| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US07669242B2 |
Agent presence monitor configured to execute in a secure environment
Embodiments of a method and system for detecting and confirming an agent presence are disclosed herein. The agent presence can be confirmed by a secure management engine configured to execute in a secure execution environment. In various embodiments, a secure execution environment includes a service processor, a virtual partition, and an embedded microcontroller. The management engine is configured to monitor a signal communicated from the agent. Based on the monitored signal, an analysis determines an operational state of the agent. Embodiments include remote management applicability for monitoring a host agent. |
| US07669241B2 |
Streaming algorithms for robust, real-time detection of DDoS attacks
A distinct-count estimate is obtained in a guaranteed small footprint using a two level hash, distinct count sketch. A first hash fills the first-level hash buckets with an exponentially decreasing number of data-elements. These are then uniformly hashed to an array of second-level-hash tables, and have an associated total-element counter and bit-location counters. These counters are used to identify singletons and so provide a distinct-sample and a distinct-count. An estimate of the total distinct-count is obtained by dividing by the distinct-count by the probability of mapping a data-element to that bucket. An estimate of the total distinct-source frequencies of destination address can be found in a similar fashion. By further associating the distinct-count sketch with a list of singletons, a total singleton count and a heap containing the destination addresses ordered by their distinct-source frequencies, a tracking distinct-count sketch may be formed that has considerably improved query time. |
| US07669240B2 |
Apparatus, method and program to detect and control deleterious code (virus) in computer network
A detection and response system including a set of algorithms for detection within a stream of normal computer traffic a subset of TCP packets with one IP Source Address (SA), one Destination Port (DP), and a number exceeding a threshold of distinct Destination Addresses (DA). There is efficient use of a lookup mechanism such as a Direct Table and Patricia search tree to record sets of packets with one SA and one DP as well as the set of DA values observed for the given SA, DP combination. The existence of such a subset and the header values including SA, DP, and multiple DAs of the subset are reported to a network administrator. In addition, various administrative responses to reports are provided. |
| US07669231B2 |
System, apparatus, program, and method for authentication
According to an aspect of the invention, a management of each authentication subprocess assures the each authentication subprocess, and assurance contents can be verified by verification side, so that trustworthiness of the whole authentication process can be improved. An authentication system includes authentication entity devices which separately execute authentication subprocesses P1 and P2 and a verification device which verifies the executed contents of each of the authentication subprocesses P1 and P2. The entity device includes a confidential information management unit which manages confidential information, an authenticator generating unit which generates an authenticator using the confidential information, and a context generating unit which generates a specific context pursuant to a specific format from the authenticator and the executed contents. |
| US07669230B2 |
Secure switching system for networks and method for securing switching
Methods and systems are provided for secure switching of a roaming wireless terminal. The system includes a network having a plurality of access points for communicating with a wireless terminal. The network includes a first access point configured to couple with the wireless terminal, and a second access point configured to couple with the wireless terminal. The first access point is further configured to generate a first authentication information with the wireless terminal, and connect the wireless terminal with the network upon an authentication of the wireless terminal based on the first authentication information. The first access point is further configured to transmit the first authentication information to the second access point via the network upon the authentication of the wireless terminal. The second access point is further configured to connect the wireless terminal with the network using the first authentication information. The method includes the steps of generating a first authentication information during authentication of the wireless client with a first access point, broadcasting the first authentication information from the first access point to other access points of the network via the network, and connecting the wireless client with the network at a second access point using the first authentication information. |
| US07669223B1 |
Apparatus and method for packaging programs in a television program delivery system
An apparatus and a method provide optimum packaging of programs for delivery over a television program delivery system. The apparatus includes a central processor unit (CPU) that is used to select program categories and identify external and internal programs. For packaging. The CPU includes advanced features to weight programs according to established criteria including previous buying history, programs watched data, and viewer demographics. The CPU formats a menu having a program lineup and assigns transponder space. Other advanced features include the use of multiple operations centers to support the packaging, delivery of the packaged programs to cable television headends, insertion of local avails, and direct transmission of program packages to individual television terminals. |
| US07669218B1 |
Provision of electronic mail services via a cable services network
Methods and systems are provided for accessing electronic mail services via a cable services network. A cable television services customer/user may access electronic mail services through a cable television services provider by providing access credentials via an interactive television session through a cable television set-top box. To authenticate a customer/user's access to electronic mail services, a username and a personal identification number (PIN) are submitted by the customer/user to a backend database. A password for the customer/user is located in the backend database and is utilized for accessing the electronic mail services by the customer/user. If the customer/user has never established a personal identification number, the customer/user may submit a new PIN to the backend database. Authorization to enter the new PIN into the backend database is based on submission of a valid username and password by the customer/user. |
| US07669210B2 |
Optical pickup device and optical disk device using the same
A guide portion provided in parallel with a main shaft is formed integrally with a resin-made mechanism chassis. A slidable member is provided between a guide receiver portion of a pickup and the guide portion. The guide receiver portion is provided with a spring member which applies an energizing force to press the slidable member and the guide portion. |
| US07669208B2 |
Object synchronization between object stores on different computers
The invention includes a method of synchronizing objects between first and second object stores. A synchronization manager in accordance with the invention maintains a reference store containing identifying data segments corresponding respectively to a plurality of objects that have previously been synchronized between the first and second object stores. An application program that maintains the first object store has associated interfaces that allow the synchronization manager to compare and manipulate objects. One such interface allows the synchronization manager to submit an identifying data segment associated with a particular object. In response, this interface returns a handle that corresponds to the submitted identifying data segment. Another interface accepts a handle that refers to an identifying data segment, and determines if the object corresponding to the identifying data segment has been changed in the first object store since the last synchronization. If it has, the synchronization manager takes steps to update the second object store. If, on the other hand, the object has changed in the second object store, application program interfaces allow the synchronization manager to update the object in the first object store. Objects are transferred through the synchronization manager in an arbitrary, application-specific format that is not determined or understood by the synchronization manager itself. |
| US07669200B2 |
Resizing an install image
A data processing system, a data processing implemented system, and an article of manufacture for resizing an image. A removable features list is generated, and the generated removable features list identifies one or more removable features associated with the install image. A removable components list is generated, and the generated removable components list identifies one or more components associated with the one or more removable features. The generated removable features list and the generated removable components list are used to determine which files may be removed from the install image so that removal of one or more components does not impact features that are not to be removed. |
| US07669197B1 |
Embedded system employing component architecture platform
Disclosed herein is a component architecture platform (CAP) framework that provides a mechanism to update firmware, drivers, and/or application software in an embedded system, such as in mobile electronic devices. The framework also facilitates access to generated update packages by the embedded system and provides updates to firmware, drivers, content or application software in a fault tolerant mode. Generation of update packages is more efficient and the update packages employing CAP are more compact than prior solutions. A distributed version of CAP, (DCAP), also provides access to functionality or components located at remote locations on other platforms. |
| US07669196B2 |
Data processing system, data generating device and data outputting device
A data processing system including a data generating device and a data outputting device. The data generating device includes: a generation program updating section for updating the version of the generation program, which causing a computer to generate data, from a current version to a next version. The data outputting device includes: a receiving section for receiving data from the data generating devices, a data accumulating section for accumulating data received at the receiving section; an outputting section for processing and outputting data in the data accumulating section in accordance with the output program executed by the computer; an output program updating section for updating the version of the output program from a current version to a next version; a compatibility determining section for determining the compatibility between the next-version output program and data in the data accumulating section before the output program is updated; and a controlling section for determining an operation to perform on data in the data accumulating section based on the result of the determination by the compatibility determining section. |
| US07669195B1 |
Electronic device network supporting compression and decompression in electronic devices and update generator
Disclosed herein is an electronic device network including a plurality of electronic devices. The electronic devices may each have software adapted to update firmware/software resident in the electronic device in compressed form. The software adapted to update firmware/software may also be adapted to employ the decompressed firmware/software components in conjunction with additional update information in performing an update on the electronic devices. An update generator in the electronic device network may be adapted to employ compression and decompression techniques upon generated updates for use in updating the electronic devices. The update generator may also be adapted to generate update packages using the decompressed update information. The update generator may also be adapted to selectively compress the generated update packages usable for updating the electronic devices prior to the update package being transmitted to eth electronic device. |
| US07669194B2 |
Fine-grained software-directed data prefetching using integrated high-level and low-level code analysis optimizations
A mechanism for minimizing effective memory latency without unnecessary cost through fine-grained software-directed data prefetching using integrated high-level and low-level code analysis and optimizations is provided. The mechanism identifies and classifies streams, identifies data that is most likely to incur a cache miss, exploits effective hardware prefetching to determine the proper number of streams to be prefetched, exploits effective data prefetching on different types of streams in order to eliminate redundant prefetching and avoid cache pollution, and uses high-level transformations with integrated lower level cost analysis in the instruction scheduler to schedule prefetch instructions effectively. |
| US07669190B2 |
Method and system for efficiently recording processor events in host bus adapters
A host bus adapter (“HBA”) is provided with a programmable trace logic that can be enabled or disabled by firmware running on the HBA and if enabled can receive trace information from at least one processor, which is stored in a local memory buffer controlled by a local memory interface. A receive and transmit path processor data is traced and stored in the local memory buffer. The trace logic includes an arbitration module that receives trace data from plural sources and the trace data is stored in a first in first out based buffer before being sent to a direct memory access arbiter module and then to an external memory. Trace data as stored in the external memory includes a trace data source identity value, and a time stamp value indicating when data was collected. |
| US07669189B1 |
Monitoring memory accesses for computer programs
Techniques for monitoring memory accesses for computer programs are provided. A user can instruct a computer program to have one of more of its processes monitor memory accesses to a memory region. As memory accesses to the memory region occur, a log can be created that includes information concerning the memory accesses. The log can be analyzed in order to debug memory access bugs. Additionally, new processes can be spawned that monitor memory accesses in a way that is similar to existing processes. |
| US07669186B2 |
Debugging applications at resource constrained virtual machines using dynamically installable lightweight agents
A system for debugging applications at resource-constrained virtual machines may include a target device configured to host a lightweight debug agent to obtain debug information from one or more threads of execution at a virtual machine executing at the target device, and a debug controller. The lightweight debug agent may include a plurality of independently deployable modules. The debug controller may be configured to select one or more of the modules for deployment at the virtual machine for a debug session initiated to debug a targeted thread, to deploy the selected modules at the virtual machine for the debug session, and to receive debug information related to the targeted thread from the lightweight debug agent during the session. |
| US07669181B2 |
Client interfaces for packages
A method and system for employing client interfaces for packages. In one embodiment, an access object associated with a service provided by a first package is located, where the service is seeking to access content residing at a second package. A client interface is then created at the second package using the access object. The client interface is used to provide access to the content by exposing the content to the service via the client interface. |
| US07669177B2 |
System and method for preference application installation and execution
The present systems and methods disclose a system for personalizing computer functionality. End-users are provided with tools to easily write rich and complex preferences, for example, by using a plurality simple IF-THEN propositional logic. The preferences are then transformed into queries and executed efficiently on structured data. Preferences that are satisfied then execute actions such as providing notification or storing data in a particular folder. Furthermore, according to an aspect of the invention, data, logic, events, inter alia, are all schematized, thereby enabling sharing of data between application components and across applications. |
| US07669174B2 |
Pattern generation method and charged particle beam writing apparatus
A pattern generation method includes changing a dimension of a pattern included in each mesh-like region of a plurality of mesh-like regions by using an area of the pattern and a total sum of lengths of circumferential sides of the pattern included in each mesh-like region to correct a dimension error of the pattern, wherein the dimension error being caused by loading effects and the plurality of mesh-like regions being virtually divided from a pattern forming region of a target object, and generating a pattern of the dimension changed on the target object. |
| US07669171B2 |
Prediction model and prediction method for exposure dose
A prediction model for exposure dose is indicated by the following formula, E=E0+EC, wherein E represents an optimized exposure dose, E0 represents a preset exposure dose of a process control system, and EC represents an exposure dose compensation value, and EC=[(MTTdiff/X)/(CDmask/X)]×(ES/A′)×(Wlast+Wavg), wherein MTTdiff represents the differences between the MTT value of a previous lot and the MTT value of a next lot, CDmask represents the actual critical dimension of the mask, X represents the magnification of the mask, ES represents the actual exposure dose of a previous lot, A′ represents an experimental value obtained from the results of different lots, Wlast represents the last batch of weights and Wavg represents an average weight, and CDmask, ES, A′, Wlast and Wavg are set parameters built into the process control system. |
| US07669167B2 |
Rule based system and method for automatically generating photomask orders by conditioning information from a customer's computer system
A system for generating photomask orders in a specified format includes at least one template or order for entry and storage of photomask order data, wherein the at least one template or order is created based upon requirements of a specified photomask order format. The system includes at least one set of rules corresponding to the at least one template or order, wherein the set of rules includes instructions which insure that a user enter complete information into the at least one template or order as required by the specified order format. A graphical user interface is associated with the at least one template or order, wherein the user can access the at least one template or order to enter photomask order data and create an order in a specified format. A data processing mechanism imports electronic information from external media into the at least one template or order. |
| US07669166B1 |
Generation of a specification of a processor of network packets
A method for generating a hardware description language (HDL) specification of a processor of network packets. Independent sets of interdependent handlers are determined from a specification of the handlers for processing the network packets. Either a first pipeline or a cluster of threads is selected for a corresponding architecture for each independent set. The corresponding architecture has one or more concurrent units for each interdependent handler in the independent set. Each concurrent unit is either a stage of the first pipeline or a thread of the cluster. Each action of each interdependent handler in each independent set is assigned to a concurrent unit for the interdependent handler. Each of these actions is also assigned to a stage of a second pipeline for the concurrent unit. The HDL specification of the processor is generated specifying the corresponding architecture for each independent set and the second pipeline for each concurrent unit. |
| US07669165B2 |
Method and system for equivalence checking of a low power design
Method and system for equivalence checking of a low power design are disclosed. The method includes receiving a register-transfer level (RTL) netlist representation of a circuit, receiving a power specification file for describing power requirements of the circuit, creating a low power gate netlist for representing a design implementation of the circuit using the RTL netlist and the power specification file, creating a reference low power RTL netlist for representing a design specification of the circuit using the RTL netlist and the power specification file, and performing equivalence checking between the low power gate netlist and the reference low power RTL netlist. The method further includes annotating low power information described in the power specification file into the reference low power RTL netlist, and creating low power logic in the reference low power RTL netlist. |
| US07669163B1 |
Partial configuration of a programmable gate array using a bus macro and coupling the third design
A method of partially reconfiguring a field programmable gate array (FPGA) with at least one design that has interdesign routing with at least one other design programmed into the FPGA. A first configuration data set implements a first design in a first area of the FPGA, a second design in a second, non-overlapping area, and at least one bus macro that defines a bus interface between the first design and the second design. The bus interface includes a set of signal lines coupled to the first and second designs and logic that controls input and output of signals over the signal lines. A second configuration data set implements a modified version of the first design in the first area and does not implement any version of the second design. The FPGA is configured with the first configuration data set, and then partially configured with the second configuration data set. |
| US07669154B2 |
Timing analysis method, timing analysis program, and timing analysis tool
This invention intends to provide timing analysis methods, timing analysis programs, and timing analysis tools for the purpose of performing timing verification in optimum conditions without any excessive variations by statistically dealing with variations in elemental devices forming a semiconductor integrated circuit. In order to verify a timing between two signals, a delay value of a signal propagating through a signal path selected as a candidate for timing analysis is obtained, and with respect to a random variation amount of the delay value, a random variation amount corresponding to the number of gate circuit stages forming the signal path is obtained. Then, based on the delay value and the random variation amount, a most severe variation amount between the two signals in a most severe operating condition is obtained, and based on the most severe variation amount, a respective individual variation coefficient is allocated for each gate circuit, thereby performing a timing analysis. |
| US07669153B2 |
Method for correcting photomask pattern
A method for correcting a photomask pattern is provided. The correcting method performs a verification of a focus-exposure matrix (FEM) and an overlay variation on a layout area having contact holes or vias in a layout pattern so as to generate a hint information. The layout pattern of the photomask is corrected according to the hint information to prevent the contact holes or vias from being exposed in arrangement to corresponding metal layer, poly layer, or diffusion layer. |
| US07669150B2 |
Statistical optimization and design method for analog and digital circuits
A computer implemented method of performing projection based polynomial fitting. The method includes generating a plurality of sampling points as a function of variables. The method also includes forming a polynomial model template representative of the plurality of sampling points. According to embodiments of the present invention, the polynomial model template comprises at least one polynomial coefficient. The method further includes forming a low-rank matrix to approximate the polynomial coefficient. |
| US07669143B2 |
Information reading apparatus with a screen for displaying stored symbol images
An information reading apparatus such as a handheld personal device comprises a memory having a plurality of cells arranged in a two-dimensional array of rows and columns. Each cell stores a symbol image to be displayed on a screen. When a matrix array of cells is displayed, a cursor key is used to select one of the displayed cells as a candidate by moving a selection point by one cell at a time in response to a user's operation and is used to enter a user's decision command when a desired candidate is displayed at the center of the screen. A matrix array of cells including the selected cell and its neighbor cells are read from the memory and displayed so that the selected cell is positioned at the center of the screen. The processes of reading and displaying are repeated in response to a user's operation until the user's decision command is entered. |
| US07669142B2 |
Viewable and actionable search results
Search results can be viewed and acted upon. Searches may be conducted using a search input in conjunction with a selected category. The search results may be produced from such a search. One or more of the produced search results may be highlighted for previewing. Along with the preview, available actions are presented that are based on the selected category. A user can initiate an action of the available actions. The initiated action is then performed with respect to the highlighted search result(s). |
| US07669138B2 |
Interacting with a computer-based management system
A method, and apparatus, and a software product for implementing a method for interacting with a computer-based management system including authoring and communicating composite data messages, each composite data message comprising both free-text and structured data, such that the structured data represents the intended meaning of the free-text in a form understandable by the computer-based management system. In one version, authoring includes converting free-text to structured data. One version includes communicating the composite message. |
| US07669136B1 |
Intelligent analysis based self-scheduling browser reminder
A computer-implemented method for reminding a user to browse a regularly visited website comprising tracking websites visited by the user and ranking each website by visitation frequency and browsing duration. An average recurring time each website is visited is calculated and it is determined whether the current time is equal to the average recurring time for a particular website. The user is reminded to visit the particular website if it is determined that the user is not currently browsing the particular website when the current time equals the average recurring time for the particular website. |
| US07669134B1 |
Method and apparatus for displaying information during an instant messaging session
A method and an apparatus are provided for controlling a graphical user interface to display information related to a communication session. Information relating to data produced by a first participant to the communication session is displayed on a first display unit, wherein the information produced by the first participant is displayed at a first position on the first display unit. Data is received from a second participant to the communication session, and information relating to the data received from the second participant is displayed on the first display unit, wherein the information received from the second participant is displayed at a second position on the first display unit. The first and second positions are horizontally spaced apart. |
| US07669132B2 |
Matching a slideshow to an audio track
In a method for a matching a slideshow with an audio track, a slideshow is received. The slideshow comprises a timebase defining display times for slides of the slideshow. An audio track is received. The audio track is utilized to warp the timebase such that a display time for at least one of the slides is altered to increase a correlation between the display time and an intensity of a portion of the audio track. |
| US07669130B2 |
Dynamic real-time playback
Systems and methods for previewing edited video. In general, in one implementation, a method includes generating a video sequence from a plurality of video segments, identifying an inability to output at least one video segment in the video sequence in substantially real time; and adjusting an output level associated with the at least one video segment to enable the at least one video segment to be output in substantially real time. The output level may include a video quality or a frame rate. |
| US07669129B2 |
Graphical user interface for providing editing of transform hierarchies within an effects tree
Transformation hierarchies and effects trees may be defined in the same user interface by treating animated transformations as another type of time-varying data stream. Effects operators in the effect tree are provided with an input to receive a transformation. The effects operators can be set to either use a transformation having parameters specified by the user, or use an input transformation, or both. Transform operators may generate an output transform based on user specified parameters or based on a function of data input to the transform operator. If there is no input connected to a transform operator, the transform operator may generate its own local transform. In the user interface, the user can connect the output of one transformation operator to the next (e.g., parent to child) using the same output to input port connections as used for images and effects operators. The result of a graph of transformation operators is then visually connected to the input of the image processing (rendering or rasterizing) effect, such as a DVE, that is capable of using the final transformation. The user can then identify clearly which image effects are consumers of the transformation matrices. Using the data flow user interface, it also becomes possible to supply the same transformation as input to several image processing effects. |
| US07669127B2 |
Techniques for capturing information during multimedia presentations
Techniques for capturing information during multimedia presentations. According to an embodiment, the presentation recording appliance (PRA) receives multimedia presentation information comprising video information and/or audio information. The PRA may also receive information from external sources other than the first source. The audio and video information received by the PRA is then processed and stored in a format which facilitates subsequent retrieval. |
| US07669125B2 |
Apparatus and method for adaptively generating tooltip
A method and apparatus are provided for adaptively generating a tooltip to be displayed in association with an object, such as a push button or a check box, according to the state of the object. The method comprises determining a current state of the object; and generating a tooltip to be displayed in association with the object according to the current state of the object. Since a tooltip is adaptively generated for an object included in a GUI and is automatically displayed in association with the object. Thus, it is possible to conveniently control a device with reference to the tooltip without the need to additionally refer to instructions regarding the GUI. |
| US07669119B1 |
Correlation-based information extraction from markup language documents
An extraction-rule generation and training system uses information obtained from multiple markup language documents (e.g. web pages) of similar structure to generate an extraction rule for extracting datapoints from markup language documents. By using information extracted from multiple documents of similar structure, including information regarding correlations between such documents, the method produces data extraction rules that provide improved datapoint extraction reliability. Where the structures of two or more documents are not sufficiently similar, the system maintains separate extraction rules for the same datapoint, and applies these separate extraction rules in combination to particular markup language documents to extract the datapoint. |
| US07669117B2 |
Method and system for creation and retrieval of global annotations
Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture for managing global annotations made for data elements that may be instantiated (e.g., displayed) by a variety of different type applications are provided. By anchoring the global annotations to the data element, rather than the particular data source containing the data element at the time the data element was annotated, the annotation may be retrieved from any application that instantiates or displays it. |
| US07669116B2 |
Single access point for filing of converted electronic forms to multiple processing entities
Methods for efficiently publishing electronic versions of traditionally paper-based government forms and utilizing the electronic forms for web-based transactional services are disclosed. Standard paper-based government forms are automatically converted to XML format, including data fields for entry of information by customers. Multiple electronic forms are accessible to the customer at a single access point, such as a web site. At the web site, the customer selects a form for filing with any of a plurality of government agencies. When presented to the customer, the selected form is presented with some of its data fields being pre-populated according to information retrieved from a database and specific to that customer. The customer completes the form, and a back-end system integrated with the web site handles the completed form, determines the appropriate government agency for filing the form, and transmits it as a transaction to the determined government agency. |
| US07669115B2 |
Method and system for facilitating information exchange
A method and system for facilitating information exchange between individuals and entities interacting on a shared project are provided, and more particularly to a method and system for horizontal. i.e. non-hierarchical, participation in and/or contribution to a spreadsheet-based project. The method and system is Web-based and utilizes conventional browser and spreadsheet technology to achieve collaborative exchanges of information on an enterprise-wide basis. The method and system also facilitate efficacious remote information access and exchange, e.g., over a computer network such as the Internet and/or the World Wide Web, through a caching function that combines individual queries initiated by a spreadsheet program before transmitting across a network to a server for consideration. |
| US07669109B2 |
Hardware-efficient low density parity check code for digital communications
A low density parity check (LDPC) code for a belief propagation decoder circuit is disclosed. LDPC code is arranged as a macro matrix (H) representing block columns and block rows of a corresponding parity check matrix (Hpc). Each non-zero entry corresponds to a permutation matrix with a shift corresponding to the position of the permutation matrix entry in the macro matrix. The block columns are grouped, so that only one column in the group contributes to the parity check sum in a row. A parity check value estimate memory is arranged in banks logically connected in various data widths and depths. A parallel adder generates extrinsic estimates for generating new parity check value estimates that are forwarded to bit update circuits for updating of probability values. Parallelism, time-sequencing of ultrawide parity check rows, and pairing of circuitry to handle ultrawide code rows, are also disclosed. |
| US07669106B1 |
Optimization of low density parity check (LDPC) building blocks using multi-input Gilbert cells
Described are an iterative decoder and method for implementing an iterative decoder which can be used for error correction in data communications. In one implementation, the method includes implementing a first function including a first plurality of Gilbert cells, and implementing a second function including a second plurality of Gilbert cells, where examples of the first and second functions include an equality constraint function and a parity check function. Each of the first plurality of Gilbert cells and the second plurality of Gilbert cells includes n m-input Gilbert multipliers, in which n is an integer greater than (3) and m=(n−1). |
| US07669102B1 |
JTAG to SPI PROM conduit
A memory coupled to a programmable logic device (PLD) is configured through the PLD's JTAG port. A soft core loaded into the PLD connects to the JTAG port and memory. An external programming host device connects to the JTAG port, sends instructions and data to and receives data from the memory via the JTAG port and soft core. A synchronization JTAG instruction is loaded, and a Shift Data state of the JTAG port state machine is used. The programming host device and soft core are synchronized, and a memory chip select is asserted. A memory instruction, such as READ, WRITE or ERASE is loaded into the memory. An RTI state of the state machine is used to wait for instruction completion and the chip select is deasserted. Another instruction is processed starting with using the Shift Data state. Alternatively, a PLD Shift Data Register is used in conjunction with the soft core. |
| US07669101B2 |
Methods for distributing programs for generating test data
Described herein are methods and systems for distributed execution of circuit testing algorithms, or portions thereof. Distributed processing can result in faster processing. Algorithms or portions of algorithms that are independent from each other can be executed in a non-sequential manner (e.g., parallel) over a network of plurality of processors. The network includes a controlling processor that can allocate tasks to other processors and conduct the execution of some tasks on its own. Dependent algorithms, or portions thereof, can be performed on the controlling processor or one of the controlled processors in a sequential manner. For algorithms that are highly sequential in nature, portions of algorithms can be modified to delay the need for dependent results between algorithm portions by creating a rolling window of independent tasks that is iterated. |
| US07669100B2 |
System and method for testing and providing an integrated circuit having multiple modules or submodules
In an integrated circuit having a plurality of modules and/or submodules that each performs a substantially same function, defective modules and/or submodules are determined by creating a test signature from an input test pattern. The output of each module and/or submodule is compared with the test signature and defective modules to identify defective modules and/or submodules. The identity of defective modules/submodules is stored on the integrated circuit for subsequent use by a customer. Integrated circuits having one or more defective modules/submodules are sold to customers with full disclosure of which modules/submodules are defective, thereby improving the yield associated with the product. Pricing of the product is discounted for products with less than full functionality. |
| US07669097B1 |
Configurable IC with error detection and correction circuitry
A configurable integrated circuit (IC) performs error detection and correction on configuration data. The IC includes a configuration memory for storing configuration data, an error detection circuitry for detecting an error and a circuit that outputs from the IC an uncorrectable error signal indicating the detection of an error. The configurable IC has a circuit inside of the IC that causes the IC to reset when the error circuitry detects an uncorrectable error. In another embodiment, the circuit that causes the IC to reset is located outside of the IC. |
| US07669093B2 |
Information radio transmission system
An information radio transmission system is provided that enables provision of correct control information on the transmitting side irrespective of the error volume when an error occurs in communication data. Error volume measuring data string storage units that store an error volume measuring data string are provided in both a transmitting-side communication device that transmits data by radio transmission and a receiving-side communication device that receives data transmitted from the transmitting-side communication device. The receiving-side communication device has an error volume measuring unit that measures the error volume when transmitting data. An error volume measuring data string is added to data and the data is transmitted from the transmitting-side communication device. Having received this, in the receiving-side communication device, the error volume measuring unit compares the error volume measuring data transmitted from the transmitting-side communication device with an error volume measuring data string stored in an error volume measuring data string storage unit of the receiving-side communication device, thereby measuring the error volume. |
| US07669090B2 |
Apparatus and method for verifying custom IC
An apparatus for verifying a custom IC including a test pattern generating unit for generating a test pattern for verifying a function of the custom IC. The test pattern is output to a master IC and a test IC. The apparatus further includes a comparing unit connected to receive operation signals output from the master IC and the test IC for comparing the operation signals to see if the operation signals are agreed with each other and for generating a comparison signal based on a comparison result, a judging unit connected to receive the comparison signal for judging if there is any abnormality in the test IC and for outputting a judged signal based on a judged result, and a computer connected to receive the judged signal for displaying the judged result of the test IC. |
| US07669089B2 |
Multi-level file representation corruption
Methods and systems provide an approach for corrupting file representations at multiple different levels to provide a robust file corruption tool. In accordance with the described embodiments, file representation corruption can take place at a file's physical representation, logical representation and/or content representation. |
| US07669088B2 |
System and method for monitoring application availability
A system and method for monitoring the availability of an application in a distributed data processing environment are provided. The performance aspects of application availability are defined in terms of easily observed and computed characteristics of the application as it behaves in a deployed environment with the deployed configuration. The system and method observe the application processes, the structural resources they require, and the consumable resources they require from the running system itself. These observations are then used to derive minimum requirements for the resource requirement aspects of availability as well as derive criteria for normal behavioral conditions. These minimum requirements and normal behavioral conditions are then used to establish monitoring rules or conditions for monitoring the operation of the application to determine if availability of the application is degrading such that a notification needs to be sent to an administrator. |
| US07669085B2 |
Method and apparatus for performing wireless diagnostics and troubleshooting
A wireless diagnostics framework that is non-intrusive and stays out of the way of a user is presented. In the case of a failure, prescriptive guidance is provided and/or the framework possibly automatically fixes the problem. The framework includes a wireless diagnostics module that interacts with the operating system's diagnostics framework, helper classes, and wireless components to collect and log wireless diagnostic events and notifications, and issues queries and requests for active diagnostics. The helper classes perform diagnosis and troubleshooting fore their expertise areas based on the information provided by the wireless diagnostics module. The wireless diagnostics module includes an application program interface for communicating with helper classes, an event listener module that provides an event tracing application program interface to in-process modules, an active diagnostics module that issue active packet test requests to a media specific module, and query modules that issue information query requests to media specific modules. |
| US07669084B2 |
Method for self-diagnosing remote I/O enclosures with enhanced FRU callouts
A method, apparatus, and computer instructions for self-diagnosing remote I/O enclosures with enhanced FRU callouts. when a failure is detected on a RIO drawer, a data processing system uses the bulk power controller to provide an alternate path, rather than using the existing RIO links, to access registers on the I/O drawers. The system logs onto the bulk power controller, which provides a communications path between the data processing system and the RIO drawer. The communications path allows the data processing system to read all of the registers on the I/O drawer. The register information in the I/O drawer is then analyzed to diagnose the I/O failure. Based on the register information, the data processing system identifies a field replacement unit to repair the I/O failure. |
| US07669082B2 |
Fault tolerant and hang resistant media processing applications
Techniques for playing a media file in a multimedia application include launching a multimedia application as one process and automatically launching a pipeline of one or more media processing components as one or more isolated processes. In this manner, any untrustworthy components can be executed in an isolated process that is separate from the execution process of the multimedia application, thereby improving fault tolerance and hang resistance. |
| US07669076B2 |
Estimating data availability on managed storage devices
This disclosure describes methods, systems and software that can be used to calculate the estimated mean time to data loss for a particular configuration of a disk group. For example, a system can be used to evaluate a plurality of configurations, and/or to select (and/or allow a user to select) an optimal configuration of the disk group, based, in some cases, on the relative estimated mean times to data loss of the various configurations. This can allow, if desired, the configuration of the disk group to minimize the likelihood of data loss in the disk group. |
| US07669072B2 |
Clock circuitry architecture to improve electro-magnetic compatibility and optimize peak of currents in micro-controller
A system comprises a central processing unit and a set of peripheral units accessible by the CPU and being able to be driven by the same clock source. At least one programmable delay line is located in the clock branch of one of the peripheral units and has a delay selection input that is accessible by software running on the system. |
| US07669071B2 |
Power allocation management in an information handling system
An information handling system includes modular processing resources, each having a main processor, system memory, and preferably a service processor resource. A management resource coupled to a service processor resource evaluates a system power budget and allocates power to a processing resource by indicating a critical power level. The processing resource determines a warning power level based on the critical power level and monitor its actual power consumption. If actual power consumption exceeds the critical power level, the processing resource is powered down. If actual power consumption exceeds the warning power level, the processing resource throttles its performance to conserve power and requests a power allocation increase. If actual power consumption is below the warning power level, the processing resource may request a reduction in allocated power. |
| US07669069B2 |
Control of link supply power based on link port mode
A system may include detection of a logical mode of a link port, and changing of a link supply power provided to the link port based on the detected logical mode. Detection of the logical mode may include a determination of whether the link port is terminated by a partner link port. If the link port is not terminated, the link supply power may be reduced to a value that does not preserve logic states of a plurality of link port elements, and, if the link port is terminated, the link supply power may be maintained substantially at Vcc. |
| US07669064B2 |
Diagnostic and managing distributed processor system
A network of microcontrollers for monitoring and diagnosing the environmental conditions of a computer is disclosed. The network of microcontrollers provides a management system by which computer users can accurately gauge the health of their computer. The network of microcontrollers provides users the ability to detect system fan speeds, internal temperatures and voltage levels. The invention is designed to not only be resilient to faults, but also allows for the system maintenance, modification, and growth—without downtime. Additionally, the present invention allows users to replace failed components, and add new functionality, such as new network interfaces, disk interface cards and storage, without impacting existing users. One of the primary roles of the present invention is to manage the environment without outside involvement. This self-management allows the system to continue to operate even though components have failed. |
| US07669062B2 |
