| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US07707619B2 |
Method and system for troubleshooting when a program is adversely impacted by a security policy
A method and system for selectively excluding a program from a security policy is provided. The security system receives from a user an indication of a program with a problem that is to be excluded from the security policy. When the program executes and a security enforcement event occurs, the security system does not apply the security policy. If the problem appears to be resolved as a result of excluding the program from the security policy, then the user may assume that the security policy is the cause of the problem. |
| US07707618B1 |
System and method for implementing access controls using file protocol rule sets
A system and method for limiting access using file-level protocol rule sets. A rule set, comprising of an ordered set of rules, is associated with a virtual file system (VFS). When a data access request is received, the network address of the client originating the data access request is utilized to select a matching rule from the rule set for use in determining access to the VFS. The selected rule is then processed to determine if the data access request is permitted. |
| US07707617B2 |
Dual mode tuner for co-existing digital and analog television signals
A dual mode tuner/receiver is disclosed in which both analog and digital signals can be received and processed. A low pass filter allows all channels below a selected frequency enter the circuit. A precisely controlled dual conversion circuit creates an intermediate frequency (IF) signal. An automatic carrier detection circuit monitors the IF signal and determines whether the signal is of analog or digital format and intermediate frequency filters are adjusted based upon the type of signal detected. A coherent oscillator circuit generates in-phase and quadrature reference signals that are used by video and audio detectors for further processing of the IF signal. In-phase and quadrature outputs are provided for digital signals and composite video and audio outputs are provided for analog signals. |
| US07707615B2 |
Establishing a return path in a forward path cable television testing environment
A system and method for establishing a return path in a cable television test environment. A cable television test environment comprising a plurality of head-ends connected to a plurality of set top boxes through a one-way forward matrix switch having “M” inputs and “N” outputs is adapted to provide a reverse path for each of the available “N” outputs. A low band reverse signal is received from each of a plurality of set top boxes. The low band reverse signal from each of the plurality of set top boxes is combined to produce a composite signal. The composite signal is split into a plurality of composite signal sources. Each of the composite signal sources is sent to each of the plurality of head-ends (M) via the transmission means connecting that head-end to the matrix switch. The low band composite QPSK signal from the source diplexer travels in the reverse direction to the head-end. Each head-end is assigned a unique set of frequencies for return communications from the STBs serviced by that head-end. A QPSK demodulator in a head-end demodulates its assigned return frequencies as they appear in the low band composite QPSK signal. |
| US07707613B1 |
Individualized parameter control for multiple media sources in a data processing system
A multimedia system has multiple media sources switchable under user control to a common set of output presentation devices. A table stores parameter values for each media source separately, so that selection of a source changes the parameters of the displayed media to values appropriate for that source. A user input device has selection keys, and also has keys for modifying the values of the parameters. The modified parameter values are stored in the table, so that they persist when the same media device is selected at a later time. |
| US07707608B2 |
Messaging protocol for interactive delivery system
Efficient messaging techniques that facilitate interactive program guide (IPG) delivery and allow a terminal to specifically designate requested items of information from a server. The IPG can be provided via a number of IPG pages, with each page including a number of defined regions. In one method, selection for a particular region of a particular page is received at a terminal and a determination is made whether the selected region is currently received. If the answer is no, a request for the selected region is generated and sent to a server. The request can conform to a particular message format that includes a number of fields, e.g., a region ID field that identifies the selected region, a subtype field that identifies a particular type, a time slot field that identifies a specific time slot, and a page offset field that identifies a specific page from among many. |
| US07707607B2 |
Method and apparatus of providing and receiving video services in digital audio broadcasting (DAB) system
There are provided a method and apparatus for providing and receiving a video service in digital audio broadcasting (DAB). The video service providing method includes: storing information related to encoding of a provided video service stream and information related to packetization of the video service stream in a channel different from a service data channel; and multiplexing the information related to encoding of the video service stream and the information related to packetization of the video service stream to create a DAB transmission frame, and transmitting the DAB transmission frame. Therefore, by allowing different types of DAB receivers to uniformly process video services, it is possible to achieve high efficiency in video service processing and controlling. |
| US07707603B2 |
Digital media transfer based on user behavior
A collection of digital media is stored at a source device and transferred to a target device. A subset of the collection may be transferred based on a priority related to a points assigned by a user's rating of particular digital media and on rules based on particular user actions. |
| US07707599B1 |
Customer support services via a cable services network
Methods and systems provide customer support services through interactive television sessions via a cable services network. Cable services customers may pay bills or enroll in automatic bill payment via interactive television sessions. Information on pending work orders, answers to frequently asked questions and helpful service provider contact information may be obtained from a data services system through an interactive television session via a cable services network. |
| US07707593B2 |
Object models enabling hosting content in a plurality of environments
Software programming models are provided for supporting host-environment agnostic content that can be hosted in different hosting environments (e.g., browser or window) without needing to rewrite the content. The models comprise a host-environment abstraction wrapper that provides a transparent layer of abstraction between content and host-environment specific instructions. The host-environment abstraction wrapper supports the use of host-environment independent interaction instructions or declarative statements in content by invoking host-environment specific implementation details on behalf of the content. The host-environment independent interaction instructions represent particular interactions between some content and a hosting environment, but do not provide host-environment implementation instructions that are specific to any particular hosting environment. |
| US07707591B2 |
Integration of audio or video program with application program
An application program and an audio or video program may run on an operating system. The audio or video program is integrated with the application program. A user of the application program interacts with the audio or video program as though the audio or video program were part of the application program. |
| US07707586B2 |
Operating system independent agent
Described is a computing platform comprising a host processing system to host an operating system, a communication adapter to transmit data to or and receive data from a data transmission medium, and a non-volatile storage. The computing platform may also comprise an agent executable independently of the operating system to enable read-only or read/write access to at least a portion of the non-volatile storage. |
| US07707585B2 |
Method, system, and program product for monitoring message flow in a message queuing system
System, method, and computer program product for automatically monitoring message flow in a message queuing system in an asynchronous messaging network. A message queuing application programming interface appends, in a message descriptor field for recording and monitoring message flow, unique application identification keys of applications that process the message, operation codes applied to the message, and time stamps of operations applied during message processing. The keys are generated by the start-up of the applications and are filled in by each PUT and GET function of the API. After processing of the message, the entries included in the message descriptor field are monitored, and any deviation from a predefined message flow is automatically detected and reported. |
