processing functionality of the device, even while the wireless communication functionality of such device is disabled. |
| US07647069B2 |
Single oscillator DSSS and OFDM radio receiver
A transmitter and/or receiver includes a single crystal clock oscillator circuit and a sample rate converter (SRC) that selectively generates samples at an alternative frequency for subsequent transmission or decoding. A 40 MHz crystal provides the clock signal for the digital-to-analog and analog-to-digital converters that are used to convert the samples to and from analog form. In an IEEE 802.11-compatible embodiment, the 802.11a compatible 20 MHz OFDM samples are converted to and from analog form directly, whereas a sample rate converter converts the 802.11b compatible 22 MHz DSSS samples to and from 40 MHz samples to provide compatibility with the 40 MHz analog conversions. |
| US07647064B2 |
Mobile communications system and control technique thereof
Each mobile terminal and/or radio base station determines whether a radio base station transmits radio waves of excessive power. Based on determination results obtained by a plurality of mobile terminals and/or radio base stations, a radio-system management server determines whether a certain radio base station transmits radio waves of excessive power. When the certain radio base station transmits radio waves of excessive power, the radio-system management server instructs the certain radio base station to forcefully stop its radio transmission by transmitting a forced transmission-stop control message to the radio network controller that controls the certain radio base station. |
| US07647059B2 |
Communication system
A communication system in which circuits for generating transmitting-end synchronizing signals and receiving-end synchronizing signals can be realized easily even in the case of a data transmission rate being high and in which power consumption is low. A transmitting-end synchronizing signal selector in a transmitter selects one of a plurality of transmitting-end synchronizing signals with different phases outputted from a transmitting-end synchronizing signal generator on the basis of code-spread data to be transmitted. A transmitting-end signal output unit outputs a radio signal in synchronization with the selected transmitting-end synchronizing signal. A receiving-end synchronizing signal selector in a receiver selects one of a plurality of receiving-end synchronizing signals which are outputted from a receiving-end synchronizing signal generator and which are the same as the plurality of transmitting-end synchronizing signals on the basis of a despreading code. A receiving-end signal output unit outputs a correlation-detected signal which is synchronized with the selected receiving-end synchronizing signal and with which the correlation of the radio signal is detected. A correlator detects a correlation between the radio signal transmitted from the transmitter and the correlation-detected signal. |
| US07647057B2 |
System and method for brokering mobile service providers
The present invention comprises a method and system for dispatching a plurality of mobile service providers among a plurality of users (stationary) based on proximity of a user to a particular mobile service provider. One or more representations of proximity will be presented to a user on a map by the system and the system computes offers based on proximity. |
| US07647056B2 |
System and method for brokering mobile service providers
The present invention comprises a method and system for dispatching a plurality of mobile service providers among a plurality of users (stationary) based on proximity of a user to a particular mobile service provider. One or more representations of proximity will be presented to a user on a map (radar screen) by the system and the system computes offers based on proximity. |
| US07647051B2 |
Call re-routing upon cell phone docking
A method and apparatus are provided for call setup in a communication network that comprises at least one mobile station to facilitate the hand-off of a wireless headset from a mobile station that has been docked to a landline base unit that includes a radio front end operable to communicate with the wireless headset. Generally, the embodiments of the invention include establishing a first voice path through at least one switching element between a calling party and a called party in a communication network where at least one of the called and calling parties is communicating with the mobile station or, more generally, with a wireless telephone. Thereafter, a first wireless headset communication link is established between the wireless telephone and the wireless headset unit. |
| US07647047B2 |
Consumer configurable mobile communication solution
Consumer configurable mobile communications solution enabling policy-enforcement services allowing authorized users to define, manage and enforce restrictions for voice, data, and mobile Web services of a secondary mobile device. |
| US07647041B2 |
Systems, methods, and apparatus to enable backup wireless devices
Systems, methods, and apparatus are disclosed to enable backup wireless devices. An example method disclosed herein includes receiving a first activation code from a first wireless device, comparing the first activation code associated with the first wireless device with a first activation code in a database, activating the first wireless device when the first activation code associated with the first wireless device matches the first activation code in the database, and when a second wireless device is active, deactivating the second wireless device in response to receipt of the first activation code associated with the first wireless device. |
| US07647038B2 |
Dynamic selection and scheduling of radio frequency communications
A method of delivering data from a source to a remote device is disclosed. The method of delivering data from a source to a remote device includes a network node, different from the source, developing a schedule for delivery of the data to the remote device based on scheduling parameters including an available RF spectrum of, a plurality of regional broadcast stations, the network node selecting a frequency and a particular one of the plurality of regional broadcast stations from among a set of available frequencies of the plurality of regional broadcast stations, communicating the data and the selected frequency to the particular one of the plurality of regional broadcast stations in accordance with the schedule, and the regional broadcast station broadcasting the data, in accordance with the schedule, via radio waves. |
| US07647036B2 |
Security group management system
A security group management system includes a cellular mobile station (2), two or more devices (3) belonging to a group, and a group management server (1). The group management server comprises a storage unit (11, 13) configured to store information about the cellular mobile station registered by a member of the group and group information about the group in advance; and a group information providing unit (16) configured to supply the group information in response only to an access from the registered cellular mobile station. The cellular mobile station has a group information transmission unit (23) configured to supply the group information to the devices so as to allow the devices to recognize that the devices belong to the group and to perform secure mutual connection and/or resource sharing among the devices. |
| US07647034B2 |
Design support system and design method for circuit board, and noise analysis program
A design support system for circuit board includes: a noise source extracting unit for extracting a source of unwanted radiation noise which is generated from a circuit board mounted on an electronic equipment; a noise characteristics input unit for inputting noise characteristics of the unwanted radiation noise which is emitted by the extracted noise source; a noise attenuation ratio input unit for inputting an attenuation ratio of the unwanted radiation noise which is emitted by the noise source and propagated to a feed point of an antenna; a correlation value calculation unit for calculating a correlation value between the noise characteristics and the attenuation ratio of the unwanted radiation noise; and a comparator unit for comparing the calculated correlation value with a predetermined allowable value, whereby avoiding malfunction of an electronic equipment due to interference of unwanted radiation noises generated from the particular electronic equipment into the circuit board via the antenna. |
| US07647032B2 |
Oscillation control device and synchronization system
An oscillation control device for controlling a frequency of an oscillator located at the remote site from a standard laboratory having a standard oscillator. The control device includes: a comparison section to compare a frequency of the frequency signal synchronized with a radio signal produced by a signal processing section with a frequency of a oscillation signal outputted from an oscillator to be controlled, an acquisition section to obtain, through a communication network, a comparison result which is obtained by a comparison of a frequency of the standard oscillator held by the standard laboratory and a frequency of the radio signal, a calculation section to calculate deviation between the frequency of the oscillator to be controlled and the frequency of the standard oscillator based on their comparison, and a control section to control the frequency of the oscillator to be controlled, based on the deviation calculated. |
| US07647030B2 |
Multiple input single output (MISO) amplifier with circuit branch output tracking
Methods and systems for vector combining power amplification are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a plurality of signals are individually amplified, then summed to form a desired time-varying complex envelope signal. Phase and/or frequency characteristics of one or more of the signals are controlled to provide the desired phase, frequency, and/or amplitude characteristics of the desired time-varying complex envelope signal. In another embodiment, a time-varying complex envelope signal is decomposed into a plurality of constant envelope constituent signals. The constituent signals are amplified equally or substantially equally, and then summed to construct an amplified version of the original time-varying envelope signal. Embodiments also perform frequency up-conversion. |
| US07647029B2 |
Controller-assisted method and controller-assisted device for determining a characteristic of a compensation member in a level control circuit
In a controller-assisted device for determining a characteristic of a compensation element in a level control circuit, the compensation element is serially mounted inside the level control circuit for a high-frequency signal (S |
| US07647025B2 |
Method for adaptively controlling and coordinating other cell interference
Disclosed is a method, and system thereof, for controlling other-cell interference by adjusting a transmit power parameter for mobile stations in neighboring cells in order to create, within a serving cell, a low interference zone associated with a set of sub-carriers which may be used by edge mobile stations within the serving cell. Rather than restricting the neighboring cells from using the set of sub-carriers associated with the low interference zone, the goal is to reduce the amount of other-cell interference the mobile stations in the neighboring cells can produce with respect to the low interference zone in the serving cell. |
| US07647023B2 |
Frequency separation for multiple bluetooth devices residing on a single platform
A method for frequency separation for multiple Bluetooth communication devices on a single platform may comprise determining initial frequencies to be utilized by a plurality of Bluetooth communication devices residing on a single host device. A first portion of the determined initial frequencies may be assigned to a first of the plurality of Bluetooth communication devices. At least a second portion of the determined initial frequencies selected from a remaining portion of the determined initial frequencies may be assigned to at least a second of the plurality of Bluetooth devices. Determination may be made based on those determined initial frequencies that have been interfered with by other wireless communication devices. At least a portion of these frequencies that have been interfered with may be eliminated from the determined initial frequencies. The eliminating may be done dynamically and the determined initial frequencies may be re-assigned based on the eliminating. |
| US07647022B2 |
Methods and systems for proximity communication
Methods and systems to provide proximity based communication between users of proximity communication devices (“PCD”). A localized communication network is established by peer-to-peer communication between PCDs. Each PCD communicates with other PCDs in a localized, peer-to-peer network structure. Each PCD is identified to other PCDs in its own localized area by its geographical position (i.e., its relative proximity to each other PCD). A user may therefore establish communications with another user based upon the other user's proximity or location relative to the first user's PCD rather than a fixed ID code such as a phone number or address. No centralized server or telephony network system is required for each PCD to communicate with another PCD. Well known protocols for call connection may be adapted for use in establishing, operating, and terminating connections between PCDs. |
| US07647016B2 |
Fixing device and image forming apparatus using the same
A fixing device, includes: a heating member that rotates in a state heated by a heating unit; a driven member that is rotated by the heating member, and that conveys a sheet in cooperation with the heating member; a biasing unit that biases the heating member and the driven member in a contacting direction; a contact area forming member that forms a contact area of the heating member and the driven member by making the heating member and the driven member come in contact with each other; a support member that supports at least one of the heating member and the driven member so as to be freely moved in a direction approaching and separated with respect to the other member; and a fulcrum that is arranged in a downstream side of the contact area in a sheet conveying direction, and that movably supports the support member. |
| US07647014B2 |
Pretransfer charging device and image forming apparatus including same
The present invention is made to provide a pretransfer charging device, which allows (i) reduction of generation of discharge products such as ozone and nitroxide, (ii) excellent uniform charging, (iii) continuous stable charging for a long period of time, and (iv) restraint of distortion of a toner image. The pretransfer charging device includes (i) ion generation needles each provided face to face with an image carrier such as a photoconductor drum or an intermediating transfer belt, and (ii) a high-voltage power supply for applying a negative voltage to each of the ion generation needles. The voltage to be applied from the high-voltage power supply is not less than an ion production threshold voltage but is less than a corona discharge threshold voltage. With this, no corona discharge occurs but negative ions can be generated. This makes it possible to solve various problems caused due to the corona discharge. |
| US07647013B2 |
Image forming apparatus including developer electric field transport apparatus
A toner supply apparatus 6 is configured to be able to supply a charged toner T to a latent image forming surface LS of a photoconductor drum 3. The toner supply apparatus 6 houses a toner electric field transport body 62. The toner electric field transport body 62 has first portions and second portions which differ in toner T transport force. The first portions and the second portions differ in structural feature, such as relative dielectric constant or thickness. By means of such a structural difference, the state of transport of the toner T on the toner transport surface TTS is appropriately set. |
| US07647012B2 |
Sealing member, toner accommodating container and image forming apparatus
A toner container detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus, includes a main body for containing toner; a sealing portion for sealing the toner discharge opening; locking projections for snap fitting engagement with holes provided in a cylindrical member of an image forming apparatus, wherein the projections receive from the cylindrical member unsealing forces for unsealing the toner discharge opening by a relative movement between the sealing portion and the toner container, wherein a number of the locking projections is larger than a number of ribs provided between the holes of the cylindrical member. |
| US07647009B2 |
Developing apparatus for stirring and supplying developer uniformly to a developing roller
A developing apparatus having agitating/supplying section which is capable of providing enhanced developer stirrability and supplying a developer to a developing roller uniformly in its lengthwise direction is provided. The developing apparatus installed in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes an agitating/supplying section composed of: a rotary shaft member which is made rotatable about its rotation axis; a plurality of blade support members disposed intersectionally with respect to the rotation axis of the rotary shaft member; and a plurality of blade members formed between respective adjacent blade support members so as to be arranged around the rotation axis of the rotary shaft member and extend in a direction of the rotation axis. |
| US07647007B2 |
Imaging cartridge drive with an internal ramp
Provided is an improved drive mechanism for an imaging machine. At least one internal ramp radiates from the center of the drive dog whereby a tooth of the imaging machine drive mechanism is centered and directed into the drive dog seat. The leading edge of the drive dog seat contacts the base of the imaging machine drive mechanism thus making full contact between the drive dog seat and the imaging machine drive mechanism tooth. |
| US07646998B2 |
Image forming apparatus, fixing device and fixing device control method
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit to form a developer image on a medium, a heating body to heat the developer image formed on the medium, a heat source provided in the heating body to heat the heating body, and a pressing body arranged opposite to the heating body to permit the medium to pass between the pressing body and the heating body, thereby pressurizing the developer image. The image forming apparatus further includes a controller to drive the heat source, even if the heating body is heated from the room temperature state, and the temperature of the heating body rises higher than the fixing temperature, and then the temperature of the heating body is higher than the fixing temperature. |
| US07646996B2 |
Image forming apparatus and control method thereof
An image forming apparatus is provided with an image formation portion, a measuring portion and a determination portion. The image formation portion forms an image on an image carrier. The measuring portion measures image formation ability associated with resolution of the image formation portion. The determination portion determines operating condition of the image formation portion according to the measured image formation ability and size of a component image constituting a code pattern image to be formed by the image formation portion. The code pattern image is constituted by a combination of a plurality of the component image having a predetermined shape. The code pattern image is code information expressed as a pattern image. |
| US07646993B2 |
Method and control device for displaying diagnosis data of a printer or copier
In a method for outputting data of a diagnosis data stream of a printer or copier, the diagnosis data stream comprises first data of a first data type and at least second data of the second data type, the first data and the second data each including structure date and use data corresponding to the respective data type. The diagnosis data stream is supplied to an evaluation program of an evaluation unit for evaluating the first and the second data. The structured data of the first data is analyzed with aid of the evaluation program, a first identification which is characteristic of the first data type being determined. Upon the determination of the first identification, selecting a first evaluation instruction from a plurality of evaluation instructions with aid of the evaluation program and loading it, the use data of the first data being evaluated with aid of the first evaluation instruction. With aid of the evaluation program it is verified whether the evaluated first data include further data areas comprising the second data which can be evaluated with aid of a further second evaluation instruction which can be selected from the plurality of evaluation instructions. The second data is analyzed with aid of the evaluation program, a second identification which is characteristic of the second data type being determined. Upon the determination of the second identification, the second evaluation instruction is selected from said plurality of evaluation instructions with aid of the evaluation program and loading it. The second data is evaluated and output with aid of the second evaluation instruction. |
| US07646990B2 |
Circuit for detecting optical failures in a passive optical network
A circuit for detecting optical failures in a passive optical network (PON) wherein digital burst data transmitted by an optical transmitter is monitored by a photodiode, includes a power determination unit coupled to the photodiode for providing measurements of an output optical power of a high logic level and a low logic level of the digital burst data during ON times of the optical transmitter and for providing a measurement of an output optical power during OFF times of the optical transmitter. A logic unit coupled to the power determination unit is responsive to the measurements for generating control and calibration signals. Such a circuit may be used for detecting rogue optical network unit (ONU) failure or eye safety hazards in a passive optical network (PON) wherein digital burst data transmitted by an optical transmitter is monitored by a photodiode. |
| US07646985B2 |
Optical clock signal extraction device and optical clock signal extraction method