Image processing apparatus with distributed processing and shutdown control method
It is an object of this invention to, in an image processing apparatus executing load distribution processing over a network, perform appropriate processing in accordance with an instruction from a user at power shutdown. There is provided an image processing apparatus which is connected to a network and performs processing requested by another apparatus over the network, including a notifying unit which, if the apparatus is instructed to shut down power during execution of the requested processing, provides notification to a user that the requested processing is being performed, an input unit for a user to input an instruction in response to the notification, and a termination processing unit which shuts down power after performing processing corresponding to the instruction. |
| US07669060B2 |
Data processing apparatus
In a data processing apparatus which performs an output process and a protection process on data stored in a data storage section, and executes user verification when verification data to be used in verification at a time of accepting setting about the protection process is stored in a verification data storage section, execution of a data protection process is permitted or inhibited according to whether the verification data is stored in the verification data storage section or not. As the protection process is executed when user verification is carried out, the security on data protection is kept at a high level. |
| US07669052B2 |
Authentication and encryption utilizing command identifiers
A data processing system, recording device, data processing method and program providing medium are provided to execute authentication processing and content storing processing between apparatuses. Program localization is employed to restrict access to program content. A plurality of key blocks store key data for authentication processing. Key block designation information is set in a recorder/reproducer, which is configured for executing authentication processing with the recording device by designating a key block. The recorder/reproducer can set a key block for each product, model or the like. In addition, data stored according to a selected key block cannot be utilized in a recorder/reproducer in which a different key block is set. Furthermore, an encryption processing controlling section of a recording device executes control in accordance with a pre-defined setting sequence. Furthermore, an illegal instrument that has not completed the authentication processing can be prevented from utilizing program content. |
| US07669051B2 |
Data security system and method with multiple independent levels of security
The method, program and information processing system secures data, and particularly security sensitive words, characters or data objects in the data, in a computer system with multiple independent levels of security (MILS). Each level of MILS has a computer sub-network with networked workstations. The MILS sub-networks are connected together via security guard computer(s) and each guard computer has separate memories for each level (TS, S, C, UC (or remainder)). The method extracts the security sensitive words/data (a granular action), from the source document for each MILS level, stores the extracted data in a corresponding extract store for each level and permits reconstruction/reassembly of the dispersed data via said extracted data at each said level of said multiple security levels and remainder data only in the presence of a predetermined security clearance commensurate with each MILS level. |
| US07669044B2 |
Accelerated system boot
Increased efficiency in booting a computer uses a process of logging physical-level disk access during a boot cycle for use in creating a boot plan for a subsequent boot. Processing the log from one or more previous boots removes unnecessary reads such as those associated with temporary files and then orders the remaining read accesses based on times of prior read accesses and and by physical location on the disk. Upon boot, data likely to be requested first orders the remaining read accesses based on times of prior read accesses and By taking advantage of disk head and platter characteristics, data is read in sweeps through the disk, reducing overall latency. Requests that are not in cache may be held if the data is already scheduled for retrieval. |
| US07669039B2 |
Use of register renaming system for forwarding intermediate results between constituent instructions of an expanded instruction
Intermediate results are passed between constituent instructions of an expanded instruction using register renaming resources and control logic. A first constituent instruction generates intermediate results and is assigned a PRN in a constituent instruction rename table, and writes intermediate results to the identified physical register. A second constituent instruction performs a look up in the constituent instruction rename table and reads the intermediate results from the physical register. Constituent instruction rename logic tracks the constituent instructions through the pipeline, and delete the constituent instruction rename table entry and returns the PRN to a free list when the second constituent instruction has read the intermediate results. |
| US07669038B2 |
Method and apparatus for back to back issue of dependent instructions in an out of order issue queue
A method is provided for evaluating two or more instructions in an out of order issue queue during a particular cycle of the queue, to select an instruction for issue during the next following cycle. If an instruction was previously designated to issue during the particular cycle, one or more instructions in the queue are evaluated to determine if any of them are dependent on the designated instruction. For the evaluation, each instruction placed into the queue is accompanied by corresponding logic elements that provide destination to source compares for the instruction. In an embodiment comprising a method, the oldest ready instruction in the queue during a particular cycle is identified. When an instruction was previously designated to issue during the particular cycle, it is determined whether at least a first instruction in the queue complies with each condition in a set of conditions, the set including at least the conditions that the first instruction has a dependency on the designated instruction, and that the first instruction is older than the oldest ready instruction. The first instruction is selected for issue during the next following cycle only if the first instruction complies with each condition in the set. |
| US07669036B2 |
Direct path monitoring by primary processor to each status register in pipeline chained secondary processors for task allocation via downstream communication
Resource management techniques in multi-processor systems are described. Embodiments include a multi-processor system having a primary processor for communication with pipelined secondary processors. The secondary processors include registers containing status information for tasks executed by the respective secondary processors. The primary processor is provided with direct access to contents of the registers and manages computational and memory resources of the multi-processor system based on the acquired status information. |
| US07669035B2 |
Systems and methods for reconfigurable computing
A processing system includes a communication bus. a controller, an Input/Output (“I/O”) block, and reconfigurable logic segments (e.g., reconfigurable units). Individually reconfigurable logic segments are part of a single chip. A communication bus is in electrical communication with the logic segments. A first logic segment communicates to a Second logic segment over the communication bus. Reconfiguration can partition a first logic segment into a second and a third logic segment where the smaller logic segments are in electrical communication with the communication bus. Resources are dynamically reallocated when reconfigurable units are either combined or partitioned. More specifically, both partitioning a logic segment and combining two or more logic segments can change the bus width allocated to a reconfigurable unit and the quantity of logic gates in the reconfigured unit. As a result of a reconfiguration, a logic segment's embedded resources can change. The processing system provides high chip utilization throughout the chip's operation. |
| US07669032B2 |
Host-based virtualization optimizations in storage environments employing off-host storage virtualization
A system for host-based virtualization optimizations in storage environments employing off-host virtualization may include a host, one or more physical storage devices, and an off-host virtualizer such as a virtualizing switch. The off-host virtualizer may be configured to aggregate storage within the one or more physical storage devices into a virtual storage device such as a logical volume, and to provide control data for the virtual storage device to the host. The host may be configured to use the control data to perform a function in response to an I/O request from a storage consumer directed at the virtual storage device, and to use a result of the function to coordinate one or more I/O operations corresponding to the I/O request. |
| US07669025B2 |
Apparatus for security of accessing data and method of the same
The present invention provides an apparatus for security of accessing data, comprising a storage device including an address transform detector, a first lock bit register and a data comparator, the address transform detector providing a predetermined correction signal, data outputted from the storage device could be correctly identified when a memory address signal matches the predetermined correction signal and a latch signal is provided to the first lock bit register; and a micro-control unit for receiving data outputted from the storage device, the outputted data being stored in a second lock bit register and encoded by a serial encoding unit, a locking signal being feedback to the storage device; wherein a data encoded signal outputted from the first lock bit register and the locking signal are provided to a data comparator for comparison and determining whether output correct data to an encoding control unit according to the comparison. |
| US07669022B2 |
Computer system and data management method using a storage extent for backup processing
A computer system for preventing data loss that includes: a first storage system having a data storage extent for storing data sent from a host computer; a second storage system having at least one actual replicated data storage extent associated with the data storage extent; an archive appliance having a storage medium associated with the replicated data storage extent in the second storage system; and a data copy unit for controlling copy processing for reading data from the data storage extent in the first storage system and writing the read data to a first actual replicated data storage extent in the second storage system in accordance with specific configuration information. The system also has a connection switching unit for changing the specific configuration information so that a second actual replicated data storage extent, instead of the first actual replicated data storage extent, is associated with the data storage extent. |
| US07669020B1 |
Host-based backup for virtual machines
A system, method, and computer-accessible medium for centralized backup of a plurality of virtual machines are disclosed. Each virtual machine comprises at least one virtual volume. The plurality of virtual volumes are accessed through a central computer system. The central computer system is used to backup data from the plurality of virtual volumes in a manner substantially independent of execution of the plurality of virtual machines. |
| US07669018B2 |
Method and apparatus for filtering memory write snoop activity in a distributed shared memory computer
A method and apparatus for filtering memory probe activity for writes in a distributed shared memory computer. In one embodiment, the method may include initiating a first store operation to a cache data block stored in a first cache from a first processing node including the first cache and assigning a modified cache state to the cache data block in response to initiating the first store operation. The method may further include evicting the cache data block from the first cache subsequent to initiating the first store operation, storing the cache data block in a remote cache in response to the evicting, and assigning a remote directory state to a coherence directory entry corresponding to the cache data block in response to storing the cache data block in the remote cache, where the remote directory state is distinct from an invalid directory state. |
| US07669015B2 |
Methods and apparatus to implement parallel transactions
The present disclosure describes a unique way for each of multiple processes to operate in parallel using (e.g., reading, modifying, and writing to) the same shared data without causing corruption to the shared data. For example, each of multiple processes utilizes current and past data values associated with a global counter or clock for purposes of determining whether any shared variables used to produce a respective transaction outcome were modified (by another process) when executing a respective transaction. If a respective process detects that shared data used by respective process was modified during a transaction, the process can abort and retry the transaction rather than cause data corruption by storing locally maintained results associated with the transaction to a globally shared data space. |
| US07669013B2 |
Directory for multi-node coherent bus
A method for maintaining cache coherency for a multi-node system using a specialized bridge which allows for fewer forward progress dependencies. A look-up of a local node directory is performed if a request received at a multi-node bridge of the local node is a system request. If a directory entry indicates that data specified in the request has a local owner or local destination, the request is forwarded to the local node. If the local node determines that the request is a local request, a look-up of the local node directory is performed. If the directory entry indicates that data specified in the request has a local owner and local destination, the coherency of the data on the local node is resolved and a transfer of the request data is performed if required. Otherwise, the request is forwarded to all remote nodes in the multi-node system. |
| US07669009B2 |
Method and apparatus for run-ahead victim selection to reduce undesirable replacement behavior in inclusive caches
A method and apparatus for selecting and updating a replacement candidate in a cache is disclosed. In one embodiment, a cache miss may initiate the eviction of a present replacement candidate in a last-level cache. The cache miss may also initiate the selection of a future replacement candidate. Upon the selection of the future replacement candidate, the corresponding cache line may be invalidated in lower-level caches but remain resident in the last-level cache. The future replacement candidate may be updated by subsequent hits to the replacement candidate in the last-level cache prior to a subsequent cache miss. |
| US07669008B2 |
Destage management of redundant data copies
A method of destage management of redundant data copies in a cache storage subsystem includes providing a plurality of target storage devices, each of the plurality of target storage devices capable of storing a complete copy of a data image. The data image and the plurality of target storage devices are subdivided into a plurality of sub-regions, each of the plurality of sub-regions organized such that a minimum cumulative total of the plurality of sub-regions on the target storage devices equals a number of sub-regions required to form the complete copy of the data image. Data is destaged from a write cache to the plurality of sub-regions on the target storage devices in an order such that a minimum number of sub-regions can be combined to restore the complete copy of the data image. |
| US07669005B1 |
Content addressable memory (CAM) devices having soft priority resolution circuits therein and methods of operating same
Content addressable memory (CAM) devices use both hard and soft priority techniques to allocate entries of different priority therein. The priorities of multiple CAM array blocks within the CAM device may be programmed before or as entries are loaded therein and may be reprogrammed during operation as the allocation of entries within the CAM device changes. The allocation of entries may change in response to additions or deletions of entries or as entries are reprioritized. The CAM devices include preferred priority resolution circuits that can resolve competing soft and hard priorities between multiple hit signals that are generated in response to a search operation. Such hit signals may be active to reflect the presence of at least one matching entry within a CAM array block. The resolution of which active hit signal has the highest overall priority among many can be used to facilitate the identification of the location (e.g., array address and row address) of a highest priority matching entry within the entire CAM device. A priority resolution circuit may also resolve competing hard priorities between two or more active hit signals having equivalent soft priority. This aspect of the priority resolution circuit is provided so that an active hit signal having a highest overall priority can be resolved whenever multiple CAM array blocks having the same soft priority are detected as having matching entries therein during a search operation. |
| US07669003B2 |
Reprogrammable non-volatile memory systems with indexing of directly stored data files
Host system data files are written directly to a large erase block flash memory system with a unique identification of each file and offsets of data within the file but without the use of any intermediate logical addresses or a virtual address space for the memory. Directory information of where the files are stored in the memory is maintained within the memory system by its controller, rather than by the host. Each data file is uniquely identified in a file directory, which points to entries in a file index table (FIT) of data groups that make up the file and their physical storage locations in the memory. |
| US07668999B2 |
Computer system with improved bus handling
A method for retrieving information about a device within an information handling system comprising a central processing unit and a plurality of devices coupled with the central processing system through an internal bus and a slot based bus expansion system for adding a plurality of devices, comprises the steps of: determining the location of a device within the system; if the device is coupled through the internal bus, then requesting a primary identification information from the device; otherwise requesting a secondary identification information from the device. |
| US07668995B2 |
IIC bus communication system capable of suppressing freeze of IIC bus communication and method for controlling IIC bus communication
Multiple master devices and multiple slave devices are connected in parallel to two bus lines including a SCL line 1 and a SDA line 2, and a pullup resistor is connected between the bus lines and a power source. A state detector detects a frozen state on the basis of the states of the SCL line and SDA line and outputs a freeze detection signal, and it detects a freeze released state so as to output a freeze-release detection signal. A pulse generator supplies a pulse signal corresponding to a clock signal to the SCL line in accordance with the freeze-release detection signal. A reset signal generator sends a reset signal to the multiple master devices in accordance with the freeze-release detection signal. The multiple master devices return to the normal communication state in accordance with the supply of the reset signal. It is possible to restore the system even when the slave device returns an acknowledge signal for an incorrect bit and the IIC bus communication freezes. |
| US07668993B1 |
System and method for determining the connection state of devices connected to a bus
Detecting an input source of a signal of a device connected to a bus and determining whether the signal is converted, extracted, multiplexed, or processed. Efficiently controlling the connection of each unit connected on the bus. Issuing a command for detecting the output plug or source plug as the signal source. The unit or subunit receiving this command shows the signal source. Obtaining information showing whether a subunit is present in the unit or not. |
| US07668991B2 |
Address assignment to plurality of connecting elements in a bus system
A connecting element is proposed for weight measurement in a vehicle seat, which has connecting means and bus communications means. The connecting means make possible connecting to a single-wire bus. Furthermore, a method is proposed for making possible the bus communications between a control unit as master and at least one connecting element as slave. In this context, an address is assigned to the connecting element for the bus communications as a function of the serial number of the connecting element. Furthermore, a bus system is proposed having a control unit for activating personal protective means as a master, and at least two connecting elements which are configured for weight measurement in a vehicle seat. The bus system is developed as a single-wire bus. |
| US07668984B2 |
Low latency send queues in I/O adapter hardware
Send queues provided in an InfiniBand hardware adapter receive a single transmission from a connected computer system which includes work request information, address vector, and message data. This information is sufficient for the adapter to generate packet header information and to send the requested message, thereby providing a low latency sending mechanism. The system stores completion information in tables each dedicated to one of the send queues. |
| US07668983B2 |
System for designing data structures
Systems and methods for designing data structures are provided. In one embodiment, an asynchronous first-in-first-out (FIFO) data structure may include, for example, a FIFO memory having a depth d in which d is an integer and a code generator coupled to the FIFO memory. The code generator may provide, for example, a first code sequence of length 2d. The first code sequence may have a circular property and a Hamming length of one for any two consecutive codes of the first code sequence. The first code sequence may be generated from a second code sequence by removing one or more pairs of mirrored codes of the second code sequence. |
| US07668977B2 |
Method for exchanging information between devices connected via a communication link
A method for exchanging information between a first device and a second device connected via a communication link, the communication link supporting a query command and at least a further command, where each command includes a specific command code is described. The method comprises transmitting a query command code and data from the first device via the communication link, the data identifying a specific command, receiving the query command code and the data at the second device, transmitting reply data from the second device via the communication link, the reply data including at least a first segment and a second segment, and receiving the reply data at the first device, wherein the first segment includes information whether the specific command is supported, wherein, if the specific command is not supported, the second segment includes information identifying an alternative command to the specific command. |
| US07668976B2 |
Control method and computer system utilizing the same
A computer system comprising a memory module, a connection port, and a central processing unit (CPU) is disclosed. The memory module stores a main base input/output system (BIOS) comprising an auxiliary function. The connection port is capable of connecting an auxiliary module comprising at least one specific program. The CPU executes the main BIOS when the auxiliary function is de-activated. The CPU executes the specific program when the auxiliary function is activated. |
| US07668974B2 |
Method and system for local provisioning of device drivers for portable storage devices
A computer-implemented method includes steps of: coupling a portable device comprising a personal computing environment to a host computer system; booting the host computer system from the portable device; determining that the portable device does not have a driver for one or more hardware elements found in the host computer system; transmitting a request to a local zone provisioning server, for the one or more device drivers. |
| US07668971B2 |
Dynamic path computation element load balancing with backup path computation elements
In one embodiment, a first path computation element (PCE) operates between first and second network domains, and is adapted to service requests from path computation clients (PCCs) in at least the first domain. In response to a backup event (e.g., failure of a second PCE), a backup PCE in the second domain may be informed of path computation information for the first domain used by the first PCE, and tunnels may be bi-directionally established between the first PCE and the backup PCE. Once the tunnels are established, the backup PCE may be advertised into the first domain, and the backup PCE may operate to load balance service requests for the first domain through the bi-directionally established tunnels. |
| US07668970B2 |
Optimized scalable network switch
In a massively parallel computing system having a plurality of nodes configured in m multi-dimensions, each node including a computing device, a method for routing packets towards their destination nodes is provided which includes generating at least one of a 2m plurality of compact bit vectors containing information derived from downstream nodes. A multilevel arbitration process in which downstream information stored in the compact vectors, such as link status information and fullness of downstream buffers, is used to determine a preferred direction and virtual channel for packet transmission. Preferred direction ranges are encoded and virtual channels are selected by examining the plurality of compact bit vectors. This dynamic routing method eliminates the necessity of routing tables, thus enhancing scalability of the switch. |
| US07668967B2 |
Method and system for providing and controlling sub-burst data transfers
The present apparatus and method control the flow of communication between a host and a data storage device. A plurality of data transport streams are maintained as active while a first burst of data for a first transport stream is initiated. The first burst is interrupted prior to the complete communication of the burst. The first transport stream is maintained as active and a first burst of data for a second transport stream is initiated. The first burst of the second transport stream is interrupted, the second transport stream is maintained as active and the method and apparatus return to continue the communication of the first burst of the first transport stream. Typically, a first stream ID is asserted prior to initiating the first burst of the first transport stream and a second stream ID is initiated prior to initiating the first burst of the second transport stream. |
| US07668964B2 |
System and method for synchronizing channel handoff as among a plurality of devices
A system constructed comprises a plurality of devices interconnected to a network. At least two of the devices in the system can access streaming audio information over the network, and are capable of providing audio and rendering timing information to other devices in the system. One device, as the handed-off device, is configured to determine correspondences in connection with two information streams received from two information sources. That device comprises an information receiver module, a position identifier module, and a corresponding position utilization module. The information receiver module is configured to receive the two information streams. The position identifier module is configured to identify corresponding positions regarding corresponding sequences in the two information streams. The corresponding position utilization module is configured to utilize the identification of the corresponding positions in the two information streams. |
| US07668956B2 |
Intelligent autodialer
The present invention describes an automatic dialer for determining relative rankings of network access numbers from within a group of available network access numbers known as an available NAN list, and for facilitating selection of a network access number to use for a connection from a client device to a data network. Various factors are considered in determining the rankings of the network access numbers. The factors include connection costs, quality of connection. |
| US07668953B1 |
Rule-based network management approaches
A method is disclosed for detecting symptoms in a network infrastructure, combining one or more symptoms into a problem, then optionally applying detailed diagnosis to the network elements experiencing the problems, ultimately providing detailed problem determination. |
| US07668951B2 |
Electronic message source reputation information system
Disclosed herein are filtering systems and methods that employ an electronic message source reputation system. The source reputation system maintains a pool of source Internet Protocol (IP) address information, in the form of a Real-Time Threat Identification Network (“RTIN”) database, which can provide the reputation of source IP addresses, which can be used by customers for filtering network traffic. The source reputation system provides for multiple avenues of access to the source reputation information. Examples of such avenues can include Domain Name Server (DNS)-type queries, servicing routers with router-table data, or other avenues. |
| US07668950B2 |
Automatically updating performance-based online advertising system and method
A system, method, and computer program product for online advertising, including computing and dynamically updating a cost-per-click (CPC) value of an advertisement for an advertisement traffic source based on a variable; and automatically uploading and distributing the advertisement to the traffic source. The variable includes price, advertisement traffic source, and/or advertiser variables. Further embodiments include dynamically updating an advertisement listing that has a cost-per-acquisition (CPA)-based value with associated CPC or cost-per-1000 (CPM) values; and distributing the advertisement listing to an advertisement distribution network that serves the listing based on the CPC or CPM values. The distribution network includes CPC-based, CPA-based, and/or CPM-based distribution networks. Further embodiments include determining a CPC value for a CPA-based advertisement; and placing the advertisement on an advertising network at the determined CPC based on a ratio of an expected number of conversions at a CPA value divided by a number of clicks at the CPC. |
| US07668949B1 |
Verification of configuration information in BGP VPNs
Described are mechanisms for verifying configuration information in 2547 BGP VPNs. An originating PE generates a first knowledge digest encoding first configuration information associated with a current set of information advertised for a VRF. The originating PE also generates a second knowledge digest encoding second configuration information associated with cumulative information advertised for the VRF. The originating PE is capable of receiving a message from a user PE, the message including a third knowledge digest encoding third configuration information related to the user VRF. The originating PE is capable of comparing the first knowledge digest to the third knowledge digest and producing a first indication if the third configuration information encoded in the third knowledge digest is not a subset of the first configuration information encoded in the first knowledge digest. |
| US07668947B2 |
Methods and systems for managing assets
The disclosed methods and systems can be used to manage at least one asset, where the methods and systems include associating the at least one asset with at least one user, and providing the at least one user with at least one task list that includes at least one task associated with a vulnerability of the asset and at least one task associated with a configuration standard associated with the asset. |
| US07668946B1 |
Traffic estimation
Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture of the present invention may assist in planning, execution, and evaluation of advertising campaigns on the Internet. Particularly, methods, systems, and articles of manufacture of the present invention may help evaluate and/or predict traffic volume on the Internet. An exemplary method for predicting traffic may comprise receiving historical traffic data for a location, and computing a prediction of traffic volume for a particular time at the location using the historical traffic data and at least one prediction algorithm. |
| US07668944B2 |
System and unified setting interface for configuring network manageable devices
A unified setting interface that enables a management application to configure network manageable devices, regardless of their type or manufacturer. Configuration of a network manageable device requires that certain information be provided to the network manageable device. For different types of devices from different manufacturers, this information and its format can vary. A management application using the unified setting interface does not require the individual interfaces for configuring network manageable devices from different manufacturers. |
| US07668943B2 |
Method for real-time synchronizing configuration data between element management systems and network elements
The present invention discloses a method for synchronizing the configuration data between an EMS and a NE, which includes: dividing the configuration data in the NE into several layers so that different configuration data layers include different minimum unit configuration data sets; setting a minimum unit identifier word for each configuration data layer to identify the configuration data changes of the configuration data layer; when the configuration data of the NE is changed, changing the corresponding identifier word and sending a configuration changed event notification to EMSs; after receiving the configuration changed event notification, the EMS synchronizes the configuration data according to the event notification. With the present invention, it is possible to make the EMS effectively monitor and synchronize configuration data with the NE in a real-time manner, so that network management efficiency can be improved. |
| US07668942B2 |
Generating document templates that are robust to structural variations
A template or wrapper tree for a document such as a web page is generalized from the bottom up (from leaf toward root of a logical tree structure of the template). At a given level in the tree, sub-trees are clustered and the clustered sub-trees are generalized, and the process is repeated at a next higher level in the tree, resulting in a generalized template or wrapper tree. This can be done by generating a nested pattern regular expression based on the sub-tree clusters, merging sub-trees based on the nested pattern regular expression, and then replacing sub-trees in a tree-based regular expression of the template or wrapper at the given level with the merged sub-trees. This process is repeated at a next higher level of the tree (progressing from leaf towards root) until the wrapper or tree-based regular expression that represents the template is fully generalized. |
| US07668941B1 |
Systems and methods for implementing a TCP/IP stack and web interface within a management module
Methods and systems for implementing a network protocol stack and a web interface within a management module are provided. A network controller supports utilizing a plurality of media access control (MAC) addresses. The method involves configuring the network controller to allocate one of the MAC addresses to the management module where the management module is utilized in monitoring operations associated with the computer system. The network controller is programmed to send the management module, via the system interface, all network packets addressed to the MAC address allocated to the management module. The TCP/IP stack and the web interface are provided within the management module. Thus, when a network packet destined for the management module is received from a remote computer at the network controller, the network controller sends the network packet to the management module via the system interface thereby implementing a network protocol stack and web interface. |
| US07668940B2 |
Computer network system and portable computer selecting from a plurality of hardware or software
A computer network system in which an IP address is assigned not only automatically at a destination of a notebook size PC (portable personal computer) 4, but also information relating to shared resources on the network is obtained at the site from a server 1 through a LAN circuit 2, so that the notebook size PC 4 can be used by connecting to the network even in the absence of the administrator. Henceforth, when the user moves within the same building as his own office, it seems that the occasion of using the portable personal computer by connecting to the network such as the Internet and intranet increases. In such a case, connection and disconnection of the network may be repeated frequently, and setting for such operation is facilitated. |
| US07668937B2 |
Wireless communication device use of application server applications
To enable use of an application on an application server at a mobile communication device, at a transaction server, a message received from the mobile is pushed out to the application. Any return messages is routed back to the mobile. The transaction server may use a queue to store all messages destined to a given application and attempt to push all messages on a given queue on receipt of a further message for the queue. |
| US07668935B2 |
Computer system and method for service load distributing
In a computer system executing a plurality of types of services, a service load monitor measures a load required to execute services in each of the computers. A node load monitor measures a load on each of the computers. A service optimal allocation machine determines an optimal computer and a service to be reallocated to the optimal computer, based on the measurement results of the service load monitor and the node load monitor, and reallocates the determined service to the optimal computer. |
| US07668932B2 |
Method, system, apparatus and computer program product for enabling the pre-download of media objects
A method, computer program product, electronic device and system for enabling the pre-download of media objects are provided. In particular, means can be provided by which Download Descriptor can be maintained alongside a pre-downloaded media object associated with the Download Descriptor until the pre-downloaded media object is consumed. |
| US07668930B2 |
Web service distribution system over the World Wide Web using web services description language (WSDL) standard including implementation for uniformly generating all fault conditions in WSDL message format
A Web Service distribution system with the standard combination of a general protocol for the transporting and handling of data entities to and from Web stations, e.g. SOAP layered over HTTP, including means for detecting fault conditions in these general protocol transport and handling means with standard Web Services Description Language (WSDL) definitions for accessing specific Web Services for said data entities. There are standard processes for detecting fault conditions in said WSDL combined with routines responsive to the detection of WSDL fault conditions for sending WSDL fault message data to selected applications at display stations. There is prohibition of the sending of general protocol fault message data (e.g. SOAP message data) detected in the transport and handling of data entities for which entities Web Services are to be accessed combined with routines for converting the fault messages based on general protocol fault data into WSDL message data during the access of such Web Services, whereby said converted data is sent as a WSDL defined fault message. |
| US07668929B1 |
Abstracting links to electronic resources in a network environment
A procedure for preparing electronic resources for delivery to client computers is disclosed. When rendered on a browser for display, the electronic resources (e.g., web pages) include a reference link to another electronic resource. In response to receiving a request for delivery of a specific resource to a client computer, a server computer retrieves the resource from storage and examines the resource to locate any link identifiers contained therein. If a link identifier is detected, the network address corresponding to this link identifier is identified by the server and incorporated into the requested electronic resource in place of the link identifier. The prepared resource is then delivered to the client computer for rendering on a browser. |
| US07668926B2 |
Real-time communications over data forwarding framework
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for real-time communications over data forwarding framework. A framework includes a group of interconnected computer system nodes each adapted to receive data and continuously forward the data from computer memory to computer memory without storing on any physical storage device in response to a request from a client system to store data from a requesting system and retrieve data being continuously forwarded from computer memory to computer memory in response to a request to retrieve data from the requesting system, and at least two client systems linked to the group, each of the client systems executing a real-time communications client program. |
| US07668920B2 |
Electronic message and data tracking system
Systems and methods for tracking electronic messages and data are provided. According to one embodiment, steps for tracking an email message, or other electronic message, may include identifying an email message for tracking, associating a linking object with the tracked message, and responsive to activation of the linking object by a receiver of the electronic message, automatically submitting information regarding the electronic message to be tracked to a designated resource. According to various embodiments, a linking object may include a Universal Resource Identifier (URI), a java script, an executable file, a visual basic script (VBS), and/or the like. In accordance with one embodiment, the linking object facilitates submission of information regarding the tracked email message to an anti-spam system by a receiver of the tracked email message. |
| US07668919B2 |
Scalable IP-based notification architecture for unified messaging
A notification architecture utilizes multiple processes configured for managing notification operations based on reception of SMTP-based messages within IMAP based message stores. The notification architecture enables use of multiple instances of a notification process, each configured for receiving notification messages for respective subscribers from messaging sources according to a prescribed open protocol such as Internet Protocol. Each notification process accesses subscriber profile information from an open protocol-based subscriber directory based on the received notification messages. Each notification process determines, for each received notification message, the subscriber's notification preference based on the accessed profile information, and selectively outputs a notification delivery message according to a prescribed open protocol to at least one notification delivery process within the notification architecture based on the subscriber's notification preference. Each notification process may have access via the prescribed open protocol to multiple notification delivery processes, each configured for outputting a notification to a subscriber's notification device according to a corresponding device protocol. Multiple instances of each type of notification delivery process may also be utilized for increased capacity. Hence, subscribers may be notified of events according to their respective preferences, including subscriber device type, or time of notification. Moreover, the notification architecture can be scaled without adversely affecting any existing instances of the notification process or the notification delivery processes. |
| US07668916B2 |
System architecture for linking packet-switched and circuit-switched clients
A method and computer program product which allows both phone-based and IP-based clients to participate in a single audio conference. The method enables at least two multi-point control units (MCUs) (i.e., conferencing servers) to connect via a standard data linkage (i.e., full-duplex dial-up or IP link). The method and computer program product enables the phone-based MCU to handle the phone clients and the IP-based MCU to handle the IP-based clients, while connecting the two to allow each participating client to hear all other participating clients. |
| US07668915B2 |
System and method for responding to a communication message with a canned reply
The present invention is a data network system (110) and method for responding to a communication message with a canned reply by a target user of a target client device (one of 102-108). The data network system comprises a messaging server (112) and a messaging proxy (120) coupled to the messaging server. Initially, the target client device or, more particularly, the target user, configures one or more canned replies for the system. The messaging proxy then receives (204, 304, 404) a communication message from an originating client device (another one of 102-108) and retrieves (206, 306, 406) configuration data of the target client device. Next, the messaging proxy determines (208, 308, 408) whether the target client device is available for interactive communication with the originating client device based on the configuration data. If the target client device is available for interactive communication with the originating client device, then the messaging proxy routes (210, 310, 410) the communication message to the target client device. Otherwise, if the target client device is not available for interactive communication with the originating client device, then the system withholds (230, 330, 430) the communication message from the target client device and sends (230, 330, 430) the canned reply to the originating client device. |
| US07668914B2 |
Milestone synchronization in broadcast multimedia streams
A server at the edge of a broadband network distributes multimedia content streams to clients, while ensuring that the first data delivered to each client is key data (milestones) needed for correctly decoding the stream content. This is obtained by buffering the packets in the incoming stream and transmitting the packets from the buffer in an outgoing stream, starting with the most recent milestone placed in the buffer before a request to join the respective incoming stream is received. As the writing to and reading from the buffer are performed at different rates, the incoming and outgoing streams are eventually synchronized, at which point the client may be switched to receive the incoming stream directly. |
| US07668902B2 |
Application programming interface for implementing directory service access using directory service markup language
A set of DSML application programming interface (DSML API) functions is provided to facilitate the implementation of DSML-based directory service access. The DSML API includes a DSML document API class for building or accessing a DSML payload, and a DSML connection API class that handles connection and transport to a DSML server. To access a directory service, the client calls functions of the DSML document API class to generate a DSML request payload, and calls functions of the DSML connection API to transport a packet with the DSML request payload according to a pre-selected connection protocol, such as SOAP, to the DSML server for forwarding to the directory service. |
| US07668897B2 |
Result partitioning within SIMD data processing systems
Within a processor 2 providing single instruction multiple data (SIMD) type operation, single data processing instructions can serve to control processing logic 4, 6, 8, 10 to perform SIMD-type processing operations upon multiple independent input values to generate multiple independent result values having a greater data width than the corresponding input values. A repartitioner (FIG. 5) in the form of appropriately controlled multiplexers serves to partition these result data values into high order bit portions and low order bit portions that are stored into separate registers 38, 40. The required SIMD width preserved result values can be read from the desired high order 38 result register or low order result register 40 without further processing being required. Furthermore, the preservation of the full result facilitates improvements in accuracy, such as over extended accumulate operations and the like. |
| US07668892B2 |
Data processing apparatus and method for normalizing a data value