| US07707584B2 |
Method and apparatus for synchronizing calls in a server and client system
In a client and server system the execution of calls is synchronized to maintain a correct execution of a service application. At the server, calls are executed asynchronously by a plurality of threads, and when a thread change occurs, a synchronization call is generated and transmitted to the client, including a server call counter value indicating a number of calls executed at the server. With every synchronization call, the client determines whether the server call counter value corresponds to a current client call counter value. If the counter values are identical, the correct sequence of execution is maintained, but if they differ, an overtake condition has occurred, indicating that service calls from a first thread were overtaken by a second thread. The thread and service calls which have overtaken other service calls are placed into a wait condition to maintain the correct order of execution of service calls. |
| US07707583B2 |
Robust sharing of runtime systems
Methods and apparatus, including computer systems and program products, for sharing objects in runtime systems and for providing isolation between user sessions in a scalable manner. A user context corresponding to a user session is stored in a shared memory area. Upon receiving a request corresponding to the user session, a process is selected from a set of operating system processes, and a runtime system is selected from a set of runtime systems. The runtime system is bound to the process, and the user context is associated with the runtime system to process the request. In some implementations, sharing user contexts enables virtual machines to be used in a shared but isolated manner: Each user context can be exclusively associated with an available virtual machine from a fixed set of virtual machines, and each virtual machine can be exclusively executed in an available process from a fixed set of processes. |
| US07707581B2 |
Method and system for managing server load to execute transactions of an application program on multiple servers
A method and system for managing server load to execute groups of transactions of an application program on N servers. A condition, ascertained for each transaction group, is that a current value of global multiplicity is not or is, respectively, less than a specified maximum value of global multiplicity. For each transaction group, an instruction is or is not issued to each server to change a current value of the maximum permitted local multiplicity for each server to a new value of the maximum permitted local multiplicity. For each transaction group: global multiplicity denotes a number of transactions concurrently performed by the N servers collectively; and local multiplicity for each server denotes a number of transactions concurrently performed by each server. The issuing or not issuing depends on the ascertained condition and whether the current value of the maximum local multiplicity is a default value for each server. |
| US07707578B1 |
Mechanism for scheduling execution of threads for fair resource allocation in a multi-threaded and/or multi-core processing system
A thread scheduling mechanism is provided that flexibly enforces performance isolation of multiple threads to alleviate the effect of anti-cooperative execution behavior with respect to a shared resource, for example, hoarding a cache or pipeline, using the hardware capabilities of simultaneous multi-threaded (SMT) or multi-core processors. Given a plurality of threads running on at least two processors in at least one functional processor group, the occurrence of a rescheduling condition indicating anti-cooperative execution behavior is sensed, and, if present, at least one of the threads is rescheduled such that the first and second threads no longer execute in the same functional processor group at the same time. |
| US07707570B2 |
Communication method and communication system, and information receiving device used in the communication system
A user machine is made aware of a need for communication to update a version of a firmware by communication from a service center (a notification that the latest version has been released). After shutting off this communication once, communication is carried out between the official service center and the user machine by the user machine commencing communication with the official service center, the contact information of which is stored, and the service center provides information for updating the new version to the user machine in this communication state. |
| US07707569B2 |
Method and apparatus for customizing model to code transformations
A method and system customize and thus extend a fixed mapping between a computer program code language and a code-model notation. Given a fixed mapping, the invention method and system define customization points in the mapping based on known/predefined relatively over rigid points. For each customization point, there is a respective mapping key that enables a piece of the computer program code to be derived from a corresponding piece of the code-model, and vice versa. The code-model reflects the customizable perspective, and contents of the code-model can be tailored to elide implementation details. |
| US07707568B2 |
Compiler optimization
An optimization method that optimizes programs is disclosed. A pattern for multiple instructions is used to replace one of a plurality of partial programs with a replacement set of instructions. The partial program to be optimized is detected within a first set of instructions. The first set of instructions is transformed in the one of the plurality of partial programs and is replaced with the replacement set of instructions. |
| US07707567B2 |
Information processing method, information-processing apparatus, recording medium, and program
An information-processing method usable by an information-processing apparatus is provided. The information-processing-apparatus is used for editing state-transition information usable to construct a state-transition diagram including information on the operation in each of states, information on events each possibly occurring in each specific one of the states to result in a transition, and information on transition directions each indicating the direction of a transition caused by each of the events possibly occurring in the states. The method includes searching for a hardware event not assigned yet as any one of the events, assigning a hardware are event found in a search process carried out at the searching step as a shortcut event if the events include the software event, generating the state-transition diagram on the basis of the state-transition information, and displaying the state-transition diagram. |
| US07707565B2 |
Method for consistent and efficient management of program configuration and customizing data
A computer system and computer program product executing a method for consistent and efficient management of program configuration and customizing data for a business application program. According to one method, an existing or newly created version of a global switch configuration is provided in a cache shared by one or more other programs. The cached switch configuration provides a configuration for a switch framework that governs access to one or more program functions of a business application. The cached switch configuration is then attached to the business application to provide an attached version of the switch configuration. Compatibility between the attached version of the switch configuration and the business application is determined. If compatibility exists, the business application program is executed in accordance with the attached version of the switch configuration. |
| US07707563B2 |
System and method for network-based computing
A network-based computing system that automates, simplifies, and optimizes the compilation, deployment, and execution of an application by any type of a client machine connected to a server via any type of a network connection. The system includes a client runtime environment, a server runtime environment and an object-oriented markup-business logic binding mechanism. The client runtime environment manages client side code and screen definitions. The server runtime environment dynamical compiles code to ensure client platform compatibility. The system delivers network applications on demand, by separating them into lightweight modules and delivering these modules. |
| US07707562B1 |
Code translation verification
The present invention translation verification system and method verifies code fragment translations and/or optimizations that are bounded by externally observable information. |
| US07707558B2 |
Operating system loader modification