The present invention is an optical clock signal extraction device, comprising first conversion means and second conversion means for enabling to extract an optical clock signal without depending on the polarization direction of an input optical signal. The first conversion means comprises a first optical converter and a continuous wave light source of which wavelength is λ2, where an input optical signal of which wavelength is λ1 and continuous wave light of which wavelength is λ2 are input to the first optical converter, and an intermediate optical signal of which wavelength is λ2 is generated and output without depending on the polarization direction of the input optical signal. The second conversion means has a second optical converter, where the intermediate optical signal is input to the second optical converter, and an optical clock signal of which wavelength is λ3 is generated and output by the passive mode locking operation of the second optical converter. The input optical signal is input from the end face L1 of the first optical converter, and the continuous wave light of which wavelength is λ2 is input to the first optical converter from the other end face of the first optical converter. The intermediate optical signal is output from the end face of the first optical converter and input to the end face of the second optical converter. The optical clock signal is output from the other end face of the second optical converter. |
| US07646975B2 |
Imaging apparatus
An imaging apparatus includes an exterior ease to which a lens device is attached, a base plate supported in the vicinity of an objective lens of the lens device, a flashlight device pivotally connected to the base plate and capable of moving between a pop-up position and a storage position through a turning arm, a spring device that makes the flashlight device pop up to be urged to the pop-up position with the spring device in contact with the base plate and the flashlight device and a holding device for holding the flashlight device in the storage position with the holding device fixedly connected to the base plate and releasably connected to the flashlight device in the storage position. The pop-up angle of the flashlight device is set at 20 degrees or less and a light emitting portion faces the front of a subject in the pop-up position. |
| US07646973B2 |
Combination flashlight and camera system
An improved method and apparatus for hand-held portable illumination, sensing and evidence collection is described. A uniquely configured multi-functional device selectively provides multi-purpose lighting and sensing in a hand-held portable device which is usable as a flashlight, camera and as an integrated device for evidence collection. |
| US07646971B2 |
Assist light illuminance control
A system receives an input with a light sensor of a device, determines a luminance of a subject based on the received input, and adjusts an output of an assist light of the device based on the determined luminance. |
| US07646965B2 |
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. |
| US07646964B2 |
Reproduction apparatus connected to a monitor apparatus and remote controlling method thereof
A reproduction apparatus and a monitor apparatus are interconnected by one cable connector, which transmits an image and/or audio signal, a first control signal, and a power signal between the reproduction apparatus and the monitor apparatus. A controller in the monitor apparatus generates the first control signal to control the reproduction apparatus and generates a second control signal to control an output unit in the monitor apparatus. The output unit outputs the image and/or the audio signal from the reproduction apparatus as a visual and/or auditory signal in response to the second control signal. A power unit receives the power signal from the reproduction apparatus and supplies power to each component of the monitor apparatus. Thus, the reproduction apparatus and the monitor apparatus can be driven through the monitor apparatus using one remote controller. Similarly, the reproduction apparatus and the monitor apparatus can be driven through the reproduction apparatus using the remote controller. |
| US07646962B1 |
System and methods for recording and playing back programs having desirable recording attributes
Systems and methods for recording multiple copies of a program are provided. The method may include receiving a user instruction to record a program. A determination may be made to record multiple copies of the program. In response to the determination, multiple copies of the program may be recorded. A user instruction to display the recorded program may be received. A copy of the program may be played back. The user may switch to another copy of the recorded program if the original copy lacks desirable recording attributes, or the interactive television application may automatically switch to another copy of the program. |
| US07646958B1 |
Fiber distribution hub with half-loop pigtail storage
A method for configuring an enclosure used in a communications network is described. The method may include providing a group of pigtails. The method may further include routing the group of pigtails circumferentially around a subscriber termination field, where the group of pigtails is associated with an optical splitter module used to convey optical signals to a destination, and where the routing is performed in a manner that does not substantially obstruct access to at least one of a group of subscriber terminations that are associated with the subscriber termination field. |
| US07646957B2 |
Multiple-core planar optical waveguides and methods of fabrication and use thereof
A multiple-core optical waveguide comprises: a substrate; lower and upper waveguide core layers; a waveguide core between the upper and lower waveguide core layers; upper and lower cladding; and middle cladding between the upper and lower waveguide core layers substantially surrounding the waveguide core. Each of the lower, middle, and upper claddings has a refractive index less than refractive indices of the lower waveguide core layer, the upper waveguide core layer, and the waveguide core. Along at least a given portion of the optical waveguide, the upper and lower waveguide core layers extend bilaterally substantially beyond the lateral extent of a propagating optical mode supported by the optical waveguide, the lateral extent of the supported optical mode being determined at least in part by the width of the waveguide core along the given portion of the optical waveguide. |
| US07646956B2 |
Optical waveguide sheet and manufacturing method thereof
An optical waveguide sheet that has an auxiliary layer for preventing light transmitted through the waveguide sheet from leaking or being lost and a manufacturing method thereof. The waveguide sheet transmits light from a light emitting element thereinto, and has a reflecting pattern for reflecting light forward. At least one auxiliary layer for providing a total reflection condition for preventing the light from leaking or being lost when the light is transmitted into the waveguide sheet is coated on the waveguide sheet. |
| US07646949B2 |
Efficient transfer of light signals between optical devices
An optical device includes a waveguide immobilized on a base. The device includes a port configured to receive light signals from the waveguide such that the light signals travel through the port. The light signals enter the port traveling in a first direction. The port is configured to change the direction of the light signals from the first direction to a second direction that is toward a location above the device or below the device. The device also includes a wedge configured to receive the light signals from the port such that the light signals travel through the wedge and then exit the wedge traveling in a direction that is at an angle in a range of 88° to 92° relative to the device and that is toward a location above or below the device. |
| US07646947B2 |
Optical switch
An optical switch including an alignment head, a first fiber, a second fiber, a third fiber, a wedge, and a displacing means is provided. The alignment head has a base and a cover. The base has a first V-groove, a second V-groove, and a trench linked to the first and the second V-grooves. An end of the first fiber and that of the second fiber are mounted in the first and the second V-grooves, respectively. The cover is mounted on the base to secure the ends of the first and the second fibers. An end of the third fiber located in the trench is aligned to that of the first fiber. The wedge located beside the base has an incline. The displacing means set under the wedge is capable of aligning the end of the third fiber to that of the second fiber by moving the wedge. |
| US07646943B1 |
Optical waveguides in image sensors
An embodiment relates to an image sensor comprising (a) a optical pipe comprising a core and a cladding, and (b) a pair of photosensitive elements comprising a central photosensitive element and a peripheral photosensitive element, wherein the central photosensitive element is operably coupled to the core and the peripheral photosensitive element is operably coupled to the cladding, and methods of fabricating and using the same. The image sensor could further comprise a lens structure or an optical coupler or an optical coupler over the optical pipe, wherein the lens structure or the optical coupler or the optical coupler is operably coupled to the optical pipe. |
| US07646933B2 |
Puzzle machine and method of operating same
A method and apparatus for producing a customized jigsaw puzzle is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an image capturing mechanism, such as a camera, that captures one or more images of one or more individuals, animals, or objects or combinations of these posed against a background. A computer that is linked to the mechanism and to a printer is programmed to print an image on flexible sheets having a printable surface. Then a press, having a platen carrying a jigsaw puzzle cutting die, when activated uses pressure to laminate together the flexible sheet bearing the printed image and a foam sheet thicker and more rigid than he flexible sheets, setting pressure responsive adhesive material used as a binder to form a laminated product, and substantially simultaneously to cut the laminated product into jigsaw puzzle pieces. |
| US07646932B1 |
Merging images to form a panoramic image
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, for merging images of segments of a view. Methods include: receiving, from a network, a first image representing a first segment of the view and a second image representing a second segment of the view; determining the position of the second segment of the view relative to the first segment of the view; blending the first image with the second image based on the determined position of the second segment relative to the first segment to form a panoramic image of the view; and transmitting the panoramic image over the network. |
| US07646929B2 |
Signal-transmitting system, data-transmitting apparatus and data-receiving apparatus
In the data-transmitting apparatus, the image-comparing circuit compares, when a request for updating the image displayed is made, the image data item being input, with the image data item stored in the memories, which represents the preceding frame. The circuit therefore calculates the difference between the image data items compared. If the difference thus calculated by the image-comparing circuit is smaller than a prescribed value (if No in Step S1), the transmission-region data processing circuit generates, from the difference of the image data, the data that represents that part of the image data which corresponds to a region to be transmitted, and the data that represents this region. These data items generated by the circuit are transmitted. If the difference thus calculated is equal to or greater than the prescribed value (if Yes in Step S1), the coarse-image data processing circuit generates coarse image data, which is transmitted. Next, the high-precision image data processing circuit transmits full-size image data (Step S4). |
| US07646928B2 |
Image display control apparatus, image display apparatus, image displaying method and program thereof
An image display control apparatus for controlling a display to display an image on the basis of coded data of an input image encoded layer by layer in a plurality of layers, includes: a decoder that decodes coded data of parts of layers composing an input image to image data; and a controller that controls a display to display image elements on the basis of the image data decoded by the decoder. |
| US07646927B2 |
Image processing and display scheme for rendering an image at high speed
An image processing apparatus includes: a block decompression unit that decompresses, block by block, a compressed code formed of a plurality of blocks into which image data is divided, where the compressed code is encoded block by block; and a rendering control unit that causes a code to be decompressed and rendered on a display unit, where the code corresponds to at least one of the blocks which one is renderable in the rendering region of the display unit. |
| US07646924B2 |
Method and apparatus for compressed sensing
Method and apparatus for compressed sensing yields acceptable quality reconstructions of an object from reduced numbers of measurements. A component x of a signal or image is represented as a vector having m entries. Measurements y, comprising a vector with n entries, where n is less than m, are made. An approximate reconstruction of the m-vector x is made from y. Special measurement matrices allow measurements y=Ax+z, where y is the measured m-vector, x the desired n-vector and z an m-vector representing noise. “A” is an n by m matrix, i.e. an array with fewer rows than columns. “A” enables delivery of an approximate reconstruction, x#, of x. An embodiment discloses approximate reconstruction of x from the reduced-dimensionality measurement y. Given y, and the matrix A, x# of x is possible. This embodiment is driven by the goal of promoting the approximate sparsity of x#. |
| US07646923B2 |
Method and apparatus for compressing a stream of video data
A method of and apparatus for compressing a stream of data, such as video data, is disclosed. First, data in the video stream are classified in accordance with their values. Data with values equal to zero are classified in a first class. Data with values less than a predetermined positive number but greater than a predetermined negative number, and not equal to zero, are classified in a second class. All other data are classified in a third class. Data in the first class is compressed using a run length encoding technique. Data in the second class is compressed by reducing the size of the data value and by adding a constant. Data in the third class is not compressed, but is modified by adding a constant. The data can be decompressed by determining the class of the compressed value and reversing the compression process. The compression method disclosed is easy to implement and results in a significant reduction in the amount of data that needs to be transmitted. |
| US07646922B2 |
Object classification in video images
A combination of inter-frame and intra-frame and sequential classification methods provide for robust and flexible object classification. Intra-frame classification determines the object type based on features extracted from a single image. Inter-frame classification determines object types based on the features extracted from several sequential frames. A sequential classification combines the results of the inter- and intra-frame classifications over a sequence of images. |
| US07646921B2 |
High resolution replication of document based on shape clustering
Techniques for shape clustering and applications in processing various documents, including an output of an optical character recognition (OCR) process. |
| US07646919B2 |
Graphics engine for high precision lithography
The present invention includes a method to use a phase modulating micromirror array to create an intensity image that has high image fidelity, good stability through focus and good x-y symmetry. Particular aspects of the present invention are described in the claims, specification and drawings. |
| US07646917B2 |
Method and apparatus for detecting corner
A method of detecting a corner, and an apparatus to perform the method, the method including acquiring a visible light image and an infrared image of a spatial area of interest; and extracting corner information of the spatial area of interest using the acquired visible light image and the acquired infrared image. |
| US07646910B1 |
Digital video camera non-integer-ratio Bayer domain scaler
A method for processing a digital image is disclosed. The method includes the steps of (A) receiving the digital image, the digital image having (i) a Bayer color representation and (ii) two initial dimensions in a horizontal direction and a vertical direction respectively and (B) generating a resample image by down-sampling the digital image in the Bayer color representation such that (i) the resample image has two resample dimensions, (ii) at least one of the resample dimensions is smaller than a respective at least one of the initial dimensions and (iii) the respective at least one initial dimension is a non-integer multiple of the at least one resample dimension. |
| US07646909B2 |
Method and system for constructing a 3D representation of a face from a 2D representation
A method and system for generating 3D images of faces from 2D images, for generating 2D images of the faces at different image conditions from the 3D images, and for recognizing a 2D image of a target face based on the generated 2D images is provided. The recognition system provides a 3D model of a face that includes a 3D image of a standard face under a standard image condition and parameters indicating variations of an individual face from the standard face. To generate the 3D image of a face, the recognition system inputs a 2D image of the face under a standard image condition. The recognition system then calculates parameters that map the points of the 2D image to the corresponding points of a 2D image of the standard face. The recognition system uses these parameters with the 3D model to generate 3D images of the face at different image conditions. |
| US07646908B2 |
Defect detection apparatus and defect detection method
A defect detection apparatus (1) comprises an image pickup part (3) for picking up an image of a substrate (9) to acquire a grayscale target image, from which pixel values of the target image are sequentially outputted to a defect detector (43). The defect detector (43) compares the target image with a reference image to generate a defect region image representing regions of defects included in a plurality of predetermined inspection regions, to be stored in a defect region image memory (44). A computer (5) obtains an area and a barycentric position of each of the defects in the defect region image to specify an inspection region including the defect and performs limitation (i.e., selection) of defects on the basis of a defect detection condition set for each inspection region on the area of defect. It is possible to detect defects with high efficiency by using a defect detection condition on a different area of defect for each inspection region. |
| US07646907B2 |
Stereoscopic image generating device and stereoscopic image delivery method
When “0” indicating that intensity of a stereoscopic effect is the lowest is applied as a stereoscopic effect tag, a stereoscopic image is allowed to be displayed as it is. On the other hand, when “1, 2, and 3” are applied as the stereoscopic effect tag, a reduction ratio is determined depending on a value of the stereoscopic effect tag (one-half, one-third, etc.). On the basis of this reduction ratio, the stereoscopic image is displayed and letters of “warning” are displayed. A user selects whether to display the stereoscopic image according to a producer's intention or to maintain the size-reduced stereoscopic image. If an operation requiring for a display of the stereoscopic image as it is intended by the producer is performed, an original stereoscopic image is displayed. |
| US07646900B2 |
Device and method for generating a three dimensional vascular model
The invention relates to a method for the reconstruction of a three-dimensional model of a vascular tree from two-dimensional X-ray projection images (A, B, C) that are taken from different spatial directions. On a first projection image (A) at least one reference point (CA) is specified. The gray-value profiles along the epipolar lines (EB, EC) for said reference point (CA) in other projection images (B, C) are then projected on the projection line (L) of the reference point (CA) and added there punctiformly to form a sum profile (S). The sum profile (S) has an extreme, for example, a gray-value minimum, at the position of the space point (C3D) belonging to the reference point (CA). In this way, it is possible to reconstruct semiautomatically a vascular tree from X-ray projections. |
| US07646899B2 |
Apparatus and methods of determining marker orientation in fiducial registration
A method for determining an orientation of a base (130) to which a fiducial marker (110) is detachably mounted. The method includes the steps of determining the axis of symmetry for the fiducial marker and choosing the determined axis of symmetry of the fiducial marker (110) as the axis of symmetry of the base (130). |
| US07646897B2 |
Apparatus and method of input and finger print recognition on a handheld electronic device
An apparatus for input and fingerprint recognition comprises a touch surface, and a data processor coupled to the touch surface. The touch surface comprises a first region and a second region. The second region is distinct from and coplanar with the first region and occupies a minor portion of a total surface area of the touch surface. The data processor is configured to selectively operate the touch surface in a touch input mode or a fingerprint detection mode. In the touch input mode, the data processor is configured to operate the second region at a first resolution comparable to that of the first region to detect a touch input anywhere on the touch surface. In the fingerprint detection mode, the data processor is configured to operate the second region at a higher resolution than the first resolution to detect a fingerprint on the second region. |
| US07646896B2 |
Apparatus and method for performing enrollment of user biometric information
A device for user enrollment is adapted to capture an image of a pattern projected on a target and distorted on the three-dimensional (3D) surface of the target, such as a human face, and an image of a two-dimensional (2D) surface of the target. The device can include an illumination unit adapted to project a patterned light onto the surface of the target in an invisible light wavelength, a 3D image capturing device to capture an image of a pattern projected on the target and distorted on the 3D surface of the target. The device can also include a 2D image capturing device adapted to capture an image of a 2D frontal view of the target in visible light. The device can also include an orientation unit that displays the face of the target in order to facilitate the positioning of the target within the proper fields of view. |