A data processing apparatus and method are provided for normalizing a data value to produce a result value. The data processing apparatus includes prediction logic for generating a shift indication based on a prediction of the number of bit positions by which the data value needs to be shifted in order to normalize the data value. Further, normalizer logic is used to apply a shift operation to the data value based on the shift indication. In addition, correction logic is operable in parallel with the normalizer logic to determine from the data value and a least significant bit of the shift indication whether the shift indication has correctly predicted the number of bit positions by which the data value needs to be shifted in order to normalize the data value, or whether instead the prediction is incorrect, and to generate an output signal dependent on that determination. Shift logic is then used, if the output signal indicates that the prediction is incorrect, to apply a correction shift such that the result value is the normalized data value. |
| US07668891B2 |
Adjustable time accumulator
A time accumulator is adjustable to provide sufficient calculation time regardless of the clock frequency. The time accumulator includes a first register storing a current time and a second register storing a time increment value corresponding to a multiplier multiplied by an original time increment associated with a clock pulse of a clock signal. The clock signal is divided into computation intervals, in which each computation interval includes a predetermined number of clock pulses equivalent to the value of the multiplier. The time accumulator further includes a summation node for adding the current time to the time value to produce an updated current time each computation interval. |
| US07668888B2 |
Converting object structures for search engines
The present invention provides computer-implemented methods and systems for creating at least one readable object for search engines from at least one structured data object stored in a database. To enable the search to use conventional search methods and search engines, the structured data object may be extracted from the database, the structure and content of the data object may be mapped into a generic data model, and the readable object may be created from the generic data model. |
| US07668885B2 |
System for timely delivery of personalized aggregations of, including currently-generated, knowledge
A multidimensional method and apparatus for adaptively characterizing and aggregating data through a secure automated means of database modification, a prioritization and weighting system, a third party enhanced metadata entry and classification mechanism, adaptive and time varying individual personality and preference characterization, and an aggregation and delivery capability which allows for multiple data formats and mediums. Individual characterization incorporates an inference engine which formulates client composite images which vary with time. Asynchronous data interchanges enabled through the use of XML allow for more efficient and effective resource utilization and time. The knowledge system of this invention A) effectively integrates information from diverse sources, B) verifies, adds to or enhances source metadata (product data sheet; article title), and C) searches, queries, retrieves, and aggregates information. Selected product information can be obtained by e-mail without exposure to spamming by using e-mail address translation. |
| US07668882B2 |
File system migration in storage system
In a cluster type NAS, it is necessary to copy file data between disk devices of servers upon migration of a file system or a part of the file system. A server includes a control table for managing a file system or a part of the file system, and a mapping table for managing a relation between a logical device of a disk subsystem and a logical unit recognized by a server, and in response to an instruction to execute migration of the file system from a first server to a second server, the mapping table is referenced to send an instruction to update the relation between the logical device and the logical unit to the second server, and the second server newly recognizes a logical unit and updates a management server identifier of the control table. |
| US07668877B1 |
System and methods for defining a canonical query expression
A system and method for providing a canonical query expression employable by a plurality of application tasks which may be invoked by a SAN management application avoids successive regeneration of extensive queries Each of the application tasks employs the canonical form of the same query, allowing multiple reports and actions to be invoked without reentry of the query by the user. In this manner, a user need not repeat the query entry for each invocation of a report or task. Rather, the canonical query form is provided to each application task for which a report or action is requested. Each of the application tasks, therefore, employs the canonical query expression. The canonical form defines a set of identifiable portions of a syntactical expression. The application tasks invoke some or all of the portions of the query expression derived from the initial syntax. Users or operators invoke the application tasks for providing a report, action, or other result. |
| US07668876B1 |
Snapshot-based replication infrastructure for efficient logging with minimal performance effect
A method, system, computer system, and computer program product to provide an infrastructure for replicating data across multiple nodes in a network. Changes to data are written to each of a set of mirrored copies of a log on one node. When a storage area containing a portion of one of the mirrored copies of the log becomes full, the storage area is disassociated from the set of mirrored copies. After detaching the storage area, changes are no longer written to the storage area, thereby providing a stable image of that portion of the log data. Log data stored in the storage area are replicated from the storage area to another node. By replicating from a separate detached storage area, log data are replicated without disturbing the disk heads writing changes to each of the set of mirrored copies of the log. |
| US07668875B2 |
Data storage device, method of rearranging data and recording medium therefor
When there is a constituent tape that is other than the process target magnetic tape (Yes in step S15), valid data on the process target magnetic tape is copied onto that constituent tape (step S22). For this process, the magnetic tape that stores the largest amount of valid data in relation to invalid data stored on the process target magnetic tape is determined to be the copy destination. |
| US07668874B2 |
Disaster recovery processing method and apparatus and storage unit for the same
A technique capable of constructing a disaster recovery system reduced in performance degradation of a primary system is provided. The technique includes a step of conducting synchronous writing of log information into a secondary storage subsystem in a secondary system when a write request received from a host computer is a write request of log information, a step of temporarily storing a write request and conducting asynchronous writing into the secondary storage subsystem when the received write request is a write request of database data or status information, a step of modifying log information, data in a database area, and status information in the secondary storage subsystem according to contents of a write request received from a primary storage subsystem, and a step of recovering the database area according to contents of log information in a location indicated by the status information. |
| US07668873B2 |
Data store for software application documents
A data store is provided for storing, relating and for allowing use of data associated with a computer-generated document. Data for structuring information associated with a document, such as document metadata, is maintained in the data store where relationships between different pieces of data are maintained in a location distinct from the surface level view of a document. The data store exposes interfaces to the various pieces of data in the data store for allowing different applications to access and operate on one or more of the data pieces. The pieces of data may be structured according to a markup language such as the Extensible Markup Language (XML), and XML schemas may be associated with each piece of data for allowing the data store to validate the structure applied to the data based on an XML schema associated with a given piece of data. |
| US07668872B2 |
Data management systems and methods for networks
A data management method for a network. Whether a first record in a database is updated is automatically determined. Content of the first record is organized in a hierarchical structure. Which of a group of clients is affected by update of the first record is automatically determined. A data format corresponding to an affected client is automatically determined. A message is automatically generated by modifying the hierarchical structure according to the data format. The message comprising the result of modifying the hierarchical structure is automatically transmitted to the affected client. |
| US07668871B1 |
Providing mapped user account information to a storage server
A method for storage of user mapping data associated with users of data stored by storage servers includes operating multiple storage servers, each configured to provide a set of clients with access to data stored in a set of mass storage devices, and using one or more directory servers, which may be coupled to the storage servers via a network. The directory server stores and provides access to user account information associated with a second operating system based on user account information associated with a first operating system, when the user account information associated with the second operating system is needed to access data stored in accordance with the second operating system. |
| US07668869B2 |
Media access system
Methods and systems for indexing video files, the method comprising selecting and loading a video into a video editing program, segmenting the video into short clips and creating an edit decision list (EDL) containing information corresponding to the short clips, importing the video and EDL, parsing the EDL, and automatically populating a database with names of the short clips and corresponding EDL information, and cataloging the video by establishing specific identifiers associated with the video, transcribing audio from each of the short clips and associating the transcribed audio with the respective short clip, associating visual identifiers with each short clip, extracting metadata from each short clip and associating the metadata with the respective short clip, storing the transcribed audio, visual identifiers, and metadata in the database, and indexing the database according to the specific identifiers. |
| US07668868B1 |
Group file delivery including user-defined metadata
Methods and apparatus implementing techniques to embed files in an electronic document. User input specifies files to be embedded in an electronic document and metadata to be associated with the specified files in the electronic document. The specified files are embedded in the electronic document in response to the input. A manifest is created in the electronic document. The manifest includes representations of each of the embedded files and the specified metadata. Each representation of the metadata is associated in the manifest with representations of one or more corresponding files of the embedded files. The manifest includes presentation information defining how the representations will be presented to a user. |
| US07668866B2 |
Method and apparatus for distributing AV content in a downloadable file format
A method of embedding copyright management information in AV (audio visual) content that is distributed in a downloadable file format. In a MP4 file format, which is a format for distributing downloadable files, content data is separated by code into a general stream and an IPMP (intellectual property management and protection) controlled media stream. A box for embedding data required for IPMP initialization and a box for embedding data required to interpret IPMP and related parameters are rendered in a first box that is rendered in a control data box. |
| US07668861B2 |
System and method to determine the validity of an interaction on a network
A system and method are disclosed for classifying a user interaction on a network. A user interaction is identified on a network and user interaction data is collected relating to the user interaction on the network. The user interaction data includes an aggregate measure data and a unique feature data. The user interaction data is processed to generate a value score for the interaction. A classification of the user interaction is determined based on the value score. |
| US07668856B2 |
Method for distinct count estimation over joins of continuous update stream
The invention provides methods and systems for summarizing multiple continuous update streams such that an approximate answer to a query over one or more of the continuous update streams (such as a Query requiring a join operation followed by a duplicate elimination step) may be rapidly provided. The systems and methods use multiple (parallel) Join Distinct (JD) Sketch data structures corresponding to hash buckets of at least one initial attribute. |
| US07668849B1 |
Method and system for processing structured data and unstructured data
A method for processing data is provided. In this method, unstructured data and structured data are captured and the unstructured data is associated with the structured data. After capture, the unstructured data and the structured data are correlated to define a link between the unstructured data and the structured data. The unstructured data and the structured data then are stored in a data structure based on the link. A system for processing data also is described. |
| US07668848B2 |
Method and system for selectively decoding audio files in an electronic device
A method and system for operating an electronic device (102) that is operably coupled to an audio output device (104) is provided. The method includes receiving an encoded audio file at the electronic device. Further, the method includes selectively decoding (202) the encoded audio file, in correspondence with a spectral response of the audio output device, to provide decoded audio data. Furthermore, the method includes playing (204) the decoded audio data over the audio output device. |
| US07668841B2 |
Virtual write buffers for accelerated memory and storage access
A method for accelerating storage access in a network. The method comprises receiving a data record having a plurality of data segments. The data segments are stored in a local memory of a network controller (NC). A virtual write buffer (VWB) entry is assigned for the incoming data record in the NC local memory. The data segments of said data record are reassemble using the VWB. The data record is sent from the network controller directly to an I/O controller of a storage device. |
| US07668837B2 |
Multiplex apparatus and method for multiplexing legacy device
A multiplex apparatus includes a plurality of systems configured to be connected to each other by links. Each of the plurality of systems includes a CPU, a pseudo legacy device and a legacy device. The pseudo legacy device is configured to be electrically connected to the CPU. The legacy device is configured to be electrically connected to the pseudo legacy device. The pseudo legacy device includes a request buffer and a pseudo operator. The request buffer is configured to store a request when the CPU sends the request through the pseudo legacy device to the legacy device. The pseudo operator is configured to execute an emulation with regard to the legacy device based on the request, and store the emulation result including an inside status of the legacy device. |
| US07668836B2 |
IMS SOAP gateway deployment utility
Various embodiments of a method, system and computer program product enable an application to be accessed as a web service. In response to a command, a web service is deployed to a gateway server, and a connection bundle and a correlator file are provided such that they are accessible to the gateway server. The web service was generated based on a web service description language file that is based on an input-output message description of the application, and is accessible to a client using a SOAP message. The gateway server sends a request message to the application based on the SOAP message in accordance with the web service, and receives a reply message from the application. The connection bundle comprises connection information to interface with the application. The correlator file comprises a name of an interface module associated with the application and the name of the connection bundle. |
| US07668833B2 |
Involving participants in a distributed transaction
The present invention provides a method, apparatus, computer program product, and service which enables a transaction manager in a first system to co-ordinate database updates made in a second system database without requiring communication with the second system during transaction completion processing (commit or rollback) or any requirement for transaction logging or involvement in transaction recovery in the second system. This is achieved by carrying out the database updates in the second system in an XA transaction branch that is started are co-ordinated in the first system. Further this is done transparently to the application in the second server which makes the updates and enables the application in the first and second server to share locks such that both can access the same database. |
| US07668831B2 |
Assigning unique identification numbers to new user accounts and groups in a computing environment with multiple registries
A method, system, and program storage device for creating a new user account or user group with a unique identification number in a computing environment having multiple user registries is provided. In response to receiving a command to create a new user account or user group, an operating system of a clustered computing environment automatically checks multiple registries configured for the operating system to determine whether a candidate identification number for the new user account or user group has been assigned already to one or more existing user accounts or groups, respectively. The operating system automatically assigns the candidate identification number to the new user account or user group created in a target user registry if the checking indicates that the candidate identification number has not been assigned already to any of the existing user accounts or user groups, respectively. |
| US07668829B2 |
Method and apparatus for storing music file in mobile communication terminal
A method for storing a music file in a mobile communication terminal using a number key of the mobile terminal includes: designating a specific music file from at least one music file displayed in a music file playback mode; inputting a number of a music file list in which the designated music file is to be stored, using a corresponding number key; and storing the designated music file in the music file list having the input number. The method simplifies the storage of a music file in a mobile terminal and also facilitates changing the location of a music file stored in a music file list. |
| US07668824B2 |
Interface device, inferring system, and visual expression method
When a start key is operated, an inferring process of estimating a demand of a user is executed on the basis of preset situation data, a user profile, and situation data manually input via a situation setting key. Based on the inference result, a genre list and a contents list are reconstructed so that genres and contents items are arranged in order of the degree of a demand of the user. The top three genres extracted from the reconstructed genre list are associated with three selection keys, and the names of the associated genres or labels of the genres are displayed in genre name display parts. It enables the user to easily and instantaneously select one of contents items to be processed. |
| US07668823B2 |
Identifying inadequate search content
Systems and methods for identifying inadequate search content are provided. Inadequate search content, for example, can be identified based on statistics associated with the search queries related to the content. |
| US07668821B1 |
Recommendations based on item tagging activities of users
A system provides a user interface through which users can flexibly tag individual items represented in an electronic catalog with user-defined tags, such as text strings, and obtain recommendations that are specific to particular tags. The tags and tag-item assignments created by each user are stored persistently in association with the user, and may be kept private to the user or exposed to others. Once a user has assigned a tag to a number of items, the user (or another user in some embodiments) can request and obtain recommendations that are specific to this tag. These recommendations may be generated in real time by a recommendation service that identifies items that are collectively similar or related to the items associated with the tag. |
| US07668819B2 |
System and method for database query with on demand database query reduction
A database is queried with on demand database query reduction A query document includes global variables selectively set off by first tags identifying a first global variable as a complete replacement variable and by second tags identifying a second global variable as a complete removal string. An agent is provided for building from the query document an expanded query by replacing any variables set off by first tags with runtime strings, setting off any unions in the query document, and selectively replacing any variables set off by second tags and removing the second tags without replacing variables set off by second tags. |
| US07668818B2 |
Database query language transformation method, transformation apparatus and database query system
The present invention provides a method for transforming a concept-based query into SQL query statements, comprising the steps of: transforming inputted concept-based queries into logic rules; checking validity of the logic rules; optimizing the valid logic rules; and translating the logic rules into SQL query statements in accordance with the optimization result. The present invention further provides corresponding transformation engine, database query system and computer program product. The present invention facilitates people to use more descriptive query language to query data stored in relational database. Furthermore, the present invention can automatically generate the correct and efficient SQL query statements so that people's efforts to deal with complex data model are saved significantly. |
| US07668817B2 |
Method and system for data processing with spatial search
A method for processing data performed in a data processing system having a storage unit is provided which includes: creating a spatial index comprising a leaf containing location information and attribute information with respect to a plurality of objects to be searched, and storing the spatial index in the storage unit; and referring to the spatial index stored in the storage unit in response to an input of a search request including location information and attribute information for searching the object to be searched, and extracting the object to be searched that agrees with the search request. With this configuration, a spatial search with subsidiary condition search can be processed at high speed, without merging results of both searches. |
| US07668815B2 |
Integrating browser-incompatible information into web content and displaying the information on a computing device of a browser environment
The present invention provides methods, systems and apparatus for integrating browser-incompatible information in a Web content file and for displaying the information on a computing device of a browser environment. A Web content providing means is capable of providing the Web content file, and performs the following steps: receiving the Web content file that comprises an element having a remote procedure call (RPC) request generating instruction for generating an RPC request from the browser environment; interpreting the Web content file for displaying on the browser environment; interpreting the RPC request generating instruction to generate the RPC request; transmitting the RPC request to a data server indicated in the RPC request generating instruction of the element; receiving response data from the data server; and modifying the displaying of the Web content file on the browser environment by the response data. |
| US07668813B2 |
Techniques for searching future events
A future retrieval system operable to enable searching for future events associated with a set of documents includes at least one memory device configured to store a database of the documents. The system identifies future events associated with the documents and generates temporal data and a confidence value for each future event. The confidence value represents a likelihood of occurrence for the corresponding future event. The system evaluates text associated with the future events to generate event metadata, and indexes the documents with the associated event metadata, temporal data, and confidence levels in the database. The system generates search results corresponding to selected ones of the documents in the database in response to queries which include references to future times, and ranks the search results in accordance with the confidence values associated with the future events associated with the selected documents. |
| US07668808B2 |
System for modifying queries before presentation to a sponsored search generator or other matching system where modifications improve coverage without a corresponding reduction in relevance
Techniques are provided for modifying queries to increase the number of sponsored links that are returned in response to the queries. A query modification system uses a predefined set of rules that are designated to modify a query to increase the chance that the modified query will match more sponsored links. The modified query is then matched against a listing of search query strings that have been pre-selected by sponsors. Each pre-selected search query strings corresponds to one or more sponsored web links. If the modified query matches one of the pre-selected search query strings, the corresponding sponsored web links are returned and displayed to the user. |
| US07668807B2 |
Query rebinding for high-availability database systems
Embodiments of the invention allow for managing execution of queries with respect to different data sources. The different data sources are logically represented by data abstraction models. One embodiment comprises receiving a first abstract query against physical data in a first data source. The first abstract query has result fields configured to return requested data from the first data source. In response it is detected whether the first data source is available. If the first data source is unavailable, a second abstract query against physical data in a second data source containing a portion of the requested data is created on the basis of the first abstract query. The second abstract query has result fields configured to return the portion of the requested data from the second data source. The second abstract query is executed against the second data source to obtain the portion of the requested data. |
| US07668802B2 |
Method and appliance for XML policy matching
An XML matching engine and method are provided, where policy rules expressed using XPath/XQuery policies are matched to streaming XML documents. Two distinct data structures are used: a combined modified DFA data structure for storing simple XPath queries (no wildcards or descendents) and a modified AFilter structure for storing complex queries (with wildcards or/and descendents). As the matching engine receives XML tags from XML parser, matching is performed in both structures in parallel. |
| US07668796B2 |
Automata learning algorithms and processes for providing more complete systems requirements specification by scenario generation, CSP-based syntax-oriented model construction, and R2D2C system requirements transformation
Systems, methods and apparatus are provided through which in some embodiments, automata learning algorithms and techniques are implemented to generate a more complete set of scenarios for requirements based programming. More specifically, a CSP-based, syntax-oriented model construction, which requires the support of a theorem prover, is complemented by model extrapolation, via automata learning. This may support the systematic completion of the requirements, the nature of the requirement being partial, which provides focus on the most prominent scenarios. This may generalize requirement skeletons by extrapolation and may indicate by way of automatically generated traces where the requirement specification is too loose and additional information is required. |
| US07668794B2 |
Method and apparatus for complex RFID event processing
An RFID events processing system includes a rules database having filtering rules and complex event rules, a primitive event filtering unit for receiving a plurality of primitive events to generate filtered events based on the filtering rules, and a complex event detection engine which receives the filtered events and detects complex events based on the complex event rules. |
| US07668793B2 |
Method of multivariate estimation analysis and sampling for data mining
A data mining method for determining association rules within a multitude of N transactions. Each transaction includes up to p different items. A sample size n of the multitude of N transactions is computed based on precision requirements such that n is at least an estimated sample size n*. Association rules are computed based on a sample of the multitude of N transactions with sample size n according to a methodology for mining of association rules, using the association rules as estimated association rules of the multitude of N transactions. |
| US07668791B2 |
Distinguishing facts from opinions using a multi-stage approach
Facts are extracted from electronic documents by recognizing factual descriptions using a fact-word table to match to words of the electronic documents. The words of those factual descriptions may be tagged with the appropriate part of speech. More detailed analysis is then performed on those factual descriptions, rather than on the entire electronic document, and particularly to the text in the neighborhood of the fact-word matches. The analysis may involve identifying the linguistic constituents of each phrase and determining the role as either subject or object. Exclusion rules may be applied to eliminate those phrases unlikely to be part of facts, the exclusion rules being based in part on the linguistic constituents. Scoring rules may be applied to remaining phrases, and for those phrases having a score in excess of a threshold, the corresponding sentence part, whole sentence, paragraph, or other document portion may be presented as representing one or more facts. |
| US07668787B2 |
Method, apparatus, and program product for efficiently adding entities and relationships in a comprehension state of a collection of information
Aspects of the disclosed technology present a workspace window responsive to a relationship data structure that represents a comprehension state including a presentation set of an ordered set of text strings from an electronic document. The presentation set includes one or more identified strings. The workspace window can then receive a quick-click command invocation on the one or more identified strings and modifies the relationship data structure by adding an entity/relationship object to the relationship data structure responsive to the quick-click command invocation and the one or more identified strings. The application relates to sensemaking or maintaining a comprehension state of a document collection, by recording evidence, spatial hypertext, automatic highlighting, automating inferencing, reading recommendations, and reading through multiple documents. |
| US07668783B2 |
System and method for providing rental software, and rental software providing server and wireless terminal thereof
A rental software providing system and a method thereof, and its rental software providing server and a wireless terminal are disclosed. The rental software providing system using a prefetching scheme includes: a wireless terminal for notifying a network connection state, and a hardware state of the wireless terminal to a rental software providing server in order to perform the prefetching scheme; and a rental software providing server for prefetching partial programs of a rental software to be used in the wireless terminal by using a prefetching managing unit and a pattern analyzer and transmitting the prefetched partial programs to the wireless terminal. |
| US07668781B2 |
Global method and system for providing enhanced transactional functionality through a customer terminal
A global customer activated terminal (CAT) that primarily serves traveling customers who require access to their accounts when they are away from their home financial institution and beyond their local regional financial area is provided. The system provides applications that permit users to access their accounts and utilize account profiles and transaction journals within a generic global system approach, and each transaction set provides access to the user's full account profile. The traveling customer is also provided with access to all their accounts linked (as they would locally) to a specific card. The hardware employed in the system supports encryption key downloading, personal identification number (PIN) unscrambling and PIN encryption, so that security is instituted at the hardware level. To provide the maximum flexibility at each regional level for product and services offered, regional front end processors (FEPs) and Hosts (small financial systems) are the arbitrators of each transaction . . . acceptance and fulfillment, rather than the CAT. |
| US07668778B2 |
Charging system and charging method
A user sends data for requesting a service provider to provide predetermined service and signature data created based upon the data to the service provider, the service provider calculates a fee based upon this data and requests a bank to collect the fee from the user. The bank informs the user of the fee requested from the service provider. When the user protests against the amount of the fee, the service provider discloses the data and signature data received from the user to the bank and when the bank judges based upon this signature data that this data is valid, it calculates a proper fee based upon this data and collects it from the user. As described above, it is enabled to collect a proper fee for service. |
| US07668776B1 |
Systems and methods for selective use of risk models to predict financial risk
A risk system that performs a risk assessment of a financial transaction to obtain a first risk score, and based on first risk score performs post-score assessments by selectively utilizing various scoring models and databases. The post-score process re-assesses some of the borderline risks in order to capture beneficial transactions that may fail standard risk assessments that use a cutoff risk score to divide the transactions into either authorized or declined groups. |
| US07668774B1 |
Method and system of trading a standardized contract
A system, method, and corresponding computer program product facilitates trading of a standardized contract. The terms of the contract may be such that it provides a payout from one party to the other based on the price, yield, level or other measure of an asset, basket, index, financial contract, other financial instrument or some economically significant variable observed at or around two specified times, both such times being after the time that the standardized contract is first available for trading. Alternatively, the terms of the contract may be such that it provides that one party has the right but not the obligation either to purchase or to sell some asset at a price which is determined at a first specified time, such right to be exercised at some time not later than the second specified time, both such times being after the time that the standardized contract is first available for trading. These and other related contracts are described. |
| US07668769B2 |
System and method of detecting fraud
Embodiments include systems and methods of detecting fraud. In particular, one embodiment includes a system and method of detecting fraud in transaction data such as payment card transaction data. For example, one embodiment includes a computerized method of detecting that comprises receiving data associated with a financial transaction and at least one transacting entity, wherein the data associated with the transacting entity comprises at least a portion of each of a plurality of historical transactions of the transacting entity, applying the data to at least one first model, generating a score based on the first model, and generating data indicative of fraud based at least partly on the score. Other embodiments include systems and methods of generating models for use in fraud detection systems. |
| US07668766B1 |
System and method of processing payment of bills from multiple bill providers
A system for processing payment of bills from multiple bill providers which establishes connections to bill provider computers through APIs unique to each bill provider. The system includes a display for displaying a list of bill providers, an input device for recording customer selections of a number of the bill providers from the list, a payment accepting device, such as a check reader, card reader, or cash acceptor, and a processor for establishing connections to computers of the bill providers through the APIs which are resident on the kiosk in response to the customer selections, for sending customer identification information to the computers, for receiving and displaying customer account information from the computers, for recording the payments from the payment accepting device, and for sending payment information to the computers. |
| US07668763B1 |
Tax return outsourcing and systems for protecting data
A financial services outsourcing method or system facilitates a direct service provider's ability to outsource financial services to numerous ultimate clients. The financial services are outsourced to an outsourcing group abroad. Ultimate client specific financial files and corresponding reference materials are loaded onto a remotely accessible part of a host server located in the United States. The host server provides access to a remote client computer of information concerning the ultimate client specific financial files and corresponding reference materials. The access may be limited to limited screen shot access. Outsourced personnel are retained to perform financial service projects (e.g., prepare individual tax returns) for ultimate clients of direct financial services firms. The outsourced personnel perform the financial service projects while located outside the United States. The status of the financial service project is monitored and reported. |
| US07668761B2 |
System and method for ensuring order fulfillment
The present invention provides a system and method whereby companies can optimally resolve the conflicts with respect to product availability. Embodiments of the invention allow users to search for product availability throughout its entire supply chain network to address conflicts as they arise. In particular, the present invention creates time-phased inventory plans that meet customer requirements while minimizing inventory and maximizing profit by ensuring that a company is carrying the right inventory at the right locations. Using the present invention, companies can orchestrate the time-phased storage and flow of a given product's supply to match demand by creating an optimal inventory strategy that includes deployment plans, master production schedules, and procurement requirements. |
| US07668760B2 |
Distribution management device, distribution management method, program storage medium and distribution management system
A distribution management device, a distribution management method, a program storage medium and a distribution management system are disclosed. The client order data of the merchandise 4 of the sales channel utilized the internet 3 and the store order data of the merchandise 4 for the quantity sold of the sales channels excluding the Internet 3 are received by the sales managing server 20 via the internet 3. The stock of merchandise 4 is controlled by the settlement/delivery instructing server 21 based on the client and store order data. The actual sales condition of merchandise in each sales channel is grasped by the shipment control server 55 based on the storage data and the delivery condition data obtained from the client and store order data and the storage data and delivery condition data obtained from the settlement/delivery instructing server 21, and the supply of merchandise 4 to the manufacturing factory will be instructed based on the actual sales condition. Thus, the distribution stocks to each of sales channels can be one-dimensionally controlled and can be efficiently distributed in the market based on the actual sales information. And thereby, the stocks can be constantly and certainly secured to various sales channels. |
| US07668758B2 |
Method for communicating product and service related information to a user based on direction of movement determined by comparing the location of at least two dataforms that have been read
Architecture for presenting m-commerce transaction data to a user. An m-commerce device includes a device reading apparatus adapted to read a dataform. At least one item for purchase has associated therewith an item dataform readable by the m-commerce device, the item dataform linked to item information of the item. A terminal is provided for interactive presentation of information to the user. The m-commerce device and terminal are in communication over a network such that item information input to the m-commerce device is transmitted to the terminal for interactive presentation to the user. |
| US07668753B2 |
On-line service provision method, and equipment for implementing such a method
A service session supervision platform is disposed between an access network and an input node of a service-hosting network. During the provision of a service, at least one atomic section is first defined. Such atomic section consists of a determined sequence of events which are involved in message exchanges with a subscriber. The supervision platform detects and flags events forming the beginning or end of an atomic section in a service session in progress for a subscriber by means of the access network. A communication interrupt request from a subscriber is processed by ascertaining if an atomic section is in progress for this subscriber according to the atomic section beginnings and ends flagged by the supervision platform, in order to determine whether or not the communication must be interrupted immediately. |
| US07668751B2 |
Methods and systems for coordinating a change in status of stored-value cards
Methods and systems are provided for coordinating a change in status of a stored-value card for a customer. Transaction information is received at a host system from a point-of-sale terminal. The transaction information includes stored-value-card information identifying the stored-value card and payment-instrument information identifying a payment instrument to be used for financing the change in status of the stored-value card. The host system receives a payment authorization from a payment authority in response to a transmission of the payment-instrument information to the payment authority. The host system also receives a confirmation of the change in status of the stored-value card from a stored-value-card authority in response to a transmission of the stored-value-card information to the stored-value-card authority. The host system transmits an approval for effecting the change in status of the stored-value card to the point-of-sale terminal. |
| US07668749B2 |
Processing electronic rebates
Apparatus and article of manufacture for processing electronic rebates are disclosed. In one embodiment, a purchase identifier is linked to a purchase of a product. The purchase identifier is listed on a receipt upon the purchase of the product or contained in an electronic mail message sent to an electronic mail address accessible using a user computer system. Information is then received via a network from a user of the user computer system to complete a rebate claim for the purchased product. The received information is verified to determine whether the purchase identifier was provided. The rebate claim is granted if the received information is verified as correct. |
| US07668748B1 |
Pricing across keywords associated with one or more advertisements
Helping advertisers by simplifying the management of interactive advertising. Such simplification can be achieved by allowing an advertiser to specify a single bid for multiple keywords associated with an advertisement. When used in conjunction with a maximum cost bid, advertisers are not penalized with higher costs for such simplification. |
| US07668747B2 |
System and method for providing incentives to purchasers
An online system presents remote users with static incentives, dynamic incentives and the ability to create and submit customizable incentives related to goods or services of interest to the user. By using the incentive delivery system, the user can research goods or services of interest and in an interactive fashion create an incentive package most desirable to the user and submit same to a central location. The systems performs decisioning routines on submitted incentive requests and makes such requests available for review. Ultimately, the submitted requests may be accepted or rejected or a counter-incentive may be issued to the user for consideration. A manufacturer, such as an automobile manufacturer, can offer incentives direct to its consumers and enter into an electronic dialogue with its customers to help drive profits and sales in the most efficient manner. For instance, where certain models of vehicles are in over-supply in a certain geographic region a manufacturer may in real-time tailor its incentive offerings to help account for seasonal or other demand events. Further, the manufacturer can in real-time see the response to its incentives offerings and make appropriate changes to insure the desired result of its marketing efforts is obtained. A graphical user interface enables the remote user to search products or services of interest and to selectively build desired incentives and submit same for acceptance. |
| US07668743B2 |
Demand-production scheme planning apparatus, and storage medium
An apparatus for planning a demand-supply scheme of a supply chain so as to increase the corporate profit. A demand-supply scheme including order receipt, order placement, purchase and supply in the unit of a month of each step of a supply chain that includes various steps, such as product sales steps, product-producing steps, steps of producing parts for producing products, etc. is set so that the order placement to each producing step becomes within an order receivable range that is calculated from the equipment, the manpower, the number of times of operation, etc. of the producing step. Furthermore, a demand-supply scheme is planned and changed so as to maximize a profitability index that is calculated by using a cost regarding the production of a product that includes a material cost, a manpower cost, and an equipment cost, a stock management cost, a transportation cost, etc. |
| US07668742B2 |
System and method for ongoing supporting a procurement and accounts payable system
A system for deploying to a client accounting installation a general procurement and accounts payable application specifically configured for the client by an enterprise includes a database server for (1) maintaining on a storage device a database of templates describing procedures for assessing, preparing, developing, deploying and supporting the application, and for (2) serving these templates to team members operating web-enabled terminals for coordinating, recording and tracking team activities with respect to the application while generating a description for adapting a front end server and an accounting system server to the requirements of the client. |
| US07668741B2 |
Managing compliance with service level agreements in a grid environment
A computer-implemented method, system, and program for managing compliance with service level agreements in a grid environment are provided. A grid service for managing compliance with service level agreements in a grid environment detects a grid job passing a timing entry point, and flowing towards a grid environment provided by a grid vendor. When the grid job is detected passing the timing entry point, the grid service starts a timer to monitor an amount of time from the grid job passing the timing entry point until a result of the grid job passes a timing exit point while flowing away from the grid environment. When the grid service detects the result of the grid job passing the timing exit point, the grid service determines whether a value of the timer exceeds a timing term agreed to in a service level agreement specifying performance requirements for said grid job agreed to by said grid vendor, such that compliance with the service level agreement is automatically managed within the grid environment. |
| US07668730B2 |
Sensitive drug distribution system and method
A drug distribution system and method utilizes a central pharmacy and database to track all prescriptions for a sensitive drug. Information is kept in the database regarding all physicians allowed to prescribe the sensitive drug, and all patients receiving the drug. Abuses are identified by monitoring data in the database for prescription patterns by physicians and prescriptions obtained by patients. Further verification is made that the physician is eligible to prescribe the drug by consulting a separate database, and optionally whether any actions are taken against the physician. Multiple controls beyond those for normal drugs are imposed on the distribution depending on the sensitivity of the drug. |