Systems and methods for computer security are provided. In one implementation, a computer-implemented method is provided. The method includes applying a hook to a kernel of an operating system, monitoring system calls made to the kernel using the hook, and injecting a new entry into a list of files assembled by a loader to create a new process when the hook identifies a create process system call. In another implementation, the method can further include initializing the injected new entry where the injected new entry is operable to examine process files prior to loading, examining the process files, and acting on the process according to a result of the examination. |
| US07707550B2 |
Supervisory process control and manufacturing information system application having an extensible component model
A template-based supervisory process control and manufacturing information application development facility is disclosed that includes a number of time-saving application development tools that significantly enhance design productivity and allow re-using of previously developed application building blocks. The development facility includes an application object template library that stores a set of previously defined application object templates. The template library is accessed by developers through a configuration utility that facilitates specifying instances of the set of previously defined application object templates to be included in an application. Thereafter, application objects are instantiated from the selected ones of the set of previously defined application object templates in a build of the specified application. |
| US07707548B2 |
Integration of information distribution systems
An integration component assists in the integration of information distribution systems (IDSs). The integration component may help to identify the scope of the systems that are to be integrated using a multi-level top-down approach. The multi-level top-down approach may include five levels: a system software level, a business process level, a business rule level, an interface function level, and a data level. A fault detection component may then check the identified systems to identify potential faults. This check can be performed by representing the business rules as a Transition-Directed-Graph (TDG) and then processing the TDG using generic depth-first search (DFS)-based algorithms. |
| US07707539B2 |
Facilitating process model accuracy by modeling mask corner rounding effects
An embodiment provides systems and techniques for determining an improved process model which models mask corner rounding (MCR) effects. During operation, the system may receive a mask layout and process data which was generated by applying a photolithography process to the mask layout. The system may also receive an uncalibrated process model which may contain a set of MCR components. Next, the system may identify a set of corners in the mask layout. The system may then modify the mask layout in proximity to the set of corners to obtain a modified mask layout. Alternatively, the system may determine a set of mask layers. Next, the system may determine an improved process model by calibrating the uncalibrated process model using the modified mask layout and/or the set of mask layers, and the process data. |
| US07707538B2 |
Multivariable solver for optical proximity correction
The method of the invention tracks how the collective movement of edge segments in a mask layout alters the resist image values at control points in the layout and simultaneously determines a correction amount for each edge segment in the layout. A multisolver matrix that represents the collective effect of movements of each edge segment in the mask layout is used to simultaneously determine the correction amount for each edge segment in the mask layout. |
| US07707537B2 |
Method and apparatus for generating layout regions with local preferred directions
Some embodiments of the invention provide a method for defining wiring directions in a design layout having several wiring layers. The method decomposes a first wiring layer into several non-overlapping regions. It assigns at least two different local preferred wiring directions to at least two of the regions. In some embodiment, the method decomposing the first wiring layer by using the vertices of items in the layout to decompose the layout. In some of these embodiments, the item include macro blocks. The method of some embodiments also identifies several power via arrays on the first wiring layer, and identifies a local preferred wiring direction based on the arrangement of the power via arrays on the first wiring layer. |
| US07707535B2 |
Stitched IC chip layout design structure
Stitched integrated circuit (IC) chip layout design structures are disclosed. In one embodiment, a design structure embodied in a machine readable medium used in a design process includes: an integrated circuit (IC) chip layout exceeding a size of a photolithography tool field, the IC chip layout including: a plurality of stitched regions including at least one redundant stitched region or at least one unique stitched region; and for each stitched region: a boundary identification identifying a boundary of the stitched region at which stitching occurs. |
| US07707534B2 |
Circuit board design tool and methods
A design tool for printed circuit boards displays a graphical representation of a printed circuit board layout through a graphical user interface (GUI). Comments for particular components of the printed circuit board layout can be entered through the graphical user interface. The comments are stored in a data file associated with the printed circuit board layout. Comments can be entered and viewed by multiple users in real time. Comments can be displayed through the graphical user interface in proximity to the component associated with the comment, thereby improving the efficiency with which designers can review and implement suggested changes to the PCB layout. |
| US07707533B2 |
Data-mining-based knowledge extraction and visualization of analog/mixed-signal/custom digital circuit design flow
A system and method of generating a set of circuit simulation data, applying data mining to for knowledge extraction from the data, and graphically presenting the extracted knowledge in a format that is easy to digest to a designer. |
| US07707530B2 |
Incremental timing-driven, physical-synthesis using discrete optimization
A method, data processing system and computer program product for optimizing the placement of logic gates of a subcircuit in a physical synthesis flow. A Path Smoothing utility identifies one or more movable gates based on at least one selection criteria. A set of legalized candidate locations corresponding to one or more identified movable gates is generated. A disjunctive timing graph based on the generated set of legalized candidate locations is then generated. An optimal location of one or more movable gate(s) is determined using a recursive branch-and-bound search and stored in the computing device. |
| US07707529B2 |
Method for the computer-aided ascertainment of a clock tree structure, and integrated semiconductor circuit
A method for the computer-aided ascertainment of a clock tree structure which couples a clock generation unit to a multiplicity of switching elements ascertains first switching elements from the multiplicity of switching elements, the first switching elements infringing a prescribed, first time-based switching criterion. In further method steps, the first switching elements are linked to the clock generation unit, and a first buffer element is inserted between the clock generation unit and the first switching elements. An integrated semiconductor circuit has a multiplicity of switching elements which are coupled to a clock generation unit via a clock tree structure. It also has a multiplicity of first switching elements which infringe a time-based switching criterion, which multiplicity is ascertained from the multiplicity of switching elements. A buffer element is inserted into the clock tree structure between the clock generation unit and the first switching elements. |
| US07707528B1 |
System and method for performing verification based upon both rules and models
Methods and systems for integrating both models and rules into a verification flow to address both of these issues. Models are employed to perform simulations to provide more accurate verification results. In addition, the lithography simulation results can be used to fine-tune the rules themselves to provide a more realistic check upon circuit designs. |
| US07707527B2 |
Huygens' box methodology for signal integrity analysis
A method for performing a signal integrity analysis on an integrated circuit (IC) that includes a plurality of scatterers by dividing the scatterers into subgroups using a nested Huygens' equivalence principle algorithm and solving a set of equations realized thereby with a reduced coupling matrix. The method includes decomposing the IC design into a plurality of small non-overlapping circuit sub-domains, wherein each of the sub-domains is formed as a small, enclosed region. Each sub-domain is analyzed independently of the other sub-domains using only electric fields to represent the interactions of each sub-domains with the other sub-domains as equivalent currents on equivalent surfaces of the plurality of sub-domains. Neighboring equivalent sub-domains are grouped together to form larger sub-domains using equivalent currents on equivalent surfaces to represent the interactions of the sub-domains. The steps of analyzing and grouping the sub-domains are repeated until the grouping approaches a box comprising the entire domain, and that the domain interactions between every sub-domain have been analyzed. |