| US07646893B2 |
Biometric information apparatus narrowing biometric information of registered users used when authorizing a candidate based on features extracted from the biometric information of the candidate
Every time to-be-verified biometric is input, the apparatus reflects the degree of fluctuation in the to-be-verified biometric information on narrowing down of registered feature information. After to-be-verified biometric information is input through the a biometric information input unit, the to-be-verified sub-feature information obtaining unit extracts two or more items of sub-feature information from the to-be-verified biometric information. Based on the pieces of to-be-verified sub-feature information, the to-be-verified sub-feature information assessing unit assesses an acquisition stability of each item of to-be-verified sub-feature information. According to the acquisition stability assessment, the registered feature information narrowing unit selects one or more pieces of registered feature information to be subjected to comparison/verification, thereby narrowing down the registered feature information. The apparatus applicable to 1-to-N verification using biometric information such fingerprints, palm prints, iris patterns, facial images, voice patterns, and blood vessel patterns. |
| US07646888B2 |
Tunnel detecting device for vehicle and light control device for vehicle
A vehicle tunnel detecting device includes an image pickup unit for picking up images of a forward area and an obliquely upper area with respect to a travel direction of a vehicle, an obliquely upper area brightness reduction detecting unit for judging whether an average brightness of the images of the obliquely upper area with respect to the travel direction picked up by the image pickup unit is lower than a predetermined value, a brightness difference detecting unit for calculating a difference in average brightness between the images of the forward and obliquely upper areas achieved by the image pickup unit when it is judged by the obliquely upper area brightness reduction detecting unit that the average brightness of the image of the obliquely upper area is lower than the predetermined value, and a tunnel identifying unit for identifying a tunnel when the difference in average brightness between the image of the forward area and the image of the obliquely upper area that is calculated by the brightness difference detecting unit is lower than a predetermined value. |
| US07646882B2 |
Digital watermark embedding apparatus, method and program, and digital watermark detection apparatus, method and program
A digital watermark embedding apparatus comprises an acquisition unit configured to acquire a topological invariant as digital watermark information, key information corresponding to the digital watermark information, and a target content in which the digital watermark information is to be embedded, function generation unit configured to generate a topological function corresponding to the topological invariant, a randomizing-function generation unit configured to generate a randomizing function based on the key information, and compute a composite function by composition of the randomizing function and the topological function, and a function-embedding unit configured to embed the composite function in the target content. |
| US07646876B2 |
System and method for stereo operation of microphones for video conferencing system
A microphone bar for obtaining audio input for a video conferencing system includes a master module and one or more slave modules. The master module houses a first pair of unidirectional microphones for obtaining audio from opposite sides of the bar, and each of the slave modules houses a second pair of unidirectional microphones for obtaining audio from opposite sides of the bar. Extensions connect the modules together, and at least one bus conducts audio signals through the extension from the microphones to the video conferencing system. The microphones are operable according to a broadside mode of stereo operation when a central axis of the bar is substantially orthogonal to a view angle of the conferencing system. Furthermore, the microphones are operable according to an end-fire mode of stereo operation when the central axis of the bar is substantially parallel to the view angle of the conferencing system. |
| US07646875B2 |
Stereo coding and decoding methods and apparatus thereof
A method of encoding input signals (l, r) to generate encoded data (100) is provided. The method involves processing the input signals (l, r) to determine first parameters (φ1, φ2) describing relative phase difference and temporal difference between the signals (l, r), and applying these first parameters (φ1, φ2) to process the input signals to generate intermediate signals. The method involves processing the intermediate signals to determine second parameters (α; IID, ρ) describing angular rotation of the first intermediate signals to generate a dominant signal (m) and a residual signal (s), the dominant signal (m) having a magnitude or energy greater than that of the residual signal (s). These second parameters are applicable to process the intermediate signals to generate the dominant (m) and residual (s) signals. The method also involves quantizing the first parameters, the second parameters, and dominant and residual signals (m, s) to generate corresponding quantized data for subsequent multiplexing to generate the encoded data (100). |
| US07646874B2 |
Establishing mutual authentication and secure channels in devices without previous credentials
The invention provides for installing encryption keys on a device not having any previous security credentials. An installation authority generates a security token to be used by the device for secure communications, and an installation credential for the device, and stores them in association with one another. A user of the device is provided with the installation credential, whereby the user inputs the installation credential into the device. The device utilizes the installation credential as a temporary security key, establishes a secure communication channel with the installation authority and requests provision of the security token. The installation authority provides the security token associated with the installation credential to the device over the established secure communication channel, and the device installs the security token, after which the device erases the installation credential from the device. The installation authority may also certify the security token and provide a certified token and a root verification certificate to the device. |
| US07646871B2 |
Digital content encrypting apparatus and operating method thereof
The invention is directed to a source device and a method for encrypting digital contents at the source device. According to an embodiment, the method includes performing an addition operation by using a first source internal key and an identifier (ID), the first source internal key being associated with the source device, the ID being associated with at least one of a target device and a storage medium of the target device, and the target device being connected to the source device; generating a source encryption key based on an output of the addition operation and a second source internal key by using a predetermined encryption algorithm, the second source internal key being associated with the source device; encrypting the digital content using the source encryption key; and transmitting the encrypted digital content without the source encryption key to the target device. |
| US07646867B2 |
System and/or method for encrypting data
A method, system and article for encrypting data by applying an encryption process, wherein the encryption process includes storing progress data relating to the progress of the encryption process so that the encryption process may be resumed after an interruption. Even more specifically, after the interruption, progress data relating to the progress of the encryption process is accessed. Portions of the progress data are compared to determine the last encrypted data segment. After the last encrypted data segment, the encryption process at the data segment is resumed. |
| US07646866B2 |
Slide module for a slide type electronic device
A slide module for a slide type electronic device includes a slide base having two opposite slide edges curling inside to form two longitudinal roll edges. A pair of slide rails are provided with a pair of slick guide recesses. The guide recess receives one roll edge sliding along the guide recess. A locating recess is defined above the guide recess. A guide hole is defined in the slide rail passing therethrough. A slide tray defines a pair of fixed blades located in the locating recesses respectively at two sides thereof. A torsion spring has two free ends. The first end is connected to the slide base and the second end is connected to the slide tray. A pair of guide rods are inserted in the guide holes respectively and equipped in both sides of the slide base. The guide rod slides along the guide hole. |
| US07646864B2 |
Foot-actuated call answer-end apparatus
A telephone headset system having a network interface device, a head set including a headphone and a microphone, and a foot operated, hands free call answering and call ending element. The network interface device, headset, and call answering and call ending element are electronically in communication with each other. |
| US07646862B2 |
Speakerphone with a novel loudspeaker placement
A new speakerphone wherein a loudspeaker is oriented to face the listeners of an audio conference. New speakerphones which have a bass loudspeaker and at least one tweeter loudspeaker wherein the tweeter loudspeaker is oriented towards listeners of an audio conference are also disclosed. |
| US07646858B2 |
Protocol builder for a call handling system
Systems and methods are presented for handling calls. In one embodiment of the invention, a call handling system is configured for handling a variety of emergency and/or non emergency related calls. The call handling system may enable recognition of and response to received call information. The call handling system comprises a call interface configured for receiving the call information. A processor is communicatively coupled to the call interface and configured for processing the call information to initiate a protocol. This protocol may, as it progresses, be used to generate data for use in a CAD system. The CAD system may subsequently dispatch responders based on the generated data. The call handling system includes an advisory component that recommends a type of dispatch and a risk assessment. The call handling system also includes a build component that allows for the generation of protocols. |
| US07646856B2 |
Region-wide messaging system and methods including validation of transactions
Methods and systems are disclosed that allow for the exchange of voice mail messages between different VMSs of different service providers and/or in different networks by the transmission of such messages through a data network using a standard protocol of the data network.Methods and systems also are disclosed that validate message transactions among subscribers receiving regional messaging services over the PSTN. The subscribers are located in different geographic areas and may be provided their voice, facsimile or data messaging services by different companies. The present invention validates passing messages (data) among customers of potentially different companies located in different areas by assessing the validity of the transaction in light of a number of conditions, including applicable regulatory or business conditions. |
| US07646850B2 |
Wide-field, coherent scatter imaging for radiography using a divergent beam
The present invention provides a method and system for detecting a material in an object to be analyzed in a radiographic imaging system. The method includes providing wide-field illumination of an object with partially monochromatic x-ray radiation from a divergent source without restrictively collimating the x-ray radiation. The x-ray radiation scattered by the object outside of a predetermined range of angles defined about a characteristic angle is rejected. The characteristic angle is a scattering angle about which a material of the object coherently scatters the incident x-ray radiation. In addition, the method includes the step of detecting coherently-scattered radiation, which is the x-ray radiation diffracted by the object within the predetermined range of angles defined about the characteristic angle. |
| US07646849B2 |
Ultra-small angle x-ray scattering measuring apparatus
An ultra-small angle X-ray scattering measuring apparatus includes a detector for detecting X-rays emitted from a sample, an X-ray collimating mirror arranged between the X-ray real focus and the sample, a monochromator arranged between the X-ray collimating mirror and the sample and an analyzer arranged between the sample and the detector. The X-ray collimating mirror includes a pair of X-ray mirrors that are arranged orthogonally relative to each other. The X-ray mirrors are multilayer film mirrors and their X-ray reflection surfaces are paraboloidal. The interplanar spacing of lattice planes of each of the multilayer films is continuously changed along the paraboloid so as to meet the Bragg's condition. The monochromator and the analyzer are formed by using a channel-cut crystal. The analyzer is driven to rotate for scanning around a 2θ-axial line and diffracted rays reduced to a spectrum by the analyzer are detected by the detector. |
| US07646841B2 |
Method of driving transistor
A shift register has multiple stages each of which includes a pull-up part to generate a current gate line driving signal having a first state in response to a first control signal and a clock signal, a pull-down part to generate the current gate line driving signal having a second state in response to a second control signal, a pull-up driver to generate the first control signal to control the pull-up part in response to a previous gate line driving signal provided from a previous stage, a following gate line driving signal provided from a following stage, and an input voltage signal externally provided, and a pull-down driver to generate the second control signal to control the pull-down part in response to a third control signal provided from the pull-up driver and the input voltage signal, in which the second control signal swings between first and second voltage levels in association with the input voltage signal that swings between predetermined voltage levels. |
| US07646838B2 |
Providing accurate time-based counters for scaling operating frequencies of microprocessors
The illustrative embodiments provide accurate time-based counters for scaling operating frequencies of microprocessors. A time-based counter circuit configuration in which a fixed frequency clock is derived from a PLL of the clock generation circuit of the microprocessor and is used to feed the external and internal timebase logic as well as a timebase accumulator counter. The timebase accumulator counter accumulates the tick events from the timebase logic between two core clocks. The accumulated value is transferred to the core clock domain on every clock edge of a scalable clock and the accumulator is then reset. Because the accumulated ticks are transferred to the core clock domain before the accumulator is reset, no ticks are ever lost using the circuitry of the illustrative embodiment. |
| US07646836B1 |
Dynamic clock rate matching across an asynchronous network
Techniques are provided for calculating a clock rate for a serial clock of a transmitter where information sent by the transmitter is sent in packets from the transmitter over an asynchronous network. The techniques involve minimizing the number of adjustments to the clock rate that are needed to fine tune the clock rate to match the serial clock of the transmitter. |
| US07646832B2 |
Signal receiver
A signal receiver includes a sampling device for sampling a received signal carrying a stream of symbols to form a first set of actual samples. The signal receiver also includes interpolation means for interpolating between the samples of the first set to form a second set of interpolated samples. The signal receiver also includes symbol recovery means configured to process the first and second sets of samples so as to form an estimate of the symbols of the signal. The processing includes performing a temporal whitening step on signals derived from first and second sets of samples. The signal receiver also includes signal combining means using a matched filter and averaging technique. |
| US07646829B2 |
Composite data detector and a method for detecting data
A composite data detector having first and second data detectors. The second detector of the invention starts in a known state and only runs as long as is necessary before being switched off and handing control back over to the smaller detector. Therefore, the composite data detector of the invention consumes less power than the known composite data detector and estimates bits with higher accuracy. |
| US07646825B2 |
Impulse generating device, communication device, and a computer-readable recording medium recording an impulse control program thereon
To realize variable control of the output value of impulses with a simple construction, the present device includes an impulse generating unit which generates impulses; and a control unit which controls an output value of impulses output from the impulse generating unit by changing an input signal that is input to the impulse generating unit for generating impulses. |
| US07646824B2 |
Method and system for a fast-switching phase-locked loop using a direct digital frequency synthesizer
Aspects of a method and system for a fast-switching Phase-Locked Loop using a Direct Digital Frequency synthesizer may include generating a second signal from a first signal by: frequency translating an inphase component of the first signal utilizing a filtered fast-switching oscillating signal generated using at least a direct digital frequency synthesizer (DDFS), and frequency translating a corresponding quadrature component of the first signal utilizing a phase-shifted version of the generated and filtered fast-switching oscillating signal. The inphase and quadrature components of the first signal may be multiplied with the filtered fast-switching oscillating signal and a phase-shifted version of the filtered fast-switching oscillating signal, respectively. The filtered fast-switching oscillating signal may be obtained by removing at least one frequency-sum term of the fast-switching oscillating signal, where the fast-switching signal oscillating signal may be generated from a signal generated by the DDFS that may be multiplied with an oscillating reference signal. |
| US07646823B2 |
MIMO channel estimation in presence of sampling frequency offset
A technique to determine sampling frequency offset (SFO) phase shift and perform channel estimation for symbols of a signal communicated across a multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) communication channel, in which preambles utilized for channel estimation are sent over more than one time block. Because the transmission of preambles used for channel estimation are sent over multiple time blocks, a SFO phase shift that is linear across tones of an OFDM signal is experienced between preambles of the two time blocks. Upon detection of the SFO phase shift, a weighting matrix used for channel estimation is modified to account for the SFO phase shift, in order to perform the channel estimation with correction for the SFO phase shift. |
| US07646822B2 |
Antenna selective diversity
A transmitting apparatus that transmits signals from a plurality of antennas, and can improve the security of communication compared with a conventional system. In this apparatus, an antenna changing section (105) stores an antenna change pattern in internal memory, and each time a clock signal is input, generates an antenna change signal directing an antenna change in accordance with the antenna change pattern, and outputs this signal to an antenna selection section (106). Based on the antenna change signal, the antenna selection section (106) selects two different antennas from among the transmitting antennas (107-1 through 107-3) as transmitting antennas of transmit signal A output from a radio section (104-1) and transmit signal B output from a radio section (104-2), and performs radio transmission of transmit signal A and transmit signal B using the selected transmitting antennas. |
| US07646818B2 |
Method and related system for high efficiency advertising detection
In the video signals provided by broadcasting media, advertising sections are inserted between normal programs, thus causing interruption. An end portion of the normal program will be repeated before an advertising section ends. The invention determines the continuity of two adjacent frames, to search for frame discontinuity to find out if there is a frame similar to a next given frame. If a similar frame is found to have an advertising frame, an advertisement is detected. |
| US07646815B2 |
Intra estimation chroma mode 0 sub-block dependent prediction
An apparatus comprising a first processing circuit and a second processing circuit. The first processing circuit may be configured to generate a plurality of reconstructed samples in response to one or more macroblocks of an input signal. The second processing circuit may be configured to determine a best intra prediction chroma mode 0 predictor for reach chroma sub-block of a current macroblock in response to available reconstructed samples adjacent to the current macroblock. |
| US07646814B2 |
Low complexity transcoding between videostreams using different entropy coding
A method for transcoding between videostreams using different entropy coding, comprising the steps of (A) decoding a first videostream using a first set of entropy codes, and (B) generating a second videostream by entropy encoding the decoded first videostream using a second set of entropy codes. The first set of entropy codes and the second set of entropy codes are configured to represent all valid coefficient values of the first videostream. |
| US07646812B2 |
Special predictive picture encoding using color key in source content
Encoding functionality is described for producing encoded intra (I) pictures and predictive (P) pictures for consumption by an application running on a set-top box. The encoding functionality includes a pre-processing module which marks regions that should not be updated with a predetermined color code. An encoding module receives the output of the pre-processing module, and, in the event that the output contains the predetermined color code, produces a predictive (P) picture. In the predictive (P) picture, the encoding module produces macroblocks having zero motion vector and zero difference (or skipped macroblocks) corresponding to regions that were marked by the pre-processing module with the predetermined color code. The encoding module produces intra macroblocks for other regions of the picture (corresponding to update regions). |