| US07668728B2 |
Time polynomial arrow-debreu market equilibrium
A concept for providing a process and apparatus for allocating a gamut of assets/resources across a spectrum of consumers is described. The concept includes an apparatus for allocating resources across a spectrum of users. The apparatus includes one or more processors and a memory coupled to the one or more processors. The memory is configured to store data representative of characteristics and capabilities of the resources and describing needs of the spectrum. The memory further includes computer-readable code configured to cause the one or more processors to perform acts of: estimating current requests from the spectrum for the resources; comparing the current requests to the capabilities and characteristics; and allocating the resources with respect to the requests in conformance with a convex program implementation of Arrow-Debreu theory. |
| US07668727B2 |
System and method for building loads from requisitions
A system and method of optimizing loads to be delivered on a particular date to a particular destination in response to a plurality of requisitions for various items to be delivered from various vendors to various destinations. Requisitions are arranged chronologically and line items are moved forward for early delivery to build optimized truck/container loads. |
| US07668726B2 |
Data visualisation system and method
The invention provides a data visualisation system comprising a data value memory in which is maintained a finite set of data values and display means arranged to display a contoured representation. One or more of the data values are displayed as contours around one or more data points and each data value is centred on a data point. The invention also provides a method of data visualisation and a data visualisation computer program. |
| US07668719B2 |
Speech recognition method and speech recognition apparatus
In an interactive process using speech recognition together with a graphical user interface comprising a plurality of settable graphical user interface items, the recognition rate is improved by reducing recognition target vocabulary. A settable graphical user interface item not displayed on the display screen is detected, and the received speech information is recognized using a speech recognition grammar corresponding to the detected item, and data is set to the item using the recognition result. |
| US07668718B2 |
Synchronized pattern recognition source data processed by manual or automatic means for creation of shared speaker-dependent speech user profile
An apparatus for transforming data input by dividing the data input into a uniform dataset with one or more data divisions, processing the uniform dataset to produce a first processed dataset with one or more data divisions, processing the uniform dataset to produce a second processed dataset with one or more data divisions, wherein the first and second processed datasets have the same number of data divisions, and editing data selectively within each one of the one or more divisions of the first and second processed dataset. This apparatus has particular utility in error-spotting in processed datasets, and toward training a pattern recognition application, such as speech recognition, to produce more accurate processed datasets. |
| US07668715B1 |
Methods for selecting an initial quantization step size in audio encoders and systems using the same
A method of performing quantization in an audio encoder includes determining a number of bits available in a frame of encoded audio data. Determinations are also made for the maximum transform coefficient value and a distribution of transform coefficient values across the transform coefficient spectrum being encoded. A an estimate for an initial quantization step value is determined from the number of available bits in the frame, the maximum transform coefficient value, and the distribution of coefficient values across the coefficient spectrum. |
| US07668711B2 |
Coding equipment
According to the present invention, it is possible to calculate appropriate chirp factor and noise component amount with a little processing amount.Input subband signal is segmented into a plurality of ranges by a range segmentation unit 101. The range segmentation is performed for energy value calculation, chirp factor calculation, noise component calculation, and tone component calculation, respectively, and determined range segmentation information ei, bi, qi, and hi are outputted. Respective processing for the energy calculation, the chirp factor calculation, the tone component calculation, and the noise component calculation are performed sequentially for the respective corresponding ranges. By using linear prediction processing, it is possible to obtain an parameter having higher accuracy with a little operation amount. |
| US07668709B2 |
Globalization component
A globalization component including a base class NewResourceManager that provides a layer of abstraction from the Microsoft Resource Manager and a new WinForm class that inherits from the .NET Windows Form and utilizes NewResourceManager. The globalization component uses culture information and resource folder information from the registry to set a culture-specific resource folder and file. Decoupled assembly culture-specific resource files include all string resources in the target language and can be stored in any folder. New culture-specific resource files are easily generated without having to recompile the assembly or any satellite assemblies and without having to modify any configuration files. The NewWinForm class can also iterate through all controls on the form and if values are missing from an associated resource file, the resource manager will save the missing controls to a text file. Translators need only receive this text file to translate from one human language to another. |
| US07668702B2 |
Method, system and medium for controlling manufacturing process using adaptive models based on empirical data
A method, system, and medium of modeling and/or for controlling a manufacturing process is disclosed. The method includes the steps of identifying one or more input parameters that cause a change in output characteristics, defining global nodes using estimated maximum and minimum values of the input parameters, and defining a mathematical equation that calculates a predicted output characteristic for each node. The method also includes the steps of receiving at least one empirical data point having one or more input parameter values and at least one empirical output value and adjusting the predicted output values at the nodes based on a difference between the at least one empirical output value and the predicted output characteristic calculated using the mathematical equation based on the one or more input parameter values. |
| US07668698B2 |
Duty cycle calibration for receiver clock
Embodiments of the invention are generally directed to systems, methods, and apparatuses for the direct duty cycle calibration of a receiver clock. In some embodiments, an integrated circuit includes a receive (RX) data path, a RX clock path, and a control path. In some embodiments, the control path uses RX latches, a majority detector, and digital duty cycle control logic to calibrate the duty cycle of the clock signal. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US07668696B2 |
Method and apparatus for monitoring the health of a computer system
A system that monitors the health of a computer system is presented. During operation, the system receives a first-difference function for the variance of a time series for a monitored telemetry variable within the computer system. The system then determines whether the first-difference function indicates that the computer system is at the onset of degradation. If so, the system performs a remedial action. |
| US07668695B2 |
Sensor malfunction determination device and sensor malfunction determination method
The present invention includes a sensor malfunction determination unit 207 detects the pressure value corresponding to a signal outputted by a pressure sensor 101 capable of measuring the internal pressure of a pneumatic tire 10. When the detected pressure value is decreasing along the time axis, the sensor malfunction determination unit 207 determines that the pressure sensor 101 is not malfunctioning. |
| US07668692B2 |
Method for weighing vehicles crossing a bridge
A method for weighing vehicles moving on a bridge deck pavement is provided. At least one vibration sensor is mounted on a lower side of the pavement to sense low frequency pavement vibrations generated by moving vehicle wheels and propagated in waves in the pavement. Vibration sensor output signals are provided to a computing device. Sensed vibration energy rate is computed and, with signals from vibration sensors mounted at two locations separated by a known longitudinal distance, vehicle speed is also computed. The weight of the vehicle is determined as the product of a calibration coefficient and the ratio of sensed vibration energy rate to velocity. Using vibration sensor signals indicative of wheel generated vibrations in the very near field and summing vibration energy rates computed from these signals during vehicle passage over the vibration sensors the weight of individual vehicles is computed when other moving vehicles are present. |
| US07668690B2 |
System and method for determining position or speed of a commutated DC motor with error correction
A motor control system and method are provided for detecting current ripple in a commutated DC motor and further determining position and speed of the motor based on the detected ripple current. Ripples in the motor current are detected and a ripple frequency is calculated based on the time between successive ripples. A ripple count between successive frequencies is determined and the ripple count is compared to a threshold value, and an estimated ripple frequency is determined from a motor model when the ripple count exceeds the threshold value. A corrected ripple count is calculated from a ratio of the calculated ripple frequency and the estimated ripple frequency, and motor position and motor speed are determined based on the corrected ripple count. |
| US07668689B2 |
Velocity detection apparatus
This disclosure concerns a velocity detector comprises a memory storing preset tentative angles and a trigonometric function value corresponding to each of the preset tentative angles; a first register storing a first coordinate (x1, y1) of a body; a second register storing a second actual coordinate (x2, y2) of the body; a first calculator calculating a first calculational coordinate represented by an addition or a subtraction between x1 and a result of shifting a figure of y1 based on the trigonometric function value; a second calculator calculating a second calculation coordinate represented by the addition or the subtraction between y2 and a result of shifting a figure of x2 based on the trigonometric function value, wherein the first and the second calculators calculate the first and second calculational coordinates respectively so that the first actual coordinate (x1, y1) and the second actual coordinate (x2, y2) are closer to each other. |
| US07668688B2 |
System, program product, and related methods for estimating and managing crude gravity in real-time
Systems, program product, and methods to estimate and manage flowing fluid characteristics of a fluid stream flowing through a pipeline in real-time, are provided. A system can include a vertically oriented extent of a pipeline for transporting crude oil, a pair of spaced vertically apart sensors or sensor assemblies connected to a bypass line interfaced with or positioned across the vertically oriented extent of the pipeline to obtain pressure and temperature readings of the crude oil flowing through the pipeline, a controller in communication with the pair of sensors or sensor assemblies, and crude oil analysis and management program product stored in the memory of the controller and adapted to determine or estimate density, specific gravity, and API gravity of the crude oil to thereby manage flowing fluid characteristics of the crude oil. |
| US07668684B2 |
Sensor network system and data management method for sensor network
In a sensor network system for transferring sensing data measured by a sensor node to a host server based upon a process condition, the process condition can be easily set. The host server (4) previously sets a transmission condition which is used to transmit only an event satisfying a preset condition to the host server (4). When the host server (4) receives a joined event from a PAN management server (2), the host server (4) transmits to the PAN management server (2) a transmission condition corresponding to an identifier of an ID of a sensor node (1) of a transmission source of the joined event, and the PAN management server (2) transfers only an observed event satisfying the transmission condition to the host server (4). |
| US07668681B2 |
Distributed sensor network with a common processing platform for CBMRNE devices and novel applications
An integrated chemical, biological, metals, radiation, nuclear, explosives sensor system I-CBMRNE deployed on a common platform supports chemical, biological, metals, radiation, nuclear, explosives (CBMRNE) surveillance systems. The common platform provides a database for collected sensor and video data, spectral analysis for sensor data, pattern recognition systems, data analysis and communications. An I-CBMRNE sensor system provides modular sensor interfaces to enable integration of any commercial off the shelf or proprietary sensor, and provides for ease of integration for new sensor technologies as they emerge. An I-CBMRNE sensor system provides critical functions for sensor support enabling accurate calibrated data to be presented for analysis. |
| US07668680B2 |
Operational qualification by independent reanalysis of data reduction patch
Methods systems and computer readable media for testing operation of an instrument controlled by a system under test. Raw data, used by the system under test to calculate reduced data, is inputted to an independent data reduction engine. Independent reduced data is calculated using at least one independent algorithm independent of a corresponding algorithm used by the system under test to calculate the reduced data. Values of the reduced data are compared with corresponding values of the independent reduced data, and at least one of outputting a result of the comparing for use by a human user, and storing a result of the comparing in memory are performed. |
| US07668678B2 |
Calibration of a Metrological apparatus
A metrological apparatus has a driver (33) that effects relative movement between a support (4) and a measurement probe (8) carriage (7) in a first direction (X) to cause the measurement probe (8) to traverse a measurement path along a surface of an object supported by the support. The measurement probe (8) moves in a second direction (Z) transverse to the first direction as it follows surface characteristics. Respective first and second position transducers (35, 32) provide first and second position data representing the position of the measurement probe in the first and second direction. A calibrator (300) carries out a calibration procedure using measurement data obtained on a surface of known form. The calibrator determines calibration coefficients of an expression relating corrected measurement data and the actual measurement data by using the known form of the reference surface as the corrected measurement data. The calibrator varies the calibration coefficient for Chebychev points until the at least one expression provides a fit to the data. |
| US07668675B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit and information processing system
In a semiconductor integrated circuit, a counter counts the number of high-speed clock signals that have been generated in a predetermined number of clock cycles of a low-speed clock signal. In synchronization with the low-speed clock signal, the semiconductor integrated circuit compares the counter value and a predetermined value, and judges whether the frequency of the high-speed clock signal has reaches a predetermined frequency. Since variations in the frequency become smaller as the oscillation of a high-speed oscillator stabilizes, the semiconductor integrated circuit detects that the oscillation is stable when the semiconductor integrated circuit has judged affirmatively a plurality of times. |
| US07668662B2 |
Patient-specific dosimetry
A patient-specific optimally effective radiation dose for administration of a radiopharmaceutical to a patient for treatment of a disease may be established by basing the calculation of the appropriate therapeutic dose on factors such as the desired total body dose, the maximum tolerated dose, the typical clearance profile of the radiopharmaceutical, the patient's mass or maximum effective mass, and the patient-specific residence time of the radiopharmaceutical or an analog in the whole body of the patient. The use of the method allows for treatment of a patient with an appropriate dose which is maximally effective against the disease yet minimally toxic. The determination of a patient-specific therapeutic dose may be assisted by the use of a software program set to the particular parameters of the radiopharmaceutical. |
| US07668658B2 |
Methods for generating databases and databases for identifying polymorphic genetic markers
Processes and methods for creating a database of genomic samples from healthy human donors, methods that use the database to identify and correlate polymorphic genetic markers and other markers with diseases and conditions are provided. |
| US07668652B2 |
Portable vehicle navigation system
A navigation system includes an operator interface module (OIM) including a display and keypad. A computer module (computer module) includes a CPU, map database and the motion and position sensors. A docking station is fixedly mounted in each of a plurality of vehicles. The docking station includes an electrical connector connected to the vehicle power supply and an electrical connector connected to a GPS antenna and an electrical connector connected to a display extension harness. The computer module and OIM are transportable among each of the vehicles. The computer module slides into the docking station and simultaneously makes electrical contact with the vehicle power supply, GPS antenna and display extension harness. The OIM is connected to the display extension harness, thereby connecting the OIM to the computer module. The OIM and computer module are thus transportable among multiple vehicles having the appropriate docking station. |
| US07668650B2 |
On-vehicle information terminal, abridged map generating apparatus, abridged map display method and display apparatus
The on-vehicle information terminal according to the present invention comprises an abridged road generating device that generates abridged roads by abridging a road map based upon map data, a road decision-making device that makes a decision as to whether or not a road is a special shape road having a predetermined special shape based upon the map data, a substituting device for substitutes a specific road shape pattern stored in memory in advance for a road determined by the road decision-making device to have a special shape and a display control device that displays at the display device an abridged map containing specific road shape patterns used to substitute for special shape roads by the substituting device and the abridged roads generated by the abridged road generating device. |
| US07668645B2 |
System and method for dynamically determining vehicle loading and vertical loading distance for use in a vehicle dynamic control system
A control system (18) and method for an automotive vehicle (10) includes a roll rate sensor (34) for generating a roll rate signal, a lateral acceleration sensor (32) for generating a lateral acceleration signal, a longitudinal acceleration sensor (36) for generating a longitudinal acceleration signal, and a yaw rate sensor (28) for generating a yaw rate signal. A safety device or system (44) and the sensors are coupled to a controller. The controller (26) determines an added mass and the height of the added mass on the vehicle, or a roll gradient, a roll acceleration coefficient, and/or a roll rate parameter that take into account the added mass and height from the roll rate, the lateral acceleration, the longitudinal acceleration, and the yaw rate of the vehicle, and controls the safety system in response thereto. |
| US07668639B2 |
Method and apparatus for optimizing the performance envelope of an engine
A method for doing an optimization of the performance envelope initially authorized for an existing rotorcraft engine (M) to enable the engine (M), to be used in an optimized performance envelope that is different from the performance envelope initially authorized for the engine, is remarquable in that this optimization is compensated by modifying the total service life of the engine (M). |
| US07668636B2 |
Control system of vehicle
A brake-related ECU (46) terminates control on the basis of a control stop signal sent from a body-related ECU (40) connected with the brake-related ECU by a CAN 1, an engine revolving speed supplied from an engine ECU (42) connected with the brake-related ECU by the CAN 1, and wheel speeds detected by wheel speed sensors (20L, 20R, 22L, 22R) connected with the brake-related ECU by electric wiring (60). |
| US07668634B2 |
Personal mobility vehicle control system with input functions programmably mapped to output functions
An electronic control system has the ability to programmably assign or map various input functions to different output functions. This allows for a much greater degree of customization of the control system for an individual user and allows inputs to be matched to different outputs to suit the individual users needs more optimally. |
| US07668629B2 |
Ultra-tightly coupled global navigation satellite system space borne receiver system
A GNSS ultra-tight coupling (UTC) receiver architecture applicable to space borne orbit platforms is described. A receiver in accordance with this architecture retains the rotational motion sensors typically found in an inertial measurement unit (IMU) of a conventional UTC receiver, but replaces the IMU accelerometer sensors with precise orbital dynamics models to predict the translational motion of the platform center of gravity (CG). Drag and radiation pressure may be modeled as well. The various models can be implemented in software. The IMU rotational sensors are retained for compensation of the GNSS antenna lever arm effect due to platform rotation. |
| US07668626B2 |
Image displaying method with fluctuation correction and remote control system for moving unit using the method
An operation machine displays a received image on a monitor to enable an operator to remotely control a moving unit such as a model car and robotic arms through the image provided through a network by a camera on the unit and displayed on the monitor. Plotting of the received image on the monitor is conducted at predetermined intervals in plotting timing. The plotted image becomes a predicted image subjected to a time delay process. The moving unit carrying the camera is disposed in a remote area, and connected to a personal computer through the Internet to transmit motion pictures to the computer. At this time, a fluctuation correction is made to data of the motion pictures to provide a method of displaying a natural image. The method is employed in a moving unit's remote control system enabling an operator to enjoy a precise remote control of the unit. |
| US07668624B2 |
Maximized battery run-time in a parallel UPS system
An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) includes a plurality of UPS modules. Each of the UPS modules has a battery that provides power to a protected load in the event of a utility power failure. A plurality of controllers control how much power each of the batteries deliver to the protected load, and a communication bus allows the controllers to exchange information about the battery voltages. One of the controllers calculates the average battery voltage of the plurality of batteries and adjusts the amount of energy provided by an individual battery such that the battery voltage is about equal to the average battery voltage. |
| US07668620B2 |
Wall mounted medications cabinet
A wall-mounted medications cabinet has at least one, and preferably up to four locking drawers, each with a removable bin holding the medications for a given patient. The drawers are each independently openable electronically. This can be accomplished using an incorporated PC with a touch screen monitor, or authorized access can be obtained via a network. The cabinet may be connected using USB or ethernet interface. A key lock can provide access in the event of a power failure. |
| US07668613B2 |
MES appliance integrated with control modules
Activities within various environments (e.g., industrial control environment) can be automated through a number of interchangeable modules configured to perform an action or series of actions. Each interchangeable module can be dedicated to a specific function or task (e.g., quality control, performance) and can take into consideration various business aspects. A sequence in which the actions should be performed can be assigned and the appropriate module automatically initiated based on the sequence. A user can manually select a module in order to have a particular function automatically implemented, such as inserting a quality control module into a rack so that functions relating to quality control are automatically implemented. When a different task is desired, the quality control module can be removed and replaced with a different module. |
| US07668604B2 |
Packaging for medical pads and electrodes
Disposable biomedical pads include a conductive outer layer with an adhesive conductive protected layer on a major portion of the outer layer, with a double-sided release layer over the protected layer. Two pads are folded against each other, with the edges sealed to protect the gel layer from the environment. In use, the release layer is discarded, the gel layer placed against the skin, and in the case of defibrillation pads, the paddles are applied directly to the outer conductive layer. The outer layer serves as the packaging layer as well as the dispersive electrode. |
| US07668598B2 |
Method and apparatus for stimulating a nerve of a patient
Single-use electrical leads include a status flag element such as a fuse. The nerve stimulator has a “test mode” that determines a current value for treatment, and a “therapy mode” that administers treatment with the chosen current value. If the fuse in the electrical leads is blown, then the stimulator assumes that the leads have already been used and does not enter therapy mode, and optionally test mode. If the fuse in the electrical leads is intact, then the stimulator assumes that the leads are as yet unused, and allows the user to enter either test mode or therapy mode. The fuse is deliberately blown after a particular amount of time spent in therapy mode. After the fuse is blown, the user may still complete the therapy mode, even though the fuse is non-conducting. Preferably the fuse is electrically isolated from the leads that contact the patient. |
| US07668592B2 |
Electroporation and electrophoresis system and method for achieving molecular penetration into cells in vivo
The electroporation system and method combine pulses having different characteristics for delivering molecules to cells in vivo. The pulses include a high-intensity pulse for inducing electroporation and a low-intensity pulse to induce electrophoretic molecule movement within an interstitial space, molecule adherence to a cell membrane, and electrophoretic movement of the molecule through the permeabilized membrane. The use of a high-intensity and a low-intensity pulse achieves improved delivery; reduction of intensity and/or duration of pulses for inducing electroporation; and decreased muscle stimulation, tissue damage, and patient discomfort. |
| US07668584B2 |
Interface apparatus for passive tracking systems and method of use thereof
An interface apparatus (20) for tracking by a tracking system (40) of an object(s) in space for position and orientation and for interacting with the tracking system (40). The interface apparatus (30) comprises passive detectable devices (12,14,16,22) trackable for position by the tracking system (40). A mounting device (10,24) receives the passive detectable devices (12,14,16,22) in a known geometry, and is secured to the object(s) such that a position and orientation of the object(s) is calculable by the tracking system (40) as a function of a tracking of the known geometry of the passive detectable devices (12,14,16,22). One of the passive detectable devices (22) is displaceable with respect to the object(s). A displacement of the passive detectable device (22) with respect to the object(s) is detectable to initiate an interaction with the tracking system (40) while maintaining the tracking of the object(s). |
| US07668583B2 |
Method and apparatus for control and location of an instrument or appliance
The invention relates to an apparatus for location of an instrument or appliance having at least one magnet which produces a magnetic moment at right angles to the appliance shaft and can be rotated independently of the instrument or appliance. This results in a location system which allows precise location at an accurate time, determination of the axis direction and control of an appliance which is being operated in a channel or medium. |
| US07668582B2 |
Biopsy site marker
These are biopsy site marking devices. More particularly, the devices include a body of gelatin and an x-ray detectable body of a specific, predetermined non-biological configuration embedded in the body of gelatin. In one embodiment, the x-ray detectable body is made from metal. In alternative embodiments, the x-ray detectable body can be made from stainless steel or metal oxides. |
| US07668578B2 |
MgB2 superconductors
A solid structure includes a substrate and a layer located on a surface of the substrate. The layer includes crystalline or polycrystalline MgB2. |
| US07668575B2 |
System and method for obtaining radiation characteristics of built-in antenna in mobile communication terminal
A mobile terminal has an electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding region set at an upper side of a main body part where an internal antenna is mounted. The internal antenna may be mounted on a main printed circuit board (PCB) in order to obtain a desired radiation gain. Such a shielding region alleviates the need to use metallic shielding material or EMI spraying throughout many parts of the terminal. In addition, in order to maximize wireless characteristics of the built-in antenna, a PCB ground is removed from a folder part and a FPCB connector is moved to a position along a side of a terminal display. With this structure, degradation of radiation characteristics of the antenna due to metal components installed around the built-in antenna can be prevented, and thus a stable radiation gain of the terminal antenna can be obtained. |
| US07668574B2 |
Broadcasting receiver and power supply control method thereof
A broadcasting receiver and a power supply control method based on an operation mode are disclosed. Power supply is cut off to a data transmission/reception processing block corresponding to a mode, not determined as the operation mode. Therefore, it is possible to prevent unnecessary power consumption and lengthen the lifetime of the broadcasting receiver. |
| US07668573B2 |
Wireless timing and power control
The use of multiple states of mobile communication device operation to allow a single base station to support a relatively large number of mobile nodes is described. The various states require different amounts of communications resources, e.g., bandwidth. Four supported states of operation are an on-state, a hold-state, a sleep-state, and an access-state. Each mobile node in the on-state is allocated communication resources to perform transmission power control signaling, transmission timing control signaling and to transmit data as part of a data uplink communications operation. Each mobile node in the hold-state is allocated communication resources to perform transmission timing control signaling and is provided a dedicated uplink for requesting a state transition and a shared resource for transmitting acknowledgements. In the sleep state a mobile node is allocated minimal resources and does not conduct power control signaling or timing control signaling. Data may be received in the on and hold states. |
| US07668572B2 |
System and method of polarity reversal for reload detection
A system and method to remotely activate a procedure, preferably to Reload, a transceiver unit powered with an Ethernet cable. The system and method includes a power source including circuitry to reverse the polarity of voltage for a desired amount of time to a detection circuit in the transceiver unit. Upon successful detection, a reload circuit preferably in the transceiver unit activates the Reload procedure in the transceiver unit. |
| US07668569B2 |
Mobile communication terminal including menu that can be constructed by using mobile flash
Disclosed is a mobile communication terminal of which menu can be universally constructed using a mobile flash according to a user's taste. The mobile communication terminal comprises an input device section for inputting a reproduction request of a flash movie; a Man Machine Interface (MMI) loading a corresponding movie file based on the reproduction request; a bridge module performing a communication with the MMI to monitor navigation events; a memory section for storing a Extendible Markup Language (XML) document having information about a handset configuration and a menu tree configuration of the terminal; an engine section parsing the XML document read from the memory section to map the XML document with the flash movie and analyzing the parsed XML document according to the navigation events; and a play section for outputting the analyzed XML document contents through a display section. According to the invention, a user can provide a universal and efficient menu and a contents provider can easily produce a menu flash. |
| US07668566B2 |
Speaker microphone connector for communicator
A RF communication system includes a speaker microphone connector connecting a communication station with a communication unit to transmit an audio signal and RF signal therebetween. The speaker microphone connector includes an audio cable, a RF cable and a tubular enclosing shelter enclosing the audio cable and the RF cable therein, wherein an end portion of the RF cable extends out of the enclosing shelter between first and second ends thereof such that the end portion of the RF cable is split with the audio cable to individually connect to the communication station. In addition, a retaining device is provided at the enclosing shelter to retain the RF cable and the audio cable in a splitting manner. |
| US07668563B2 |
Method for configuring gain factors for uplink service in radio telecommunication system
A method for configuring gain factors in a WCDMA telecommunication system is provided in which the gain factor for defining power required for normal reception of uplink data in an environment supporting an uplink service over an E-DCH can be configured using minimal signaling information. First gain factors for first TFs corresponding to a part of a TF set including a plurality of TFs available for an uplink service are received. One of the first TFs is determined as a reference TF for a second TF other than the first TFs in the TF set. Then, a second gain factor for the second TF is calculated using the first gain factor for the determined reference TF. The second gain factor is used for transmitting or receiving uplink data. |
| US07668562B1 |
Method and apparatus for GPS geofencing of mobile transmissions
A method and apparatus for geofencing mobile transmissions. The method includes determining a geographic location of a mobile transmitter. Then, a geographic interference contour of the mobile transmitter is determined. The mobile transmitter is operating over a specific frequency at the geographic location. A neighboring service contour is then determined. The neighboring service contour is associated with an FCC license that allows transmissions over a specific channel that includes the specific frequency. The interference geographic contour and the service contour are compared to determine if there is overlapping. Thereafter, transmissions from the mobile transmitter are controlled in order to comply with FCC regulations. |
| US07668546B2 |
Apparatus, method and computer program product to maintain user equipment serving grant at cell change
A method includes storing a first Serving Grant (SG) value for use in a first serving cell, entering a second serving cell, receiving an information element from a higher layer, maintaining the first SG value if the information element does not include a second SG value, and changing the first SG value to the second SG value if the information element includes a second SG value. |
| US07668544B2 |
Method and system for handling a faulty registration for a mobile communications device
A method and system for handling a faulty registration for a subscriber with a mobile communication device in a communications network. A faulty registration comprises a registration missing identification information or having a field that is missing an identifier or other form of information. The method and system comprise selecting another field or property in the faulty registration, which is populated with an identifier or identification information, and searching the selected field or property in a list of registrations for matching identification information. Associating the faulty registration with an existing registration for a subscriber based on matching the identification information. According to another aspect, the system and method comprise generating a new registration for the customer with the faulty registration if a matching registration is not located or search criteria are not satisfied. According to another aspect, the system and method comprise creating a record associated with the faulty registration. |
| US07668542B2 |
Token-based receiver diversity
A token-based receiver diversity processing is described. In one embodiment, a receiver diversity comprises repeaters receiving wirelessly transmitted packets from a mobile station, and one of the repeaters forwarding packets of the wirelessly transmitted packets to a switch if the one repeater is currently assigned to forward packets from the mobile station based on an indicator assigned prior to the wirelessly transmitted packets being sent. |
| US07668541B2 |
Enhanced techniques for using core based nodes for state transfer
Methods and apparatus for storing, manipulating, retrieving, and forwarding state, e.g., context and other information, used to support communications sessions with one or more end nodes, e.g., mobile devices, are described. Various features are directed to a mobile node controlling the transfer of state from a first access node to a second access node during a handoff operation thereby eliminating any need for state transfer messages to be transmitted between the second access node and the first access node during handoff. Other features of the invention are directed to the use of a core network node to store state information. State information stored in the core node can be accessed and used by access nodes in cases where a mobile node does not send a state transfer message during a handoff, e.g., because communication with the first access node is lost or because such messages are not supported. |
| US07668540B2 |
Print on a mobile device with persistence
A method of printing content on a print medium using a mobile telecommunications device is disclosed. When the print medium is inserted into a media feed path of the mobile telecommunications device, a print media identifier read from the print medium using a sensor module of the mobile telecommunications device. The content is then printed on the print medium using a printer module of the mobile telecommunications device, and the content is also stored in a database using a server in communication with the mobile telecommunications device. This allows the content to be retrieved from the database using the print media identifier. |
| US07668536B2 |
Retrieving media items to a mobile device
A user visiting a space is equipped with a mobile device in communication with a service system. Media items held by the service system are associated with various locations around the space and a user arriving at such a location is presented with the corresponding item or items. Preferably, these media items are preemptively loaded into a cache of the user's mobile device in dependence on the user's progress around the space. Items can also be flushed from cache on this basis. In order to reduce load on the service system and the related communication infrastructure, a media item needed by a mobile device is first sought from a nearby device using a short-range communication mechanism. |
| US07668532B2 |
Ubiquitous connectivity and control system for remote locations
A thermostat control system for monitoring and controlling environmental characteristics of a building includes a base station unit and a remote access unit continuously interfacing through instant wireless private direct connectivity. The system also includes a plurality of sensors that measure the environmental characteristics and provide the thermostat unit with the measurements. |
| US07668530B2 |
Systems and methods for coordinating the coverage and capacity of a wireless base station
A communications base station is installed at a selected new location and the base station, prior to going “on line” monitors the wireless traffic from other base stations within interference range of the new base station's coverage area. The new base station also monitors the wireless traffic between mobile devices within its coverage area and these other base stations. Based upon these monitored conditions, as well as other known conditions, the new base station then determines the transmitting parameter configuration it should imply in order to achieve a desired optimization between capacity and coverage area. After the new base station is on line, a central control can monitor the entire network to determine if any additional changes are necessary and if so the new transceiver, or any other transceiver, can be instructed to monitor itself with respect to interference and to take corrective action to improve overall network coverage and capacity. |
| US07668528B2 |
Alternatively powered low power IC
A low power integrated circuit (IC) includes a power supply module, first circuitry, and second circuitry. The power supply module is coupled to receive a power source signal from a source external to the low power IC, derive an electromagnetic signal from the power source signal, and convert the electromagnetic signal into a supply voltage. The first circuitry is coupled to produce a first resultant from a first stimulus, wherein the first circuitry is powered via the supply voltage. The second circuitry is coupled to produce a second resultant from a second stimulus, wherein the second circuitry via powered by the supply voltage. |
| US07668525B2 |
System and method of a stereo receiving system
A system and method of a stereo receiving system, including a plurality of antennas, a receiving device, a plurality of summing devices, a phase lock loop device, a controllable phase shifter device, and a gain-control device. The plurality of antennas receive RF signals having a common frequency but potentially different phases. The receiving device is in electrical communication with the plurality of antennas. The plurality of summing devices are in electrical communication between at least one of the plurality of antennas and the receiving device. The phase lock loop device is in electrical communication with the receiving device. The gain-control device is in electrical communication between the plurality of antennas and the receiving device, wherein the gain-control device controls a signal-to-noise ratio of the RF signals aligned from the plurality of antennas. |
| US07668519B2 |
Tuner input filter with electronically adjustable response for adapting to antenna characteristic
A system, apparatus and/or method provides frequency response adjustment of an RF input filter of an RF tuner based on impedance of an antenna system that is providing reception of RF signals to the RF tuner. The frequency response adjustment is preferably accomplished dynamically and/or with respect to each frequency tuned. Particularly, the system, method and/or apparatus provides compensation at the RF tuner level for mistuning effects produced on the RF tuner by antenna system impedance presented at the antenna input that is other than a designed for impedance. Frequency response of an RF input filter for the RF tuner is electronically adjustable with an independent or semi-independent control voltage signal based on one or more measured parameters of a tuning frequency. Frequency response adjustment may include adjustment of a center frequency of the RF input filter bandpass frequency range and/or altering the bandpass frequency range of the RF input filter. The subject invention expands the capability of an RF signal receiver, particularly one using at least one electronically adjustable RF filter at the input of an electronic alignment type tuner. |
| US07668518B2 |
Priority and load combination based carrier assignment in a multi-carrier wireless communication system
A wireless communication system and method is disclosed. The system and method includes at least one base station controller setting resource allocation priority and producing a carrier loading information request in response to a request made by a mobile unit; a plurality of base stations coupled to at least one base station controller, each of the plurality of base stations operates on a plurality of carriers, at least one candidate base station transceiver of the plurality of base stations receiving the carrier loading information request, determining its carrier loading information, and responding with a carrier loading information response; and the at least one base station controller operating to assign the mobile unit to at least one candidate carrier within the one responding candidate base station of the plurality of base stations based upon both set resource allocation priority and received carrier loading information. |
| US07668517B2 |
Radio frequency signal receiver with adequate automatic gain control
The invention provides a radio frequency signal receiver with adequate gain control path to control the gain of a mixer and/or a channel selection filter, comprising a low noise amplifier for receiving and amplifying a radio frequency signal, a local oscillator (LO) for providing a LO signal, a mixer for down converting the radio frequency signal by the LO signal to an intermediate signal, a channel selection filter for receiving and filtering the intermediate signal to develop an output signal, and an automatic gain control unit for feedback adjusting the gain of the low noise amplifier and forward controlling the gain of the mixer and channel selection filter in accordance with the output signal of the low noise amplifier. |
| US07668516B2 |
Systems ramping power amplifier output power
A power amplifier circuit including a first transistor, a second transistor, and a power control circuit. The first transistor includes a first input and a first output. The second transistor includes a second input coupled in series with the first output of the first transistor. The input circuit is coupled to the second input of the second transistor. The control circuit includes a time delay circuit and a variable source. |
| US07668507B2 |
Short range connectivity usability by using contact information
Disclosed is a system, method and computer application for local communication between electronic equipment in a user-friendly manner. In one aspect of the invention, a mobile telephone initiates a search for electronic equipment having a predetermined modality and within communication range of the mobile telephone. Electronic equipment capable of responding to the request transmit information through a local interface adapter. Such information may include, for example, a unique identifier that may include a telephone number, session initiation protocol (SIP) address of the electronic equipment, user social security number, user and/or contact biometric information, and the like. By receiving the unique identifier of the electronic equipment, the mobile telephone may search an associated electronic phonebook application to identify contact information associated with the unique identifier. For example, if the unique identifier is stored in the electronic phonebook application of the mobile telephone, the mobile telephone may display a user-friendly designation corresponding to contact information previously stored in the electronic phonebook to the associated user of the mobile telephone 10. |
| US07668506B2 |
Receiving apparatus and reception antenna setting method
In a receiving apparatus equipped with a plurality of tuners, if a reception antenna is controlled in such a manner that a reception condition of a channel tuned by one tuner may become suitable, then a reception condition of the channel tuned by another tuner does not always become suitable. The receiving apparatus is provided with an antenna control unit which controls a reception antenna whose reception condition can be set, a first receiving unit, a second receiving unit, and a storage unit which stores thereinto tuning information such as a tuning channel, signal quality information, and a reception antenna setting condition. The receiving apparatus calculates a setting condition of the reception antenna capable of obtaining suitable receiving conditions in both the first and second receiving units by employing tuning information in a first channel and tuning information in a second channel. |