| US07707525B2 |
Reliability simulation method for a PCB assembly
The present invention relates to a method for finding design weakness and potential field failure of a PCB assembly which includes components, comprising the steps of: (a) creating a model of the PCB assembly by which natural frequencies and mode shapes of the PCB assembly can be determined; (b) performing a natural frequencies simulation for determining natural frequencies and mode shapes of the PCB assembly; and (c) analyzing said determined natural frequencies and mode shapes and identifying local dominant oscillations of components, components identified as having a local dominant oscillation in at least one of said determined mode shapes are identified as components having a relatively high potential of field failure. |
| US07707524B2 |
Osculating models for predicting the operation of a circuit structure
Various techniques and tools are disclosed for providing an osculating model of a circuit, which can be used to more accurately predict the circuit's operation. The parameters for a general model of the circuit are determined such that the general model matches desired circuit characteristics at one or more points. The parameters for the general model are determined such that the slopes of the general model at those points also match desired circuit characteristics. These determined parameters are used to create an osculating model specific to the circuit. The osculating model of the circuit can be employed to predict the operation of the circuit. Particular implementations of these techniques and tools may be used to predict the timing characteristics of a circuit having a capacitive, inductive, or magnetically-coupled load. |
| US07707519B2 |
Searchable registers
The invention relates to a device for displaying information, data and/or input elements on an interface (4), in particular on a screen, with at least one register (1) for displaying a subset of information, data and/or input elements, with the at least one register having a selectable, sensitive area on the interface and with means for showing the content (2) of the at least one register (1) on selection of the sensitive area (11) of the register (1). |
| US07707514B2 |
Management of user interface elements in a display environment
A widget manager facilitates management of widgets in a dashboard layer. Management functions can include enablement, preview, importation, exportation, organization, installation, deletion, acquisition, etc. |
| US07707512B2 |
Context switching and method
Systems and methods for context switching within enterprise resource planning systems are contemplated, including a first and second user context. A user performing tasks in the first user context actuates an actuator in communication with a context switcher. The context switcher changes the user's user context from the first user context to the second user context in response to an event. The user is then able to perform tasks in the second user context. |
| US07707511B2 |
Interactive risk management system and method
An interactive risk management system and method for a business or other organization generates a graphic display to the user, through the browser, to display a mapping of processes used in conducting the business or the affairs of the organization and allow the user to selectively view additional data, such as messages describing risks associated with the process selected. The user may navigate thorough and among the processes to access and review associated data, allowing the user to gain information about selected processes and associated risks. |
| US07707508B1 |
Methods and apparatus for efficient layout of digital content
Methods, software and a system for providing an efficient layout of digital content are presented. A plurality of digital content is received and rendered in a plurality of layouts. Each of the plurality of layouts comprises the plurality of digital content arranged in a plurality of cells within the layout. The white space area is calculated a white space area for each of the plurality of layouts. The white space area comprises a cumulative area calculated from an area within each of the cells not contained by the respective digital content. A layout is selected, from the plurality of layouts, for rendering within a layout region, based on the white space area. |
| US07707507B1 |
Method and system for configuring a graphical user interface based upon a user profile
The present invention comprises a graphical user interface, including methods and apparatus for configuring and implementing such an interface. One or more embodiments of the invention comprise a graphical user interface comprising a main window including a navigation viewport and a data viewport, the navigation viewport arranged to display navigation selectable elements and the data viewport arranged to display information associated with an application associated with one or more of the navigation selectable elements. One embodiment of the invention comprises a method of configuring a graphical user interface based upon user or device information. One embodiment of the invention comprises a method of controlling the navigation of the graphical user interface based upon user or device information. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the graphical user interface is associated with a gaming system which includes at least one gaming device. |
| US07707505B1 |
Dynamic tabs for a graphical user interface
A dynamic, intelligent user interface for an on-line, virtual application whereby user input customizes the subsequent display of application data and queries presented to the user/applicant. The present invention includes a facility for intelligent editing, data state presentation, and error flagging and correction. In one embodiment of the present invention, the intelligent user interface is implemented as part of a series of dynamically generated web pages (a form set) presented to a user of an ecommerce Internet web site. This presentation is in the form of a collection of tabbed panes of data, the selected pane being displayed on a web page, wherein each pane contains one or more pages of data and queries. This organization and presentation of the virtual application provides re-entrant editing; error trapping, flagging, and correction; and easy navigation from sub-pane to sub-pane (page to page) within each pane and from pane to pane using the tabs and conventional browser Back and Forward button functionality. |
| US07707504B2 |
Offline configuration tool for secure store administration
A system and method are provided for a configuration tool to administer a secure store file. In an embodiment, a front-end layer of the configuration tool displays a visual representation of one or more properties stored in a secure store file. The configuration tool may receive input identifying one of the displayed properties. In an embodiment, the configuration tool uses a logical task to set a value for the selected property in a data layer of the configuration tool. |
| US07707501B2 |
Visual marker for speech enabled links
A method for notifying a user that a link is enabled for activation through voice input. The method can display a visual marker for a hyperlink to indicate that the hyperlink is activatable thorough voice input. The visual marker is not displayed for the hyperlink when the hyperlink is not activatable through voice input even if the hyperlink is activatable through other forms of user input. Visual markers can include such indicators as double underlining the hyperlink, surrounding the hyperlink with a box, and altering the background color of the hyperlink. |
| US07707500B2 |
User interface for media item portion search tool
A user interface for accessing and utilizing a media item portion database. In one aspect, the database entry comprises a data container. In another aspect, the media item portion entries may be used to identify media item portions used in creating composite media items. |
| US07707496B1 |
Method, system, and apparatus for converting dates between calendars and languages based upon semantically labeled strings
A method, system, and apparatus are provided for converting dates between calendars and languages. When a string of text is entered into an application program, the string is analyzed to determine whether the string of text includes a date. If the string of text includes a date, the date is semantically labeled with schema information that identifies the calendar and language used to express the date. When a selection is received of the date or an indication that the date is labeled with schema information, a list of actions may be provided identifying conversion options available for the date. One of the conversion options may then be selected resulting in the conversion of the selected date to the calendar and language identified by the selected action. The converted date may then be inserted into the string of text to replace the selected date. |