| US07646810B2 |
Video coding
Improved video coding is described to encode video data within a sequence of video frames. To this end, at least a portion of a reference frame is encoded to include motion information associated with the portion of the reference frame. At least a portion of a predictable frame that includes video data predictively correlated to said portion of said reference frame is defined based on the motion information. At least said portion of the predictable frame is encoded without including corresponding motion information and including mode identifying data. The mode identifying data indicate that the encoded portion of the predictable frame can be directly derived using at least the motion information associated with the portion of the reference frame. |
| US07646809B2 |
System and method of providing directional information for direct prediction
A system and method are disclosed for decoding signals of a block of image data. The method comprises receiving a parameter or an index associated with a direction of a plurality of prediction directions and decoding a block of image data utilizing image data predicted from an adjacent block according to direction associated with the parameter. The prediction direction may be at least one of horizontal, vertical or diagonal. A system and method are also disclosed for encoding blocks of image data including a parameter or an index associated with a direction of a plurality of prediction directions. |
| US07646804B2 |
System and method for improving bit-loading in discrete multitone-based digital subscriber line modems
A system and method for improving bit-loading in discrete multitone (DMT)-based digital subscriber line (DSL) modems. In one embodiment, the system includes: (1) a model generator configured to generate a model containing a calculated total bit loading for an assumed gross coding gain and estimated total bit loadings for a other plurality of assumed gross coding gains and (2) a bit loader associated with the model generator and configured to load bits in accordance with the model. |
| US07646801B2 |
Method and apparatus for spreading and modulating communication signals
According to one embodiment, a lower order modulator is provided using a number of higher order modulators. According to another embodiment, a signal having a lower order spreading factor is generated using circuitry for generating a number of signals with a higher order spreading factor. |
| US07646800B2 |
Method and apparatus for allocating subcarriers in a broadband wireless communications system using multiple carriers
A method and apparatus for allocating subcarriers in a broadband wireless communication system using multiple carriers are provided. In the wireless communication system where the total available frequency band is divided into a plurality of subcarriers and subchannels each are formed with a predetermined number of subcarriers, the subcarriers are grouped into subcarrier groups, subcarriers are selected from the subcarrier groups according to predetermined sequences, and the selected subcarriers are allocated as a subchannel to a cell in a predetermined time period. |
| US07646792B2 |
Dynamic mapping of broadcast resources
In a data communication system such as a high capacity DBS system, dynamic mapping of broadcast resources is provided to exploit occasional redundancy in the program content of two or more input data streams, freeing at least one broadcast resource to carry alternate bitstreams, such as additional programs or existing programs at higher quality. Transmission maps defining the correspondence between input data streams and broadcast resources, and reception maps defining the correspondence between broadcast resources and output data streams, are updated as needed to dynamically modify broadcast resource mapping to increase effective utilization of available bandwidth. Beneficial n:n-y:m mapping in a high capacity consumer DBS entertainment system is provided. Apparatus and methods for efficiently generating, maintaining and updating allocation maps with reduced overhead requirements, are disclosed. |
| US07646790B2 |
Communications processor
A communication processor of a class, such as an Internet tuner, provides such desirable features (FIG. 2) as LAN support, an SPI interface (128), a dedicated port (56), and ADPCM (22) for audio applications. The invention provides a low-cost, low-power, easily manufactured, small form-actor network access module which has a low memory demand and provides a highly efficient protocol decode. The invention comprises a hardware-integrated system that both decodes multiple network protocols in a streaming manner concurrently and processes packet data in one pass, thereby reducing system memory and form factor requirements, while also eliminating software CPU overhead. |
| US07646788B2 |
TCP/IP tunneling protocol for link 16
A method and system for executing a protocol for tunneling of transmission control protocol/internet protocol (TCP/IP) packets over a tactical link. The tunneling protocol includes interfacing to a host software on a node of a tactical network using a TAP interface; breaking up ethernet packets from the TAP interface into J16.0 messages that include payload data from the ethernet packet and header information that uniquely identifies the J16.0 message for deterministic reassembly of the ethernet packet from the stream of J16.0 messages in which it is included. The J16.0 messages may be transmitted using a fighter data link over a tactical network link. At the destination node of the link, the J16.0 messages may be reassembled into ethernet packets, allowing the tactical network to be implemented as virtual private network having (internet protocol) IP addresses for each node. |
| US07646783B2 |
Electronic device, IP address determining method, and recording medium having IP address determining program stored therein
An electronic device is disclosed that generates an interface identifier to determine an IP address to use. The electronic device comprises an interface identifier generating unit to generate the interface identifier, a temporary IP address determining unit to determine a temporary IP address containing the interface identifier and a prefix, a duplication determining unit to determine whether the temporary IP address is the same as an IP address of another electronic device, and an IP address determining unit to specify the temporary IP address as the IP address to use, when the duplication determining unit determines that the temporary IP address is not the same as the IP address of another electronic device, wherein the interface identifier generating unit generates another interface identifier when the duplication determining unit determines that the temporary IP address is the same as the IP address of another electronic device. |
| US07646780B2 |
System for reordering sequenced based packets in a switching network
System for reordering sequenced based packets in a switching network. The system includes time stamp logic that operates to associate a receive time indicator with each received data packet. The system also includes Enqueue logic that operates to compute an expiration time for each received packet based on the receive time indicator, and stores the expiration time and the sequence identifier for each received packet into a table. Dequeue logic operates to read the table to determine the received data packets to output in an output stream so that the received data packets are output in a selected order. The Dequeue logic also operates to determine a true expiration time for one or more unreceived data packets, and if the true expiration time for a selected unreceived data packet is reached, the Dequeue logic operates to omit the selected unreceived data packet from the output stream. |
| US07646778B2 |
Support of C-tagged service interface in an IEEE 802.1ah bridge
In one embodiment, a Provider Backbone Edge Bridge (BEB) IEEE 802.1ah compliant apparatus includes a B-component having one or more provider backbone ports, and a first I-component coupled with the B-component, the first I-component being configured to support a S-tagged interface. A second I-component is also coupled with the B-component, the second I-component being configured to support a C-tagged interface, thereby facilitating direct connection to a device operating in compliance with IEEE 802.1Q specification. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. |
| US07646770B1 |
Systems for supporting packet processing operations
Several systems for supporting packet processing are described. A first system supports virtual routing of a packet. A second system supports de-multiplexing of a packet. A third system supports advanced MPLS label processing of a packet. |
| US07646769B2 |
Data communication system and method for preventing packet proliferation in a multi-device link aggregation network
A Provider Edge PE3 replicates a received packet and relays these to virtual circuits VC1, VC2 respectively, and Provider Edges PE2, PE2 respectively receive the packets from the virtual circuits VC1, VC2, whereupon the Provider Edges PE2, PE2, on the basis of an agreement between them, decide to handle the received packets such that one of the edges relays the packet to a Customer Edge CE1 for forwarding to a Host A, while the other edge discards the packet without relaying it to the Customer Edge CE1. |
| US07646754B2 |
Mobile telephone network
In a mobile ad hoc network, a method of routing data and a mobile unit for use according to the method are arranged to find the relay capacity of a node and the lifetime of the node, and thereby determine whether the node can relay the data. The method and unit can find the relay efficiency of nodes and this information is used to route data traffic efficiently through a number of nodes along a route. |
| US07646753B2 |
Mobile IP registration process for always-on device
A system and method for an automatic retry method during initial registration and re-registration of a mobile device on a mobile Internet Protocol (MIP) network is provided. The mobile device is adapted to categorise a registration response (RRP) code and accordingly determine a course of action. By reacting intelligently to the RRP code category, the mobile device is able to maintain a point to point protocol (PPP) connectivity and achieve “always-on” status. |
| US07646750B2 |
Method and apparatus for precise first-path detection in CDMA mobile communications system
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus of precise first-path detection in CDMA mobile communications systems, comprising the steps of: a. calculating the noise threshold for the first-path detection according to the multi-path profile; b. judging whether there is a maximum point exceeding the noise threshold in the multi-path profile, if yes, carrying out side-lobe suppression at this maximum point and obtaining the candidate first path; otherwise, setting the flag of no first path existing, and exiting the entire process of first-path detection; c. judging according to the location of the candidate first path whether the first path is ambiguous, if yes, carrying out correction of first-path ambiguity, obtaining the corrected location of final first path, and exiting the entire first-path detection process; otherwise, outputting the location of candidate first path as the location of final first path. The apparatus in accordance with this invention comprises at least a module for noise threshold calculation, a module for side-lobe suppression, and a module for first-path ambiguity detection and correction. |
| US07646746B2 |
Method and apparatus for handling uplink transmission start in a wireless communications system
A method for handling uplink transmission start used in a mobile of a wireless communications system includes when an uplink transmission is started, if a predefined information element (IE) is not received, setting a primary state variable to “none” to indicate that a Serving Grant (SG) value can be affected by a Secondary Absolute Grant message. |
| US07646745B2 |
System and method for operating a mobile device, such as providing an out of box connection system for UMA type mobile devices
Methods and systems are disclosed to enable users of mobile devices to have an easy out of the box experience. In some examples, during the initial powering on of a mobile device, subsequent powering on of the mobile device, or at user direction, the device queries a user about connecting to an alternate wireless access network supported by the mobile device and upon receiving an indication from the user of the mobile device to proceed with the connection to the alternate wireless access network, connects the mobile device to an alternate wireless access network. |
| US07646743B2 |
Hierarchical data collection network supporting packetized voice communications among wireless terminals and telephones
A packet-based, hierarchical communication system, arranged in a spanning tree configuration, is described in which wired and wireless communication networks exhibiting substantially different characteristics are employed in an overall scheme to link portable or mobile computing devices. The network accommodates real time voice transmission both through dedicated, scheduled bandwidth and through a packet-based routing within the confines and constraints of a data network. Conversion and call processing circuitry is also disclosed which enables access devices and personal computers to adapt voice information between analog voice stream and digital voice packet formats as proves necessary. Routing pathways include wireless spanning tree networks, wide area networks, telephone switching networks, internet, etc., in a manner virtually transparent to the user. A voice session and associate call setup simulates that of conventional telephone switching network, providing well-understood functionality common to any mobile, remote or stationary terminal, phone, computer, etc. |
| US07646742B2 |
Method of retransmission protocol reset synchronisation
A method of retransmission protocol reset synchronisation in a radio network of a communication system, said radio network including at least one radio network controller RNC for controlling a plurality of base stations in communication with mobile terminals, wherein the RNC communicates with a communication terminal using a radio link control RLC procedure and the plurality of base stations communicate with the mobile terminals using a medium access control MAC procedure, comprising the steps of initiating a RLC reset procedure upon occurrence of an unrecoverable protocol error and initiating a MAC reset procedure in response to a RLC reset procedure. |
| US07646736B2 |
Video conferencing system
A method configured to continuously receive frames from a plurality of video channels and transmit to each of a plurality of participants in a video conference individual frames containing information concerning each of the video channels. The method only transmits at any given instant new picture data for one of the participants in the video conference. |
| US07646735B1 |
Method and apparatus for communication of missing logic in a PCI based system by enabling or disabling PCI config cycles
A method and apparatus for the detection and communication of a missing LAN or WAN compliant device is disclosed. The method and apparatus provide a front card configured to accept a Fast Ethernet device on a PCI-compliant bus, and the front card includes a switch which is serially disposed on a PCI_Idsel line corresponding to a particular channel of the front card. The switch is further configured to receive a sensing signal corresponding to the channel from the device. The apparatus is configured to provide the PCI_Idsel line to the front card if the sensing signal is in a first state, and to provide a low potential to the front card if the sensing signal is in a second state. |
| US07646731B2 |
Route monitoring in a network management system
A network management system comprises generic routing encapsulation (GRE) logic configured to establish upon request one or more GRE tunnels from one or more network interfaces; routing protocol logic, coupled to a route database in the apparatus, and configured to operate a network routing protocol and to exchange network route information; network management logic configured to request the GRE logic to establish a particular GRE tunnel from the apparatus to a particular router in the network, to request the routing protocol logic to establish a synchronized route database associated with the apparatus for the particular router using the particular GRE tunnel, to determine whether the synchronized route database is missing one or more particular routes, and to generate a notification message when the synchronized route database is missing the one or more particular routes. |
| US07646730B2 |
Availability aware cost modeling for optical core networks
A sequential iterative methodology is used to generate a solution space with different cost/availability values for multiple network architectures from which an optimal or near-optimal solution can be determined. A modeling module (10) provides a cost value for a network architecture under consideration and, once cost modeling is done, an availability analysis is performed for the architecture under analysis. If a relatively few connections prevent a model from acceptability, the availability analysis module (12) reveals the causing factors of the unsatisfactory availability for those few connections and suggests that the modeling perform further optimisations on those causing factors. This iterative process is repeated until an optimum or near-optimum acceptable solution is found; if no acceptable solution is found, the solutions generated in the availability analysis module are reviewed to find the best available solution. |
| US07646727B2 |
Retransmission method for digital broadcast and its broadcast receiving device
An IP broadcast transmitting device comprises means for acquiring and collecting channel tuning information and program-related information from broadcast signals of each broadcasting station from which the broadcast signals are distributed, means for updating and managing the information, means for distributing the information independently from IP multicast-distributions of the broadcast signals, and means for distributing a service area tuning list with IP multicast-distribution information of the broadcast signals and distribution positions of the channel tuning information and the program-related information of the broadcast signals described therein. |
| US07646723B2 |
Protocol test device having at least two channels
A protocol test device has at least two channels which each have a transmit and a receive side, the protocol test device being designed to switch a signal transmitted from a first channel to the receive side of a second channel. A method for determining, by approximation, a transmit time of a data package in the protocol test device includes the following steps: a) transmitting a signal via the transmit side of the first channel, b) forwarding the signal to the receive side of the second channel, and, c) in the receive side of the second channel allocating a time stamp to the signal. |
| US07646721B2 |
Locating hardware faults in a data communications network of a parallel computer
Hardware faults location in a data communications network of a parallel computer. Such a parallel computer includes a plurality of compute nodes and a data communications network that couples the compute nodes for data communications and organizes the compute node as a tree. Locating hardware faults includes identifying a next compute node as a parent node and a root of a parent test tree, identifying for each child compute node of the parent node a child test tree having the child compute node as root, running a same test suite on the parent test tree and each child test tree, and identifying the parent compute node as having a defective link connected from the parent compute node to a child compute node if the test suite fails on the parent test tree and succeeds on all the child test trees. |
| US07646718B1 |
Flexible port rate limiting
A switching device comprises M ports, N bandwidth tracking modules, a mapping memory, and a rate limiting module. The N bandwidth tracking modules each have an adjustable first threshold, an adjustable rate, and a fullness level, wherein M and N are integers that are greater than one. The mapping memory contains a map for each of the M ports, wherein each map assigns a set of the N bandwidth tracking modules to a corresponding one of the M ports, wherein each of the sets is individually modifiable to include zero to N of the N bandwidth tracking modules. The rate limiting module that selectively performs an action on a packet received at one of the M ports based on the fullness levels of the set of N bandwidth tracking modules identified by the map for the one of the M ports. |
| US07646715B2 |
Method and a device for implicit differentiation of quality of service in a network
Presented is a device for processing packets of flows on a network link. The device includes a scheduling module for scheduling packets in a queue in accordance with a fair queuing with priority algorithm. |
| US07646714B2 |
Program, method and apparatus for form output
Queues are provided, which are a high-speed small-capacity queue disposed in a high-speed small-capacity medium inputting and outputting online form messages at high speed and a low-speed large-capacity queue disposed in a low-speed large-capacity medium inputting and outputting batch form messages at a speed slower than the high-speed small-capacity medium. A residence rate detection unit detects a residence rate of the form messages in the high-speed small-capacity queue. When the form message is received, a storage control unit stores the form message into the high-speed small-capacity queue or the low-speed large-capacity queue determined based on the priority, the availability of the high-speed small-capacity medium and the residence rate. A dynamic allocation change unit transfers the form messages between the queues based on the residence rate of the high-speed small-capacity queue 30-1 and the availability of the high-speed small-capacity medium. |
| US07646708B2 |
Network resource teaming combining receive load-balancing with redundant network connections