| US07668501B2 |
Medium supplying apparatus and image forming apparatus
A medium supplying apparatus is assembled to an image forming apparatus. A medium tray supports a medium thereon, and is pivotal about a first axis and extends from the first axis. The medium tray has a guide path that extends in the first radial direction. A feeder frame has a pickup roller rotatably mounted to the feeder frame, and is pivotal about a second axis substantially parallel to the first axis. The medium tray and the feeder frame are drivingly coupled via a link. When the medium tray pivots to its open position or closed position, the link transmits the motion of the medium tray to the feeder frame in such a way that the feeder frame drivingly pivots to its open position or closed position. |
| US07668500B2 |
Image forming device
An image forming device includes an image forming device body having an image forming unit in the interior thereof, and at least one paper tray attached to the image forming device on which paper is to be mounted. The paper tray includes a paper mounting unit having a paper mounting surface on which paper is to be mounted, and at least one movable auxiliary mounting unit. The auxiliary mounting unit is supported by the paper mounting unit, and includes an auxiliary mounting surface that is deployed from the paper mounting unit and which serves to extend the mounting surface. The brightnesses of the mounting surface and the auxiliary mounting surface of the paper tray are lower than the brightness of the paper to be mounted on each mounting surface, and the brightness of at least a portion of the auxiliary mounting surface is higher than the brightness of the mounting surface. |
| US07668499B2 |
Image reading apparatus
An image reading and/or reproducing apparatus, including a single sided document feeding tray and a double sided document feed tray to each supply a stack of documents to the apparatus; a document feeding unit to feed a document from a top of the stack of documents in the single sided document feeding tray, and to feed a document from a bottom of the stack of documents in the double sided document feeding tray; and an image scan unit to scan an image of the document fed from the document feeding unit. The apparatus further includes a reverse unit to position the double-sided document, fed by the document feeding unit, upstream of the image scan unit as the image scan unit completes a scanning of the image on a first side of the document such that the image scan unit may scan the image on a second side of the document. According to the above structure, reducing a time required to scan an image is possible. |
| US07668497B2 |
Image heating roller, image heating heater, with microwave blocking layer
An image heating roller for heating a toner image on a recording material. The image heating roller includes a heat generation layer for generating heat by a microwave introduced into a hollow portion of the image heating roller. The image heating roller further includes a blocking layer, provided on the heat generation layer, for substantially blocking passing of the microwave. |
| US07668490B2 |
Developing apparatus having developer supplying member in spaced apart relationship with developer carrying member
A developing apparatus has a developer carrying member carrying a developer thereon, a developer supplying member for supplying the developer to the developer carrying member, and a scraping member for contacting the developer carrying member upstream of the closest position between the developer carrying member and the developer supplying member with respect to the movement direction of the developer carrying member to thereby scrape off the developer from the developer carrying member. There is formed a developer supplying portion surrounded by the scraping member, the developer carrying member and the developer supplying member for supplying the developer from the developer supplying member to the developer carrying member, and the developer scraped off by the scraping member is conveyed to a collecting passage differing from the closest position. |
| US07668489B2 |
Toner path opening and closing apparatus, image forming device having the same and toner path opening and closing method thereof
A toner path opening and closing apparatus of an image forming device includes a first shutter elastically supported by a first elastic member to open and close a first toner path, and a second shutter elastically supported by a second elastic member having an elastic modulus smaller than the first elastic member to open and close a second toner path by the first shutter. After the second toner path is opened by the first shutter, the first is opened, so that the first and second toner paths communicate with each other. The first toner path is a toner supplying pipeline to which a toner is supplied from a toner cartridge, and the second toner path is a toner injecting port disposed in a developing unit. In mounting of the developing unit, after the toner injecting port disposed in the developing unit is first opened, the toner supplying pipeline is opened, and in dismounting of the developing unit, after the toner supplying pipeline is first closed, the toner injecting port is closed, so that in mounting and dismounting of the developing unit, toner is prevented from being leaked through the toner paths. |
| US07668484B2 |
Charging roller and image forming apparatus incorporating same
The invention delivers a charging roller which is capable of preventing current leakage to a photoreceptor throughout life-time and which has a stable resistance value throughout life-time. The charging roller contains a metal core and a rubber layer formed on the core. The rubber layer is an epichlorohydrin-based rubber base material to which an electronic conductive agent and an ionic conductive agent are added. The rubber layer is subjected to surface processing by spraying the surface with a solution containing an isocyanate compound and heating. The amount of the electronic conductive agent added to the rubber base material is limited so that a volume resistivity when only the electronic conductive agent is added to the rubber base material is 1.46×106 Ω·cm or greater. In addition, the amount of the added ionic conductive agent is increased so that a volume resistivity when the electronic conductive agent and the ionic conductive agent are added to the rubber base material is 1.93×106 Ω·cm or less. |
| US07668483B2 |
Image forming apparatus
Provided is an image forming apparatus which includes a cylindrical image carrier, on which at least an electrostatic latent image is formed, and a charge roller for non-contact charging the image carrier with a predetermined charge gap, and applies at least an alternating current (AC) voltage to the charge roller to non-contact charge the image carrier, wherein a predetermined number of partition members for partitioning an internal space of the image carrier into a plurality of sub-spaces are arranged at a central position of an axial direction of the image carrier or in the vicinity of the central position of the axial direction of the image carrier, in the image carrier. |
| US07668482B2 |
Sticking substance removing apparatus and image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus that is capable of solving the problem of abrasion or load caused by an unevenly installed cleaning member and capable of realizing excellent cleaning performance. A cleaning section in the image forming apparatus has a cleaning member in the shape of a board, which contacts the surface of the charging roller through it's a first surface, and a fixing member, which supports the cleaning member at least at an upstream side of a contact position between the charging roller and the cleaning member with respect to the rotation direction of the charging roller. The fixing member is formed so as to not contact the cleaning member in an area of a second surface which is opposite to the contact part of the charging roller and the cleaning member. |
| US07668481B2 |
Developing device and image forming device including a seal member
A regulating member includes a protrusion protruding from a supporting member toward a developing roller. The length of the supporting member in the longitudinal direction is longer than the length of the protrusion in the longitudinal direction. A seal member includes an extending portion extending from a space for carrying developing agent. The extending portion is turned backward along an end of the regulating member with respect to the longitudinal direction thereof toward the supporting member. |
| US07668480B2 |
Cleaning device for use with image forming apparatus
A cleaning device for use with an electrophotographic image forming apparatus has a charging brush positioned in contact with an endless image bearing surface of a rotatable image bearing member to form a contact region in which the brush provides an electric charge with a certain polarity to toner particles passing through the contact region according to a rotation of the image bearing member, and a cleaning member positioned on a downstream side with respect to a rotational direction of the image bearing member and in contact with the image bearing surface of the image bearing member to collect the toner particles from the image bearing surface. The charging brush has a base and a number of bristles planted in the base. A contact force of the charging brush against the image bearing surface is set to be more than 0 N/m and equal to or less than 1.5 N/m. |
| US07668473B2 |
Fixing device and image forming apparatus
There are provided a fixing device and an image forming apparatus capable of reducing a sensing error of a surface temperature of a heating roller. The fixing device includes a temperature sensor for sensing the surface temperature of the heating roller, and a temperature calculation circuit. The temperature calculation circuit includes a noise removal prevention circuit. The temperature sensor includes an infrared ray sensing thermistor and a compensation thermistor, and the noise removal prevention circuit prevents removal of a part of an AC component (such as a high frequency component in a noise) included in a difference between outputs (difference output) of the infrared ray sensing thermistor and the compensation thermistor. Thus, the AC component is prevented from being offset when the difference outputs are averaged, thus reducing the sensing error of the surface temperature of the heating roller based on the average value of the difference outputs. |
| US07668465B2 |
Dispersion-managed optical transmission system
An optical transmission system that alleviates waveform distortions due to nonlinear effects in fibers. A transmitter sends WDM signals to a receiver over a dispersion-managed optical transmission line with in-line optical repeaters. The transmission line is divided into a plurality of dispersion compensation intervals each composed of a main segment and a compensation segment. Chromatic dispersion is managed such that the dispersion compensation intervals have a non-zero net dispersion at every boundary point between them, or such that the number of zero-dispersion boundary points is reduced. The main segment is a series of repeater sections with negative dispersion, while the compensation segment is a single repeater section with positive dispersion. Non-uniform distribution of net chromatic dispersions over the transmission length is achieved by combining repeater section with different average dispersions, dispersion compensation intervals with different numbers of repeater sections, or repeater sections with different span lengths. |
| US07668452B2 |
Apparatus for automatically controlling exposure of image sensor
An automatic exposure control apparatus employed by an image sensor module including a lens unit, an image sensing unit having a shutter, and an image signal processing unit, the apparatus including: a brightness calculator extracting average brightness of a image signal; a brightness adjustment determiner determining whether to fix or adjust a speed of the shutter based on the average brightness; an adjustment path controller controlling the speed of the shutter by using the brightness error; a digital filter filtering the brightness error; a shutter speed adjuster adjusting a present shutter speed value by using one of the brightness error and the filtered brightness; and a shutter speed controller controlling a speed of the shutter by using the adjusted shutter speed value. |
| US07668451B2 |
System for and method of taking image
An image taking method includes the steps of taking an image of an object to be taken, thereby generating image data. A predetermined objective body is detected from the image data. Exposure and/or focusing position are determined for each of the detected objective bodies. The image taking means is caused to take an image of each objective body according to the exposure and/or the focusing position determined for each of the detected objective bodies in response to one image-taking action. |
| US07668448B2 |
Flash apparatus and imaging apparatus
A flash apparatus is provided. The flash apparatus includes: an attachment portion capable of being attached in a freely detachable manner to an attachment target portion provided on an imaging apparatus; a main body supported in a turnable manner in an anteroposterior direction with respect to the attachment portion by means of a first turning portion; and a light-emitting portion supported in a turnable manner in an anteroposterior or vertical direction with respect to the main body by means of a second turning portion, including a light emitter directly or indirectly emitting light to a subject. |
| US07668445B2 |
Apparatus and method for detecting condition of a heating element
A control for an electric water heater detects a condition of a heating element when the heating element is not being energized. A switching module is operable to interrupt power to the heating element, which de-energizes the heating element. A detector module detects the condition of the heating element when the heating element is de-energized. The detector module senses current flowing through the heating element and generates a detection signal that is indicative of the current. |
| US07668443B2 |
Device and method for the controlled heating in micro channel systems
A method of controlled heating of a micro channel reactor structure (46, 48, 50) comprises providing a structure (b1, b2, B1, B2) defining a desired temperature profile. A preferred embodiment of a heating element structure comprises a pattern of areas of a material capable of providing heat when energized, disposed over said micro channel reactor structure. |
| US07668442B2 |
Apparatus for providing a visual effect
An apparatus for simulating flames includes a light source, a viewing screen capable of diffusing and transmitting light, a rear reflector disposed behind the viewing screen, and a light producer for producing moving beams of light. The light source is disposed below the reflector and behind the viewing screen. The light producer is disposed in front of the light source and below the screen and light from the light source is reflected by the light producer onto the reflector and is reflected by the reflector onto the screen to produce a perceptible image viewable on the screen. |
| US07668440B2 |
Recording medium, recording method, reproduction apparatus and method, and computer-readable program
An AV Clip generated by multiplexing video and graphics streams is recorded on a BD-ROM. The graphics stream is a sequence of PES packets. The PES packets include ODSs (Object Definition Segments) carrying graphics data and PCSs (Presentation Control Segments) carrying control information. A PCS indicates that graphics data in a preceding ODS in the arrangement is to be displayed at a predetermined time in a state of being overlaid on the video stream. The PCS and the preceding ODS belong to different DSs, and the graphics data in the preceding ODS may be non-referenced graphics data that is not referenced by a PCS which belongs to the same DS as the preceding ODS. |
| US07668436B2 |
Video information recording device and reproducing device
A method is provided for recording video information in which copy control information of video information is managed in the case of copying the content of data from one recording medium to another recording medium. Copy control information (CCI) or a watermark (WM) of an inputted AV stream is detected and whether the content of the copy control information or watermark has changed is determined. Change point information of the copy control information or watermark and the content of the copy control information or watermark are acquired, and management information for managing the copy control information is generated on the basis of the acquired change point information. The generated management information is recorded together with the video information to a recording medium at a copy destination. |
| US07668435B2 |
Multimedia signal processing system
A multimedia signal processing system utilizes an easily manipulated, low-cost storage and display system that allows the user to view a television program and instantly review previous scenes within the program. The invention also allows the user to store selected programs while simultaneously watching or reviewing another. A versatile system architecture enables providing the invention in multiple configurations, each adapted to receive input signals from a different source. At the highest level, the system includes an input section and an output section. Across all configurations, the output section remains substantially the same, while the input section varies according to the signal type and the source. Thus, several configurations are provided, each one requiring only minor system board modifications. The system architecture thus simplifies the design and manufacturing challenge presented by producing units to serve different markets, such as digital satellite, digital cable and analog cable. |
| US07668433B2 |
Cable trough system and method
A telecommunications cable management system includes trough elements including a planar top surface and sides for cable routing and management. The trough elements are made from separate parts assembled together with a mating arrangement. The mating arrangement allows assembly of the system on site, such as by snapping the parts together. The trough elements are then assembled together to form the cable management system. |
| US07668432B2 |
Multi-drop closure systems and methods for fiber optic cabling
Multi-drop closure systems for fiber optic cabling include an enclosure and a ganged drop plug. The enclosure defines a splice chamber therein and has a main cable access opening and a drop cable access opening into the splice chamber. The drop cable access opening is displaced from the main cable access opening. The ganged drop plug is configured to be sealingly inserted into the drop cable access opening. The ganged drop plug has a plurality of drop cables extending therefrom. |
| US07668431B2 |
Grommet and plate assembly for sealing fiber optic closures
There is provided grommet and plate assemblies for sealing fiber optic closures into which and/or out of which fiber optic cables are routed. The grommet of the assembly includes a central portion with an axial opening adapted to receive the fiber optic cable through a slit in the central portion. The grommet also includes an end cap portion on an axial end of the grommet, and the end cap portion includes a deformable outer lip that overhangs an outer surface of the central portion to provide axial retention of the grommet once it is inserted into an opening of the plate. The plate includes a plurality of openings into which grommets may be selectively inserted. The plate may be received within an opening of the fiber optic closure and includes a slot for receiving a protrusion within the opening of the fiber optic closure. |
| US07668430B2 |
Telecommunications chassis and module
Telecommunications chassis and associated modules for use with the telecommunications chassis are disclosed. Embodiments of the telecommunications chassis include structures such as horizontal channels and/or horizontal surfaces with ridges and/or slots in one surface and slots in ridges of another for receiving edges of modules that mount within the chassis. Other structures of embodiments include divider slots in the horizontal surfaces that receive edges of divider walls to fix the divider walls in place, heat baffle surfaces included within the chassis, and/or cable guides with radius limiters. Module embodiments include structures such as faceplates with angled portions with fiber optic cable connections directed toward the fiber cable's direction of travel. Other module structures include shells that enclose the circuit board and/or provide angled portions with fiber optic cable connections. Module embodiments may also include circuitry for converting electrical signals to optical and optical signals to electrical, and the circuitry may selectively operate at multiple data rates. |
| US07668428B2 |
Optical fiber and optical device
An optical fiber includes a core region and a cladding region formed on an outer circumference of the core region. The cladding region includes a plurality of holes arranged around the core region and has a refractive index lower than a refractive index of the core region. A zero dispersion wavelength of the optical fiber is shorter than 1150 nanometers. The optical fiber propagates a light having a wavelength longer than 1000 nanometers exclusively in a fundamental mode of LP01 mode. An effective core area of the optical fiber is equal to or smaller than 12.0 μm2 at a wavelength of 1064 nanometers. |
| US07668422B2 |
Arrangement for multiplexing and/or demultiplexing optical signals having a plurality of wavelengths
An arrangement for multiplexing and/or demultiplexing optical signals having a plurality of wavelengths, including a multiplex body having two parallel surfaces between which light is reflected back and forth and in this case is coupled in or out in a wavelength-dependent manner, and structures for coupling optical signals into or out of the multiplex body. According to the invention, the structures for coupling optical signals into or out of the multiplex body have a plurality of essentially structurally identical subassemblies, each subassembly having an optoelectronic transducer and an associated optical system, by which light having a wavelength is respectively coupled into or out of the multiplex body. |
| US07668418B2 |
Machine with data transfer from one machine part to another machine part which is able to be rotated relative to the one machine part
A machine having two machine parts, of which one is able to be rotated relative to the other, in which light signals are transferred from the one part to the other part. The light signals are transmitted radially to the axis of rotation of the rotatable machine part. In a first embodiment a plurality of light sources couple light into an optical waveguide ring which is coupled out over the entire outer circle of the optical waveguide ring so that it is guaranteed that light signals reach a receiver arranged radially outside in each case. In another embodiment light sources couple light into optical waveguide structures, with branches of the optical waveguides guaranteeing that on the outer circle of the one component the exit points for light are sufficiently dense that for any given angular position of the rotatable component at least one of two receivers receives a light signal. |
| US07668417B2 |
Integrated termination for EO modulator with RF signal monitoring functionality
The invention relates to RF termination for reducing electrical signal reflections at the end of transmission line electrodes on an electro-optical (EO) optical modulator. The disclosed termination incorporates a RF tap which permits the monitoring of the RF power and reflection conditions at the EO modulator. The integrated termination/tap can also be integrated with detection circuitry, such as RF diodes and passive components, giving improved performance, lower cost manufacturability as well as a more compact and efficient package. |
| US07668402B2 |
Method for generating a composite image
A method for generating a composite image includes receiving a separate image into a computer system, comparing the separate image to the composite image so as to generate a mismatch value, and modifying at least one of the composite image and the separate image to reduce the mismatch value. |
| US07668400B2 |
Image layout constraint generation
In a method for generating a dimensionally tractable set of image layout constraints, a selected constraint is applied to limit a dimension of a highly dimensional solution space. Through random selection one or more unconstrained dimensions of the highly dimensional solution space are identified which, when constrained, will further limit the highly dimensional solution space to a dimensionally tractable solution space. The tractability of the dimensionally tractable solution space is associated with a capability of a computational resource. |
| US07668398B2 |
Generating and displaying spatially offset sub-frames using image data with a portion converted to zero values
A method of displaying an image with a display device is provided. The method comprises receiving image data associated with an image, generating a set of three sub-frames using less than all of the image data, and alternating between displaying the set of three sub-frames in first, second, and third positions, wherein the second position is spatially offset from the first position, and wherein the third position is spatially offset from the first and the second positions. |
| US07668388B2 |
System and method for single image focus assessment
An image focus assessment method is provided that works reliably for images of a variety of relatively dissimilar workpieces or workpiece features. The focus assessment method is based on analysis of a single image (without the benefit of comparison to other images). The robustness of the focus assessment method is enhanced by the use of at least one classifier based on a plurality of focus classification features. In one application, a primary advantage of assessing focus from a single image is that an overall workpiece inspection time may be reduced by avoiding running an autofocus routine if an image is already in focus. In various embodiments, the focus assessment method may include an ensemble of classifiers. The ensemble of classifiers can be trained on different training data (sub)sets or different parameter (sub)sets, and their classification outcomes combined by a voting operation or the like, in order to enhance the overall accuracy and robustness of the focus assessment method. |
| US07668387B2 |
Selective local transient improvement and peaking for video sharpness enhancement
A method of selectively sharpening an image may include, for at least some pixels in the image, determining a frequency content associated with a pixel value in the image. The pixel may be linearly sharpened if the frequency content exceeds a threshold. The pixel may be non-linearly sharpened if the frequency content does not exceed the threshold. In some implementations, the non-linear sharpening may include wavelet decomposition of the image and enhancement of decomposed components. |
| US07668386B2 |
Lossless compression algorithms for spatial data
The present invention is related to routines for the processing of quantized vector data into one or more arrays of integers whose values are closer to zero than the integers in the quantized vector data. The arrays are input to a compression engine resulting in compressed bytes of data that may be transferred to a computing device for the decompression of the data. The quantized vector data can include vertices expressed as a pair of integer values that may represent geometric, spatial elements, such as points, interconnected lines (polylines), and polygons. These geometric objects may be representative of information on a map. The compressed bytes may be grouped according to grids, wherein each grid represents a distinct geographic area of a map, so that a consumer can store and decompress only the portion of the map data which is of interest. |
| US07668381B2 |
Decoding apparatus and encoding apparatus with specific bit sequence deletion and insertion
The decoding apparatus in the present invention includes a memory operable to hold encoded data representing one of a compressed sound and a compressed image, a memory read-out unit operable to sequentially read out the encoded data from said memory, a match determining circuit operable to determine whether or not data matching a specific bit sequence exists in the encoded data read out by said memory read-out unit, a deleting circuit operable to delete a part of the specific bit sequence from the encoded data read out from said memory, when said match determining circuit determines that the specific bit sequence exists, and a decoding circuit operable to decode the post-deletion encoded data. |
| US07668379B2 |
Image processing defined by a hierarchy of data processing nodes
Apparatus for processing image data is provided, comprising first storage means, processing means and manual input means, wherein said first storage means is configured to store said image data and said image data includes a plurality of components defined by a hierarchy of data processing nodes, and said processing means is configured to process each of said nodes in turn. The nodes include standard nodes and switch nodes, each switch node having at least two child nodes one of which is the designated child node of said switch node. The processing means is configured to process a standard node only when each of its child nodes has been processed, and process a switch node when only its designated child node has been processed. Additionally, said processing means may include second storage means and stores, in either said first or said second storage means, information recording the states of said switch nodes that defines a version of said image data. |
| US07668377B2 |
Method of obtaining a depth map from a digital image
A method of obtaining a depth map from a single digital image of a three-dimensional scene containing geometric objects is provided that includes the identification in the image of at least one horizontal plane or one vertical plane of the three-dimensional scene and the assignment to every point of the image forming part of the identified plane, or to each one of the identified planes, of a depth level according to its distance from, respectively, a predetermined horizontal or vertical reference straight line of the image. In particular, the identification of at least one plane includes the identification in the image of at least two vanishing lines corresponding to two parallel lines in the plane and the assignment of a depth level made in accordance with the angular coefficients of the identified vanishing lines. Also included is a completely automatic method for obtaining a depth map from a single digital image of any three-dimensional scene. |
| US07668375B2 |
Method of employing a chirographic stylus
Disclosed herein is a chirographic signal pulse-emitting source and chirographic reader system. In an embodiment according to the present invention, contact-free proximity sensors may replace mechanical sensors. Ultrasonic transducers emit position-signaling pulses from a tip of the signal pulse-emitting source. Ultrasonic sensors on a reader typeface frame receive the pulses (transmissions). Proximity may be determined from the duration of travel of a pulse. Also disclosed herein is a reader subsystem including at least two separate modules. The at least two separate modules may include a pulse transmitting unit for a hand-held part and a stationary typeface frame reader sensing and receiving unit. The method may provide multiple triangulation measurements from a sensor arrangement to sense a multi-dimensional direction of the signal pulse-emitting source. The method may also provide pulse-width resolution by averaging multiple triangulation measurements for each signal pulse. |
| US07668374B2 |
Method for supporting low-level flights
A method for supporting low-level aircraft flights in which a warning is provided for the pilot upon a reliable recognition of wire-like obstacles, even during extreme environmental influences, such as clutter, or even when such obstacles are seen against the sky. The method is performed upon the collection of information on the topography of the surrounding terrain by at least one sensor located on the aircraft, such information representing raw data, based upon which an image-like representation is calculated, such representation including a pixel quantity with pixels P(i, j) in columns j and lines i, which image-like representation is evaluated by calculating altitude values in a geodetic coordinate system using the flight condition from the aircraft, evaluating pixel quantity by comparing each pixel P(l, j) to threshold values or ranges of values, evaluating the image-like representation and highlighting each pixel as a picture element if any of various cases is present. |
| US07668371B2 |
System and method for adaptively separating foreground from arbitrary background in presentations
System and method for distinguishing between foreground content and background content in an image presentation. An initial background model is provided, and a final background model is constructed from the initial background model using the image presentation. The foreground content and background content in the image presentation are then distinguished from one another using the final background model. The present invention permits foreground content and background content to be separated from one another for further processing in different types of computer-generated image presentations such as digital slide presentations, video presentations, Web page presentations, and the like. |
| US07668370B2 |
Segmenting a series of 2D or 3D images
The invention relates to an apparatus for segmenting a series of 2D or 3D images obtained by monitoring a patient's organ or other body part, wherein a first segmentation is carried out on a first image of the series of images and wherein the first segmentation is used for the subsequent segmentation of the remainder of images of the series of images. A series of transformations are carried out wherein each separate transformation embodies a fitting operation between two images of the series of images, and wherein substantially all images of the series of images are subject of such a transformation. The first segmentation on the first image of the series of images is modified and subsequently applied to any further image of the series of images according to the transformation or sequence of transformations that fits the first image to a further image of the series of images. |
| US07668356B2 |
Automatic determination of joint space width from hand radiographs
A computer-implemented method for determining a joint space width includes providing image data for a skeleton, thresholding the image data, and performing a connected component analysis on thresholded image data. The method further includes extracting contours of the thresholded image data according to the connected component analysis, performing a skeletonization of the thresholded image data using a first fast marching analysis of the thresholded image data, locating at least one finger joint of skeletonized image data, extracting bone boundaries using a second fast marching analysis of gradient information of the image data inside a region of interest, which includes a finger joint of the at least one finger joint, determining the joint space width given extracted bone boundaries, and outputting the joint space width. |
| US07668354B2 |
System and method for tracking and classifying the left ventricle of the heart using cine-delayed enhancement magnetic resonance
A system and method for tracking and classifying the left ventricle of the heart using cine-delayed enhancement magnetic resonance (Cine-DEMR) are provided. The method for tracking the left ventricle comprises: delineating myocardial borders of the left ventricle in an image of a first phase of a cardiac cycle of the heart; registering the image of the first phase with an image of a second phase of the cardiac cycle; copying the myocardial borders from the first phase onto the second phase; fitting the myocardial borders of the first phase to myocardial borders of the second phase; and refining the myocardial borders of the second phase. |
| US07668345B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing system and recording medium for programs therefor
An image processing apparatus, for example, a multi-camera monitoring system is provided for processing images with the intention of protecting the individuals' privacies in accordance with the type of customers in a store which is equipped with the multi-camera monitoring system, and for deleting or modifying individuals' privacy information to protect the individuals' privacies while permitting the identity of a person to be determined among a plurality of cameras. The image processing apparatus processes an image captured by an imager device to output the resulting image. A processor detects a person from an image, and an image database stores feature information on the person. The processor extracts features from the detected person and the database, processes the extracted feature amount in the stored feature information, and generates an output image based on the processed features. |
| US07668344B2 |
Stain inspection method and apparatus
(A) Luminance data is prepared. (B) A group of first order differential values is obtained from luminance values of said luminance data along a first direction, a group of second order differential values is obtained from the group of first order differential values, and first data is output in accordance with the group of second order differential values. There is provided a stain inspection method having high inspection correctness. |
| US07668343B2 |
Surface position measuring method and apparatus
A measuring apparatus for measuring a position of a surface of an object while the object is scanned in a scanning direction in an X-Y plane. A detecting unit detects the position of the surface of the object in a Z direction perpendicular to the X-Y plane, a stage scans the object relative to the detecting unit in the scanning direction, and a controller causes the stage to pre-scan the object relative to the detecting unit in two scanning directions, in the X-Y plane, opposite to each other, to detect, using the detecting unit, with respect to each of the two scanning directions, a position of the surface in the Z-direction for each of the same detection points on the surface, to determine, with respect to each of the two scanning directions, a reference surface based on the detected positions of the surface, to calculate an offset value, which is a difference between the detected position and a position of the reference surface in the Z-direction for each of the same detection points with respect to each of the two scanning directions, to calculate a correction value for correcting the calculated offset value in accordance with a corresponding one of the two scanning directions based on a difference, in the Z-direction, between positions of the determined reference surfaces obtained with respect to the two scanning directions. |
| US07668340B2 |
Gesture-controlled interfaces for self-service machines and other applications
A gesture recognition interface for use in controlling self-service machines and other devices is disclosed. A gesture is defined as motions and kinematic poses generated by humans, animals, or machines. Specific body features are tracked, and static and motion gestures are interpreted. Motion gestures are defined as a family of parametrically delimited oscillatory motions, modeled as a linear-in-parameters dynamic system with added geometric constraints to allow for real-time recognition using a small amount of memory and processing time. A linear least squares method is preferably used to determine the parameters which represent each gesture. Feature position measure is used in conjunction with a bank of predictor bins seeded with the gesture parameters, and the system determines which bin best fits the observed motion. Recognizing static pose gestures is preferably performed by localizing the body/object from the rest of the image, describing that object, and identifying that description. The disclosure details methods for gesture recognition, as well as the overall architecture for using gesture recognition to control of devices, including self-service machines. |
| US07668338B2 |
Person tracking method and apparatus using robot
A person tracking method and apparatus using a robot. The person tracking method includes: detecting a person in a first window of a current input image using a skin color of the person; and setting a plurality of second windows in a next input image, correlating the first window and the second windows and tracking the detected person in the next input image using the correlated results. |
| US07668334B2 |
Conditioning imagery to better receive steganographic encoding
The present invention relates to steganography and digital watermarking. In one implementation, we provide a method to analyze a digital image to determine whether the digital image will be a suitable host to receive steganographic encoding or digital watermarking. Suitability is determined, at least in part, by analyzing the digital image relative to an expected workflow process through which a watermarked version of the digital image is expected to flow through. Our methods and systems determine whether the digital image forms a suitable host to receive digital watermarking relative to the expected workflow process. If the digital image is not suitable, the digital image is modified to better receive digital watermarking in anticipation of the expected workflow process. |
| US07668333B2 |
Speaker frame and speaker device having a speaker frame
A speaker frame comprising: a rear end wall; a damper support portion; an edge support portion to which an edge as an outer circumferential portion of a vibration plate is to be stuck and fixed; and plural frame arms which connect the edge support portion to the rear end wall and the damper support portion, wherein: a width of each of the frame arms increases as the position goes from the edge support portion to the damper support portion, and damper-support-portion-side end portions of side edges of adjoining frame arms are continuous with each other to form a single as an axis of symmetry, a bisector of an angle formed by the adjoining frame arms; and a single vent window is formed in each of the frame arms, and a reinforcement rib erects at a circumferential edge of the vent window. |
| US07668332B2 |
Audio porting assembly
Both water intrusion and wind noise issues are addressed with an audio porting assembly including a single frame (102) having a speaker cavity (110) and a microphone cavity (112) formed therein. An opening (114) formed within the frame (102) between the speaker cavity (110) and the microphone cavity (112) provides a path for indirect porting from the speaker cavity into the microphone cavity. A unitarily molded membrane (104) provides a seal over the frame (102). |
| US07668331B2 |
Fidelity speaker
An improved-fidelity speaker system is presented. The sound system includes a frame and a pair of matching speakers. The frame is formed to hold a first speaker and a second speaker, each having a front side, a back side, and central axis. When attached with the frame, the two speakers are substantially aligned along their central axes in a configuration selected from a group consisting of being mounted in the frame such that the front sides of the speakers are facing away from each other, and being mounted in the frame such that the front sides of the speakers are facing towards each other. When the speakers are operated in unison, a sound wave is generated and pushed outward from the frame and approximately radially from the central axes of the speakers in up to 360 degrees, expanding outward about a plane approximately perpendicular to the central axes. |
| US07668330B2 |
Ear warming article including electronic device and easily interchangeable advertising areas
An ear warming article that can be comprised of a C-shaped resilient band, an outer sleeve and a speaker or other electronic device is described. The outer sleeve is dimensioned to contain the resilient band, and includes two insulating, ear-receiving portions as well as a first opening through which the resilient band can be inserted or removed to yield an assembled or disassembled article, respectively. In a preferred embodiment, the article includes an electronic device having one or more speakers located at the ends of the resilient band; additional openings in the outer sleeve may exist for any control functionality associated with the electronic device(s). The outer sleeve can be comprised of a washable fabric material, particularly suitable as a means for interchangeable advertising (team logo, branding, etc.). In other embodiments, the ear warming article includes additional advertising and/or securing features. |
| US07668329B2 |
Acoustin structure of seat back
An acoustic structure of seat back, with an acoustic unit provided in a hole of padding of the seat back. The acoustic unit includes speaker unit(s) and a support box in which the speaker unit(s) is/are supportively received. The support box is accommodated in the afore-said hole of padding, with an opened side thereof facing to a forward side of the padding. A sound-conductive cushion element is supported by that support box so as to lie on a forward side of the speaker unit(s). The support box may include an acoustic hollow portion therein. Those padding and sound-conductive cushion element are covered with a trim cover assembly. A speaker support cushiony element may be provided in the support box to support the speaker unit(s), with a high sound conductivity. The speaker support cushiony element and/or the sound-conductive cushion element may be of network structure. |
| US07668328B2 |
Adjusting and display tool and potentiometer
An adjusting tool having two electrical contacts provides a means for measuring an electrical signal that is used for adjusting electrical parameters of an object as the object is being physically adjusted by the adjusting tool. In an embodiment, the adjusting tool is configured such that the two electrical contacts make electrical contact with electrical contacts of a potentiometer of a hearing aid to receive an adjustment signal that is also applied to circuits in the hearing aid. The two electrical contacts of the adjusting tool maintain electrical contact with the electrical contacts of the potentiometer as the adjusting tool physically adjusts the potentiometer. In an embodiment, the adjusting tool includes a display to provide a visual representation of the adjustment signal as the potentiometer is adjusted. |
| US07668327B2 |
Hearing aid with a volume wheel
A hearing aid (1), fitted with an aperture (4) in a wall of a case (2, 3) receiving an adjustment wheel (5) which can be rotated from the outside by finger action around an axis of rotation (6) configured parallel to the wall (2), the adjustment wheel (5) driving a continuously adjustable electric volume control (7, 8), is characterized in that the adjustment wheel (5) rests in such manner at a shifting element (10) mounted in the case (2, 3) that a switch (13) shall be actuated when said wheel (5) is driven against a spring force (14) in the direction of shifting (17, 18, 19, 20). |
| US07668326B2 |
Battery compartment for a hearing aid
A battery compartment for a hearing aid. The battery compartment comprises a first portion for accommodating a battery and a second portion, where the second portion comprises at least one retaining element for securing the position of the battery compartment with respect to a housing of said hearing aid. The first and second portions of the battery compartment are provided as first and second separate parts (1, 2) comprising releasable interlocking means (12, 14) for mutual engagement. |
| US07668323B2 |
Electrostatic ultrasonic transducer and ultrasonic speaker
A push-pull type electrostatic ultrasonic transducer includes a vibrating film having a conductive layer and a pair of fixed electrodes provided at respective surfaces of the vibrating film. The front-side fixed electrode and the rear-side fixed electrode sandwich the vibrating film. A plurality of through holes are provided in the front-side fixed electrodes and through holes having the same shape are provided in the rear-side fixed electrode in positions opposed to the respective through holes provided in the front-side fixed electrode. A sound absorbing material is provided facing the rear-side fixed electrode. |
| US07668322B2 |
Device for detecting pressure fluctuations, display device, recording device and sound reproduction system
Part of the (synthetic material) substrate (8) of a display is combined with a light source, e.g. a LED (14) and a photodetector (20) to be used as an optical microphone. A membrane (11) is formed which deforms due to air pressure fluctuations caused by sound waves. The fluctuations are detected by the photodetector for further processing. |
| US07668317B2 |
Audio post processing in DVD, DTV and other audio visual products