| US07707494B2 |
Information processing apparatus, control method therefor, and program
A reference size when data of a data field is laid out in a page is decided on the basis of the data display sizes of data fields having the same data field name in a plurality of types of records. A data field having a data display size corresponding to the decided reference size is chosen from the data fields having the same data field name in the plurality of types of records. Data of the data field is laid out in the page on the basis of the data display size of the chosen data field. |
| US07707491B2 |
Optimizing differential XML processing by leveraging schema and statistics
Statistical information about instance documents and schema information are used to integrate multiple state transitions that enable sectioning of a structure document, thereby generating an optimum automaton. In integrating state transitions, consecutively matching state transitions are held in the form of an ID list, which is then used to count the number of consecutive state transitions. Furthermore, patterns in the number of occurrences of repetitive elements including nested elements are statistically obtained. Variations of blanks in XML are addressed by using a statistical method. Schema information is used to build an automaton beforehand, thereby initialization overhead of the syntax parsing apparatus is reduced. |
| US07707488B2 |
Analyzing lines to detect tables in documents
Various technologies and techniques detect tables in vector graphics based documents and use them in meaningful ways. The system detects at least one table in a vector graphics based document using a set of rules. The rules include analyzing a set of content representing horizontal and vertical lines to find intersections and identifying table cells based on the intersections. Once identified, the table content is translated into a modified format. The content can be output to a destination application in the modified format that is more suitable for output or use by the destination application. |
| US07707476B2 |
Decoder device and decoding method and program
A device and a method that improve decoding characteristics of an LDPC decoder to which SPA where the equation for the computation of messages is approximated and the number of messages are reduced is applied. A received LDPC code is decoded by repeating the passing of messages between a plurality of check nodes and a plurality of bit nodes corresponding to a check matrix, and messages sent from one of the check nodes to one of the bit nodes out of messages sent from the one of bit nodes to the one of check nodes are weighted at the one of bit nodes so that the longer ago the messages are computed at the one of check nodes, the less influential they become. |
| US07707474B2 |
Outer loop power control with transport block diversity transmission
The invention proposes a method for controlling a variable of transmission between a mobile network element and a fixed network element, wherein the transmission is effected by repeatedly sending of data units, and a control of the variable of the transmission based on a target data unit error rate is performed, the method comprising the steps of detecting (S2), whether a received data unit includes an error, analyzing (S3), in case an error is detected, the transmission number of the data unit, detecting (S4), whether the analyzed diversity of the data unit is equal to a target transmission number, and forwarding (S5) the data unit to a network control element in case the transmission number of the data unit is equal to the target transmission number, or in case no error is detected. The invention also proposes a corresponding fixed network element and a corresponding network control element. |
| US07707473B2 |
Integrated testing apparatus, systems, and methods
Embodiments herein may enable an algorithmic pattern generator (APG) to present iterative values of one or more operational parameters to a device under test (DUT). At each iteration, one or more test patterns may be presented to the DUT. The APG may capture test results from a set of iterations of the operational parameters. The APG may also write values associated with a next operational parameter to be iterated to a test parameter configuration space within the device tester. |
| US07707469B2 |
Memory test system including semiconductor memory device suitable for testing an on-die termination, and method thereof
Example embodiments relate to a memory test system having a semiconductor memory device, a coupling circuit and a tester. The semiconductor memory device may include a plurality of first output nodes and a plurality of second output nodes. The first output nodes may be connected to respective first on-die termination circuits that may not be tested, and the second output nodes may be connected to second on-die termination circuits that may be tested. The semiconductor memory device may be configured to generate test signals of the second on-die termination circuits and to provide the test signals to the second output nodes. The coupling circuit may be configured to connect the first output nodes and the second output nodes to communication channels, respectively. The tester may be configured to test a logic state of the test signals of the communication channels. |
| US07707468B2 |
System and method for electronic testing of multiple memory devices
A testing device may include a memory controller managing a transfer of data; and a plurality of interface boards. Each interface board includes a controller buffer. Each controller buffer transfers data between the memory controller and at least one memory module. The memory controller tests the at least one memory module. The testing device is operable to test the at least one memory module independent of an operating rate of the at least one memory module. The memory controller receives operating data of the at least one memory module. |
| US07707466B2 |
Shared latch for memory test/repair and functional operations
A memory device includes a latch component including a first input configured to receive a functional data bit associated with a functional operation, a second input configured to receive a memory test/repair data bit associated with a memory test operation, and a latch comprising a data input and a data output and select logic configured to selectively connect one of the first input or the second input to the data input of the latch based on a mode of operation of the memory device. A method includes operating a memory device in a first mode associated with a memory test operation and in a second mode associated with a functional operation. The method further includes storing a memory test/repair data bit at a latch component of the memory device in the first mode and storing a functional data bit at the latch component in the second mode. |
| US07707465B2 |
Routing of shared I/O fabric error messages in a multi-host environment to a master control root node
A computer-implemented method, apparatus, and computer program product are disclosed for routing error messages in a multiple host computer system environment to only those host computer systems that are affected by the error. The environment includes multiple host computer systems that share multiple devices utilizing a switched fabric. An error is detected in one of the devices. Routing tables that are stored in fabric devices in the fabric are used to identify ones of the host computer systems that are affected by the error. An error message that identifies the error is routed to only the identified ones of the host computer systems. |
| US07707461B2 |
Digital media drive failure prediction system and method
A digital media drive failure prediction system comprises a prediction module configured to analyze a current draw associated with a digital media drive measured at least two different operating times of the digital media drive to automatically determine whether a different between the measured current draws indicates an impending failure of the digital media drive. |
| US07707460B2 |
Method, apparatus and program storage device for protecting data writes in a data storage device
A method, apparatus and program storage device for protecting data write operations against write failures in a data storage device is provided. The data storage device includes a storage medium, a write cache including a copy of data written to the storage medium, and a controller configured for testing data write operations to the storage medium. The controller tests data write operations to the storage medium before the write cache is flushed to confirm that it is safe to flush the write cache. If the test fails, the data in the write cache can be recovered. |
| US07707458B2 |
Self-test system