A computer system teams its network resources by apportioning each of the one or more network resources into one of two or more groups. The resources of each of the groups have links that are operative to be coupled in parallel to a different one of two or more network devices that provide connectivity to a network. One of the two or more groups is selected to be a primary group. A team layer2 address is assigned to one of the resources apportioned to the selected group. Each of the resources of the selected group is enabled to receive on the team layer2 address. The network device to which the selected group is coupled is enabled to load balance data received from the network among the resources of the selected group. Data transmitted from the system to the network is load-balanced over all of the resources independent of the group to which they belong. |
| US07646705B2 |
Minimizing data loss chances during controller switching
A method, system, and computer program for managing network connectivity between a plurality of nodes and a network resource. The network resource includes a primary path to the nodes and at least one redundant path. A detecting module is configured to determine if the primary path is unavailable to at least one affected node belonging to the plurality of nodes. A switching module is configured to presumptively switch the affected node to the redundant path if the primary path is unavailable. An initiating module configured to initiate a voting procedure among the plurality of nodes to select a new path to the network resource, wherein data flow at the affected node through the redundant path continues during the voting procedure. |
| US07646704B2 |
Method and apparatus for spur cancellation in an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing communication system
A communication device is provided that is capable of operating in an OFDM or communication system and that provides for cancellation of in-band spurs. The communication device identifies a bin of multiple bins associated with an output of an inverse transformer and comprising a spur and estimates one or more spur phase parameters and a spur amplitude in association with the identified bin. In one embodiment of the present invention, the one or more spur phase parameters includes a spur initial phase and a spur change rate. When the communication device receives a signal from another communication device, the communication device transforms the received signal to produce a multiple parallel output signals that are each associated with a bin of the multiple bins and cancels a spur in an output signal associated with the identified bin based on the estimated one or more spur phase parameters and spur amplitude. |
| US07646703B2 |
Backward-compatible long training sequences for wireless communication networks
A network device for generating an expanded long training sequence with a minimal peak-to-average ratio. The network device includes a signal generating circuit for generating the expanded long training sequence. The network device also includes an Inverse Fourier Transform for processing the expanded long training sequence from the signal generating circuit and producing an optimal expanded long training sequence with a minimal peak-to-average ratio. The expanded long training sequence and the optimal expanded long training sequence are stored on more than 52 sub-carriers. |
| US07646701B2 |
Incremental redundancy using high-order modulation and coding schemes
Apparatus and systems comprise a forward error correction (FEC) encoder to encode a data block to produce an encoded data block in a radio link control media access control (RLC-MAC) module. The EFC encoder may be coupled to a punctured subset selector to select a punctured subset of the encoded data block for transmission across a communication link. The punctured subset selector may be coupled to a modulator to modulate the punctured subset of the encoded data block using a selectable modulation type selected by a modulation selector coupled to the modulator. Hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) logic may be coupled to the modulation selector to receive at least one of an acknowledgement (ACK) or a no-acknowledgement (NACK) that a previously-transmitted punctured subset of the encoded data block was successfully decoded at a receiving end of the communication link. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed. |
| US07646700B2 |
Pilot pattern design for an OFDM system
A transmitting device for transmitting data symbols and pilot symbols in an OFDM transmission system; the device comprising symbol generating means for generating said data symbols and said pilot symbols, means for transmitting said data symbols and pilot symbols respectively by using a plurality of subcarriers of said OFDM transmission system, wherein said symbol generating means is designed to selectively generate a first type pilot symbol and a second type pilot symbol being orthogonal to said first type pilot symbol so that a pilot symbol pattern in the frequency dimension comprises at least said first type pilot symbol to be transmitted by using a predefined subcarrier and second type pilot symbol to be transmitted by using other predefined subcarrier, and wherein said pilot symbol pattern has a different pattern from a succeeding pilot symbol pattern in time dimension. |
| US07646695B2 |
Molecular data storage device and method thereof
A molecular data storage device and method thereof are disclosed. In an aspect, the molecular data storage device includes a laser source for providing a photon beam, a beam splitter for splitting the photon beam to provide a first and second coherent beams, a data page modulator for encoding with the first beam to provide a signal beam and a storage material disposed such that the first beam and the second beam enters orthogonal faces thereof. |
| US07646694B2 |
Methods and systems for providing data track identifying information on a recording medium
A method and system for formatting of recording media. |
| US07646693B2 |
Data overwriting in probe-based data storage devices
A method and apparatus for overwriting data in a probe-based data storage device wherein data is represented by the presence and absence of pits formed in a storage surface by a probe of the device is provided. Input data is first coded such that successive bits of a given value x in the coded input data (b0, b1, b2, . . . ,) are separated by at least d bits of the complementary value {tilde over (x)}, where d is a predetermined number≧2. Overwrite data bits (v0, v1, v2, . . . ,) are then generated by encoding the coded input data bits (b0, b1, b2, . . . ,). |
| US07646691B2 |
Optical disk face discriminating system and optical disk drive
An S-curve discriminating portion discriminates that a recording face of an optical disk is opposed to a pickup when a normal S-curve appears in a waveform of a focus error signal Fe that appears when an objective lens fluctuates vertically, while discriminates that a label face is opposed when the waveform of the focus error signal is distorted and two S-curves with large and small magnitudes appear. A signal indicating this discriminated result is supplied to a control portion for controlling respective portions of an optical disk drive. |
| US07646689B2 |
Disk discriminating method and disk discriminating apparatus
To discriminate a disk in a short time, a calculating part 16 measures an amplitude of one of a focus error signal and a tracking error signal, which are output from a differential signal generating part 15, several times, and outputs the measured amplitudes to a controller 20. The controller 20 compares the input amplitudes with threshold values stored in a memory 21, respectively, and determines whether or not an amplification gain of one of the focus error signal and the tracking error signal is changed. If it is determined that the amplification gain of one of the focus error signal and the tracking error signal is changed, the controller 20 changes the amplification gain of one of the focus error signal and the tracking error signal to an amplification gain represented by one of the threshold values and discriminates the kind of an optical disk based on the changed amplification gain. |
| US07646688B2 |
Disc with temporary disc definition structure (TDDS) and temporary defect list (TDFL), and method of and apparatus for managing defect in the same
A disc with a temporary defect management information area and a defect management area includes a defect management area that is present in at least one of a lead-in area, a lead-out area, and an outer area, a temporary defect information area which is formed in the data area and in which temporary defect information is recorded, and a temporary defect management information area which is present in at least one of the lead-in area, and the lead-out area. Accordingly, it is possible to record user data in a recordable disc, especially, a write-once disc, while performing defect management thereon, thereby enabling efficient use of a defect management area having a limited recording capacity. |
| US07646687B2 |
Method for determining recording laser power for super-resolution optical recording medium and apparatus for recording information on super-resolution optical recording medium
A method for determining recording laser power on a super-resolution optical recording medium, on which information is recorded on a super-resolution optical recording medium by irradiating a laser beam modulated into a recording pulse train according to recording data to thereby form a recording mark train including recording marks and spaces smaller than the resolution limit of a reproduction optical system and recording marks and spaces equal to or larger than the resolution limit, is provided. At the time of recording, the method determines a minimum value and a maximum value of recordable laser powers determined by test-writing before recording, and determines a maximum value of a recordable range of laser power by adding to the minimum value one-third of a difference between the maximum value of the recordable laser powers and the minimum value. The method determines an optimal range of recording laser power from the minimum value of recordable laser powers to the maximum value of the recordable range. |
| US07646685B2 |
Tracing discrete spiral path relative to optical disc
As an optical disc is being rotated within an optical drive, an optical mechanism of the optical drive traces a discrete spiral path relative to the optical disc. As the discrete spiral path is traced by the optical mechanism of the optical drive, the optical mechanism selectively writes to the optical disc. |
| US07646681B2 |
Method of automatically pausing optical pickup in DVD-RAM disc drive
A method of automatically pausing an optical pickup in a DVD-RAM disc drive includes driving a DVD-RAM disc; determining whether a tracking error signal is generated during the driving of the DVD-RAM disc; generating a land/groove signal to discern land tracks and groove tracks of the DVD-RAM disc; determining from which track the tracking error signal has been generated in response to the determination that the tracking error signal has been generated; generating a jump signal in response to a state of the land/groove signal varying; and moving the optical pickup back by ½ of a track in response to the jump signal. |
| US07646676B2 |
Synchronous re-sampling based signal extraction
Sampling of a captured signal is synchronized to a tonal which may be unstable in frequency detected in the signal to cause it and all of its harmonics, sub-harmonics and fundamental to appear to have a substantially constant frequency relative to the sampling rate even if some related signals are otherwise undetectable amid noise. By adjusting an integration period of a fast Fourier transform to extract an intrinsic bandwidth, substantial signal processing gain can be obtained for the tonal and harmonically related signals, even if otherwise undetectable. Signal processing may be performed in either the time domain or the frequency domain. Recursive processing is performed to observe unrelated tones by grouping of tones which are harmonically related and supports detection of relationships between acoustic signal sources. |
| US07646672B2 |
Method for wavefield separation in 3D dual sensor towed streamer data with aliased energy in cross-streamer direction
Pressure records and vertical particle velocity records from dual sensor towed streamer data are transformed to the inline wavenumber domain. A series of scaling filters are applied to the transformed vertical particle velocity records at each inline wavenumber, wherein each of the series of scaling filters is calculated for a different cross-streamer wavenumber range and in blocks of inline traces in which all seismic events are approximately linear. The pressure spectrum and the scaled vertical particle velocity spectrum are combined to separate upgoing and downgoing wavefield components. The separated upgoing and downgoing wavefield components are inverse-transformed back to the time-space domain. |
| US07646671B2 |
Method for processing marine towed streamer seismic data from regular multi-azimuth surveys
Marine towed streamer seismic data are combined from a first survey and a second survey, wherein the first survey and the second survey are shot with a bin size of L×L and the second survey is shot with a shooting direction rotated 90° relative to the shooting direction of the first survey. The combined seismic data from the first and second surveys are binned on a bin grid with a bin size of L 2 × L 2 and with a bin grid orientation rotated 45° relative to the shooting directions of the first and second surveys. Then, seismic data processing is applied to the binned seismic data to create an image of the Earth's subsurface. |
| US07646669B1 |
Method for measuring flow noise of water over a hydrophone
A method for measuring water-flow noise over a hydrophone comprising: coupling the hydrophone to a distal end of a hydrodynamic-drag-reduced beam, which has a proximal end that is rotatably connected to a frame; pivoting the beam through water; and recording the water-flow noise generated by the water flowing around the hydrophone. |
| US07646668B2 |
Maintaining dynamic count of FIFO contents in multiple clock domains
Disclosed is a system that generates a write count value for indicating whether data can be read from a FIFO and a system that generates a read count value for indicating whether data can be written to a FIFO. Each of these systems operates in two separate clock domains. In the system that generates a write count value, write strobes are stored in parallel in a register in a first clock domain. The plurality of synchronizers trigger on a rising edge of the write strobe that is stored in the parallel register and generate an increment pulse in a second clock domain. An up/down counter reads the increment pulse in parallel and increments the up/down counter in parallel. A decrement signal from a read strobe decrements the up/down counter. The output of the counter is fed to a register that provides a write counter value to handshake logic that indicates whether data can be read from a FIFO without underflowing the FIFO. |
| US07646661B2 |
Self-refresh control circuit for detecting current flowing from current generator and semiconductor device including same
A self-refresh control circuit includes a first constant current generating circuit that generates a constant current to change depending on the temperature, a second constant current generating circuit to generate a constant current not depending on the temperature, a current-cycle converting circuit selectively connected to the first constant current generating circuit and the second constant current generating circuit and converting the constant currents inputted from the first constant current generating circuit and the second constant current generating circuit into a test refresh cycle used for setting the refresh cycle. |
| US07646659B2 |
Semiconductor device temperature sensor and semiconductor storage device
A semiconductor device temperature sensor produces a reference level for temperature detection from two or more reference levels of different temperatures to detect a temperature. The temperature sensor is applied for detecting the temperature of a semiconductor storage device having a memory unit which requires a refresh action. A refresh cycle control circuit provided in the semiconductor storage device controls the cycle of the refresh action for the memory unit in response to an output of the temperature sensor. |
| US07646657B2 |
Semiconductor memory device having replica circuit
A semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell array, word line, row decoder, bit line, sense amplifier, dummy cell array, dummy bit line, sense amplifier activation circuit, and signal interconnection. The word line is connected to memory cells arrayed in the column direction. The row decoder is connected to the word line. The bit line is connected to memory cells arrayed in the row direction. The sense amplifier is connected to the bit line. Dummy cells are arrayed in the row direction between the row decoder and the memory cell array. The dummy bit line is connected to the dummy cells. The sense amplifier activation circuit transmits a sense start signal for setting a sense start timing to the sense amplifier through the signal interconnection. In this arrangement, the signal delay of the word line is set to be equal to that of the signal interconnection. |
| US07646656B2 |
Semiconductor memory device
A semiconductor memory device includes: an input pad set configured to receive an external input signal and a reference voltage; an input buffer set configured to detect and transmit the input signal to an internal circuit of the semiconductor memory device by comparing the input signal with the reference voltage; and a reference voltage generation circuit configured to generate the reference voltage to supply the reference voltage to the input pad set and the input buffer set during a test operation, the reference voltage generation circuit being deactivated after the semiconductor memory device is packaged. |
| US07646655B2 |
Memory device with fail search and redundancy
An automatic redundancy system may exploit an existing microprocessor management system on chip for carrying out autonomously, without communicating with an external testing machine, the operations of: writing data in the memory array according to one or more pre-established test patterns, verifying data successively read from the memory array, and substituting failed elements of the memory array with equivalent redundancy structures. A logic structure may detect and store memory array failures upstream of the output data path. Thereby, data collection relating to failures may be accomplished more quickly and without any interaction with the testing machine apart from communicating the end of the execution of the redundancy process. |
| US07646648B2 |
Apparatus and method for implementing memory array device with built in computational capability
A computational memory device includes an array of memory cells arranged in rows and columns, and a pair of read word lines associated with each row of the array. The array is configured to implement, for a given cycle, either a read operation of data contained in a single selected row, or one of a plurality of different bit wise logical operations on data contained in multiple selected rows. |
| US07646647B2 |
Measuring circuit and reading method for memory cells
An electronic circuit arrangement includes at least one memory element in which at least two electrical quantities can be stored. A switching unit is electrically connected to the memory element and has at least one first circuit path and a second circuit path. A storage unit has a first partial storage unit and a second partial storage unit. Each partial storage unit is set up for storing at least one electrical quantity. The switching unit is set up in such a way that it can sequentially pass a first one of the at least two electrical quantities along the first circuit path to the first partial storage unit and a second one of the at least two electrical quantities along the second circuit path to the second partial storage unit. |
| US07646643B1 |
Process charging monitor for nonvolatile memory
Techniques are described to monitor charging of an integrated circuit during manufacturing processes. In one example, an integrated circuit includes first and second pads adapted to be charged by charge carriers during manufacture of the integrated circuit. The integrated circuit also includes a reference nonvolatile memory cell comprising a floating gate and a control gate, wherein the control gate is coupled to the first pad. The integrated circuit further includes a charging protection device coupled to the control gate of the reference memory cell and adapted to limit the gate voltage of the control gate induced by the charge carriers. In addition, the integrated circuit includes a charging monitor nonvolatile memory cell comprising a floating gate and a control gate, wherein the control gate is coupled to the second pad but not to a charging protection device adapted to limit the gate voltage of the control gate. |
| US07646642B2 |
Semiconductor device
The semiconductor device includes a nonvolatile memory, having a memory array containing 1-bit twin cells, each composed of electrically rewritable first and second storage devices, the first and second storage devices holding binary data according to difference of their threshold voltages, and having different retention characteristics depending on difference of the binary data thereof; a read circuit for differentially amplifying complementary data output from the first and second storage devices of the twin cell selected for read, and judging information stored in the twin cell; and a control circuit. Two memory cells constituting a twin cell are arranged to hold different data. Therefore, even when the retention performance of one memory cell deteriorates, the difference between data held by the two memory cells can be maintained. Hence, differential amplification of such difference enables acquisition of proper stored information. Thus, retention performance of an electrically rewritable nonvolatile memory cell is improved. |
| US07646633B2 |
Method for programming phase-change memory and method for reading date from the same
When a phase-change element that can transition between a reset state (amorphous state) and a set state (crystalline state) is to be caused to transition to the reset state, a first pulse having a first voltage is applied to the phase-change element. The first voltage is higher than the threshold voltage in the reset state, and can cause current to flow that corresponds to an amount of generated heat required for placing the element in the reset state. When the phase-change element is to be caused to transition to the set state, a second pulse having a second voltage and the same time width as the first pulse is applied to the phase-change element. The second voltage that is higher than the threshold voltage but lower than the first voltage, and can cause only a current to flow that does not attain the necessary amount of generated heat. |