The method and system of present invention sequences audio post-processing algorithms to simulate live or theater sound. An audio signal is selectively post-processed according to equipment availability and listener preferences. Downmixing or Prologic algorithms are applied to a signal arriving at sound system. A listener inputs their speaker configuration to a player console. Desired post-processing effects are likewise indicated to the console. For instance, if surround sound equipment is both available and selected, then surround portions of the audio signal are parsed to surround speakers. Bass management techniques then transfer low frequency channels of the signal to compatible speakers. VES or DCS algorithms further manipulate the surround portion of the signal to create an illusion of immersion, and a center channel equalizer balances the signal playback. Alternatively, the post-processed signal is transmitted to a headphone set. |
| US07668315B2 |
Local authentication of mobile subscribers outside their home systems
Methods and apparatus are presented for providing local authentication of subscribers travelling outside their home systems. A subscriber identification token 230 provides authentication support by generating a signature 370 based upon a key that is held secret from a mobile unit 220. A mobile unit 220 that is programmed to wrongfully retain keys from a subscriber identification token 230 after a subscriber has removed his or her token is prevented from subsequently accessing the subscriber's account. |
| US07668314B2 |
System and method for communicating encrypted data
An encrypted data communication system for communicating an encrypted stream as an encrypted data stream from a device at transmitting end to a device at receiving end to suppress the effect of an erroneous detection of a dummy code is disclosed. A device at transmitting end generates a data stream having the bit sequence of a marker for determination, a synchronization marker and a location identification code after the data, encrypts the bit sequence of the data and the marker for determination and transmits the encrypted stream. A device at receiving end receives the encrypted stream, detects the bit sequence of the synchronization marker and the location identification code and decrypts the encrypted stream. In the case where the bit sequence of the data and the marker for determination is decrypted, the detection of the valid bit sequence is determined, while the detection of a dummy bit sequence is determined otherwise. |
| US07668310B2 |
Cryptographic computation using masking to prevent differential power analysis and other attacks
Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for improving DES and other cryptographic protocols against external monitoring attacks by reducing the amount (and signal-to-noise ratio) of useful information leaked during processing. An improved DES implementation of the invention instead uses two 56-bit keys (K1 and K2) and two 64-bit plaintext messages (M1 and M2), each associated with a permutation (i.e., K1P, K2P and M1P, M2P) such that K1P{K1} XOR K2P {K2} equals the “standard” DES key K, and M1P{M1} XOR M2P{M2} equals the “standard” message. During operation of the device, the tables are preferably periodically updated, by introducing fresh entropy into the tables faster than information leaks out, so that attackers will not be able to obtain the table contents by analysis of measurements. The technique is implementable in cryptographic smartcards, tamper resistant chips, and secure processing systems of all kinds. |
| US07668306B2 |
Method and apparatus for connecting packet telephony calls between secure and non-secure networks
Described herein is a method and apparatus for connecting packet telephony calls between secure networks and non-secure networks. |
| US07668304B2 |
Display hierarchy of participants during phone call
The present invention is directed toward methods and systems for providing advanced features to a telecommunication device. The systems and methods determine a hierarchical relationship of participants of a conference call and when one participant is communicating with another participant, the parties are made aware of their hierarchical relationship relative to each other. |
| US07668302B1 |
System and method for reducing toll charges to a customer service center using VoIP
A method and system are disclosed where a call center operator having multiple locations, including a call center is able to utilize existing network infrastructure to route telephone communications to the call center to the location where the lowest toll rate is applicable. The telephone communications are converted into data packets and routed to the call center using VoIP technology. No toll would apply to the transmission of the data to the call center. |
| US07668301B2 |
Simulated user calling test system and method with built-in digital SPC-exchange
The present invention disclosed a kind of simulate user calling's test system and method which built-in digital SPC exchange, include background processing module, foreground calling control processing module and hardware subsystem, therein: background processing module operation on exchange servicing platform, for supply user setting parameter and display operate interface for test result, foreground calling control processing module is include in the exchange main control module, for control said hardware subsystem execute test process according to designed logical flow and user mount parameter, hardware subsystem composed of loop circuit relay single board, simulation user interface board, interface board control processing unit, multifunction resources process board. Adopt present invention may use few cost to reach the test result which equal to commercial calling device, and may reach more mobility, reach inline test function. |
| US07668297B2 |
X-ray tube and nondestructive inspection equipment
In an X-ray tube 1A that makes electrons emitted from an electron gun 17 into a target 9 of an anode 8 arranged in a tubular vacuum enclosure body 6, and extracts the X-rays through an X-ray exit window 18, the anode 8 is arranged on a tube axis C1 of the vacuum enclosure body 6, and in a sealing portion 5g provided at an end portion of the vacuum enclosure body 6, provided is the X-ray exit window 18 eccentric with respect to the tube axis C1 of the vacuum enclosure body 6. |
| US07668295B2 |
System and method for high voltage transient suppression and spit protection in an x-ray tube
A system and method to improve the high voltage performance of an x-ray tube with electrostatic deflection of an electron beam focal spot. The system and method provides protection of bias circuits from high voltage transients and spit protection in x-ray tubes through the use of a high voltage transient suppression and spit protection circuit assembly coupled between the bias circuits of a high voltage generator and an x-ray tube vacuum housing of an x-ray generation system. |
| US07668294B2 |
Method and system for adjusting the image acquisition size in a biplane angiography
A system and method are disclosed for acquiring images in a biplane angiography system. The system and method allows synchronization of the image zoom format settings for the x-ray images acquired from the two planes of the biplane angiography system thus allowing the user to adjust the image zoom format setting for only one image plane. |
| US07668288B2 |
Discrete sampling of gamma ray field over multiple portions using multiple heads with spaces between the different portions
A medical imaging system, e.g., a computed tomography system includes at least one radiation detector that is relatively rotatable with respect to an object of interest. The angular range is divided into discrete continuous acquisition ranges and unsampled angular ranges, wherein the discrete continuous acquisition ranges are separated by unsampled angular ranges. |
| US07668283B2 |
Pressuriser for a pressurised water nuclear power station
Pressurizer for a pressurized water nuclear power station, comprising an outer casing which delimits an inner space; a duct (11) which extends beneath the casing and which is capable of being tapped from the coolant system of the nuclear power station; a tap (18) which places the inner space of the casing in communication with the duct (11), this tap (18) being welded to the duct (11) by means of a weld seam (32); a sleeve (42) for protecting the weld seam (32), which sleeve is arranged inside the tap (18) and which has a lower peripheral edge (46) which is engaged in the duct (11), the sleeve (42) defining with the tap (18) and the duct (11) an annular space (74) which is capable of being filled with the primary liquid; wherein the annular space (74) is open along at least a portion of the lower peripheral edge (46) of the sleeve (42) and opens inside the duct (11). |
| US07668278B2 |
Phase-locked loop
An oscillator (30) supplies a high frequency signal (S) to a frequency divider (31). A phase comparator (32) produces a signal measuring phase difference between the divided frequency signal (QA) and a reference signal. A low-pass filter (34) controls the oscillator on the basis of the measurement signal. A measurement window, of duration defined by counting cycles of the high frequency signal, is generated in response to each active edge of the divided frequency signal. The measurement signal is activated during the measurement window so that it comprises, when an active edge of the reference signal falls within the window, a first pulse between the start of the window and this edge and a second pulse, opposite to the first, between this edge and the end of the window. |
| US07668276B2 |
Phase adjustment apparatus and method for a memory device signaling system
Apparatus and methods are disclosed for adjusting phase of data signals to compensate for phase-offset variations between devices during normal operation. The phase of data signals are adjusted individually in each transmit data unit and receive data unit across multiple data slices with a common set of phase vector clock signals and a corresponding clock cycle count signal. The transmission of signal information between a first device (such as a memory controller) and a second device (such as a memory component) occurs without errors even when the accumulated delays between the first device and second device change by a half symbol time interval or more during operation of the system. The apparatus reduces the circuitry required, such as phase-lock-loops, for individually adjusting the phase of each transmit data unit and receive data unit across multiple data slices, which in turn results in reduction in complexity and cost of the system. |
| US07668272B1 |
Method and apparatus for data transfer between mesochronous clock domains
Error-free data transfer between mesochronous clock domains can be accomplished by writing data to and reading data from a plurality of data storage elements in coordinated fashion. Write operations are controlled by execution of a state sequence synchronously with the source clock domain, and read operations are controlled by execution of the same state sequence synchronously with the destination clock domain. The states respectively correspond to the data storage elements, and the read and write executions of the state sequence do not simultaneously assume the same state. |
| US07668269B2 |
Systems, methods, and apparatus for phase noise mitigation
A method of signal processing according to an embodiment includes estimating a response of a transmission channel during a symbol period. Based on an estimated response of the transmission channel, components of a model of a phase noise process during the symbol period are estimated. Based on the phase noise process model, an estimate of a symbol received during the symbol period is obtained. |
| US07668268B2 |
Lower complexity computation of lattice reduction
A signal vector is received over a plurality of channels. A channel matrix H is determined that represents at least one of the plurality of channels. An iterative algorithm such as Lenstra-Lenstra-Lovasz is used to determining a change of basis matrix T that when multiplied with the channel matrix H converges to a matrix H*T that is more orthogonal than the channel matrix H. In one aspect the iterative algorithm is upwardly bounded in the number of iterations (e.g., 20 or 30 iterations) that it may perform for any specific channel realization to determine the change of basis matrix T. In another aspect the algorithm is initiated with a matrix derived from a previously determined change of basis matrix. Both aspects may be combined in a single method or device, or either employed separately. |
| US07668265B2 |
Ultra wideband interference cancellation for orthogonal frequency division multiplex transmitters by protection-edge tones
A method of wirelessly communicating is disclosed. The method comprises determining a matrix W based in part on limiting a plurality of active interference cancellation tone values (416), determining the active interference cancellation tone values (416) based on W and based on a plurality of information data values (410), and transmitting an orthogonal frequency division multiplex signal (310) based on the plurality of active interference cancellation tone values (416) and the information data values (410). |
| US07668264B2 |
Apparatus and method of decision feedback equalization in terrestrial digital broadcasting receiver
A decision feedback equalizing apparatus and a method of decision feedback equalization make a channel property of an inferior receiving signal to mild by using a channel-matched filter and decrease decision errors of symbol detector output signals by using a trellis decoder with decreased complexity, whose trace back depth is 1 (TBD=1). |
| US07668255B1 |
Creating training sequences for space-time diversity arrangements
A training sequence is created for space-time diversity arrangement, having any training sequence length, while limiting the training sequence to a standard constellation. Given a number of channel unknowns that need to be estimated, L, a training sequence can be creates that yields minimum means squared estimation error for lengths Nt=kNPRUS+L−1, for any positive integer k≦1, where NPRUS a selected perfect roots-of-unity sequence (PRUS) of length N. The training sequence is created by concatenating k of the length N perfect roots-of-unity sequences, followed by L−1 initial symbols of that same PRUS. Good training sequences can be created for lengths Nt that cannot be obtained through the above method by concatenating a requisite number of symbols found through an exhaustive search. |
| US07668252B2 |
Frequency offset tracking
The present invention relates to estimating and correcting for frequency offset errors in wireless receivers, and is particularly but not exclusively related to MIMO WLAN applications. The present invention provides an improved method of tracking receiver frequency offsets in a receiver for MIMO systems. These receiver based frequency offset components are caused by errors or inaccuracies in various receiver sub-systems such as phase lock loops or carrier frequency oscillator error, and sampling clock rate errors. The frequency offsets due to each of a number of receiver sub-systems are estimated by monitoring frequency offsets on a number of channels or subcarriers (such as OFDM pilot channels) on different frequencies. These channel frequency offsets are preferably estimated by detecting the phase rotation between adjacent pilot symbols on each respective channel. They are then weighted according to a quality parameter of the estimates, which corresponds to their accuracy. An example of a quality parameter is the effective SNR of the respective channels, or preferably the error variance of the phase rotation. In an embodiment the quality parameter is or is proportional to ∥Hx∥2. The weighted channel frequency offsets are then used to determine one or more receiver sub-system frequency offset components. For example a least squares line fit analysis can be performed. |
| US07668250B2 |
Time-dependent trellis coding for more robust digital television signals
Different sets of symbols are precluded at prescribed times in time-dependent trellis coding. This increases the distances between different individual symbols as well as the distances between trellis codes, which increases the robustness of data transmission. The symbols that are precluded in this time-dependent trellis coding are determined in advance according to a prescribed pattern, which pattern does not depend on the history of previous symbols. The Viterbi decoder used for trellis decoding in a receiver can be designed to take advantage of knowledge concerning which different sets of symbols are precluded at prescribed times. |
| US07668249B1 |
Oversampling rate converter with timing control for a digital radio frequency transmitter modulator
The present invention includes a digital quadrature rate converter and an oversampling interpolator, which are used to receive digital quadrature modulation data at one clock rate and to provide oversampled digital quadrature modulation data at a higher clock rate. Rate conversion and oversampled interpolation are used to accommodate systems with multiple clock frequencies and to generate modulation signals with low distortion. Some embodiments of the present invention add timing control to the oversampled interpolation. Some embodiments of the present invention may combine the rate conversion, oversampled interpolation, and timing control operations into a single digital circuit. |
| US07668247B2 |
Methods and systems for performing an overlap-and-add operation
A system is provided that includes a first device 110A that transmits an information symbol with a zero-padded suffix (ZPS) and a second device 110B that receives the information symbol with the zero-padded suffix. The second device 110B performs a Fourier transform on at least one sample of the information symbol before a ZPS sample is overlapped-and-added to another sample of the information symbol. |
| US07668245B2 |
Method and device for monitoring carrier frequency stability of transmitters in a common wave network
The method for monitoring the stability of the carrier frequency (ωi) of identical transmitted signals (si(t)) of several transmitters Si of a single-frequency network is based upon a calculation of a carrier-frequency displacement Δωi of a carrier frequency ωi of a transmitter Si relative to a carrier frequency ω0 of a reference transmitter S0. For this purpose, the phase-displacement difference (ΔΔΘi(tB2−tB1)) caused by the carrier-frequency displacement Δωi between a phase displacement ΔΘi(tB1) at a first observation time tB1 and a phase displacement ΔΘi(tB2) at a second observation time tB2 of a received signal (ei(t)) of the transmitter Si associated with the respective transmitted signal (si(t)) is determined relative to a received signal e0(t) of the reference transmitter S0 associated with the reference transmitted signal s0(t). |
| US07668243B2 |
Audio and video clock synchronization in a wireless network
System and method for synchronizing clocks and maintaining packet timing relationships in a wireless communications system. A preferred embodiment further comprises periodically synchronizing local clocks at a transmitter and a receiver to a clock reference, adding a timestamp to each application packet at a transmitter of a wireless network, setting the timestamp to a value of a local time at the transmitter plus a link delay, buffering a received packet at a receiver, and releasing the buffered packet to an application level when a value of a local time at the receiver equals the timestamp value in the packet. This can help to ensure that the timing relationships between data packets present at a transmitter is maintained at a receiver, regardless of transport delays (waiting, transmission and processing) incurred by the data packets. |
| US07668239B2 |
System and method for transmit timing precompensation for a serial transmission communication channel
An improved method and apparatus for transmitting digital signals in a communications channel by compensating for distortions due to attenuation of high frequency components suffered by the digital signals. In a preferred embodiment, the digital signals are pulses and the compensation is performed at the transmitter without the need for an emphasis driver, by widening the pulses to compensate for the distortion in the channel that results in narrowing of the pulses incurred in the channel. The resulting pulse train is pre-compensated for the distortions caused by the communications channel. The amount of pre-compensation can be determined statically or dynamically. |
| US07668236B2 |
Multi-stage cable equalizer
The present invention discloses a multi-stage cable equalizer, comprising a fixed gain device and an adjustable gain device. The fixed gain device compensates the loss caused by the cable at a major band, and the adjustable gain device further compensates the loss at adjusted bands. The multi-stage cable equalizer of the present invention exhibits advantages in design flexibility and reduced cost. |
| US07668232B2 |
System and method to determine power cutback in communication systems
A system and method for adaptively determining power cutback in communication system is described. According to an embodiment, the receiver determines noise on each sub-channel for different internal gain settings. It calculates what gain setting would be optimal from an SNR point of view and what power cutback value would lead to that gain setting. |
| US07668224B2 |
Encoding for digital communications in a multiple-input, multiple-output environment
Transceiver circuitry for use in a multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO), orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM), communications environment, is disclosed. Error correction coding according to a fixed-block size code, such as low density parity check (LDPC) coding, is implemented. The codeword length, and codeword arrangement, are selected by determining a minimum number of OFDM symbol periods required for a payload size, and the number of available information bits in those symbol periods. A rule-based approach, for example in a table, is used to select the codeword length, and the number of codewords required. Shortening is then applied to the code, followed by determining whether puncturing or repeating of bits is necessary to efficiently use the available OFDM symbols. |
| US07668223B2 |
Integrated photonic semiconductor devices and methods for making integrated photonic semiconductors devices
A photonic semiconductor device and method are provided that ensure that the surface of the device upon completion of the SAG process is planar, or at least substantially planar, such that performance of the subsequent processes is facilitated, thereby enabling higher manufacturing yield to be achieved. A photonic semiconductor device and method are also provided that ensure that the isolation region of the device will have high resistance and low capacitance, without requiring the placement of a thick dielectric material beneath each of the contact pads. Eliminating the need to place thick dielectric materials underneath the contact pads eliminates the risk that the contact pads will peel away from the assembly. |
| US07668222B1 |
Dual flow common combustor chemical laser
The invention herein is directed to a dual-chamber combustion laser assembly having lighter weight (per unit flow area), a more compact, flexible configuration for packaging in spacecraft, aircraft, or ground mobile vehicles, higher mass efficiency from lower heat loss and proven power extraction efficiency of linear lasers, superior output beam quality by incremental compensation of gain medium optical path disturbances and by reduction in time-dependent variations in structural and gain medium characteristics, lower cost and shorter fabrication time for modular dual flow laser and linear optics, more efficient pressure recovery with side-wall isolation nozzles and compact diffuser configurations, and increased small signal gains for more efficient extraction of overtone power. |
| US07668220B2 |
Single mode vertical cavity surface emitting laser using photonic crystals with a central defect
Vertical cavity surface emitting lasers are disclosed, one example of which includes a substrate upon which a lower mirror layer is formed. An active region and upper mirror layer are disposed, in that order, on the lower mirror layer. In particular, the upper mirror layer includes a plurality of DBR layers formed on the active region. The upper mirror layer additionally includes a photonic crystal formed on the plurality of DBR layers and having a periodic structure that contributes to the definition of a central defect. As a consequence of this structure, the photonic crystal has a reflectivity that is wavelength dependent, and the central defect enables the VCSEL to propagate a single mode. |
| US07668218B2 |
Nitride semiconductor laser element
The present invention provides a nitride semiconductor laser element, comprising: a nitride semiconductor structure having a first nitride semiconductor layer, a second nitride semiconductor layer, and an active layer provided between the first and second nitride semiconductor layers; a cavity end face provided to the nitride semiconductor structure; and a protective film having a hexagonal crystal structure, and having a first region provided on a first crystal surface of the nitride semiconductor structure in the cavity end face and a second region provided on a second crystal surface in the surface of at least one of the first and second nitride semiconductor layer, the first and second regions of the protective film are oriented in the same axial direction as that of the respective first and second crystal surfaces. |
| US07668213B2 |
Method and apparatus for obtaining and maintaining mode-locking in fiber laser systems
A method and apparatus for detecting and controlling the conditions needed for starting and maintaining mode-locked operation of a laser system including a fiber oscillator and high power fiber amplifier. The invention is used to monitor the output power and repetition rate of the fiber oscillator and control the operation of the oscillator such that the oscillator obtains and maintains correct mode-locked operation despite changes in environmental conditions such as temperature, and also with changes due to component aging or degradation. |
| US07668210B1 |
Method and apparatus for reducing current demand variations in large fan-out trees
A method and apparatus are provided for reducing current demand variations in large fanout trees. The fanout tree is split into at least 2 sub-groups, each preferably with substantially equal parasitic capacitance. Data is then scrambled according to a scrambling sequence function to provide scrambled data having a constant number of bits that are toggled with respect to time, such as when observed in pairs of sub-groups. Functionally, an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes 3 blocks: a scrambler, egress logic, and a de-scrambler. The egress logic is simply a block of storage that can reorder the bytes received from the scrambler. The de-scrambler de-scrambles the retransmitted data based on the scrambling sequence function. Embodiments of the present invention can be applied to any system where data must fanout from a single source to many destinations, such as switches. |
| US07668208B2 |
Method for synchronizing packet based digital data streams
The present invention relates to a method for synchronizing packet-based digital data streams. Key idea of the inventive method is to perform a state machine process (S3) with respect to received primary digital data streams (D1-1, D1-2) based on derived time stamp structure data (TSD), thereby synchronization state data (SSD) are generated which are representative for the synchronization state of the received primary digital data streams (D1-1, D1-2). |
| US07668200B2 |
Apparatus and method for latency control in a communications system
The present invention provides a method for controlling transmission latency in a communications system, wherein the communications system is subject to a noise signal having at least a first noise phase and a second noise phase. The method includes determining a first bit rate for symbols transmitted during the first noise phase, and a second bit rate for symbols transmitted during the second noise phase, the first bit rate and the second bit rate being constrained such that a transmission latency does not exceed a pre-determined maximum allowed transmission latency; and transmitting symbols at the first bit rate during the first noise phase and at the second bit rate during the second noise phase. In other variants, the invention provides an apparatus, a constrained rate receiver, a transmitter and a signal. |
| US07668197B1 |
Codeset communication format and related methods and structures
A codeset is described in a Public Codeset Communication Format (PCCF) as a format block. The format block includes a plurality of readily decipherable fields of ASCII character values. One field is a mark/space information field that includes a sequence of mark time indicators and space time indicators for an operational signal of the codeset. A second field is a signal characteristic information field for the operational signal. Signal characteristic information may include carrier on/off information, repeat frame information, toggle control information, and last frame information. The PCCF is a codeset interchange format of general applicability. In one method, a second entity describes a codeset in the PCCF format and then communicates the PCCF format information to a second entity. The second entity converts the information into a format usable by a rendering engine. The rendering engine is then usable to generate operational signals of the codeset. |
| US07668196B2 |
Communicating between communications components having differing protocols absent component modifications
Communication between components having differing protocols is facilitated by a protocol converter coupled between the components that converts communications of one protocol into communications of another protocol. This conversion is performed without requiring code modification to either of the components. The conversion includes translating identifiers of one protocol to identifiers of another protocol. |
| US07668193B2 |
Data processor unit for high-throughput wireless communications
A data processor unit includes at least two operation-execution units, each one adapted to receive input data, perform a respective operation on the input data and outputting output data resulting after applying said operation; the data processor unit further includes: a data storage unit including at least two individually-accessible memory devices adapted to store data; a programmable controller adapted to be programmed so as to execute a selected program; a first data routing circuit arrangement adapted to receive data from the at least two memory devices, from the programmable controller and from a second data routing circuit arrangement, and for selectively routing selected ones among the received data to the input of the operation-execution units; the second data routing circuit arrangement is adapted to receive the output data outputted by the operation-execution units and to selectively route the output data to the at least two memory devices, to the programmable controller, and to the first data routing circuit arrangement. The programmable controller is operatively coupled to the at least two operation-execution units, to the first and second data routing circuit arrangements, and to the at least two memory devices for controlling the operation thereof. |
| US07668190B1 |
Method for supporting multiple devices on a high speed physical link
In some embodiments, a method for supporting multiple devices on a high speed physical link may be described. An embedded device may assert a link request pin to request to transmit data on a multi-point communications link that may serve a plurality of embedded devices. A controlling device may receive the link request signal. When the controlling device finishes sending data on the link, it may address the plurality of embedded devices in a round robin format and may determine which device asserted the link request pin. The embedded device that asserted the link request pin may send an acknowledgement signal to the controlling device when it is addressed. |
| US07668185B2 |
Distribution apparatus, receiving apparatus tree-type distribution system, and information processing method etc.
It is the object of the present invention to provide a processing apparatus, a tree-type network system, processing program and recording method that are capable of performing requests to a higher-order apparatus at the same time, while reducing the load that is concentrated in the communication path upstream in the network. One node apparatus which is provided with tree-type network system including broadcasting apparatus sending inquiry information as request-reception-begin data etc. for requesting sending response message as select-node information etc. to a plurality of node apparatus, receiving inquiry information that is sent from other processing apparatus that is connected in a higher-order layer above the processing apparatus, transferring to other processing apparatuses that are connected in a lower-order layer below the processing apparatus, receiving the reply-result information that is sent from other processing apparatus, creating its reply-result information based on own processing apparatus, and replying created reply-result information based on reply information included in reply-result-information and created reply information to other processing apparatus that is connected in a higher-order layer. |
| US07668182B2 |
Synchronous multi-cluster network architecture
A network for data transmission comprises a plurality of sub-networks for transmitting data in data frames. The sub-networks have different transmission rates and are connected to each other via at least one gateway. The transmission of the data frames is effected with a defined timing relationship between the sub-networks. |
| US07668181B2 |
Virtual private network based upon multi-protocol label switching adapted to measure the traffic flowing between single rate zones
Virtual Private Network (VPN) dedicated to a customer using a physical transmission network based upon Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) technology including a plurality of Provider (P) devices and a plurality of Provider Edge (PE) devices, the customer owning at least two specific Customer Edge (CE) devices amongst a plurality of CE devices, a specific CE device being attached to a specific PE device and enabling the customer to gain access to any other CE device belonging to the same VPN, by the intermediary of PE devices to which are attached the CE devices. The VPN comprises several billing zones (10, 12, 14) being each defined by the application of a single flat rate. A PE device (18) belonging to each billing zone includes a virtual router (58, 60, 62) associated with each billing zone, two virtual routers being interconnected by a virtual circuit (38, 40, 42) transmitting all the traffic exchanged between the two associated billing zones so that the traffic flowing between the two billing zones can be measured and therefore precisely billed to the customer. |
| US07668176B2 |
Universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS) quality of service (QoS) supporting variable QoS negotiation
A UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) core network supports the negotiation of variable quality of service (QoS). A QoS information element (IE) is defined that supports downgradeable QoS requirements by allowing multiple traffic classes to be specified in a priority order. Similarly, a QoS information element (IE) is defined that supports upgradeable QoS requirements. |
| US07668175B2 |
Dynamic power management for I/O resource pools
Methods and apparatus for managing a pool of I/O interfaces associated with one or more I/O devices are disclosed. The I/O bandwidth utilization of the I/O devices is ascertained and compared with an upper threshold and a lower threshold. When the I/O bandwidth utilization is greater than the upper threshold, the resources provided by the pool of I/O interfaces are increased. When the I/O bandwidth utilization is less than the lower threshold, the resources provided by the pool of I/O interfaces are decreased. |
| US07668170B2 |
Adaptive packet transmission with explicit deadline adjustment
The embodiments of the invention relate to source content streaming, particularly to transmitting data units scheduled for dropping or non-transmission. This data unit in the buffer scheduled for dropping is instead transmitted by dropping one or more consecutive data units later in the transmission order in the buffer and which meet a lower priority threshold. In some embodiments, the data unit is transmitted with a modified time value, e.g., a modified timestamp and/or an allowable presentation time range value. |
| US07668160B2 |
Methods for performing packet classification
Methods for performing packet classification. In one embodiment, packets are classified using a rule bit vector optimization scheme, wherein original rule bit vectors in recursive flow classification (RFC) chunks are optimized by removing useless bits that have no effect on the ultimate rule identified by an associated RFC lookup process. The unique optimized rule bit vectors for associated chunks are then cross-producted to produce an optimized downstream chunk. In another embodiment, a rule database splitting scheme is employed. Under this technique, split criteria is defined to split a rule database, such as splitting based on a particular field value or range. A respective set of downstream chunks is then generated for each partition, beginning with the chunks in a split phase. The applicable rule bit vectors for the chunks associated with a common group and partition are identified, and then unique applicable rule bit vectors for those chunks are cross-producted to produce downstream chunks. |
| US07668156B2 |
Apparatus and method for a voice portal
A voice portal and a method for operating a voice portal are disclosed. In one embodiment of the present invention, voice a voice portal is connected to multiple telephones of various protocols by both a voice signal interface and a data signal interface. The voice portal is also connected to one or more telephony networks. The voice portal is capable of receiving requests for functions from the telephones; retrieving the requested functions from memory and sending the functions back to the telephone for execution. The functions supplied by the voice portal are programmable and customizable and control all functions of the telephones. |
| US07668155B2 |
IP telephony system, VoIP terminal, and method and program for reproducing hold sound or audible sound used therein
A hold sound and audible sound data memory area of a memory holds a plurality of types of hold sound and audible sound data which are stored in a payload format of an RTP packet. An RTP/hold sound or audible sound switching function writes one of an RTP packet and the hold sound or audible sound data into a DSP. A hold sound or audible sound data selection function selects a hold sound or audible sound to be reproduced from the plurality of types of hold sound and audible sound data. A hold sound or audible sound intermittence control function restricts the input of the hold sound or audible sound data into the DSP, to control the intermittence of the hold sound or audible sound. A hold sound or audible sound periodic reproduction function periodically inputs the hold sound or audible sound data into the DSP. The DSP converts the RTP packet such as voice or the hold sound or audible sound data into a voice signal of a PCM signal. |
| US07668151B2 |
Time synchronizing method and apparatus based on time stamp
Provided are a time synchronizing method and apparatus based on a time stamp. The time synchronizing method includes: transmitting a local time stamp based on a free-running local clock to a master node; receiving a response time stamp from the master node; calculating a delta time value based on the response time stamp; filtering the delta-time using a digital low pass filter running at the free-running local clock rate; and adjusting a local clock time based on the filtered delta time value. |
| US07668150B2 |
Packet-priority control apparatus and method thereof
An apparatus for packet-priority control for controlling a priority for packets input includes packet-priority setting means for setting hierarchically the priority for the packet input based on predetermined elements, and to adjust, taking into account other elements according to which the priority for the packet varies over time, the set priority, and wireless-resource allocating means for determining a packet for which a wireless resource is to be allocated in accordance with the adjusted priority. |
| US07668145B2 |
Method to support mobile IP mobility in 3GPP networks with SIP established communications
The invention proposes a method for controlling a connection between a first network node and a second network node, wherein the connection is controlled by a packet filtering function filtering packets such that a packet is discarded in case a source address and/or a destination address do not comply with a filtering rule, wherein the packet filtering function is configured at a connection set up, and at least one of the first or second network node is adapted to change its address, the method comprising the steps of informing, the packet filtering function about the new address of the network node having changed its address, and updating the packet filter of the packet filtering function by using the new address of the network node having changed its address. The invention also proposes a corresponding network system comprising at least a network node and a packet filtering network element. Furthermore, the invention proposes a corresponding packet filtering network device. |
| US07668143B2 |
Wireless packet communication method and apparatus
For data packet transmission in special format generated by connecting or patching data frames, a request packet and reply packet receivable only by STAs supporting the special format are transmitted/received before the data packet transmission, to check and manage the STA supporting the special format. Based on management information in own station, the data packet is transmitted in the special or standard format according to a receive-side STA. For generating plural data packets in special format in which plural data frames are patched, the plural data frames having subheaders added are connected and divided to data blocks. A main header including information necessary to restore patched data frames are added to each data block, and a control information field and a frame check field of a data packet are added before and after the data block having the main header added thereto, respectively, to generate data packets. |
| US07668140B2 |
Roaming between wireless access point
The present invention provides a method and an apparatus for roaming between wireless access points with relatively less disruptions to a service in handovers. In one embodiment, a method of communication in a wireless network that includes an access point and a target access point comprises detecting an indication of roaming to the target access point at a mobile terminal associated with the access point and communicating with the target access point using an existing communication link between the mobile terminal and the access point to prepare the mobile terminal for a handover event from the access point to the target access point in response to detecting the indication of roaming. The mobile terminal may communicate with the target access point via a backend channel to prepare for an actual handover to the target access point. By enabling a make-before-break connection, the mobile terminal may proactively prepare a connection to a next access point through a currently existing link to an access point. Use of a proxy access point, in a communication system, may reduce connection delays experienced when a user of a wireless communication device, such as a mobile or wireless terminal roams between access points. |
| US07668139B2 |
Mobile handover utilizing multicast in a multi-protocol label switching (MPLS)-based network
Methods and devices are disclosed for communicating in a wireless network using multi-protocol label switching (MPLS). A network service node is configured to send identical packets substantially simultaneously to each of a serving network access station and one or more target network access stations via two or more respective MPLS tunnels in response to a handoff trigger message. Additional embodiments and variations are also disclosed. |
| US07668137B2 |
Method and system to provide increased data throughput in a wireless multi-hop network
It is the object of this invention to provide a method of increasing the data throughput of a multi-hop wireless link. A method is provided which mitigates self-interference, without precluding the use of omni-directional transceivers. Distributed protocols for channel allocations in a multi-hop wireless communication system are described. These protocols result in channel allocations that increase the capacity utilization of the network and render the system robust to localized interferers and jammers. |
| US07668136B2 |
System, network, mobile terminal, computer program product and method for cross-paging a mobile terminal via a data burst message
Systems and methods are provided to permit a network, such as a data only network, with which a mobile terminal is not currently communicating to notify the mobile terminal that the network desires to establish communication with the mobile terminal, even in instances in which the mobile terminal is actively communicating via another network, such as a voice and data network and has stopped monitoring for paging messages. The mobile terminal can then end communications with the network with which it has been previously communicating and commence communications with the other network that has transmitted the paging message. For example, a mobile terminal may terminate voice communications via a voice and data network in order to receive a Multimedia Message Service message via a data only network upon receiving notification that the data only network desires to establish a communications session with the mobile terminal. |
| US07668135B2 |
Enhancing the traffic carrying capacity of telecommunication networks
The present invention relates to methods and systems for enhancing the traffic carrying capacity of telecommunication networks, in particular those involving optical networks and dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM). |
| US07668134B2 |
Optimal frequency of walsh mask broadcast for forward high-speed packet data channels
A base station in a wireless communication network multi-codes a shared packet data channel using a continually changing set of spreading codes, and dynamically updates the transmission frequency of messages identifying the spreading codes to be used for that multi-coding based on tracking the net gain in data throughput for the shared channel that is obtained by transmitting such messages. In a 1xEV-DV network context, for example, a Walsh code in the defined Walsh code space that is not contiguous with the Walsh codes currently allocated to multi-coding the 1xEV-DV Forward Packet Data Channel (F-PDCH) generally remains unavailable for such use until an updated Walsh Mask Broadcast (WMB) message is transmitted to the mobile stations being served on the F-PDCH. The base station thus is configured to determine the frequency at which to send such messages and thereby make the unavailable codes available for multi-coding use. |
| US07668130B2 |
Apparatus for allocating transmission period in a wireless communication system
An apparatus is provided for efficiently allocating a transmission period in a wireless network system. An access point (AP) transmits a PSMP frame indicating a downlink period provided to each station (STA) and a minimum amount of an uplink period allocated to each STA, and at least one sub PSMP frame indicating an uplink period additionally provided for an STA that transmitted a resource request message for remaining queued data in the uplink period indicated by the PSMP frame. If the uplink period indicated by the PSMP frame is insufficient to transmit the queued data, the STA transmits a data unit including a part of the queued data and a resource request message for the remaining queued data in the uplink period. After transmitting the resource request message, the STA receives the sub PSMP frame after the full period indicated by the sub PSMP frame, and transmits the remaining queued data to the AP in the uplink period indicted by the sub PSMP frame. |
| US07668128B1 |
Features of power save in 802.11e wireless local area networks (WLANs)
A method and apparatus for limiting the length of a service period in a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) including an Access Point (AP) and at least one station is presented. A maximum service period (SP) length for at least one station is determined. A value in a max SP length field in a control field of an uplink frame sent from said station to said AP is set. The value of the max SP length field is determined at the AP. Frame transmittal from the AP to the station is triggered during a service period when the value is non-zero, while downlink frame delivery from the AP to the station is prevented when the value is zero. |
| US07668127B2 |
Power management for throughput enhancement in wireless ad-hoc networks
The present invention relates to power management within the context of wireless ad-hoc networks. More specifically to the effects of using different transmit powers on the average power consumption and end-to-end network throughput in a wireless ad-hoc environment. This power management approach reduces the system power consumption and thereby prolongs the battery life of mobile nodes. Furthermore, the invention improves the end-to-end network throughput as compared to other ad-hoc networks in which all mobile nodes use the same transmit power. The improvement is due to the achievement of a tradeoff between minimizing interference ranges, reduction in the average number of hops to reach a destination, reducing the probability of having isolated clusters, and reducing the average number of transmissions including retransmissions due to collisions. The present invention provides a network with enhanced end-to-end throughput performance, and lower transmit power. |