An electronic system comprising a system to be monitored (2) and a plurality of fault-monitoring systems (4, 6) each of which is adapted to output a fault signal when an input indicates that the electronic system is in a fault condition associated with the fault-monitoring system. The fault-monitoring systems are arranged in a cascade fashion such that a fault signal output from one fault-monitoring system (4) is provided as an input to a subsequent fault-monitoring system (6) in the cascade of fault-monitoring systems to simulate a fault condition associated with the subsequent fault-monitoring system. The output of the final fault-monitoring system in the cascade gives an indication of whether there is a fault with any of the fault-monitoring systems. |
| US07707449B2 |
Systems and methods for low power multi-rate data paths
Various systems and methods for low power multi-rate data paths are disclosed. As one example, a semiconductor device that includes a multi-rate data path is discussed. The multi-rate data path includes at least two register circuits with an output of one of the register circuits electrically coupled to an input of the other register circuit via a combinational logic block. In addition, the semiconductor device includes a control circuit that is operable to modify the rate at which the multi-rate data path operates by selectably bypassing at least one of the register circuits. |
| US07707442B2 |
Semiconductor device including a plurality of units and a control circuit for varying the power supplied to the plurality of units
A semiconductor device capable of stabilizing power supply by suppressing power consumption as much as possible. The semiconductor device of the invention includes a central processing unit having a plurality of units and a control circuit, and an antenna. The control circuit includes a means for outputting, based on a power supply signal including data on power supply from an antenna (through an antenna) or a load signal obtained by an event signal supplied from each of the units, one or more of a first control signal for stopping power supply to one or more of the units, a second control signal for varying a power supply potential supplied to one or more of the units, and a third control signal for stopping supplying a clock signal to one or more of the units. |
| US07707440B2 |
Power supply unit for an electronic device such as an electronic device having a tuner
A power supply unit for an electronic device comprises a three-terminal regulator in a high voltage connection line between a high voltage terminal of a DC power supply circuit and a microcomputer for reducing voltage from the high voltage terminal to a lower first voltage. A low voltage connection line between a low voltage terminal of the power supply circuit and the microcomputer is connected to the high voltage connection line at a connection point on output side of the regulator. In standby mode, voltage from the high voltage terminal, set higher than the first voltage, is reduced by the regulator to the first voltage and supplied to the microcomputer. In power-on mode, voltage from the low voltage terminal, set higher than the first voltage, is applied to the connection point so as to inactivate the regulator and supply the voltage from the low voltage terminal to the microcomputer. |
| US07707435B2 |
Method and system for safe and efficient chip power down drawing minimal current when a device is not enabled
Certain embodiments of a method and system for safe and efficient power down and drawing minimal current when a device is not enabled may comprise receiving within a network adapter chip (NAC) a signal that indicates a reduced power mode. Based on this signal, the NAC may control an off-chip voltage source that provides reduced voltage to circuitry within the NAC. The off-chip voltage source, which may comprise a first PNP transistor and a second PNP transistor, may reduce a voltage to a first voltage and a second voltage. The NAC may also reduce current through the off-chip voltage source to approximately zero amperes and an output voltage of the off-chip voltage source to approximately zero volts. The first voltage and/or the second voltage may be fed back to control the output voltage and current of the off-chip voltage source. |
| US07707429B2 |
System and method to proactively detect software tampering
Software intrusion is proactively detected using a dynamically evolving audit log wherein log entries are generated in the audit log and key values are evolved based upon a one-way function depending on both the previous log entry and the previous key. The audit log with the generated log entries and the final key value is transmitted to a clearinghouse that detects software intrusion by analyzing these values. In an effort to reduce the size of the log to be transmitted, the log entries are assigned identical values, thereby only needing to transmit one log entry and the last key value to the clearinghouse. |
| US07707427B1 |
Multi-level file digests
Multi-level file digests for electronic files are disclosed. A top level digest represents a single digest for the associated electronic file. Lower level digests represent digests for portions of the associated electronic file. The top level digest is derived from the lower level digests. The top level digest is useful for facilitating rapid comparison to determine whether electronic files are the same. In one embodiment, electronic files are encrypted with a block encryption scheme, and digests are efficiently calculated and stored on a block-by-block basis. Advantageously, when modifications to an encrypted electronic file occurs, only those modified blocks need to be processed to undergo decryption and re-encryption to determine the appropriate digest. |
| US07707418B2 |
Communication system, communication method, base station apparatus, controller, device, and recording medium storing control program
A communication system is constructed in such a manner that a user is allowed to designate a controller 1 and a wireless device 3 simultaneously to start authentication for connection with a wireless base station 2 to specify the device to be connected, and to establish connection authentication without a password for the first time. Thereafter, the controller 1 distributes a password to the wireless base station 2 and to the wireless device 3 to cancel the connection authentication. Next, connection authentication with the distributed password is established. Thus, the communication system makes it possible to substantially automatically establish connection authentication, thereby eliminating a cumbersome operation by the user in implementing the connection authentication process. |
| US07707417B2 |
Secure transmission of data between clients over communications network
A method and apparatus securely transmit data between a client and a server over a communications network. The secure data transmission includes, after the client is initially authenticated, (a) transmitting a series of client connection messages from the client to the server at least while the data is being transmitted, (b) transmitting a series of server connection messages from the server to the client at least while the data is being transmitted; (c) monitoring the client connection messages at the server; (d) monitoring the server connection messages at the client; (e) if a disturbance is found either in the client connection messages or the server connection messages, terminating the data transmission between the client and the server, re-authenticating the client, and re-transmitting the data; and (f) if the encrypted data is successfully transmitted to the server, storing the data in a database associated with the recipient. |
| US07707414B2 |
Information processing device for authentication processing, information processing method, and control program for executing the method
An information processing method for an information processing device which performs multiple types of authentication processing performing authentication processing before accepting at least one or more independent services and executing the aforementioned services. The information processing method includes: a receiving step for receiving service requests including the authentication information from the external terminal; a calling step for calling the authentication processing which performs authentication processing corresponding to the services requested from the external terminal, referencing first information which describes the authentication processing calling procedure corresponding to the service; an output step for receiving and outputting results of the called authentication processing; and a calling step for calling the accepted services according to the results of the authentication processing output in the output step. |
| US07707411B2 |
Method and system for providing a trusted platform module in a hypervisor environment