| US07646627B2 |
Magnetic random access memory having improved read disturb suppression and thermal disturbance resistance
Between the value of an electric current and the supply duration for which the electric current is supplied that cause magnetization reversal, there is the relation of monotonous decrease. This means that, as the supply duration is shortened, the threshold current value for causing the magnetization reversal is larger. Therefore, in terms of suppressing occurrence of read disturb, the read current supply duration may be shortened to increase the threshold value of the current causing the magnetization reversal and thereby ensure a sufficient read disturb margin. Therefore, the read current supply duration may be shortened relative to the write current supply duration ensure the read disturb margin and suppress occurrence of read disturb. |
| US07646625B2 |
Conditioning operations for memory cells
One embodiment of the invention relates to a method for conditioning resistive memory cells of a memory array with a number of reliable resistance ranges, where each reliable resistance range corresponds to a different data state. In the method, group of at least one resistive memory cell is accessed, which group includes at least one unreliable cell. At least one pulse is applied to the at least one unreliable cell to shift at least one resistance respectively associated with the at least one unreliable cell to the highest of the reliable resistance ranges. Other methods and systems are also disclosed. |
| US07646623B2 |
Ferroelectric memory device and electronic apparatus
A ferroelectric memory device includes: a memory cell having a transistor and a ferroelectric capacitor connected in series between a bit line and a plate line, and a connecting section below the ferroelectric capacitor; a dummy cell having a transistor, a ferroelectric capacitor and a connecting section, wherein the dummy cell has an electrically disconnected section among the bit line, the transistor, the ferroelectric capacitor, the connecting section and the plate line. |
| US07646621B2 |
Programmable power supply
A programmable power supply provides multiple output channels that may be independently driven to vary the frequency and duty cycle of each channel. The power supply includes the capability of receiving a program via a program interface on the power supply. The power supply also includes the capability of reading a program from a device that is plugged into the power supply's output connector. In this manner, a device to be powered (such as an EL panel sign with multiple segments) may contain a program that specifies how the segments are to be driven. This allows the power supply to dynamically reconfigure itself for many different signs by simply plugging a different sign into its output connector. The preferred embodiments also provide an improved connector system for EL panel signs, and includes output compensation to automatically compensate for degradation in an EL panel over time. |
| US07646620B2 |
AC/DC power converter
A dual input AC/DC power converter (10) having dual inputs (12, 14) adapted to receive both an AC and DC input and provide a selectable DC voltage output (16) and a second DC output (18). The dual input AC/DC power converter (10) comprises a power converter circuit (20) having an AC-to-DC converter (22), a DC-to-DC booster converter (24), a feedback circuit (26), a filter circuit (25) and a DC-to-DC buck converter (28). Advantageously, the power converter (10) resolves many of system management problems associated with carrying all of the different interface components necessary to power a wide variety of mobile products from either an AC or DC power supply. In addition, the power converter (10) also advantageously includes dual output voltage terminals (16/18) to allow for multiple mobile devices of varying power requirements to be powered, simultaneously, by a single converter. |
| US07646614B2 |
Thin film deposition as an active conductor and method therefor
A method includes populating components in a cavity of a substrate, disposing a polymer over the components and within the cavity. The polymer is cured and a thin film is formed on the polymer. In addition, a method includes forming an EMI shield within a medical device by depositing a thin film of metal on a surface within the medical device. The thin film of metal, of gold, aluminum, or copper, is formed by vapor deposition or sputtering. An apparatus includes a first substrate assembly including a first substrate having a cavity. A first set of electronic components are disposed within the cavity, and a first polymer is disposed over the first set of components. Deposited on an outer surface of the first polymer by vapor deposition is a thin film of metal. The thin film of metal is electrically coupled with a ground. A second substrate assembly including a second substrate is coupled with the first substrate assembly. |
| US07646613B2 |
Multi-point latch mechanism with a single control
A latch mechanism for removably securing a module in a bay of an electronic device. The latch mechanism includes a first wireform configured to move along a first wall of the bay to latch a first side of the module and a tang configured to move substantially perpendicularly to a second side of the module to latch the second side of the module. The latch mechanism includes a control member operatively connected with the first wireform and the tang to actuate the first wireform and the tang simultaneously in response to user input such that when the module is inserted into the bay, the first wireform and the tang simultaneously latch the first side of the module and the second side of the module. |
| US07646610B2 |
DC-DC converter
A DC-DC converter comprising a soft-magnetic, multi-layer substrate provided with a laminated coil constituted by connecting pluralities of conductor lines, and a semiconductor integrated circuit device comprising a switching device and a control circuit, which are mounted on the soft-magnetic, multi-layer substrate; the semiconductor integrated circuit device comprising an input terminal, an output terminal, a first control terminal for controlling the ON/OFF of the switching device, a second control terminal for variably controlling output voltage, and pluralities of ground terminals; the soft-magnetic, multi-layer substrate comprising first external terminals formed on a first main surface, first connecting wires formed on the first main surface and/or on nearby layers, second connecting wires formed between the side surface of the multi-layer substrate and a periphery of the laminated coil, and second external terminals formed on a second main surface; and terminals of the semiconductor integrated circuit device being connected to the first external terminals on the multi-layer substrate, at least part of the first external terminals being electrically connected to the second external terminals through the first and second connecting wires, and the input or output terminal being connected to the second external terminals via the laminated coil. |
| US07646599B2 |
Latch mechanism for foldable electronic device
A latch mechanism for fixing a cover unit to a base unit of a foldable electronic device in a closed position is provided. The cover unit includes two locking portions. The base unit defines two slots. The latch mechanism includes a locking member, and at least one resilient member. The locking member is configured for being slidably received in the base unit. The locking member includes two protrusions. The locking portions of the cover unit extend through the corresponding slots of the base unit, and engage with the corresponding protrusions of the locking member for fixing the cover unit in the closed position. The resilient member is engagable with the locking member, for keeping the locking member in a locked position. |
| US07646594B2 |
Blade server system
A server blade system including a middle plane board and a server blade is provided. The server blade includes a first connector for electrically connecting the middle plane board. The first connector has several pins complying with a specific connector specification. A specific first pin and a specific second pin of the pins are for USB application. |
| US07646593B2 |
Adjustable laptop monitor apparatus
An adjustable laptop computer monitor assembly, comprising: a flat panel display assembly comprising a display screen and support electronics for the display screen; a computer base that houses an associated microprocessor and a portion of the support electronics for the display screen; at least one support mechanism attached to the computer base and to the laptop screen, wherein the at least one support mechanism allows the display screen to move vertically and also in other directions relative to the computer. |
| US07646590B1 |
Data center power distribution
A power distribution apparatus includes a housing holding a plurality of electrical outlets, a plurality of independent electrical circuits within the housing, and a plurality of cord sets serving the plurality of independent electrical circuits and extending from the housing. |
| US07646589B2 |
Solid electrolytic capacitor with first and second anode wires
A solid electrolytic capacitor (A1) includes a first and a second anode terminals (11a, 11b) projecting in different directions from each other. Preferably, a metal cover (22) for electrically connecting the anode terminals (11a, 11b) to each other is provided. With such an arrangement, the ESR and the ESL can be reduced, and the high frequency characteristics can be enhanced. |
| US07646588B2 |
Carbon nanotube film, production process thereof and capacitor using the same
A carbon nanotube film includes a first carbon nanotube group that is an aggregate of carbon nanotubes crosslinked to each other to form a network structure and a second carbon nanotube group that is an aggregate of carbon nanotubes having a diameter different from a diameter of the carbon nanotubes in the first carbon nanotube group, wherein the first carbon nanotube group and the second carbon nanotube group are in admixture. |
| US07646585B2 |
Multilayer capacitor
A first internal electrode includes a first lead portion and a second lead portion. A second internal electrode includes a third lead portion and a fourth lead portion. A third internal electrode includes a main electrode portion and a fifth lead portion. A fourth internal electrode includes a main electrode portion and a sixth lead portion. A joint portion between the main electrode portion and the fifth lead portion of the third internal electrode is located between an edge on the first side face side and an edge on the second side face side in a capacitance forming region when viewed from an opposing direction of the third and fourth side faces. A joint portion between the main electrode portion and the sixth lead portion of the fourth internal electrode is located between an edge on the first side face side and an edge on the second side face side in a capacitance forming region when viewed from the opposing direction of the third and fourth side faces. |
| US07646584B2 |
Multilayer feedthrough capacitor
A capacitor body of a multilayer feedthrough capacitor is arranged with grounding inner electrodes and signal inner electrodes. The grounding inner electrodes include first and second grounding main electrode portions, grounding connection electrode portions having no areas opposing the signal inner electrodes, and first and second grounding lead electrode portions. The signal inner electrodes include first and second signal main electrode portions, signal connection electrode portions having no areas opposing the grounding inner electrodes, and first and second signal lead electrode portions. |
| US07646581B2 |
Electrostatic chuck
An electrostatic chuck capable of widening a temperature range and reducing a variation in thermal conductivity between the electrostatic chuck and the flat substrate over time is provided. The chuck includes: a body that has an internal electrode for attracting a flat substrate by an electrostatic force provided therein, a plurality of protrusions formed on one surface of the body serving as an electrostatic attraction surface, and projections provided on the top surfaces of some or all of the plurality of protrusions. In the electrostatic chuck, a region of the top surface of each of the minute projections on which the flat substrate is loaded is referred to as a mounting surface, and the total area of the mounting surfaces of the minute projections is equal to or larger than 0.01% and equal to or smaller than 2% of the area of the electrostatic attraction surface. |
| US07646576B2 |
Apparatus and method for high-voltage transient blocking using low voltage elements
An apparatus and method for high-voltage transient blocking employing a transient blocking unit (TBU) that has at least one depletion mode n-channel device interconnected with at least one depletion mode p-channel device such that a transient alters a bias voltage Vp of the p-channel device and a bias voltage Vn of the n-channel device in concert. Specifically, the bias voltages are altered such that the p-channel device and n-channel device mutually switch off to block the transient. The depletion mode n-channel device employs a set of cascaded low-voltage depletion mode field effect transistors (FETs) such as metal-oxide-silicon field effect transistors (MOSFETs) connected source-to-drain to achieve the desired high-voltage operation of the TBU. |
| US07646573B2 |
Method for improved triggering and oscillation suppression of ESD clamping devices
An apparatus for protecting an integrated circuit from electrostatic discharge (ESD) includes an RC trigger device configured between a pair of power rails, a first control path coupled to the RC trigger device, and a second control path coupled to the RC trigger device. A power clamp is configured between the power rails for discharging current from an ESD event, the power clamp having an input coupled to outputs of the first and second control paths, the power clamp independently controllable by the first and second control paths. The first and second control paths are further configured to prevent the power clamp from reactivating following an initial deactivation of the power clamp. |
| US07646571B2 |
Circuit for effective quench heating in superconducting magnets
An assembly comprising a number of superconductive coils, at least one quench heater arranged to heat the superconductive coil(s) in the event that at least part of at least one of the coils enters a quenched state; means for transferring energy from the coil(s) to the heater(s) in the event that at least part of at least one of the coils enters a quenched state; wherein the means for transferring energy from the coil(s) to the heater(s) includes a series capacitance, through which the energy transferred must pass. |
| US07646566B1 |
Slider deformation control by thermal-structural compensators
A disk drive includes a drive circuitry, a storage disk, a suspension and a slider. The slider is supported by the suspension and receives electrical current from the drive circuitry. The slider includes a flying side that generally faces the storage disk, a read/write head, and a slider deformer that is electrically decoupled from the drive circuitry. In one embodiment, the slider deformer is formed from a material having a coefficient of thermal expansion that is greater than a coefficient of thermal expansion of other portions of the slider. In this embodiment, the slider deformer causes a deformation of a portion of the flying side when the temperature of the slider deformer changes. Thus, when the read/write head expands or contracts due to a change in temperature of the slider, the slider deformer at least partially offsets the expansion and/or contraction of the read/write head to maintain a substantially consistent head-to-disk spacing of the disk drive. |
| US07646562B2 |
Data storage tape cartridge and system including an intermediate portion having a servo pattern
A data storage tape cartridge is provided with a combination tape including a data storage tape, an intermediate portion and a leader. A servo track and media information region is provided on the intermediate portion of the tape. The servo track is read by a servo track reader of a data storage apparatus. The media information region is read by the read/write head of the data storage apparatus. |
| US07646561B2 |
Method of writing pattern in disk, method of following track on disk, and apparatus for writing pattern in disk
Embodiments of the present invention efficiently perform servo correction for prevention of propagation of a position error in a radial direction in self servo write (SSW). According to one embodiment, in SSW, a target position of a reference track TO in writing a servo write track TN is corrected. The target position is represented as a target value of a position signal calculated from a signal read by a read element. A signal indicating a deviation (a position error) from the target position (the target value) is referred to as PES. The SSW in this example performs correction of target positions in respective tracks using an impulse response of a servo system. Consequently, it is possible to efficiently and effectively prevent the propagation of position error in the SSW. |
| US07646560B2 |
Positioning control system and positioning control method
There is provided with a positioning control system including: a head moving unit; a position detecting unit detecting a head position at predetermined time intervals; an error detecting unit detecting a position error of the head for a target position; a disturbance detecting unit detecting a non-periodic disturbance; a modifying unit modifying a first position error signal corresponding to a first head position detected in a first rotation period based on a second position error signal corresponding to a second head position detected one period length before; and a feedback controller, wherein the modifying unit modifies the first signal after reducing an amplitude of the second position error signal when a detected timing of the second head position is included in a predetermined time range with respect to a detected timing of the non-periodic disturbance detected in a second rotation period which is one period before the first rotation period. |
| US07646559B1 |
Self-servo write stitching system
A control system includes a write head that writes servo data on a rotating medium. A control module signals the write head to write a servo test track on the rotating medium and subsequent to a reference servo track. The reference servo track is written prior to an interrupt event. The control module detects a position of the servo test track relative to the reference servo track and signals the write head to write a new servo track based on the position after the interrupt event. |
| US07646556B1 |
Systems and methods for detecting flaws on a storage disk
A flaw scan system for detecting a location of first and second types of location specific anomalies on a storage disk of a hard disk drive comprising a write system, a read system, and first and second anomaly location systems. The write system writes a first set of bits to the storage disk in first and second data patterns. The read system reads the first set of bits from the storage disk. The first anomaly location system determines locations of the first type of location specific anomaly based on the first data pattern. The second anomaly location system determines locations of the second type of location specific anomaly based on the second data pattern. |
| US07646554B2 |
Optical element for improving laser beam position
An optical element with improved deflection of a laser light beam calls for combination of a pentaprism with one or more glass blocks or an afocal optical system. A rotational angle-dependent parallel offset of emerging beams is eliminated for the most part. |
| US07646553B2 |
Imaging optical system
An imaging optical system, which is designed in a small size with low manufacturing costs, aberrations such as chromatic aberration of the imaging optical system being appropriately corrected, is provided. The imaging optical system comprises a first lens having positive power, a second lens having positive power and a third lens having negative power with an aspherical surface in the image side, the aspherical surface being shaped in a concave shape facing toward an image side in a vicinity of the optical axis and shaped in a convex shape facing toward the image side in a surrounding of the optical axis. The imaging optical system is designed to satisfy a formula, ν3−ν2>10, where ν3 denotes an Abbe number of the third lens and ν2 denotes an Abbe number of the second lens. |
| US07646552B2 |
Subminiature imaging optical system
There is provided a subminiature imaging optical system suitably applicable to a subminiature optical device such as a mobile phone camera. The subminiature imaging optical system including: a first lens having positive refractive power and both convex surfaces; a second lens having negative refractive power and a concave image-side surface; a third lens having negative refractive power and a meniscus shape with a convex image-side surface; and a fourth lens having negative refractive power. |
| US07646543B2 |
Distortion tuning of quasi-telecentric lens
A non-linear modification to telecentric object space together with alteration of working distance provides a distortion adjustment feature. The modification to telecentric object space can be manifest as a spherical aberration in an entrance pupil. The change in working distance can be made by relatively translating the imaged object through the modified telecentric object space. The distortion adjustment can be made to compensate for distortions accompanying changes in ambient or operating conditions. Distortions accompanying magnification corrections can also be corrected. |
| US07646542B2 |
Microscope objective lens
A microscope objective lens is disclosed that includes, in order from the object side, a first lens group having positive refractive power, a second lens group having positive refractive power that is movable along the optical axis, and a third lens group. The first lens group includes, in order from the object side, two meniscus lens components, each with its concave surface on the object side, and at least one positive lens component, and the third lens group has adjacent concave lens element surfaces that face each other and are in contact with air. Specified conditions may be satisfied, and one or more lens components in the first lens group and the second lens group may be movable. |
| US07646539B2 |
Optical device and manufacturing method thereof