| US07668126B2 |
Beacon coordination and medium access
Each of a plurality of nodes in a wireless network is capable of generating, transmitting, and receiving beacons in a distribute fashion. Each beacon contains information regarding the order of which other nodes are to transmit beacons and wireless medium access information at to when various nodes are to access the network. Nodes that are in separate “extended neighborhoods” are permitted to transmit their beacons simultaneously without risking beacon collisions. The beacons contain information that is used to ensure this result. Using the distributed beacon mechanism, each nod can reserve access to the wireless medium. In the disclosed embodiments, a central coordinator is not needed. |
| US07668125B2 |
Incremental redundancy transmission for multiple parallel channels in a MIMO communication system
For incremental redundancy transmission on multiple parallel channels in a MIMO system, a transmitter processes (e.g., encodes, partitions, interleaves, and modulates) each data packet for each parallel channel based on a rate selected for the parallel channel and obtains multiple symbol blocks for the packet. For each data packet, the transmitter transmits one symbol block at a time on its parallel channel until a receiver recovers the packet or all blocks have been transmitted. The receiver performs detection and obtains symbol blocks transmitted on the parallel channels. The receiver recovers the data packets transmitted on the parallel channels independently or in a designated order. The receiver processes (e.g., demodulates, deinterleaves, re-assembles, and decodes) all symbol blocks obtained for each data packet and provides a decoded packet. The receiver may estimate and cancel interference due to recovered data packets so that data packets recovered later can achieve higher SINRs. |
| US07668124B2 |
Position based WPAN (Wireless Personal Area Network) management
Position based WPAN (Wireless Personal Area Network) management. Based on either the relative position or the specific location of devices within a WPAN, communication between the various devices is managed by grouping the devices into two or more groups. In addition, the communication between theses various devices may be governed by profiles assigned to the groups (or even the actual individual devices) that are assigned based on their locations within the WPAN. The relative locations of the devices may be made using ranging that is performed by transmitting UWB (Ultra Wide Band) pulses between the various devices within the WPAN. Alternatively, each device may include GPS (Global Positioning System) functionality and information corresponding to the specific locations of the devices may be communicated between the devices, and that information may be used to group devices user and/or assign profiles to govern the communication to and from the devices. |
| US07668123B1 |
Network access device location
In a network in which a plurality of geographically distributed network access points are connected to a plurality of ports of a network switch, the invention provides a method of determining the location of a network access device within a LAN environment and/or the identity of network access devices or users active at a specified location. The method includes performing one or more SNMP queries on a plurality of ports of said network switch to produce a query output, processing the query output to determine what devices, and thus what users, are active at the different access points of the LAN. |
| US07668114B2 |
Communication apparatus and method with enhanced anonymity via modified use of addresses
A communication apparatus receives identification information and generates source information indicating a source of transmission made based on the received identification information. The communication apparatus changes the source information and a transmission route. The transmission route corresponds to the identification information used in generating the source information. |
| US07668110B2 |
Method of determining reverse data rate in mobile communication system
A method for determining a data rate for transmitting traffic data from a mobile station to a base station in a mobile communication system includes steps of receiving data rate control information from at least one base station; obtaining, based on the received data rate control information, a maximum transmittable data rate; obtaining a plurality of data rates for transmitting traffic data to the at least one base station, the plurality of data rates being obtained by considering a status factor of the mobile station; and determining the data rate of the traffic data to the at least one base station by selecting one of the obtained maximum transmittable data rate and plurality of data rates. The method determines the reverse data rate based on data rate control information and according to its own status, to provide system stability and minimize interference with other mobile stations while increasing the throughput for the sector and maintaining a desired QoS level even when the mobile station transmits at less power while. |
| US07668106B2 |
Network management system, and network management method
To collectively manage user networks connected to a virtual private network (VPN) without such time and effort necessary for an operation management server to be ready for an expansion MIB for each of vendors. Provided is a network management system, including: a first edge router, an operation management server and a second edge router which connects to the first edge router, the second edge router being included in the network constituted for each of the user groups, wherein the first edge router includes: collecting unit for collecting management information regarding constituent elements of the network constituted for each of the user groups from the second edge router on the network constituted for each of the user groups, unit for storing the management information in correspondence with the virtual private network for each of the user groups, and unit for returning the management information when receiving, from the operation management server, a request for the management information brought in correspondence with the virtual private network for each of the user groups, and the operation management server includes requesting unit for designating the virtual private network for each of the user groups and requesting the first edge router to return the management information regarding the constituent elements of the network constituted for each user group connected to the virtual private network. |
| US07668102B2 |
Techniques to manage retransmissions in a wireless network
Method and apparatus to manage retransmissions in a wireless network are described. |
| US07668101B1 |
ARQ in a point to multipoint network
The systems and methods for incorporating an automatic retransmission mechanism into a point to multipoint network MAC layer that does not already incorporate retransmission are provided by virtue of one embodiment of the present invention. For example, the DOCSIS MAC layer protocol developed for data over cable networks may be modified to incorporate an automatic retransmission mechanism. This allows DOCSIS to be applied more effectively to communication channels such as the wireless communication channel. |
| US07668100B2 |
Efficient load balancing and heartbeat mechanism for telecommunication endpoints
The present invention is directed to load balancing call signaling channels at the times that they are established, the use of variable frequency keep alive mechanisms depending on the state of the call signaling channel, and the establishment of a call signaling channel when resources are available or otherwise based on need. |
| US07668097B2 |
Method of dormant data session reactivation
A method for dormant data session reactivation may include a packet control function (118) in a radio access network (104) receiving a first data packet (150) having a source IP address (152), where the first data packet has a destination IP address (152) addressed to reactivate a dormant mobile station (102) coupled to the radio access network. The packet control function may receive a plurality of subsequent data packets (160) having the source IP address, where each of the plurality of subsequent data packets has a subsequent destination IP address (162, 164, 166) and a corresponding time stamp (163, 165, 167). For each of the subsequent destination IP addresses that are substantially sequential, evaluating an absolute value of a slope (270) of the difference between the subsequent destination IP addresses that are substantially sequential over a difference in the corresponding time stamps. If the absolute value of the slope is less than a threshold function (280), denying the first data packet and preventing reactivation of the dormant mobile station by the first data packet. |
| US07668096B2 |
Apparatus for modeling queueing systems with highly variable traffic arrival rates
An apparatus is provided for modeling queuing systems with highly variable traffic arrival rates. The apparatus includes means to associate a value with a pattern of highly variable arrival rates that is simple and intuitive, and a means to accurately model queuing delays in systems that are characterized by bursts of arrival activity. The queuing delay is determined by a sum of queuing delays after first applying a weighting factor to the queuing delay based upon a random arrival rate, and a different weighting factor to the queuing delay based upon a bursty variable arrival rate. The weighting factors are variants of the server utilization. The model facilitates specification of server characteristics and configurations to meet response time metrics. |
| US07668094B2 |
Time-offset regulated method and system for synchronization and rate control of media data
A method and device for synchronization and rate control of media data comprising adaptively computing an offset time using the reference time of a server, a local time of a client, and an associated time for presentation of the data, stamping the offset time on the media data, receiving the offset time stamped media data into a first buffer, processing the offset time stamped media data, computing an altered offset time, including the altered offset time with the processed media data, storing the processed media data in a second buffer, and selectively supplying the processed media data to a presentation sink unit according to the altered offset time, the server reference time, and the associated time of the media data. |
| US07668090B1 |
Setting pre-congestion notification admission and preemption thresholds in computer networks
A method and apparatus for setting admission and preemption thresholds in a computer network are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving traffic information including a first bandwidth utilization on each link located between ingress nodes and egress nodes based on a traffic matrix with no failures at the nodes or the links, and a second bandwidth utilization on each of the links based on the traffic matrix with planned failures at one or more of the links or the nodes. A preemption-to-admission ratio is calculated based on the first and second bandwidth utilizations on the links. An admission threshold is calculated at one of the links based on the second bandwidth utilization on the link and the preemption-to-admission ratio. At least one of the preemption-to-admission ratio and admission threshold is transmitted to a network device for use in flow admission. |
| US07668088B2 |
Handheld electronic device including voice over IP quality indicator, and associated method
A method of placing a call from a handheld device to a receiving device using VoIP includes initiating the call, transmitting a plurality of voice data packets to the receiving device, determining whether the receiving device has detected one or more missing or delayed packets, and providing a poor voice service indicator if it is determined that the receiving device has detected one or more missing or delayed data packets. Also, a method of placing a call to a receiving device over a network system which allocates bandwidth includes sending a request to the network system for a bandwidth allocation for the telephone call, determining whether the request has been granted, providing a poor voice service indicator to the user of the handheld electronic device if it is determined that the request has not been granted, and transmitting a plurality of voice data packets to the receiving device. |
| US07668084B2 |
Systems and methods for fault-tolerant high integrity data propagation using a half-duplex braided ring network
In one embodiment, a network comprises a plurality of nodes that are communicatively coupled to one another using bidirectional, half-duplex links. The network has a logical first channel over which data is propagated along the network in a first direction and a logical second channel over which data is propagated along the network in a second direction. For a given period of time, at least one of the plurality of nodes is scheduled to be a transmitting node that transmits data on both the first channel and the second channel. A first subset of the nodes not scheduled to transmit during the period are scheduled to relay data received from the first channel along the first channel. A second subset of the nodes not scheduled to transmit during the period are scheduled to relay data received from the second channel along the second channel. At least one of the nodes not scheduled to transmit during the period does not relay any data on at least one of that node's outbound links for at least one of the first channel and the second channel. |
| US07668079B2 |
Multiple endpoint paths for point-to-multipoint (P2MP) SPVC
A method and system for implementing Multiple Endpoint Paths (MEP) for Point to Multipoint (P2MP) calls over Soft Permanent Virtual Connections (SPVC) are provided. When a condition is detected that requires a particular endpoint to be switched to an alternate endpoint, all calls of the P2MP group that used the particular endpoint are torn down in sequence, in accordance with SPVC procedures. Once all of the calls are torn down, any calls that are enabled for MEP are re-established using the alternate endpoint to replace the particular endpoint. |
| US07668071B2 |
Phase-change optical recording medium having tracking signal smaller than saturation value
A phase-change optical storage medium has a substrate and a recording layer having a plurality of tracks for storing information. A material of which the recording layer is made has been initialized in a crystalline state in which an amplitude of a tracking-detection signal is smaller than a saturation value of the amplitude, the tracking-detection signal being obtained by receiving a reflected beam from the recording layer when the recording layer is irradiated with a laser beam in an off-track state while the optical storage medium is being rotated. |
| US07668068B2 |
Rotation responsive disk activation and deactivation mechanisms
Embodiments of methods and systems for controlling access to information stored on memory or data storage devices are disclosed. In various embodiments, fluid-mediated modification of information or access to information is utilized. According to various embodiments, data storage devices designed for rotating access are described which include rotation-activated fluid control mechanisms. |
| US07668064B2 |
Optical pickup unit and information recording/reproduction apparatus
According to one embodiment, an optical pickup unit which can record, reproduction and erase information in/from an information recording medium has tracks with different pitches, the dividing means has at least a part of a dividing boundary line placing between an end of a 1st order diffraction light with the largest diffraction angle and an end of a 1st order diffraction light with the smallest diffraction angle of the reflected laser beam. |
| US07668063B2 |
Optical disk device
A parameter acquisition unit acquires parameters of a write strategy corresponding to the type of an optical disk upon which data is to be recorded, and a recording unit irradiates pulse modulated laser light upon the optical disk based upon the parameters of the write strategy acquired by the parameter acquisition unit, and forms marks corresponding to the data to be recorded in order upon the optical disk. A timing setting unit sets a sampling period, using the parameters of the write strategy acquired by the parameter acquisition unit, within the period from after the completion of formation of a mark upon the optical disk to the start of formation of the next mark. And, during this sampling period which has been set, a sampling unit performs sampling of a signal used for servo control, and a sampling servo control unit performs servo control based upon the signal which has been sampled. |
| US07668051B2 |
Methods, apparatus and computer program products for detecting oscillation of a servo controller
An apparatus for detecting an oscillation of a servo controller of an optical disk is provided. An oscillation detector, electrically coupled to the servo controller of the optical disk, is provided and is configured to receive an error signal associated with the servo controller. The oscillation detector is further configured to compare an amplitude, a width and a period of the error signal with a reference amplitude, a reference width and reference period to determine if an oscillation is present in the error signal. Related methods and computer program products are provided. |
| US07668049B2 |
Optical pickup actuator and optical recording/reproducing apparatus
An optical pickup actuator is provided. The actuator comprises a bobbin, on which one or more objective lenses are mounted for allowing light to be incident onto an optical information storage medium, and which is supported by a support member to be movable in relation to a base. The actuator also comprises a magnetic circuit for independently driving the bobbin in focusing and tilt directions. |
| US07668046B2 |
Apparatus and method for determining the position of an object in 3-dimensional space
An apparatus and method is disclosed for determining the position of a user interface mouse using time of arrival measurements. A transmitter transmits a signal to an array of receivers that are spatially separated from one another. The time difference of arrival for is found for each receiver relative to a predetermined reference receiver. Using the time difference of arrival (TDOA) of each receiver, the location in 3-dimensional space of each receiver, and the speed of sound the position of the transmitter in 3-dimensional space relative to the reference receiver may be found. |
| US07668041B2 |
Apparatus and methods for acquiring seismic data while tripping
A system for acquiring logging data comprises a controller for causing the generation of a signal in a formation surrounding a wellbore. The controller has a first clock for time-stamping a record of the generated signal. A receiver is deployed in the wellbore and is adapted for detecting the signal. A second clock comprises a double-oven surrounding a crystal oscillator. A controller is operatively coupled to the double-oven to maintain the crystal oscillator temperature substantially at the crystal oscillator turnover temperature. The second clock is synchronized with the first clock before deployment in the wellbore, and the receiver references the second clock in order to record a time-stamp associated with the detected signal. |
| US07668040B2 |
Memory device, memory controller and memory system
The memory device has: a plurality of banks, each of which has a memory cell array having a plurality of page areas that are selected by row addresses respectively, and each of which is selected by a bank address; a row controller that controls activation of the page areas within each of the banks in response to a first operation code; and a group of data input/output terminals. A memory unit area within each of the activated page areas is accessed based on the column address. The row controller generates bank activation signals for the plurality of banks in response to multi-bank information data and a supplied bank address that are supplied along with the first command, and generates the row address of each of the plurality of banks in response to the supplied bank address and a supplied row address. The plurality of banks activate the page areas in response to the bank activation signals and the row addresses generated by the row address calculator. |
| US07668039B2 |
Address counter, semiconductor memory device having the same, and data processing system
An address counter includes FIFO units and first and second command counters that control the groups. The first command counter has a first mode in which any one of input gates is conducted in response to a first internal command and a second mode in which a plurality of input gates are conducted in response to an internal command. The second command counter has a first mode in which any one of output gates is conducted in response to one of second and third internal commands and second mode in which corresponding output gates are each conducted in response to one of the second and third internal commands. Thereby, when tCCD is small, the first mode can be selected, and when the tCCD is large, the second mode can be selected. |
| US07668032B2 |
Refresh operation of memory device
A memory device includes a refresh generator and a refresh command generation circuit. The refresh generator generates a refresh signal for a refresh operation enable. The refresh command generation circuit logically combines the refresh signal and a reset signal to produce a refresh command. The refresh command generation circuit produces the refresh command only when either the refresh signal or the reset signal is enabled. |
| US07668028B2 |
Dual in-line memory module, memory test system, and method for operating the dual in-line memory module
A dual in-line memory module (DIMM) for use in test includes a memory array with a plurality of memories, a test signal input/output unit, and a normal data input/output unit. The test signal input/output unit is provided in the respective memories to perform an input/output operation of a test signal with an external test mode controller for a test mode operation. The normal data input/output unit is provided in the respective memories to perform an input/output operation of a normal data with an external memory controller for a normal mode operation. |
| US07668026B2 |
Data I/O line control circuit and semiconductor integrated circuit having the same
A data I/O line control circuit includes a control unit for outputting a control signal after a predetermined time from an activation of a column select signal, and a switching unit for selectively separating a pair of first sub-middle I/O lines, which is coupled to a pair of local I/O lines located at one side of the switching unit, from a pair of second sub-middle I/O lines, which is coupled to both the pair of the local I/O lines and a data bus sense amplifier located at the other side of the switching unit. |
| US07668022B2 |
Integrated circuit for clock generation for memory devices
A device for generating clock signals for use with a plurality of DDR memory devices on a dual in-line memory module (DIMM) board is provided that has a data buffer for buffering data. A clock divider divides a first clock signal (CLK1) having a first clock frequency to generate a second clock signal (CLK20) having a second clock frequency which is an integer multiple of the first clock frequency. A shift register (SH) receives the second clock signal as a data input signal, and comprises a plurality flip-flops having clock inputs coupled to receive the first clock signal (CLK1), and further coupled so that the data output of a preceding flip-flop is coupled to be the data input of a following flip-flop. The second clock signal is shifted through the shift register (SH) in response to the first clock signal (CLK1) to generate a plurality of shifted clock signals (CLK 21, . . . , CLK32) at respective data outputs of the plurality of flip-flops. A multiplexer commonly coupled to the data outputs of the flip-flops selects one of the shifted clock signals (CLK 21, . . . , CLK32) to serve as an output clock signal for transmission of the buffered data to a memory device. |
| US07668021B2 |
Semiconductor memory device including output driver
A semiconductor memory device has a data output device. The data output device is provided with a slew rate control unit for detecting the number of transitions of a plurality of output data to output slew rate control information; and an output driving unit for driving the plurality of output data with a pull-up drivability and a pull-down drivability adjusted based on the slew rate control information. |
| US07668017B2 |
Method of erasing non-volatile memory cells
A method includes determining groups of rows to erase together in order to minimize the margin loss associated with bake after a large number of program and erasure cycles. The method alternatively includes determining groups of rows to erase together to minimize the width of a resultant erase threshold voltage distribution, erasing the groups together, stopping erasure of a group when the group is erase verified and performing the step of erasing on those groups which were not previously erase verified. |
| US07668016B2 |
Non-volatile memory devices and programming methods thereof including moving electrons through pad oxide layers between charge trap layers
Non-volatile memory devices and methods of programming a non-volatile memory device in which electrons are moved between charge trap layers through a pad oxide layer are provided. The non-volatile memory devices include a charge trap layer on a semiconductor substrate and storing electrons, a pad oxide layer on the first charge trap layer, and a second trap layer on the pad oxide layer and storing electrons. In a programming mode in which data is written, the stored electrons are moved between a first position of the first charge trap layer and a first position of the second charge trap layer through the pad oxide layer or between a second position of the first charge trap layer and a second position of the second charge trap layer through the pad oxide layer. |
| US07668014B2 |
Non-volatile memory device and program method
A non-volatile memory device, related memory system, and program method for the non-volatile memory device are disclosed. In the method, memory cells in a memory cell array are accessed through a plurality of word lines by applying a program voltage to a selected word line, wherein the selected word line is not adjacent to an outmost word line, applying a first reduced pass voltage to word lines adjacent to the selected word line, and applying a second reduced pass voltage to the outermost word lines. |
| US07668012B2 |
Memory cell programming
One or more embodiments include programming, in parallel, a first cell to one of a first number of states and a second cell to one of a second number of states. Such embodiments include programming, separately, the first cell to one of a third number of states based, at least in part, on the one of the first number of states and the second cell to one of a fourth number of states based, at least in part, on the one of the second number of states. |
| US07668010B2 |
Flash memory having insulating liners between source/drain lines and channels
A memory array comprises a semiconductor body having a plurality of trenches aligned generally in parallel. The trenches contain semiconductor material, such as doped amorphous silicon, and act as source/drain lines for the memory array. Insulating liners lie between the semiconductor material within the trenches and the semiconductor body. A plurality of word lines overlie the plurality of trenches and channel regions in the semiconductor body in an array of cross points. Charge trapping structures lie between the word lines and the channel regions at the cross points, providing an array of flash memory cells. The charge trapping structures comprise dielectric charge trapping structures adapted to be programmed and erased to store data. A method for manufacturing such devices includes patterning and forming the sources/drain lines with insulating liners prior to formation of the charge trapping structure over the channel regions. |
| US07668009B2 |
Method of decreasing program disturb in memory cells
The present invention provides a method of decreasing program disturb in memory cells, comprising: finding an initial programming condition that ensure programming memory cell normally; selecting one parameter from the initial programming condition as a variable for the program disturb test; performing the program disturb test to the memory cell for at least two values of the variable; obtaining a programming condition with minimum program disturb based on the result of the program disturb test; and applying the programming condition with minimum program disturb as the programming condition for memory cell. The method according to the present invention can minimize the program disturb for the memory cell and can be performed easily. |
| US07668006B2 |
Multi-port phase change random access memory cell and multi-port phase change random access memory device including the same
A multi-port phase change random access memory (PRAM) cell, includes a PRAM element including a phase change material, a writing controller configured to operate in correspondence with a writing word line, the writing controller connecting a writing bit line to the PRAM element, and a reading controller configured to operate in correspondence with a reading word line, the reading controller connecting the PRAM element to a reading bit line. |
| US07667996B2 |
Nano-vacuum-tubes and their application in storage devices
The scale of the devices in a diode array storage device, and their cost, are reduced by changing the semiconductor based diodes in the storage array to cold cathode, field emitter based devices. The field emitters and a field emitter array may be fabricated utilizing a topography-based lithographic technique. |
| US07667994B1 |
Magnetic racetrack with current-controlled motion of domain walls within an undulating energy landscape
A method for use with a magnetic racetrack device includes placing domain walls having a first structure and domain walls having a second, different structure along the racetrack at stable positions corresponding to different regions within the device. The domain walls having the first structure and the domain walls having the second structure occupy alternating positions along the racetrack. A current pulse is applied to the racetrack, so that each of the domain walls moves to an adjacent region. This results in a transformation of the domain walls having the first structure into domain walls having the second structure, and vice versa. The first structure may be a vortex structure and the second structure may be a transverse structure. |
| US07667985B1 |
Computer network device and method of assembly
One embodiment of the present computer network device comprises a subassembly. The subassembly includes a support plate, a standoff extending from the support plate, a printed circuit board (PCB) secured to the standoff, an electromechanical connector secured to the PCB, an electromagnetic interference (EMI) cage secured to the PCB, and an EMI gasket engaging the EMI cage. The computer network device further comprises a guiding and retaining member that engages the support plate and assists in securing the subassembly within an enclosure. In a method of assembling the computer network device, the subassembly is first assembled before the subassembly is secured within an enclosure. Relative motion of the PCB and the standoffs is thus eliminated during the assembly process. |
| US07667983B2 |
Electronic transmission port cover assembly
An electronic transmission port cover assembly has a body, a sliding bracket and a cover. The body is mounted securely in an electronic device adjacent to an electronic transmission port. The sliding bracket is mounted slidably on the body. The cover is attached pivotally to the sliding bracket and has cover springs. The sliding bracket is pushed relative to the body and the cover is pushed away from the body and pivots relative to the sliding bracket to uncover the transmission port. |
| US07667979B2 |
Protective circuit board for battery pack
A protective circuit board for a battery pack for controlling charge and discharge states of the battery pack includes an insulation layer and a first signal pattern disposed inside the insulation layer. The circuit can further include a second signal pattern disposed inside the insulation layer. The circuit can include a first dummy pattern spaced from a first side of the first signal pattern and a second dummy pattern spaced from a second side of the first signal pattern. |
| US07667976B2 |
Electronic circuit device and method of making the same
A method of making an electronic circuit device includes preparing an electronic element having at least one projection, mounting the electronic element on only a first side of a circuit board in such a manner that the projection is substantially held in point contact with the first side of the circuit board to form a gap between the circuit board and the electronic element, placing the circuit board in a mold cavity in such a manner that a second side of the circuit board is held in close contact with an inner surface of the cavity. The method further includes encapsulating the circuit board in a casing by filling the cavity with a resin material so that the gap is filled with the resin material. |
| US07667973B2 |
Waterproof case
A waterproof case for housing an electronic component includes a case member that has a plurality of breathing holes, and a breathable waterproof filter fitted to the case member at a position corresponding to the breathing holes to cover the breathing holes. For example, open surfaces of at least two of the breathing holes, opened outside of the case member, can be made to face in different directions. Furthermore, the breathing hole has an open area on a side of the breathable waterproof filter, which is larger than an open area of the breathing hole on a side opposite to the breathable waterproof filter, in the case member. Accordingly, the waterproof case enhances waterproofness while circulating air between the inside and the outside of the waterproof case. |
| US07667972B2 |
Connector with a heat sink
A connector with a heat sink to prevented a card from being damaged due to friction when the card is inserted or removed includes a frame provided with two guide arms and two elastic members, each guide arm containing two chutes, each chute containing an upper and a lower limit zones; a pressurizing-down mechanism connected to the frame, a leading post received in the chute being disposed on each side arm, and a heat sink being provided on top; card insertion driving the pressurizing-down mechanism to move with its leading post in the chute for the heat sink to contact the card to conduct the heat generated from the card; and the elastic member moving the pressurizing-down mechanism into the upper limit zone to remove the card. |
| US07667969B2 |
Pump structures integral to a fluid filled heat transfer apparatus
Presented is a heat sink arrangement, incorporating a fluid media, which transfers heat between stationary and movable objects. Included are pump structures which are designed to be or operate integrally with the fluid-filled heat transfer apparatus, and are adapted to provide optimum and unique cooling flow paths for implementing the cooling of electronic devices, such as computer chips or the like, that require active cooling action. The pumps and heat sink arrangements selectively possess either rotating or stationary shafts, various types of impeller and fluid or cooling media circulation structures, which maximize both the convective and conductive cooling of the various components of the electronic devices or equipment by means of the circulating fluid. |
| US07667968B2 |
Air-cooling system configuration for touch screen
A cooling system for an electrical device includes a receptacle unit having a main opening with an inner chamber, a cooling unit operably associated with the electrical device arranged in the chamber of the receptacle unit, intake and exhaust openings arranged between the electronic device and the receptacle unit, an intake path extending from the intake opening to the cooling unit via the chamber of the receptacle unit and an exhaust path extending from the cooling unit to the exhaust opening via the inner space of the receptacle unit. |
| US07667965B2 |
Acoustically absorptive anti-recirculation panel for one or more electronics racks of a data center
An acoustically absorptive panel is provided configured to reside above multiple electronics racks disposed in a row within a data center. The acoustically absorptive panel is configured to extend a height above the multiple electronics racks sufficient to at least partially block hot air recirculation from one or more air outlet sides of the multiple electronics racks to one or more air inlet sides of the electronics racks. The acoustically absorptive panel includes an acoustically absorptive material selected to attenuate noise, and in one embodiment, includes printed material on at least one side thereof related to one or more of the multiple electronics racks. |
| US07667964B2 |
Panel type display device
A panel type display device for minimizing temperature increase in the interior of a case and a display panel. The display device includes a case, a display panel mounted in an interior of the case, at least one circuit board for controlling the display panel, a first cooling fluid path for cooling the display panel, and a second cooling fluid path for cooling the circuit board. In the display device, the first and second cooling fluid paths are separated from each other. |
| US07667961B2 |
Electronic apparatus
According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus is provided with a case, a printed circuit board which is contained in the case and includes a first surface and a second surface formed on the side opposite from the first surface, a first heating element mounted on the first surface, a second heating element mounted on the second surface, a first cooling fan used to cool the first heating element, and a second cooling fan used to cool the second heating element. A thickness of the second cooling fan is smaller than a thickness of the first cooling fan. The second cooling fan is mounted so as to overlap the first cooling fan in a direction parallel to the first surface of the circuit board and be situated within a range of the thickness of the first cooling fan. |
| US07667953B2 |
Electrolytic capacitor
An electrolytic solution, for use in an electrolytic capacitor, comprising a solvent and a solute wherein water accounts for 20 to 100% by weight of the solvent and the total solute content is from 1.5 to 44% by weight, and an electrolytic capacitor comprising a capacitor element, a case containing the capacitor element, and a sealant with which the case is sealed, the capacitor element comprising a pair of electrode foils each comprising a dielectric, a separator for isolating the electrode foils from each other, and the above electrolytic solution filled between the electrode foils. |
| US07667951B2 |
Electronic component
The invention relates to an electronic component including a capacitor and provides an electronic component in which electromigration can be prevented and whose capacitor element has an accurate capacity value. The electronic component includes a bottom conductor formed on a substrate, a dielectric film formed to cover the bottom conductor, an organic insulation film formed on the dielectric film, and a top conductor formed in an opening provided in the organic insulation film over the bottom conductor, the top conductor forming a capacitor element in combination with the bottom conductor and the dielectric film. |
| US07667950B2 |
Multilayer capacitor and electronic device
A multilayer capacitor has a laminate body in which a first internal electrode and a second internal electrode are alternately laminated with a dielectric layer in between, a first terminal electrode provided on one end side of the laminate body, and a second terminal electrode provided on the other end side of the laminate body. The first internal electrode has a first lead portion connected to the first terminal electrode. The second internal electrode has a second lead portion connected to the second terminal electrode. The first internal electrode consists of plural types of first internal electrodes and the plural types of first internal electrodes have their respective first lead portions at different positions. Distances between the first lead portions of the respective types of the first internal electrodes and the second lead portion are different from each other. |
| US07667948B1 |
Digitally controlled oscillator and associated method
A digitally controlled capacitor includes a first set of N capacitors, wherein the first set has a first capacitance value and each of the M capacitors has a second capacitance value, and at least one second set of N capacitors. The second set has the first capacitance value and each of the N capacitors has a third capacitance value that is greater than the second capacitance value. M and N are integers greater than one and M is not equal to N. |
| US07667945B2 |
Bipolar carrier wafer and mobile bipolar electrostatic wafer arrangement
The present invention relates to a bipolar carrier wafer and a mobile, bipolar electrostatic wafer arrangement. Carrier wafers and wafer arrangements of this type can be used in particular in the field of handling technology of semiconductor wafers. The carrier wafer according to the invention serves for mounting a disc-shaped semiconductor component. It has a first surface (2a) as front-side and a second surface (2b) which is situated opposite the first surface (2a) as rear-side. The carrier wafer is configured such that it has a carrier layer (2), an electrically insulating cover layer (3) which surrounds the carrier layer and an electrically conductive layer (4), the latter being disposed on the electrically insulating cover layer and being structured in at least two regions which are separated from each other electrically as electrodes. Electrical contacts are disposed on the rear-side (2b) of the carrier wafer, these electrical contacts being connected to the two electrodes disposed on the front-side (2a). On the electrically conductive layer (4), in addition an electrically insulating cover layer (8) is disposed which covers both the front-side (2a) and the edge of the carrier wafer between the front-side (2a) and the rear-side (2b). |
| US07667939B2 |
Bus driver including control circuit for overvoltage protection
A bus driver device is provided with a bus driver circuit connected to a bus line and a overvoltage protection section connected between the bus line and a power supply line. The overvoltage protection section has an overvoltage protection function for the bus line. Further, the bus driver device is provided with a switching circuit for on/off-controlling the overvoltage protection function based on a voltage of the bus line and a voltage of the power supply wiring. |
| US07667937B2 |
Control device for an electronic domestic appliance
A control device for an electronic domestic appliance has a control panel of an electrically conducting material and an electronic control system with a mains-connected circuit and a circuit that is galvanically separated from the mains. To protect the electronic control system from electrostatic discharges the control panel is grounded by way of an electrical connection between the control panel and the circuit that is galvanically separated from the mains and also an electrical connection between the galvanically separated circuit and the mains-connected circuit. The latter electrical connection between the galvanically separated circuit and the mains-connected circuit has at least one protection impedance. |
| US07667936B2 |
High-voltage tolerant power-rail ESD clamp circuit for mixed-voltage I/O interface
A circuit for electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection includes a resistor a capacitor connected in series with the resistor, a first transistor including a gate, the gate being connected to a first power supply providing a first voltage to the gate via the resistor and a first terminal connected to the first power supply, a second transistor including a gate, the gate being connected to a second power supply, the second power supply providing a second voltage smaller than the first voltage, the second transistor having a first terminal connected to a second terminal of the first transistor, and a third transistor including a gate, the gate being connected to the second power supply, a first terminal of the third transistor being connected to a second terminal of the second transistor, and a second terminal being connected to a reference voltage different from the first voltage and the second voltage. |
| US07667932B2 |
Method and apparatus using embedded sensor in a piezoelectric micro-actuator in a hard disk drive
A piezoelectric sensor-actuator, including a piezoelectric sensor bonded through non-conductive adhesive to a piezoelectric actuator to determine the pressure and/or temperature near the coupled slider. The piezoelectric actuator contributes to slider positioning. The piezoelectric sensor determines the experienced stress-strain. The hard disk drive uses the piezoelectric sensor-actuator creates a stress-strain measurement, a sensor spectrum, deriving the temperature estimate and/or the pressure estimate from said sensor spectrum, and operating at least one positioning control group member based upon the temperature estimate and/or pressure estimate. The micro-actuator containing at least one of the piezoelectric sensor-actuators, flexure finger, head gimbal assembly, head stack assembly, an actuator assembly, an embedded circuit, and the hard disk drive. The invention includes manufacturing methods and the piezoelectric sensor-actuator, the micro-actuator, the head gimbal assembly, the actuator assembly, the head stack assembly, the embedded circuit, and the hard disk drive as products. |
| US07667928B2 |
Thin-film magnetic head having a width-thickness configured shield layer positioned by spacer pieces for use in a head gimbal assembly of a hard disk system
A write shield layer that forms a part of a thin-film magnetic head is set with respect to the widthwise full length W thereof lying substantially on an air bearing surface that is opposite to the recording medium such that when the full length W is trisected, the maximum thickness H1/3side thereof in a range of widthwise ⅓W size positioned at both ends thereof is larger than the average thickness Hm of the whole write shield layer from the air bearing surface up to the rear (H1/3side>Hm), so that the so-called external magnetic field resistance is improved, and inadvertent erasure of the information already recorded in the recording medium is avoided as much as possible. Besides, the PTP (pole tip protrusion) phenomenon arising from the generation of heat from coils, and external temperature changes can be held back. |
| US07667927B2 |
Magnetic head having toroidal coil layer and manufacturing method thereof
First and second magnetic layers of a magnetic head face each other. A toroidal coil layer having upper and lower layer coil pieces (ULCP and LLCP) is wound around one of the magnetic layers. The ULCP extend from a first insulating layer by downward steps to a top of a second insulating layer which is widened at ends of the first insulating layer. Side ends of the first insulating layer extend parallel to a height direction. The ULCP are orthogonal to the side ends. Each of the LLCP is formed on a third insulating layer and has a straight region extending in the same direction as the upper layer coil pieces and a curved region curved toward a facing surface or in a height direction on one end in the track width direction. An end of each of the straight and curved region is connected to an ULCP. |
| US07667923B1 |
Hard drive data platter impairment tool
A system for impairing at least one pair of data platters stacked. An alignment device is pivotably mounted; upper and lower arms of the alignment device are spaced apart from and extend parallel to one another. The alignment device is movable between a stowed position in which the alignment device is spaced apart from the data platters to an impairment position in which the upper and lower arms of the alignment device overlay at least an edge of the data platters. The upper arm includes an opening for receiving an impairment tool, the opening being generally aligned with an impairment opening formed in the enclosure when the alignment device is in the impairment position. The impairment tool is inserted through the impairment opening formed in the enclosure and the opening in the upper arm for engaging a surface of the data platters to impair the data platters. |
| US07667916B1 |
Signal conversion system and method
Apparatus, systems, and methods implementing techniques for converting a signal. In an apparatus form, an input circuit receives a differential input signal and produces a single-ended intermediate signal. An amplifier circuit receives the intermediate signal and produces an amplified signal, and a feedback path couples the amplified signal to the intermediate signal. An inverter circuit receives the amplified signal and produces an output signal. |
| US07667915B2 |
Disk drive having a head amplifier for perpendicular magnetic recording