A method is presented for implementing a trusted computing environment within a data processing system. A hypervisor is initialized within the data processing system, and the hypervisor supervises a plurality of logical, partitionable, runtime environments within the data processing system. The hypervisor reserves a logical partition for a hypervisor-based trusted platform module (TPM) and presents the hypervisor-based trusted platform module to other logical partitions as a virtual device via a device interface. Each time that the hypervisor creates a logical partition within the data processing system, the hypervisor also instantiates a logical TPM within the reserved partition such that the logical TPM is anchored to the hypervisor-based TPM. The hypervisor manages multiple logical TPM's within the reserved partition such that each logical TPM is uniquely associated with a logical partition. |
| US07707410B2 |
Information processing system and method
An enabling key block (EKB) used in an encrypted key distributing tree structure is generated by forming a simplified 2-branch or multi-branch type tree with a terminal node or leaf which is capable of decrypting on the basis of a key corresponding to a node or a leaf of the simplified tree. Further, the EKB includes a tag for indicating a position of an encrypted key in the tree. The tag not only discriminates position but also stores data for judging the presence of encrypted key data within the EKB. As such, a considerable reduction in data quantity is realized, and the decrypting process in a device is also simplified. |
| US07707409B2 |
Method and system for authenticating software
The invention relates to a method and system for authenticating software. One embodiment of the invention provides a system for authenticating software in a mobile terminal, wherein the system is configured to: receive an execution instruction for software installed in the mobile terminal through an inputting means, generate a first error code for the software, extract a mobile terminal identifier of the mobile terminal, generate a first authentication key by combining the mobile terminal identifier and the first error code, and execute the software when the first authentication key corresponds to a second authentication key stored in the mobile terminal. By authenticating the software for a wireless mobile terminal, one embodiment of the invention can prevent unauthorized duplication and execution of the software at the mobile terminal. |
| US07707403B2 |
Authentication method, communication apparatus, and relay apparatus
Included are Gateway server GWS which clocks the precise present time, and portable phone MS which performs a packet communication through gateway server GWS and IP server W. Portable phone MS acquires the time information from gateway server GWS, at the time of starting communication with IP server W and corrects, on the basis of this time information, the clocking present time of its own portable phone MS so that it is more precise. In addition, portable phone MS decodes a public key certificate (an electronic certificate issued by Certificate Office C for the public key certificate of IP server W) using the public key of Certificate Office C. Then the portable phone MS judges whether it is within the validity period specified in the public key certificate, using the corrected present time of its own portable phone MS. |
| US07707398B2 |
System and method for speculative global history prediction updating
A system and method are provided for updating a speculative global history prediction record in a microprocessor system using pipelined instruction processing. The method accepts microprocessor instructions with consecutive operations, including a conditional branch operation with an associated first branch address. A speculative global history record (SGHR) of conditional branch resolutions and predictions is accessed and hashed with the first branch address, creating a first hash result. The first hash result is used to index a branch history table (BHT) of previous first branch resolutions. As a result, a first branch prediction is made, and the SGHR is updated with the first branch prediction. A non-speculative global history record (NSGHR) of branch resolutions is updated with the resolution of the first branch operation, and if the first branch prediction is incorrect, the SGHR is corrected using the NSGHR. |
| US07707394B2 |
Reducing the size of a data stream produced during instruction tracing
Tracing logic for monitoring a stream of processing instructions from a program being processed by a data processor is disclosed, said tracing logic comprising monitoring logic operable to detect processing of said instructions in said instruction stream; detect which of said instructions in said instruction stream are conditional direct branch instructions, which of said instructions in said instruction stream are conditional indirect branch instructions and which of said instructions in said instruction stream are unconditional indirect branch instructions; said tracing logic further comprising compression logic operable to: designate said conditional direct branch instructions, said conditional indirect branch instructions and said indirect branch instructions as marker instructions; for each marker instruction, output an execution indicator indicating if said marker instruction has executed or a non-execution indicator indicating if said marker instruction has not executed and not output data relating to previously processed instructions that are not marker instructions. |
| US07707393B2 |
Microprocessor with high speed memory integrated in load/store unit to efficiently perform scatter and gather operations
The present invention relates to the field of (micro)computer design and architecture, and in particular to microarchitecture associated with moving data values between a (micro)processor and memory components. Particularly, the present invention relates to a computer system with an processor architecture in which register addresses are generated with more than one execution channel controlled by one central processing unit with at least one load/store unit for loading and storing data objects, and at least one cache memory associated to the processor holding data objects accessed by the processor, wherein said processor's load/store unit contains a high speed memory directly interfacing said load/store unit to the cache and directly accessible by the cache memory for implementing scatter and gather operations. The present invention improves the performance of architectures with dual ported microprocessor implementations comprising two execution pipelines capable of two load/store data transactions per cycle. By including a high speed memory inside the load/store unit, the processor is directly interfaced from its load/store units to the caches and efficiency gains are achieved by reusing the data information already present in the high speed memory structure of the load/store unit. |
| US07707391B2 |
Methods and apparatus for improving fetching and dispatch of instructions in multithreaded processors
In a multi-streaming processor, a system for fetching instructions from individual ones of multiple streams to an instruction pipeline is provided, comprising a fetch algorithm for selecting from which stream to fetch an instruction, and one or more predictors for forecasting whether a load instruction will hit or miss the cache or a branch will be taken. The prediction or predictions are used by the fetch algorithm in determining from which stream to fetch. In some cases probabilities are determined and also used in decisions, and predictors may be used at either or both of fetch and dispatch stages. |
| US07707389B2 |
Multi-ISA instruction fetch unit for a processor, and applications thereof
A method and apparatus for recoding one or more instruction sets. An expand instruction and an expandable instruction are read from an instruction cache. A tag compare and way selection unit checks to verify each instruction is a desired instruction. An instruction staging unit dispatches the expand instruction to a first recoder and the expandable instruction to a second recoder of a recoding unit. At least one information bit based on the expand instruction is generated at the first recoder. The second recoder uses the at least one information bit generated at the first recoder to recode the expandable instruction, and the recoded expandable instruction is placed in an instruction buffer. |
| US07707388B2 |
Computer memory architecture for hybrid serial and parallel computing systems
In one embodiment, a serial processor is configured to execute software instructions in a software program in serial. A serial memory is configured to store data for use by the serial processor in executing the software instructions in serial. A plurality of parallel processors are configured to execute software instructions in the software program in parallel. A plurality of partitioned memory modules are provided and configured to store data for use by the plurality of parallel processors in executing software instructions in parallel. Accordingly, a processor/memory structure is provided that allows serial programs to use quick local serial memories and parallel programs to use partitioned parallel memories. The system may switch between a serial mode and a parallel mode. The system may incorporate pre-fetching commands of several varieties. For example, towards switching between the serial mode and the parallel mode, the serial processor is configured to send a signal to start pre-fetching of data from the shared memory. |