An optical device includes a substrate, a plurality of optical elements formed in an element formation region of the substrate, a plurality of lenses formed over the element formation region so as to correspond to the plurality of optical elements, and a protective layer formed so as to cover the plurality of lenses. A holding member is formed on the protective layer in a region outside the element formation region. The holding member holds a bottom surface of a transparent member. A gap between the protective layer and the transparent member is filled with an adhesive. |
| US07646537B2 |
High-resolution field sequential autostereoscopic display
Provided is a high-resolution field sequential autostereoscopic display. The display includes a display panel including display elements which display images, a lenticular array receiving a signal from the display panel and outputting a directional signal to be viewed with both eyes of a viewer, an anisotropic element arranged parallel to the lenticular array and outputting from the lenticular array a phase-alternated signal, a polarization switch switching the output phase of the anisotropic element according to an image refresh rate of the display panel, and a polarizer outputting a signal with a predetermined phase among phases of an output signal of the polarization switch. The autostereoscopic display provides full resolution stereoscopic images viewable without eyeglasses. Conventional low cost TN LCD panels can be applied to the autostereoscopic display without significant increase of flickering or crosstalk between the left and right images. |
| US07646536B2 |
Reflective screen and display system
A disclosed reflective screen is configured to display an image projected from a projection device located within a short distance. The reflective screen comprises a first reflective surface configured to reflect, in a substantially same direction, projection light beams projected from a first position, and a second reflective surface configured to reflect, in the substantially same direction, projection light beams projected from a second position different from the first position. |
| US07646535B1 |
Transverse light reduction in a lighted reticle
An eyepiece assembly for use in a rifle scope may include an eyepiece that is made of a material that is transparent to light. A holographic reticle may be positioned within the eyepiece. The eyepiece assembly may also include a chrome reticle. The chrome reticle may be positioned so that the chrome reticle is aligned with the holographic reticle. A cover portion may be attached to the eyepiece. |
| US07646533B2 |
Small ultra-high NA catadioptric objective
A relatively high spectral bandwidth objective employed for use in imaging a specimen and method for imaging a specimen is provided. The objective includes a lens group having at least one focusing lens configured to receive light energy and form focused light energy. The focused light energy forms an intermediate image. The objective further includes at least one field lens located in proximity to an intermediate image, and a catadioptric arrangement positioned to receive the intermediate light energy from the at and form controlled light energy. The catadioptric arrangement may include at least one Mangin element and can include a meniscus lens element. |
| US07646532B2 |
Optical device for suppressing double Rayleigh backscattering noise, and an installation including the device
An optical signal processor device (14) intended to be fitted to means (10) for optically transmitting an information-carrying signal (S) comprises means (20, 22) for suppressing backscattered signals (RS) in the optical transmission means (10), an optical propagation medium (16) intended to be connected in parallel with the optical transmission means (10), divertor means (18, 20) for diverting the backs-propagated signals (P, RS) in the optical transmission means (10) into the optical propagation medium (16), and signal discrimination means (22) connected to the optical propagation medium (16). |
| US07646530B2 |
Particle and device for image display
In particles for image displaying used in an image display device, in which one or more kind of particles are sealed between opposed substrates, at least one substrate being transparent, and, in which the particles are made to fly and move so as to display an image, each particle has a micro-irregularity at its surface. Moreover, in an image display device, in which one or more kind of particles are sealed between opposed substrates, at least one substrate being transparent, and, in which the particles, to which an electrostatic field produced by two kinds of electrodes having different potentials is applied, are made to fly and move so as to display an image, use is made of each particle having a micro-irregularity at its surface. |
| US07646528B2 |
Deformable mirror device with oscillating states
A mirror device which deflects incident light includes: a mirror arranged on a substrate and supported by a hinge; an address electrode deflecting the mirror to an ON state, an OFF state, or an oscillating state; a drive circuit applying a voltage to the address electrode; and a first stopper unit determining an oscillation amplitude in the oscillating state. |
| US07646527B2 |
Intensity distribution of incident light flux
Additional control flexibilities to generate more gray scales for an image display system is achieved by controlling the intensity distribution of the light projection from a light source to a deflecting mirror to further coordinate with the control of the intermediate states of the deflecting mirror. The control light source intensity distribution can provide incident light with wide varieties of intensity distributions including non-uniform, symmetrical and non-symmetrical, different distributions of polarizations, various cross sectional shapes of the incident lights and other combinations of all of the above variations. More stable and better control of gray scale control is also achieved by optimizing the intensity distributions of the incident light to produce the best visual effects of the image display. |
| US07646526B1 |
Durable reflection-controllable electrochromic thin film material
One exemplary embodiment of an electrochromic thin-film material comprises an alloy of antimony and one or more base metals; and/or an alloy of antimony, one or more base metals, and lithium; and/or an alloy of antimony, one or more base metals, lithium, and one or more noble metals. Another exemplary embodiment of an electrochromic thin-film material comprises a multilayer stack, the multilayer stack comprising at least one layer comprising one of antimony, antimony-lithium alloy, antimony-one or more base metals alloy, antimony-one or more base metals-lithium alloy, antimony-one or more base metals-one or more noble metals alloy, and antimony-one or more base metals-one or more noble metals-lithium alloy; and at least one alternating layer comprising one of a base metal and a base-metal alloy. One or more of the base metals comprise Co, Mn, Ni, Fe, Zn, Ti, V, Cr, Zr, Nb, Mo, Hf, Ta, W, Cd, Mg, Al, Ga, In, Sn, Pb, and Bi, and alloys thereof. |
| US07646525B2 |
Electro-wetting display panel
An electro-wetting display panel including a first substrate, an insulator layer, a second substrate, partitioning structures, and electro-wetting display mediums. The first substrate has a plurality of first electrodes. The insulator layer is disposed on the first substrate to cover the first electrodes. The second substrate located above the first substrate and has a plurality of second electrodes. The partitioning structures are disposed on the insulator layer and each defines a pixel region, respectively. At least one of the partitioning structures has a flow channel surrounding the pixel regions, and the flow channel is connected to one of the pixel regions correspondingly. The electro-wetting display mediums are disposed within the pixel regions and the flow channels. When the electro-wetting display mediums are driven by the electric charge between the first electrodes and the second electrodes, the electro-wetting display mediums move between the pixel regions and the flow channels. |
| US07646519B2 |
Optical scanner, optical scanning method
An optical scanner capable of achieving a optical scanning processing with higher speed and uniformity in pitches of scan light, while spacing saving and reduction in cost are attempted, is provided. An optical scanner comprising a plurality of the light sources that are allocated in positions different from one another in a sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main-scanning direction, a pre-deflection optical system, and a polygon mirror that scans the light flux shaped in the pre-deflection optical system in the main-scanning direction by reflecting and deflecting the light flux by a plurality of reflecting surfaces arranged thereon corresponding to each of the plurality of photoconductors in a rotational direction, and an inclination angle of each of the plurality of reflecting surfaces with respect to a rotational axis of the polygon mirror is set to an angle depending on the photoconductor to which each of the reflecting surfaces corresponds. |
| US07646515B2 |
Image reading apparatus and image reading system
An image reading apparatus includes a housing; image reading device for reading an image from a document being conveyed, the image reading device being located in the housing; a platen located in the housing and including a transparent member for reading the image of the document; and a scoop-up device situated at a downstream of the platen in parallel therewith to scoop up the document. The scoop-up device includes a dust collecting space for collecting dust entering the apparatus through a gap between the platen and the scoop-up member, the dust collecting space having a plate member dividing the dust collecting space into an upper dust collecting space and a lower dust collecting space; and a platen joint portion forming a part of the dust collecting space and positioned below the platen. A top surface of the platen joint portion detachably contacts a bottom surface of the platen. |
| US07646514B2 |
Scanning method and system
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, an image capture device comprises a first scanning module operable to scan a first side of an object and a second scanning module operable to scan a second side of the object, the first and second scanning modules translatable along their respective displacement paths. |
| US07646513B2 |
Image processing device and method thereof
Provided is an image processing device and method capable of making the joint of an original image and a reverse image less noticeable. A CPU processes image data stored in an external memory device for storing an information resource for an electronic game, and displaying the electronic game target on a screen of a display device based on the processing results. Thereupon, when generating an original image and a reverse image as a repeat image, the CPU deletes an image worth 0.5 dots of a pixel belonging to an area adjacent to the reverse image among the pixels of the original image, deletes an image worth 0.5 dots of a pixel belonging to an area adjacent to the original image among the pixels of the reverse image, generates a single image by alternately arranging the original image and reverse image where an image worth 0.5 dots was deleted, executes the embedding of an image, and thereby displays this image as the repeat image. |
| US07646511B2 |
Method of printing a compressed image having bi-level black contone data layers
The invention relates to a method of printing a compressed image having a bi-level black data layer and a continuous tone (contone) CMYK data layer. The method includes the steps of receiving the image from an image host, expanding the image by decompressing the two data layers in parallel, and halftoning the contone CMYK layer data into a bi-level CMYK data layer. The method also includes the steps of compositing the bi-level black layer over the bi-level CMYK layer to form a composited bi-level CMYK image, and finally printing the composited bi-level CMYK image with a pagewidth printhead onto a print medium. |
| US07646508B2 |
Method and apparatus for processing digital images
A method and apparatus to process digital images is described. The method is particularly effective in improving the appearance of digital images that originate in digital cameras and have been pre-processed in the camera. |
| US07646499B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An authentication code detecting unit detects data addition authentication information from a print job. An upper apparatus specifying unit specifies a transmitting source of the print job. A RAM stores the data addition authentication information, the transmitting source of the print job, and the print job. An operating unit receives print request authentication information. An elapsed time measuring unit measures an elapsed time from the reception of the print job having the data addition authentication information. An erasure extension necessity inquiry unit requests an answer about the necessity of extension of an erasing time from the transmitting source when the measurement result indicates the elapse of a predetermined time. When the erasure extension is necessary, an erasure/extension decision processing unit extends the elapsed time until the erasure of the print job after its reception. |
| US07646497B2 |
Printer driver product, print control unit, print system, and print control method
A product of printer driver which operates on an operating system making a computer execute a conversion processing to convert data in electronic document format into data in bitmap format, the printer driver flirt her making the computer execute, an accepting process which accepts from the operating system print target data in electronic document format, a first outputting process which generates, based on the print target data in electronic document format, print data in a command language format capable for interpretation by a printer as a control target and outputs the print data thus generated to the printer, and a second outputting process which requests the operating system to convert the print target data in electronic document format into bitmap data, and outputs print data based on the bitmap data thus converted to the printer, and the first outputting process and the second outputting process are selectively performed. |
| US07646494B2 |
System and method for detecting the displacement of a plurality of micro- and nanomechanical elements, such as micro-cantilevers
The invention relates to a system and method for detecting the displacement, such as the deflection, of a plurality of elements (1), such as microcantilevers, forming part of an array (2), by emitting a light beam (4) towards the array (2) and by receiving a reflected light beam on an optical position detector, whereby the position of incidence of the light beam is determined by the displacement of the corresponding element. The system further comprises: scanning means (7) for the displacing the light beam (4) along the array (2) so that the light beam is sequentially reflected, by the individual elements (1) along said array (2); and reflection detecting means (11) for detecting when the light beam is reflected by an element. The system is arranged so that when the reflection detecting means (11) detect that the light beam is reflected by an element, the corresponding position of incidence of the light on the detector is taken as an indication of the displacement of the element. |
| US07646492B2 |
Optical measuring machine
An optical measuring device includes: a screen having a reference line; a movable stage; an optical system for forming on the screen an optical image of a to-be-measured object placed on the stage; and an edge detecting sensor (112) for detecting a passage of a measurement edge of the optical image at an arbitrary position on the screen. The optical measuring device further includes: an offset value storage (143) storing a distance between the reference line and the edge detecting sensor (112) as an offset value; and a correction data calculator (144) for correcting measurement data measured with the reference line and the edge detecting sensor (112) by use of the offset value. |
| US07646491B2 |
Determining azimuth angle of incident beam to wafer
A method, system and computer program product for determining an Azimuth angle of an incident beam to a wafer are disclosed. A method comprises: using the incident beam to make a first set of measurements of calibration targets of a first set of grating angles that are different than one another; analyzing the first set of measurements to determine an reference grating angle which corresponds to a grating line to which the incident beam has a practically zero Azimuth angle; and determining the Azimuth angle of the incident beam to the wafer using the determined reference grating angle. |
| US07646488B2 |
Positioning apparatus, exposure apparatus, and device manufacturing method
A positioning apparatus includes a stage base, a stage moving along a surface of the stage base, a cable having one end connected to the stage, and a straightening structure configured to straighten air currents around the cable. The straightening structure is provided to at least one of the stage and the cable. |
| US07646487B2 |
Reflectance measuring apparatus
A reflectance measuring apparatus is provided in the present invention. In addition to measuring the intensity of light directly reflected from a sample, the apparatus is further capable of collecting large-angle reflected light scattered from the sample through a reflecting cover disposed over the sample and measuring the intensity thereof. In one embodiment, the reflecting cover has a parabolic surface for modulating the large-angle reflected light to become parallel light projecting onto a photo-detector. In another embodiment, the reflecting cover has an elliptic surface for modulating the large-angle scattered light to focus on the photo-detector. |
| US07646486B2 |
Modulated reflectance measurement system using UV probe
A modulated reflectance measurement system includes lasers for generating an intensity modulated pump beam and a UV probe beam. The pump and probe beams are focused on a measurement site within a sample. The pump beam periodically excites the measurement site and the modulation is imparted to the probe beam. For one embodiment, the wavelength of the probe beam is selected to correspond to a local maxima of the temperature reflectance coefficient of the sample. For a second embodiment, the probe laser is tuned to either minimize the thermal wave contribution to the probe beam modulation or to equalize the thermal and plasma wave contributions to the probe beam modulation. |
| US07646479B2 |
Recording medium discrimination apparatus and method
An apparatus can correctly discriminate between types of a recording medium, and obtain good fixed image by performing fixing in the optimum fixing conditions for a variety of different types of recording media. The apparatus includes an LED 101 serving as a first irradiation section, an LED 104 serving as a second irradiation section, a phototransistor 103 serving as a first reading section, and a phototransistor 102 serving as a second reading section. The light output from the LED 101 operating as the light source and passing through a slit 111 illuminates a surface of recording paper P on a recording paper conveyance guide 105. Besides, the recording paper conveyance guide 105 has a window opened for illuminating the recording paper from its underside in the present embodiment. The reflected light from the recording paper P is gathered via slits 112 and 113 and is received by the phototransistors 102 and 103. |
| US07646475B2 |
Device for automatically measuring characteristics of an ophthalmic lens
A device for automatically measuring characteristics of an ophthalmic lens (L1), includes: a support (2) designed to receive such a lens; on one first side of the lens support, illuminating elements (208) including an optical system for producing a light beam directed towards the ophthalmic lens mounted on the support; and on a second side of the support, elements for analyzing (210) the image transmitted by the ophthalmic lens mounted on the support and illuminated by the illuminating elements (208); elements for splitting the light beam including a first mask (220) forming a Hartmann array and arranged on the first side of the lens support to be illuminated, upstream of the lens by the light beam. |
| US07646474B2 |
Measuring device, measuring apparatus and method of measuring
A measuring device for analyzing an analyte contained in a sample. The device includes a hollow housing, a sample holding part provided inside the housing for holding the sample, a sample supply inlet provided for the housing so as to communicate with the sample holding part, an optical measurement part provided for the sample holding part for making an optical measurement, a reagent holding part provided for the sample holding part for holding a reagent for the optical measurement, and at least one electrode provided on an outer surface of the housing. |
| US07646473B1 |
Determining position inside building via laser rangefinder and handheld computer
An apparatus, computer software, and a method of determining position inside a building comprising selecting on a PDA at least two walls of a room in a digitized map of a building or a portion of a building, pointing and firing a laser rangefinder at corresponding physical walls, transmitting collected range information to the PDA, and computing on the PDA a position of the laser rangefinder within the room. |
| US07646471B2 |
Lithographic apparatus, level sensor, method of inspection, device manufacturing method, and device manufactured thereby
A level sensor for a lithographic projection apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention includes a light source, a first reflector, a second reflector and a detector. The first reflector is positioned to direct light from the light source towards a wafer surface, and the second reflector is positioned to direct light reflected from the wafer surface to the detector. The first and second reflectors are selected to incur a minimal process dependent apparent surface depression. |
| US07646469B2 |
Immersion optical lithography system having protective optical coating
An immersion lithography system is provided which includes an optical source operable to produce light having a nominal wavelength and an optical imaging system. The optical imaging system has an optical element in an optical path from the optical source to an article to be patterned thereby. The optical element has a face which is adapted to contact a liquid occupying a space between the face and the article. The optical element includes a material which is degradable by the liquid and a protective coating which covers the degradable material at the face for protecting the face from the liquid, the protective coating being transparent to the light, stable when exposed to the light and stable when exposed to the liquid. |