According to one embodiment, a disk drive is provided which has a head amplifier having a function of, at a data recording time, outputting AC pattern data to a write head prior to the recording of the write data to allow it to be recorded on a write splice section on a disk medium. The write head records an AC signal pattern of a high frequency on the write splice section on the disk medium according to an output timing of a write gate and then write data is recorded with a preamble as a header. |
| US07667914B2 |
Direct coupled wide-bandwidth front-end with smart bias control amplifier
Embodiments of the present invention provide a mixed-mode amplifier for amplifying signals in data storage devices such as disk drives. In one embodiments, a circuit for amplifying data signals comprises a magnetoresistive sensor having a bias voltage applied thereto; a signal amplifier which amplifies a signal detected by the magnetoresistive sensor having the bias voltage applied thereto; a feedback control block which is coupled to an output of the signal amplifier and outputs a feedback current used to vary a loop gain of the circuit; a bias setting circuit which outputs a bias setting current; and a transimpedance amplifier which receives the bias setting current from the bias setting block and the feedback current from the feedback control block and generates the bias voltage applied to the magnetoresistive sensor. |
| US07667905B2 |
Ultra compact zoom camera concept
A device is shown having at least two movable lens units, wherein each of the at least two movable lens units has at least one lens, wherein the at least two movable lens units are movable into a first state wherein the at least two movable lens units are arranged in parallel to each other, and wherein the at least two movable lens units are movable into a second state wherein the at least two movable lens units are arranged on top of each other for positioning the lenses of the at least two movable lens units in an optical axis. |
| US07667904B2 |
Editable instrument assembly
An editable instrument assembly (100) for a vehicle. The editable instrument assembly includes a plurality of lenses (110), each lens having an icon (112) disposed thereon and a lens frame (108). The lens frame is adapted to removably receive each of the plurality of lenses. The editable instrument assembly also includes an instrument panel (102) comprising a lens frame receiving assembly (160) for removably and slidably receiving the lens frame with the plurality of lenses. |
| US07667899B2 |
Zoom lens system and imaging apparatus
A positive first lens group G1, a negative second lens group G2, an aperture diaphragm St, a positive third lens group G3, and a positive fourth lens group G4 are sequentially arranged, and a movement of the lens groups and the aperture diaphragm St during zooming is optimized in combination with an appropriate conditional expression. During zooming, a position of the aperture diaphragm St on an optical axis at a wide-angle end is closer to an image plane than that at a telephoto end, and a space on the optical axis at the wide-angle end between the aperture diaphragm St and the third lens group G3 is larger than that at the telephoto end, thereby suppressing the length of the whole lens. Also, heights of rays passing through the first lens group G1 are lowered, thereby suppressing the lens diameter of the first lens group G1. |
| US07667891B2 |
Desktop display with continuous curved surface
A curved display device comprising a continuous, curved, concave viewing surface having a surface width W greater than or equal to 48 cm and less than or equal to 200 cm, and wherein a distance D from the center of a straight line segment which connects the centers of the display edges in the width dimension, to the center of the display surface in the horizontal dimension is less than or equal to ((0.215W)−6.5). |
| US07667888B2 |
Low cost system and method that implements acousto-optic (AO) RF signal excitation
An acousto-optic modulator includes an acousto-optic bulk medium. A transducer is attached to the acousto-optic bulk medium and formed as a linear array of electrodes. A transducer driver is connected to each electrode and comprises a plurality of amplifiers connected to the electrodes such that each electrode is driven by a respective amplifier as a means to provide a low cost alternative to the use of higher power hybrid amplifiers in conventional AO device applications. |
| US07667879B2 |
Image reading apparatus and image forming apparatus
The present invention is to provide an image reading apparatus reading image information of an original while moving the original on an original base plate comprising: a transport rotary member provided opposite the original base plate to transport the original; a supporting member that supports the transport rotary member to be rotatable; and a gap forming section provided in the supporting member to form a gap between the transport rotary member and the original base plate, wherein the transport rotary member and the supporting member each have a high reflectance surface condition. |
| US07667868B2 |
Optical scanning device and image forming apparatus
A light flux emitted from a light source is split into two by a light flux splitting unit, and these are respectively made incident on upper and lower tiers of polygon mirrors of a deflecting unit which coaxially rotates two polygon mirrors one on the other while being shifted in angles from each other. The respective light fluxes that have been deflected for scanning at mutually different timings by the deflecting unit respectively reach individual photodetectors through a first scanning lens, mirrors, and a second scanning lens as a predetermined light system and carry out main scanning. |
| US07667859B2 |
Method and device for hyperacute detection of an essentially rectilinear contrast edge and system for fine following and fixing of said contrast edge
Method and device for the detection of an essentially rectilinear contrast edge (E) in a direction, whereby a periodic sweep (Ω) of global visual angle (Δψ) of the optical sensors, by translation (S) in another direction transverse to the first direction, is carried out. The translation provides a periodic sweep of non-uniform angular speed (ψ) during a part of the period of sweeping and a measurement of a time difference (t) from the signals provided by the sensors (D1, D2), depending on the angular position of the contrast edge (E) with relation to a reference direction (OY12) within the global visual angle (Δψ) from the sweep law (Ω), the reference direction being connected to a specific value for the time difference (t). The above is of application to spatial stabilization of a sight line and the fine following and fixing of an object with at least one contrast edge. |
| US07667858B2 |
Automated process control using optical metrology and a correlation between profile models and key profile shape variables
A process step in fabricating a structure on a wafer in a wafer application having one or more process steps and one or more process parameters is controlled by determining a correlation between a set of profile models and one or more key profile shape variables. Each profile model is defined using a set of profile parameters to characterize the shape of the structure. Different sets of profile parameters define the profile models in the set. The one or more key profile shape variables include one or more profile parameters or one or more process parameters. One profile model is selected from the set of profile models based on the correlation and a value of at least one key profile shape variable of the process of the wafer application to be used in fabricating the structure. The structure is fabricated in a first fabrication process cluster using the process step and the value of the at least one key profile shape variable. A measured diffraction signal is obtained off the structure. One or more profile parameters of the structure are determined based on the measured diffraction signal and the selected profile model. The one or more determined profile parameters are transmitted to the first fabrication process cluster or a second fabrication process cluster. |
| US07667849B2 |
Optical sensor with interferometer for sensing external physical disturbance of optical communications link
An optical sensing method transmits radiation from a source onto an optical link, the radiation being passed through an unbalanced interferometer connected between the source and the link. The radiation which is reflected back and has travelled through a portion of the link which is subject to an external disturbance is received and passed through the same unbalanced interferometer. A detector is used to detect the radiation that has returned through the unbalanced interferometer. To improve sensitivity, the unbalanced interferometer includes a coupler for coupling radiation to the detector, the coupler being an N ×N coupler where N is an integer greater or equal to 3. |
| US07667848B2 |
Imaging apparatus for infrared rays nonlinear molecular vibrational microscopy
Disclosed is an imaging apparatus for infrared nonlinear molecular vibrational microscopy. |
| US07667846B2 |
Device and process for inspecting the bottoms of containers
A system for inspecting container bottoms with an observation device, which observe the container bottoms, with a plurality of viewing windows, which are arranged underneath the container bottoms and which have viewing sections, through which the observation device observes the container bottoms, where the viewing windows are mounted in a carrier plate. Also, holding devices are provided, which transport the containers a certain distance above the carrier plate, and the viewing sections are at least partially offset from a projection of the containers in a direction perpendicular to the carrier plate. |
| US07667840B2 |
Particle-measuring system and particle-measuring method
The present invention provides a particle measuring system which is provided in a processing system that generates an atmosphere obtained by exhausting air or a gas in a processing chamber by a vacuum pump and applies a process concerning semiconductor manufacture to a wafer W in the atmosphere, attached to an exhaust pipe which connects an exhaust opening of the processing chamber with the vacuum pump, and measures the number of the particles in the exhaust gas, and a measuring method thereof, the system and method providing a processing system and a cleaning method which terminate etching process by determining an end point based on the number of the particles in the exhaust gas and perform cleaning of unnecessary films. |
| US07667839B2 |
Aerosol particle sensor with axial fan
A particle sensor for optically detecting an unconstrained particle suspended in a flowing gas includes a sample chamber having a gas inlet and a gas outlet; a gas flow system for flowing said gas from said gas inlet through said sample chamber to said gas outlet, a source of light; an optical system directing said light through said sample chamber, an optical collection system located to collect light scattered by said particles in the gas, and a detection system located to detect the collected light. The total pressure drop through said gas flow system is 3 inches of water or less. The gas flow system includes an axial fan, which may be a high static pressure fan or a counter-rotating fan. In a 1.0 CFM system, the gas inlet nozzle has an area of 25 square millimeters or more. |
| US07667837B2 |
Capillary tube flow cell
Provided is a capillary tube flow cell used in analyses at very low flow rates and, particularly, in liquid chromatographic analyses. To ensure that high detection sensitivity and low noise can be realized, a flow cell which houses a liquid sample and exposes the liquid sample to radiant light for analysis purposes comprises a capillary tube which has a bent portion for incident light, a bent portion for emergent light and a linear passage of appropriate length formed between the bent portions, a passage portion of the capillary tube being inserted into a slit and the slit being provided with a light pass preventing portion. |
| US07667825B2 |
Projector, method of measuring distance to the projector, and method and program for acquiring inclination angles of projection screen
A light source 165 of a projection unit 16 AM modulates an electric current supplied to a built-in LED. The projection unit 16 projects the modulated light on a projection screen. A photoreceiver 171 receives, with a time lag, a reflected portion of the modulated light from the screen, which corresponds to a time required for the light to travel from its projection to its reception. A calculation unit 173 acquires a phase difference between the projected light and its reflection at a respective one of a plurality of points on the screen, acquires a distance from the projector to the respective one of the plurality of points on the screen, and then acquires an inclination angle of the screen. Because the distance from the projector to a respective one of the plurality of points on the screen is acquired based on the corresponding phase difference, the measurement accuracy is improved compared to the triangular distance measuring method. The projector requires no distance measurement-only light source, thereby reducing the size of the projector. |
| US07667824B1 |
Range gated shearography systems and related methods
A range-gated shearography system and related methods. Implementations of range-gated shearography systems may include a laser light source, at least one imaging detector coupled to the laser light source, a shearing interferometer coupled to the at least one imaging detector, and a ranging detector coupled to the laser light source. A method of range-gating a shearography system may include emitting laser light, determining a range interval for at least one object, receiving reflected laser light from the at least one object through a shearing interferometer from the range interval, and collecting at least one shearography image. |
| US07667822B2 |
Lithographic apparatus and stage apparatus
A lithographic apparatus includes a support constructed to support a patterning device. The patterning device is capable of imparting a radiation beam with a pattern in its cross-section to form a patterned radiation beam. The support includes a force actuator device to exert a force onto the patterning device in a direction of movement of the support. The force actuator device includes a movable part which is pivotably about a pivot axis and thereby connected to the support. The movable part is in the direction of movement of the support substantially balanced with respect to the pivot axis. The force actuator device further includes an actuator to exert via the movable part the force onto the patterning device, to at least partly compensate for the information or a risk of slippage due to acceleration of the support in the direction of movement. |
| US07667821B2 |
Multi-focus scanning with a tilted mask or wafer
A method for implementing discrete superpositioning of two or more defocal wafer images at different defocal positions in a lithographic step and scan projection system. The method includes tilting one of a mask and a wafer with respect to a scanning direction and splitting an illumination beam into at least two illumination areas which are in different defocus zones of the mask. |
| US07667820B2 |
Method for chemical reduction of an oxidized contamination material, or reducing oxidation of a contamination material and a conditioning system for doing the same
An amount of oxides in an apparatus having a chamber containing an amount of contamination material and an amount of the oxides, the oxides being oxides of the contamination material, is reduced. In the method, a hydrogen containing gas is provided in at least part of the chamber. A predetermined minimum partial hydrogen gas pressure and a predetermined maximum partial oxidants pressure is established in the chamber. In the chamber, a temperature is maintained which is at least higher than a temperature at which, in thermodynamic equilibrium given the predetermined maximum partial oxidants and minimum partial hydrogen gas pressures as established, the amount of contamination material is at least 10 times higher than the amount of oxides. |
| US07667818B2 |
Electrically variable focus polymer-stabilized liquid crystal lens having non-homogenous polymerization of a nematic liquid crystal/monomer mixture
A variable focus liquid crystal lens includes a nematic liquid crystal/monomer mixture having a spatially inhomogenous polymer network structure, and an electrode for applying a substantially uniform voltage to the nematic liquid crystal/monomer mixture. The lens is created within a cell by applying a substantially uniform electric field to the nematic liquid crystal/monomer mixture within the cell, while simultaneously irradiating the nematic liquid crystal/monomer mixture using a laser beam having a shaped intensity distribution, so as to induce formation of a spatially inhomogenous polymer network structure within the cell. |
| US07667814B2 |
Monochromatic liquid crystal display with high contrast
An STN liquid crystal display cell includes a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between a first and second transparent substrate, is outwardly provided with a first and second polarizers, and a monochromatic back light. Twist angle of the liquid crystal layer is 95° to 170° or 200° to 280°; a first angle between alignment direction of liquid crystal molecules contacting the first transparent substrate and polarization direction of the first polarizer and a second angle between an alignment direction of liquid crystal molecules contacting the second transparent substrate and polarization direction of the second polarizer are each larger than 0° and smaller than 90°; and sum of the first and second angles is 90°±7°. |
| US07667809B2 |
FFS mode liquid crystal display device and method of fabricating the same
A liquid crystal display device and method of fabricating the device where the device can control a viewing angle in all directions without forming a white pixel. The liquid crystal display device includes a display control region that is controlled such that liquid crystal molecules are inclined and a viewing-angle control region that is controlled such that liquid crystal molecules are aligned in a horizontal or vertical direction, where a control voltage is supplied through a viewing angle control line independent of a common line for the display control region. |
| US07667807B2 |
In-plane-switching-mode liquid crystal display device
An IPS-mode LCD device includes a TFT substrate and a counter substrate sandwiching therebetween a LC layer. Each pixel includes a pixel electrode covered by a passivation film formed on the TFT substrate, and a common electrode formed on the top surface of the passivation film. The passivation film has a first thickness at a portion in contact with the common electrode and a second thickness smaller than the first thickness at a portion in contact with the pixel electrode, thereby having a flat top surface of the passivation film. |
| US07667805B2 |
Array substrate and display panel having the same
An array substrate includes a pixel electrode, a thin-film transistor (TFT) and a storage line. The pixel electrode has a first electrode portion, a second electrode portion and a connecting electrode portion to electrically connect the first and second electrode portions to each other. The second electrode portion is spaced apart from the first electrode portion by a predetermined distance in a first direction. The TFT is electrically connected to the pixel electrode to drive the pixel electrode. The storage line overlaps a portion of the pixel electrode and has an asymmetric connecting electrode closer to the second electrode portion than to the first electrode portion. |
| US07667804B2 |
In-plane switching mode liquid crystal display device
An in-plane switching (IPS) mode liquid crystal display (LCD) device, comprising: a first substrate and a second substrate; gate lines and data lines formed on the first substrate and crossing each other to form unit pixel regions; a switching device formed at each crossing of the gate lines and the data lines; at least one common electrode and pixel electrode arranged horizontally on the first substrate and generating a horizontal electric field; and a liquid crystal layer formed between the first substrate and the second substrate, wherein when a maximum voltage is applied to the at least one common electrode and pixel electrode, a maximum twist angle between liquid crystal molecules constituting the liquid crystal layer is about 90°. Also, the liquid crystal molecules forming the liquid crystal layer include a liquid crystal molecule having a positive dielectric anisotropy and a liquid crystal molecule having a negative dielectric anisotropy. |
| US07667801B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device comprising a first polarizer, a first retardation film satisfying (1) to (6) below, a liquid crystal cell, a second retardation film satisfying (7) to (12) below, a second polarizer in this order wherein the absorption axis of the first and second polarizer and the slow axis of the first and second retardation film are substantially in parallel, respectively: 10 nm |
| US07667795B2 |
Color filter substrate and liquid crystal display panel
A color filter substrate, including a substrate, a light shielding layer, a color filter layer, a conductive layer, first and second spacers, is provided. The substrate has a displaying area and a dummy area. The light shielding layer is disposed on the substrate. The color filter layer is disposed on the substrate and covers the light shielding layer. The color filter layer has at least one first concave in the dummy area. The conductive layer is disposed on the substrate and covers the color filter layer and the light shielding layer. The first spacers are disposed on the conductive layer and are in the dummy area. Each first spacer has a fixing part and a supporting part. And the fixing part is disposed in the first concave. A through hole is in each first spacer. The second spacers are disposed on the conductive layer and are in the displaying area. |
| US07667794B2 |
Color element-equipped substrate, method for manufacturing color element-equipped substrate, and electronic device
The color element-equipped substrate of the present invention has a support base, a bank formed on the base that demarcates a pixel region, and a color element formed in the pixel region by depositing droplets of a liquid material in the pixel region. The bank demarcates the pixel region such that the pixel region has a undulated portion. In the color element-equipped substrate, the liquid material can be applied to the entire pixel region. |
| US07667788B2 |
Illumination system for flat panel display device
An illumination system for a flat panel display device includes: a light guide plate made of an optically isotropic material; a light source disposed at a side of the light guide plate; an upper layer disposed on a top surface of the light guide plate and made of an optically anisotropic material; and a polarization selection emitting structure which is disposed at an interface of the light guide plate and the upper layer. The upper layer has two different refractive indices and one of the two refractive indices is the same as a refractive index of the light guide plate. In the polarization selection emitting structure differently polarized light is differently refracted, reflected, diffracted, or scattered based on polarization direction. |
| US07667786B2 |
Curved liquid-crystal display device and backlight used for curved liquid-crystal display device
Backlight with which the uniformity of brightness within a display area of a concavely curved liquid crystal display device is improved while fulfilling the demand for slimmer liquid-crystal display devices, as well as curved liquid-crystal display device including such a backlight. The shape of a frame, an optical sheet, and a scattering plate constituting the backlight unit is the same concavely curved shape as that of the concavely curved panel; and the liquid-crystal panel, the optical sheet, and cold-cathode luminescent lamps are arranged such that the concavely curved panel, the surface of a frame constituting the backlight unit that faces the concavely curved panel, an optical sheet surface, and a surface including the tube center axes of a plurality of cold-cathode luminescent lamps are parallel to each other. |
| US07667785B2 |
Optical separating filter
An optical separating filter separates impinging light into a first and a second part having different properties. The separating filter comprises reflective filters (FR) arranged in funnel shaped structures (F1). Each one of the structures (F1) have an inlet area (IA1) to receive the impinging light (IL) and an outlet area (OA1) smaller than the inlet area. (IA1) to converge reflected impinging light (RL) towards the outlet area (OA1). The structures (F1) comprise a first group of funnel shaped structures (F1) constructed to reflect light which has a first property (C1) towards their respective first outlet areas (OA1) and for transmitting light which has a second property (C2) towards respective second outlet areas (OA2). |
| US07667784B2 |
Liquid crystal display device with light block pattern and method of fabricating the same
A liquid crystal display device includes first and second substrates facing each other with a predetermined space therebetween, a liquid crystal material layer disposed between the first and second substrates, a seal pattern formed between the first and second substrates to surround the liquid crystal material layer, and a blocking layer formed over a first surface of the second substrate to cover the seal pattern. |
| US07667781B2 |
Picture quality adjusting device and a television set having a picture quality adjusting device
A television set carries out communications with a remote control. When the television set displays a picture based on a picture signal subjected to quality adjustment, a signal level of a quality adjustment parameter is obtained, and the data indicating the obtained signal level is transmitted to the remote control. The remote control displays the received data. The user checks the displayed data, and enters data for changing the signal level so that the remote control transmits the entered data to the television set. The television set receives the changed level data, and adjusts the quality relating to the picture signal based on the received level data. The television set displays the picture of the quality adjusted according to the signal level changed by the user. |
| US07667780B2 |
Digital signal transmitter synchronization system
Methods, and apparatus for carrying out the methods, are disclosed for synchronizing a plurality of RF transmitters that are supplied with a common digital information signal for carrier modulation and subsequent transmission on a common channel throughout a prescribed region, whereby the digital signal receivers within the region may receive transmissions on the channel from more than one transmitter. The method involves inserting reference signals into the data sent to the transmitters in order to place them into known states at specific times relative to the digital signals sent to them for transmission. As a result of this method, the digital signals transmitted by each of the transmitters will be identical to one another so that the receivers will be able to identify one received signal as the main signal and the others as echoes. If necessary, the signal transmitted by at least one of the synchronized transmitters may be delayed, such that identical digital signals received from at least two of the transmitters by receivers in the region will arrive at each receiver within a prescribed time window. The methods and apparatus also can be applied to one or a plurality of RF transmitters for purposes of synchronizing processes at the source of the signals and at the transmitters. |
| US07667778B2 |
Image processing apparatus and method, and recording medium and program used therewith
For a pixel of interest whose motion vector is not acquired in processing in the subsequent stage, motion vectors found for peripheral pixels around the pixel of interest in the processing in the subsequent stage, and evaluated values which represent the reliabilities of compensating candidate vectors, each consisting of a zero vector or the like, are calculated. The calculated evaluated values are compared, and a compensating candidate vector determined to have the highest probability is selectively acquired as the motion vector of the pixel of interest. The present invention is applicable to a signal processing apparatus for performing frame frequency conversion from a 24P signal to a 60P signal. |
| US07667767B2 |
System and method for three dimensional capture of stop-motion animated characters
A system and method are described for performing motion capture on stop-motion animated characters. For example, a method according to one embodiment of the invention comprises: embedding phosphor within a moldable material; forming one or more stop-motion objects from the moldable material to create a first phosphor pattern; exposing the moldable material to a light source; removing the light source; and capturing the first phosphor pattern with a first set of one or more cameras. |
| US07667766B2 |
Adjustable spectrum flash lighting for image acquisition
A light module associated with the camera provides flash light having a spectral content that is adjustable according to one or more drive signals. The light module includes one or more emitters of light of at least two different colors that are individually accessible to the one or more drive signals. The flash light is a mixture of the light from the one or more emitters. |
| US07667763B2 |
Image pickup equipment and method
A digital still camera records image data by picking up an image of an object. One mode is set among plural photographing modes including a standard photographing mode and a portrait mode adapted to an image containing an abrupt change in gradation. An optimized exposure amount is acquired according to brightness derived from the image data. When the portrait mode is set, portrait mode image data is acquired by setting exposure lower than the optimized exposure amount. The image data is processed in gradation conversion by use of first or second gamma conversion table. The first gamma conversion table is used for the standard photographing mode. The second gamma conversion table is used for the portrait mode, predetermined to extend a dynamic range of the image data after the gradation conversion in comparison with the first gamma conversion table, to process the portrait mode image data in gradation conversion. |
| US07667761B2 |
Optical imaging device for splitting an initial image into at least two images
There is provided an optical imaging device (18) for splitting an initial image into at least two images with different optical characteristics. The device comprises a dichroic mirror (32) to create first and second optical pathways respectively incident on first and second mirrors (41, 41′) carried on a centrally pivoted rotatable arm, characterised in that the first and second reflective means are moveable along the arm (42) whilst held in fixed relationship to each other, thereby to adjust separation of the first and second optical pathways. A third mirror (46) in fixed relationship to the beam splitter (32) is positioned adjacent where the first and second optical pathways intersect, or just before the intersection of the first and second optical pathways, or just after the point of intersection. |
| US07667760B2 |
Image sensor output correction device
An output compensating device capable of effectively correcting pixel signals composing an image taken and output by the image sensor having a wide dynamic range to be adaptively displayed with high quality and high contrast on a viewable screen area by using means for detecting a minimal value and a maximal value of sensor (pixel) signals output from the image sensor to be displayed on the screen area, means for offsetting the detected minimal value of the sensor signal to a lower limit value of the screen area and means for adjusting a gain of the sensor signal in such a way that an output width determined by the detected minimal and maximal values of the sensor signals may be equal to the maximal width or a specified width of the screen area. |
| US07667758B2 |
Image pickup apparatus for displaying images and information of states and method for controlling the same
A digital single-lens reflex camera determines whether a predetermined time has passed since the start of display. If the predetermined time has not passed yet, the camera performs face detection to determine if a user is looking into an optical finder of the camera. When the face detection is performed, a system control circuit identifies the present content displayed. When the displayed content is an ordinary image, photographing information, or attention-seeking alert, display of the content is immediately stopped. When the displayed content is alert prohibiting imaging, it is checked whether a switch operation has been performed. If the switch operation has not been performed at all, or a switch operation for canceling the displayed alert has not been performed, timer counting is cleared before the timer counting is initiated again. |
| US07667756B2 |
Solid-state imaging device driving apparatus and digital camera
A solid-state imaging device driving apparatus for generating a driving pulse for a solid-state imaging device includes a status memory 48 that stores a status data at each address as a logic value, a command data memory (42, 43, 46, 47) that stores command data sequentially stored, and an output control section (49) that generates the driving pulse based on the status data read from the address, designated by each command data, of the status memory 48. |
| US07667752B2 |
Semiconductor imaging sensor array devices with dual-port digital readout
Imaging sensors having dual-port for digital readout to pipeline readout processes of two different groups of pixels. |
| US07667750B2 |
Photoelectric-conversion-layer-stack-type color solid-state imaging device
A color solid-state imaging device including: a semiconductor substrate; a photoelectric conversion layer provided over the semiconductor substrate, for absorbing light of a first color among three primary colors so as to generate photocharges; plural charge storage regions arranged in a surface layer of the semiconductor substrate, for storing the photocharges; plural first photodiodes arranged in the surface layer of the substrate, for detecting mixed light of second and third colors among the three primary colors that has passed through the photoelectric conversion layer and for storing generated photocharges; plural second photodiodes arranged in the surface layer of the semiconductor substrate, for detecting light of the second color of the mixed light that has passed through the photoelectric conversion layer and for storing generated photocharges; color filter layers provided over the second photodiodes, for interrupting light of the third color; and signal reading units as defined herein. |
| US07667743B2 |
Recording apparatus
Based on a detection signal from a drop sensor, it is determined whether or not an apparatus is actually dropping. When the apparatus is determined to be dropping, access to a HDD for recording or reading is forbidden, while when the apparatus is determined not to be dropping, the access is allowed. When the access is allowed, a process which is performed immediately before the access is forbidden is resumed. |
| US07667742B2 |
Image pickup and reproducing apparatus
An image pickup position information acquisition unit acquires, from a position fixing unit, position information of an image pickup location of a moving image being picked up. A preceding image pickup position information storage unit stores position information of a preceding image pickup location as preceding image pickup position information. A change point detector compares the image pickup position information and the preceding image pickup position information. If the position indicated by the image pickup position information is spaced apart from the position indicated by the preceding image pickup position information by a predetermined distance, the change point detector detects the current position as a change point. The change point is recorded onto a change point position information. Thumbnail data generated by a thumbnail generator is recorded as a change point thumbnail. |
| US07667740B2 |
Elimination of modulated light effects in rolling shutter CMOS sensor images
Disclosed are digital imaging devices that embody a method for eliminating modulated light effects in rolling shutter CMOS sensor images. The digital imaging device comprises an image sensor utilizing an electronic rolling shutter, a processor and firmware for implementing the methods. Embodiments of the method comprise detecting the presence of light modulation and the frequency of the light modulation, and synchronizing the exposure times to the modulation cycle time. |
| US07667734B2 |
Liquid-crystal television set
A single IC-chip includes a video processor, a panel processor, an OSD circuit, a CPU, and a timing controller. A memory 18 stores one test pattern datum that is formed of one font datum of X dots in width and Y dots in height in order to test the position of any bright point, dark point, bright line or dark line on the screen of the liquid crystal panel. At a test step, the CPU acquires the test pattern datum from the memory, and a test pattern is created by the OSD circuit so as to display the test pattern at any desired position on the screen of the liquid crystal panel and to simultaneously display the address values of the origin of the display position of the test pattern. |
| US07667733B1 |
Computer monitor receiver
A computer monitor receiver for monitoring children's internet usage. The computer monitor receiver includes a video tap assembly operationally coupled between a video output and a video display device of an information handling system for routing a monitoring video signal, a signal transmission assembly for conditioning the monitoring video signal for transmission through a propagation channel, a receiver assembly for conditioning a signal received through the propagation channel and a video presentation device for displaying a real time substantially identical image of the video provided to a user being monitored. |
| US07667731B2 |
Video recorder
Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for recording video data of an event. The apparatuses include a processor communicating with memory. The memory stores video data of the event captured by a camera, and the video data includes a series of picture frames of the event. A loop buffer also stores video data of the event captured by the camera. A rule-based engine stored in the memory uses a set of rules to store the contents of the loop buffer in the memory. The apparatus utilizes the loop buffer to provide video data prior to occurrence of the event. |
| US07667728B2 |
Video and audio conferencing system with spatial audio
In some embodiments, spatially realistic audio may be provided for a conference call. Voices from participants on the left side of a display, in a conference call, may be directed through audio on the left side of the display at the other conferencing system in the conference call (similarly for voices from the center and right side of the display). In some embodiments, two speakers may be used in the system to create synthesized stereo sound at a location specified by directional information received as side information along with the existing audio channel. The location may be determined by using beamforming with integrated microphones on a camera or speakerphone. In some embodiments, the audio signal and directional information may be sent in the form of a left audio channel and a right audio channel. |
| US07667716B1 |
Apparatus and method for converting an object display description document
There is provided an apparatus for converting an object display description document, which enables to reduce load for displaying an image and a capacity necessary for storing document data. A browser including the apparatus is also provided. The apparatus comprises a generating means for generating, from a set of source objects in a document, a set of new objects to obtain a display image equivalent to a display image obtained from the set of source objects. The new objects are fewer than the set of source objects. |
| US07667715B2 |
Video, audio and graphics decode, composite and display system
A video, audio and graphics system uses multiple transport processors to receive in-band and out-of-band MPEG Transport streams, to perform PID and section filtering as well as DVB and DES decryption and to de-multiplex them. The system processes the PES into digital audio, MPEG video and message data. The system is capable of decoding multiple MPEG SLICEs concurrently. Graphics windows are blended in parallel, and blended with video using alpha blending. During graphics processing, a single-port SRAM is used equivalently as a dual-port SRAM. The video may include both analog video, e.g., NTSC/PAL/SECAM/S-video, and digital video, e.g., MPEG-2 video in SDTV or HDTV format. The system has a reduced memory mode in which video images are reduced in half in horizontal direction only during decoding. The system is capable of receiving and processing digital audio signals such as MPEG Layer 1 and Layer 2 audio and Dolby AC-3 audio, as well as PCM audio signals. The system includes a memory controller. The system includes a system bridge controller to interface a CPU with devices internal to the system as well as peripheral devices including PCI devices and I/O devices such as RAM, ROM and flash memory devices. The system is capable of displaying video and graphics in both the high definition (HD) mode and the standard definition (SD) mode. The system may output an HDTV video while converting the HDTV video and providing as another output having an SDTV format or another HDTV format. |
| US07667709B2 |
System and method for processing graphics operations with graphics processing unit
Disclosed is a system and method for processing graphic operations on a plurality of data structures of an image with a graphics processing unit and memory. The disclosed techniques of the system and method create an accumulation buffer of the data structures for accumulating changes to the data structures. A separate buffer is then created from at least a portion of the data structures of the accumulation buffer. The disclosed techniques read the data structures from the separate buffer with the graphics processing unit. The graphics processing unit operates on the data structures read from the separate buffer with the operation. Then, the disclosed techniques write the results of the operation onto the portion of the accumulation buffer corresponding to the separate buffer. |
| US07667708B2 |
Display controller, electronic instrument, and method of supplying image data
A display controller includes a memory storing at least three frames of image data, a write starting address register to which a write starting address is set, a read starting address register to which a read starting address is set, and a rotation control section performing control for reading out from the memory image data corresponding to an image whose orientation is rotated. When writing of the image data to the area designated by the write starting address is completed, the write starting address is updated and the previous value of the updated write starting address is set to the read starting address register. The image data corresponding to the rotated image is read out by the rotation control section 40 from an area of the memory designated by the read starting address, and then supplied to a display driver. |
| US07667707B1 |
Computer system for supporting multiple remote displays
A multi-display computer system comprises a host computer system that processes windowed desktop environments for multiple remote displays, multiple users or a combination of the two. For each display and for each frame, the multi-display processor responsively manages each necessary portion of a windowed desktop environment. The necessary portions of the windowed desktop environment are further processed, encoded, and where necessary, transmitted over the network to the remote display for each user. Embodiments integrate the multi-display processor with the graphics processing unit, network controller, main memory controller or a combination of the three. The encoding process is optimized for network traffic and special attention is made to assure that all users have low latency interactive capabilities. |
| US07667706B2 |
Data display system, data relay device, data relay method, data system, sink device, and data read method
A repeater comprises an EDID memory to store a control data and a memory control unit. The memory control unit is configured to make access to the EDID memory to read the control data therefrom, store the read control data into the EDID memory and, when access is made to the EDID memory by the set-top box, transfer the control data stored in the EDID memory to the set-top box. In this case, the memory control unit outputs an inhibiting signal to a set-top box to inhibit it from making access to the EDID memory until the completion of an operation of storing the control data from the EDID memory in the set-top box into the EDID memory in the repeater. |
| US07667705B2 |
System and method for controlling animation by tagging objects within a game environment
A game developer can “tag” an item in the game environment. When an animated character walks near the “tagged” item, the animation engine can cause the character's head to turn toward the item, and mathematically computes what needs to be done in order to make the action look real and normal. The tag can also be modified to elicit an emotional response from the character. For example, a tagged enemy can cause fear, while a tagged inanimate object may cause only indifference or indifferent interest. |
| US07667699B2 |
Fast rendering of pyramid lens distorted raster images
A method for generating a presentation of a region-of-interest in an information representation including the steps of: selecting a viewpoint for the region-of-interest; creating a lens surface for the region-of-interest; the lens surface having a focal region and a shoulder region surrounding the focal region; creating a transformed presentation by: determining boundaries in the representation for the focal region and the shoulder region; determining boundaries on the lens surface corresponding to the boundaries in the representation by applying a distortion function defining the lens surface to the boundaries in the representation; perspectively projecting the boundaries on the lens surface onto a plane spaced from the viewpoint; and, copying information in the representation lying within the boundaries in the representation onto the focal region and the shoulder region of the lens surface using respective focal region and shoulder region stretch bit-block transfer operations; and, displaying the transformed presentation on a display screen to generate the presentation of the region-of-interest. |
| US07667697B2 |
Organic electro-luminescence display device and method of driving the same
The present invention relates to an organic electro-luminescence display device and a method of driving the same that is adaptive for reducing power consumption by removing an unnecessary current as well as for improving a uniformity of a display screen. An organic electro-luminescence display device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a display panel in which a plurality of data lines and a plurality of scan lines cross each other and electro-luminescence elements are arranged at the crosses; a pre-charge driver, which detects a gray level of digital video data to be realized at a Nth when a data current corresponding to a gray level of digital video data to be realized at a (N−1)th and calculates a pre-charge current corresponding to the detected gray level of digital video data to supply the calculated pre-charge current to the electro-luminescence elements; a data driver for supplying data to the electro-luminescence elements charged with the pre-charge current; and a scan driver for supplying a san pulse, synchronized with the data, to the scan lines. |
| US07667696B2 |
Plasma display apparatus
The present invention relates to a plasma display apparatus, and more particularly, to a plasma display apparatus for preventing Electromagnetic Interference (EMI). The plasma display apparatus of the present invention comprises a plasma display panel comprising an electrode, and at least one of a first capacitor connected between a sustain voltage source for supplying a sustain voltage to the electrodes and a first ground voltage source, a second capacitor connected between a scan voltage source for supplying a scan voltage to the electrodes and a second ground voltage source, and a third capacitor connected between a set-up voltage source for supplying a set-up voltage to the electrodes and a third ground voltage source. |
| US07667694B2 |
Touch panel device and contract position detection method
A burst wave is applied to an excitation element of a touch panel main body from an oscillation section so as to excite surface acoustic waves, and the excited surface acoustic waves are received by a receiving element of the touch panel main body. The received signals are A/D converted by a receiving section, and a control section calculates the contact position and the contact width of the object in contact with the touch panel main body, based on time-series changes in the received strength. Based on the received strength of surface acoustic waves, the control section controls the wave number of the burst wave to be applied to the excitation element. |