| US07646466B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
The liquid crystal display (LCD) device of the present invention includes a LCD panel and a resin-molded frame that houses the LCD panel, the LCD panel including first and second substrates, and a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the first and second substrates. The two-dimensional shapes of the first and second substrates are rectangles having longer and shorter sides, the longer side of the first substrate being longer than that of the second substrate. The first substrate has a non-overlapping area that does not overlap with the second substrate. Among the four corners of the first substrate, the non-overlapping area of the first substrate has two corners adjacent to each other. At least one of the two corners forms a chamfered structure having a diagonal side that intersects the longer and shorter sides of the first substrate with the diagonal side inclined to the longer and shorter sides. |
| US07646465B2 |
Liquid crystal display and method of fabricating the same
Liquid crystal displays and fabrication methods thereof are provided. The liquid crystal display includes first substrate and second substrate facing the first substrate, and liquid crystal layer interposed therebetween. The first substrate includes a peripheral part spacer of which a surface includes a transparent conductive material, the peripheral part spacer being connected to a common voltage connector of the second substrate. A common voltage is applied to the first substrate through the common voltage connector and the peripheral part spacer. The peripheral part spacer is formed in the same process step with a display part spacer. To provide the peripheral part spacer with conductivity, the surface of the peripheral part spacer is covered with a transparent conductive material in the same process step in which the common electrode is formed on the first substrate. Accordingly, the peripheral part spacer configured to apply a common voltage to a common electrode can be formed without additional processing. |
| US07646462B2 |
Liquid crystal device and projector
A liquid crystal device includes a pair of substrates between which liquid crystal is sandwiched, a plurality of pixel electrodes arranged in a matrix on one of the substrates, switching elements that control the supply of current to the pixel electrodes, scanning lines that supply scanning signals to the switching elements, and data lines that cross the scanning lines and that supply image signals to the switching elements. The pixel electrodes are arranged in pairs, and each pair of the pixel electrodes are adjacent in an extending direction of the data lines and are disposed between a corresponding pair of the scanning lines in the extending direction of the data lines. The switching elements corresponding to each line of the pixel electrodes arrayed in the extending direction of the data lines are alternately connected to either of opposing sides of an adjacent pair of the data lines in the extending direction of the data lines. |
| US07646458B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and method of manufacturing the same
Provided is a method of manufacturing an LCD device in which alignment films are formed by a method of printing non-contact alignment films on substrates. Print control patterns are provided between a sealing member and each of display regions. Each of the print control patterns is formed of a highly water-repellent region as well as any one of fine concave structures, fine convex structures and pillar-shaped bodies. The print control patterns control the spreading as liquid of alignment film materials to make the film thickness of each of the alignment film materials uniform. |
| US07646455B2 |
Color filter panel, manufacturing method thereof and transflective liquid crystal display including the same
A transflective liquid crystal display including upper and lower panels facing each other. A plurality of gate lines and a plurality of data lines intersecting each other are formed on the lower panel to define pixel areas arranged in a matrix. A plurality of thin film transistors connected to the gate lines and the data lines and a plurality of pixel electrodes connected to the thin film transistors are also provided on the lower panel. Each pixel electrode includes a transparent electrode and a reflecting electrode with high reflectance having a transmitting window. A black matrix having apertures opposite the pixel areas and a plurality of red, green and blue color filters are formed on the upper panel, and a passivation layer covers the color filters. The passivation layer includes thicker and thinner portions, and the thinner portion is disposed opposite the transmitting window. |
| US07646454B2 |
Transflective liquid crystal display device
A transflective Liquid Crystal Display device has a liquid crystalline (LC) cell with reflective portions (101 R) and transmissive portions (101 T). The LCD device has a dual cell-gap design, the cell gap (dT) for the transmissive portions differs from the cell gap (dR) for the reflective portions. According to the invention, this cell gap difference is effected by means of an optical retarder (120) inside the LC cell. A thickness of said optical retarder (120) is such as to compensate the difference in cell gaps. Preferably, the optical retarder is a patterned retarder extending essentially only over the reflective portions (101 R) of the cell, and having quarter wave retardance. |
| US07646451B2 |
Illumination device
An illumination device has a plurality of main illumination areas subdivided into at least a first and a second sub-illumination area, wherein a luminous element for outputting radiation is arranged on each sub-illumination area, and wherein a beam deflection unit is associated with each main illumination area, which is designed to deflect the radiation output by the luminous element of the first sub-illumination area into another direction than the radiation output by the luminous element of the second sub-illumination area. |
| US07646449B2 |
Backlight module and liquid crystal display using same
An exemplary backlight module (200) includes a light emitting unit (220). The light emitting unit includes a plurality of light sources (227, 228, 229) configured for providing color light beams respectively, and a mixer (222) configured for mixing the color light beams into white color beams. The mixer includes a plurality of light guide structures (223) respectively corresponding to the light sources and a mixing body (226) connected to the light guide structures. The light guide structures are configured for guiding color light beams emitted from the light sources to the mixing body. The color light beams emitted from all the light sources being partially mixed into white light beams in the mixing body. |
| US07646448B2 |
Method and device to improve backlight uniformity
A method for providing a hot spot filter for a light guide is provided by taking an image of the light output pattern of an illuminated light guide. The hot spot filter may be a film, a layer, or an additional liquid crystal display dedicated to attenuating bright spots from the light guide. The hot spot filter may be incorporated into the image display by adjusting the grey scale of individual pixels to provide sufficient compensation. |
| US07646442B2 |
Liquid crystal display device including polycrystalline silicon thin film transistor and method of fabricating the same
A liquid crystal display device having a switching element in a pixel portion and a CMOS element in a driving portion includes: a substrate; a gate electrode on the substrate; a gate insulating layer on the gate electrode; a polycrystalline silicon layer on the gate insulating layer, the polycrystalline silicon layer having an active region in a central portion corresponding to the gate electrode and an ohmic contact region at side portions of the active region; an interlayer insulating layer having a set of contact holes for contacting the polycrystalline silicon layer at the side portions; and source and drain electrodes spaced apart from each other on the interlayer insulating layer, the source and drain electrodes contacting the polycrystalline silicon layer through the set of contact holes. |
| US07646441B2 |
Electro-optical display device having thin film transistors including a gate insulating film containing fluorine
An electro-optical display device comprising a first substrate having an insulating surface, at least one thin film transistor formed over the first substrate, the thin film transistor comprising a channel region, source and drain regions with the channel region extending in between, a gate insulating film adjacent to the channel region, and a gate electrode adjacent to the gate insulating film, a pixel electrode formed over a leveling film or over an interlayer insulating film and electrically connected to one of the source and drain regions of the thin film transistor, and color filters or black stripes comprising a resin formed over a second substrate. A leveling film may be formed over the at least one thin film transistor, the color filters or the black stripes. The device may comprise a second leveling film or a common electrode. |
| US07646440B2 |
Pixel structure of LCD and fabrication method thereof
Five photomasks are used in fabricating the pixel structure of an LCD. In this pixel structure, a metal light-shielding layer is formed under the thin film transistor to reduce photocurrent. Furthermore, a metal conductive wire is used to increase the storage capacity of the storage capacitor. |
| US07646439B1 |
Liquid crystal display and fabricating method thereof
This invention relates to a liquid crystal display and a fabricating method thereof that provides a uniform parasitic capacity of a thin film transistor. In a liquid crystal display and a fabricating method thereof according to the present invention, a source electrode of the thin film transistor is connected to the data line and a drain electrode of the thin film transistor is inserted into a hollowed part of the source electrode in the data line direction. |
| US07646432B2 |
Multimedia signal matching system and method for performing picture-in-picture function
A multimedia signal matching system for performing a picture-in-picture function includes: at least one set-top box including a decoder for decoding multimedia signals in a predetermined reference format and generating a control signal for performing the picture-in-picture function; and a multimedia matching device for receiving multimedia signals in various formats from a broadcast communication network and the control signal from the set-top box, processing the received multimedia signals into signals with the predetermined reference format responsive to the control signal. |
| US07646430B2 |
Display system having improved multiple modes for displaying image data from multiple input source formats
Systems and methods are herein given to effect a multiple mode display system that may accept multiple input image data formats and output several possible image data format. In a first embodiment, an image processing system comprises: an input that receives a plurality of source image data, said plurality of source image data further comprising a plurality of source image data formats; circuitry that resamples source image data from said source image data format to a plurality of target image data formats; and a display that renders target image data wherein the resolution of the display comprises approximately one half resolution of the largest of said plurality of target image data formats. |
| US07646429B2 |
Digital camera module packaging method
A digital camera module packaging method includes: first, providing a carrier (20) including a base (21) defining a chamber (214) and a lead frame (23). The lead frame has a plurality of conduction pieces (233) embedded in the base. One end of each conduction piece is exposed at one surface of the base, and another end of the conduction piece is exposed at another surface of the base. An image sensor chip (30) with a photosensitive area (301) and a plurality of chip pads (302) is then mounted in the chamber. A plurality of wires (40) is then provided. Each wire electrically connects a corresponding chip pad of the image sensor chip and one exposed end of a corresponding conduction piece of the carrier. A holder (50) is then provided. The carrier is mounted to the holder. Finally, a lens module (70) is mounted on the holder. |
| US07646421B2 |
Digital camera
A digital camera of the present invention includes a microcomputer 110 having a live view mode controlling so that image data generated by a CMOS sensor 133 or image data obtained by subjecting the image data generated by the CMOS sensor 133 to predetermined processing is displayed on a liquid crystal monitor 150 as a moving image in real time, wherein the microcomputer 110 controls so that, when the live view mode is set, the digital camera comes out of the live view mode, and setting information on the digital camera is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 150, in accordance with the manipulation of the manipulation portion 140. Due to this configuration, in a digital camera that includes a movable mirror and is capable of displaying a subject image in a live view through an electronic viewfinder, the operability thereof can be enhanced. |
| US07646418B2 |
Image capture apparatus and zoom lens
An image capture apparatus includes: a zoom lens arranged in a housing and which includes fixed lens groups, movable lens groups and at least three prisms; and an imager device arranged in the housing. The zoom lens includes: a fixed first lens group including a negative lens group having a first optical axis, a first prism approximately perpendicularly folding an optical axis, and a positive lens group having a second optical axis folded by the first prism; movable lens groups and at least one fixed lens group arranged along the second optical axis to perform a zooming action, an image plane position correcting action and a focusing action; and a second prism arranged on an image side relative to a movable lens group that is a closest to the image side among the plurality of movable lens groups for approximately perpendicularly folding the optical axis. |
| US07646417B2 |
Mobile phone equipped with a camera
The present invention relates to a portable terminal in which the orientation of the displayed subject is the same as the actual orientation of the subject. The reference attitude when taking a picture is shown in FIG. 5, with the lid 12 being rotated substantially about 90 degrees about the X-axis with respect to the main body, and a perpendicular of the display 32 is in the same orientation as the optical axis of the CCD 41. In this attitude, the image captured by the CCD 41 is displayed as it is in the display 32. On the other hand, when the angle detector 51 detects that the lid 12 is rotated by a further 90 degrees with respect to the main body 11 from the attitude of FIG. 5 and the lid 12 and the main body 11 are opened by about 180 degrees, the image captured by the CCD 41 is rotated by 90 degrees, and the rotated image is displayed in the display 32. The present invention can be applied to portable type terminals such as mobile phones having a two axially rotatable structure, PDA, personal computers. |
| US07646416B2 |
Image pickup apparatus with storage of original image, first reduced image, second reduced image and thumbnail data
An image pickup apparatus enters an enlargement display mode (in which enlargement display processing of enlarging and displaying part of reduced image data for normal display is performed) from any other image display mode. The image pickup apparatus also performs enlargement display processing of enlarging and displaying part of reduced image data for normal display at a high speed. Furthermore, the image pickup apparatus starts enlargement display processing of enlarging and displaying part of reduced image data for normal display from the portion stored in the previous enlargement display processing. |
| US07646415B2 |
Image correction apparatus correcting and displaying corrected area and method of controlling same
Whether the image of a subject contains a redeye-image area is detected. If the image contains a redeye-image area, this area is corrected. In order that a user can ascertain that a redeye-corrected image area has been corrected, a frame is displayed around this corrected image area. The fact that the image area within the frame has undergone the redeye-image correction can be ascertained owing to display of the frame. The user can ascertain which area in the image of the subject has been subjected to redeye-image correction processing. |
| US07646413B2 |
Imaging device for adding signals including same color component
An imaging device includes a plurality of photoelectric converting units arrayed in the horizontal and vertical directions, and an adder for adding signals including the same color component from the a plurality of photoelectric converting units such that the centers of gravity of the signals after addition are at the same pitch for respective signals. |
| US07646407B2 |
Digital exposure circuit for an image sensor
Automatic exposure adjusting device considers the image on a pixel-by-pixel basis. Each pixel is characterized according to its most significant bits. After the pixels are characterized, the number of pixels in any particular group is counted. That counting is compared with thresholds which set whether the image is over exposed, under exposed, and can optionally also determine if the image is seriously over exposed or seriously under exposed. Adjustment of the exposure is carried out to bring the image to a more desired state. |
| US07646405B2 |
Output image adjustment of image data
The present invention is an image processing apparatus for processing an image data using an image file which includes the image data and image processing control information to be used for processing the image data. The apparatus comprises an automatic picture quality adjuster configured to automatically regulate lightness of the image data according to lightness of a whole image expressed by the image data and an adjustment degree determiner configured to determine a degree of the auto adjustment based on the image processing control information. |
| US07646403B2 |
De-blurring in a digital image system
A camera system deblurrs an image by detecting a velocity of a camera as an image is captured by an image sensor. A processor interconnected to the image sensor and the velocity detector processes the sensed image so as to deblurr the image and output the deblurred image to a printer means. |
| US07646400B2 |
Method and apparatus for forming a panoramic image
A method for forming a panoramic image using a camera. The method comprises taking a first photograph using the camera. On a display of the camera a blending area is formed. The blending area includes a part of a first image of the first photograph displayed on the display. The camera is moved before being prepared to take a second photograph. In the blending area only, a pixel matching process is performed for determining an alignment of the portion of the first image in the blending area and part of a second image of the second photograph in the blending area. A camera is also disclosed. |
| US07646397B2 |
Electro-optical device, method for displaying an image, electronic device, and display structure
What exemplifies the invention is an electro-optical device that includes a matrix of pixel elements, a matrix of pixel drivers, each of which corresponds to each of the pixel elements, and a matrix of element processors, each of which corresponds to each of the pixel drivers. The element processors collaborate in executing grayscale calculation for transforming the grayscale resolution of the pixel data into another grayscale resolution, which is intrinsic in the couple of the pixel element and the driver, with reference to error distributed from the adjacent element processors in order to supply the result of calculation to the corresponding pixel driver, and also in distributing the error of grayscale calculation to the adjacent pixel elements. |
| US07646395B2 |
Adaptive closed group caricaturing
Caricatured images of subjects are generated wherein the caricatured image of each subject is adapted when subjects join and leave a closed group of which they are members. By adapting the caricatured images in this manner, it can be ensured that each caricatured image remains maximally distinguishable from the other images in the group, thus ensuring that recognition of the images may be maintained at a high level. |
| US07646393B2 |
Apparatus and method for adjusting primary color component of image, and computer-readable recording media for storing computer program
An apparatus for and a method of adjusting a primary color component of an image and a computer-readable recording medium for storing a computer program for controlling the apparatus. The apparatus includes: a weight determiner which determines a weight corresponding to a hue difference between a hue of each of plural object hue components and a hue of adjustment primary color; and a component adjuster which adjusts at least one of object hue and saturation components using at least one of saturation and hue adjustment amounts of the adjustment primary color and the weight. The object hue and saturation components are components of hue and saturation components of an input image belonging to an adjustment range, the adjustment range belongs to a region of a color space in which color interference between the adjustment primary color and a neighboring primary color occurs, the adjustment primary color corresponds to a primary color to be adjusted, and the neighboring primary color corresponds to a primary color neighboring the adjustment primary color. |
| US07646392B2 |
Dynamic theme color palette generation
There is provided a method of changing a theme for a user interface of a computer system comprising receiving an identification of an image with which to define a color palette of a theme for rendering elements of a user interface on a color display of the computer system; analysing the image to determine at least one predominant color; and defining the color palette in response to the analysis. The image may comprise a background image selected by a user for display by the computer system. Dynamic generation of the color palette matches the user interface to colors to provide flexible and appealing themes. A computer readable memory having recorded thereon instructions to carry out this method is also provided, as well as a device comprising such memory. |