| US07707386B2 |
Program segment searching for extension instruction determination to design a processor that meets performance goal
A design apparatus for designing a processor re-configurable for an application, includes an analysis unit that analyzes the content of a program to be executed by the processor; a hardware extension unit that searches the program for a part of the program allowing hardware extension in accordance with the analysis results by the analysis unit and generates hardware extension information for the searched part; an extended instruction definition unit that searches the program for a part allowing use of an extended instruction in accordance with the analysis results by the analysis unit and generates definition of an extended instruction for the searched part; and a performance estimation unit that estimates whether or not the performance of the processor satisfies a target performance using at least one of the hardware extension information generated by the hardware extension unit and the definition of the extended instruction generated by the extended instruction definition unit. |
| US07707385B2 |
Methods and apparatus for address translation from an external device to a memory of a processor
Methods and apparatus provide for adding a base address to an external address to produce first intermediate address; using only a first portion of the first intermediate address as a pointer to select one of a plurality of entries in a segment table, each entry of the segment table representing a different segment of a memory using at least a portion of the selected entry of the segment table as a reference to one or more of a plurality of entries in a page table, each entry in the page table including at least a portion of a physical address in the memory and belonging to a group of entries representing a page in the selected segment of the memory; using the second portion of the first intermediate address to produce a second intermediate address; and using at least a portion of the second intermediate address as a pointer directly to one of the referenced entries in the page table to obtain an at least partially translated physical address into the memory for the external address. |
| US07707384B1 |
System and method for re-ordering memory references for access to memory
A memory processing approach involves implementation of memory status-driven access. According to an example embodiment, addresses received at an address buffer are processed for access to a memory relative to an active location in the memory. Addresses corresponding to an active location in the memory array are processed prior to addresses that do not correspond to an active location. Data is read from the memory to a read buffer and ordered in a manner commensurate with the order of received addresses at the address buffer (e.g., thus facilitating access to the memory in an order different from that received at the address buffer while maintaining the order from the read buffer). |
| US07707380B2 |
Memories, method of storing data in memory and method of determining memory cell sector quality
A method of storing data in a memory is provided, including testing a plurality of memory cells of a plurality of memory cell sectors. Each memory cell sector includes a plurality of memory cells. Each memory cell sector is classified into at least one quality class of a plurality of quality classes depending on the results of the testing of the memory cells of the respective memory cell sector. Data is stored in the memory cells of the classified memory cell sectors depending on the quality class of the respective memory cell sector. |
| US07707377B2 |
Remote storage disk control device and method for controlling the same
A storage device system includes an information processing device, a first storage device equipped with a first storage volume, and a second storage device equipped with a second storage volume. The information processing device and the first storage device are communicatively connected to one another. Also, the first storage device and the second storage device are communicatively connected to one another. The information processing device is equipped with a first write request section that requests to write data in the first storage device according to a first communications protocol, and a second write request section that requests to write data in the second storage device according to a second communications protocol. The information processing device creates first data including a first instruction to be executed in the second storage device. |
| US07707376B2 |
Verifying the validity of data saved at power down by comparing the time of save to time of power-off upon start up
An information processing apparatus including: a nonvolatile memory; a volatile system memory in which predetermined data stored in the nonvolatile memory is developed; a control section to save the predetermined data stored in the system memory in the nonvolatile memory when a start of power-off operation is detected; and a storage section that stores a first timing information representing a time point of terminating the operation of saving the predetermined data in the nonvolatile memory, and a second timing information representing a power-off time point, wherein the control section compares the first timing information stored in the storage section with the second timing information, subsequent to the next operation of turning on of the power. |
| US07707375B2 |
Storage system and controller for controlling remote copying
The reconfiguration controller selects for each data whether or not to execute remote copying of data from the first storage device to the second storage device. Each data sent from the host to be stored in the first storage device contains a copy policy tag that defines the policy relating to remote copying. The reconfiguration controller determines whether or not remote copying of the each data is necessary based on the copy policy tag of the each data, and selectively transmits the data requiring remote copying to the second storage device. |
| US07707374B2 |
Incremental data storage method, apparatus, interface, and system
An interface for managing incremental data storage includes a write function that appends an entry to an incremental log, a read function that retrieves a most recent log entry corresponding to a block address, and a snapshot function that automatically partitions the incremental log into an additional volume. The interface may also include a policy assignment function that associates specified policies with explicitly or implicitly specified resources, a read entry function that retrieves sequential entries from the incremental log, and a compact volume function. The provided functions and associated apparatus, method, and system, facilitate management of incremental data including snapshot, remote copy, data compaction, policy management, data restoration, and other operations on data storage devices and systems. |
| US07707371B1 |
Storage area network (SAN) switch multi-pass erase of data on target devices
Techniques are provided for performing multi-pass erase. An erase command is received at a storage area network (SAN) switch in a storage area network. The erase command is associated with a block of data on a target device. A virtual initiator is determined for performing the erase command on the block of data. Multiple bit patterns are generated using a multi-pass erase algorithm. The multiple bit patterns are generated for writing over the block of data on the target device. Repeated writes are performed over the block of data using the bit patterns. The block of data is repeatedly overwritten to remove remanence of the block of data on the target device. |
| US07707370B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and program
An information processing device is provided with a plurality of memory channels, and performs interleave control on a unit memory connected to a memory channel. Furthermore, the information processing device has a circuit for performing the interleave control such that an interleave number on access to the unit memory connected to the memory channel can be constantly a multiplier of 2. |
| US07707366B2 |
Memory control device
Improved efficiency of address/data communication over a memory bus. A memory-control device is located between a processor 30 and memory ranks 40a, 40b and controls access to the memory ranks 40a, 40b. A memory-management unit 10 receives and buffers access request from the processor 30 to memory ranks 40a, 40b, and issues access request to a rank-management unit 20 based on scheduling for memory management. A rank-management unit 20 connects the memory ranks 40a, 40b, receives and buffers access request from the memory-management unit 10, and gives access request to a specified memory rank based on scheduling for rank management. |
| US07707362B2 |
Context-free data transactions between dual operating systems embedded within a data storage subsystem
A method is provided for storing and retrieving data in a network-attached data storage device by a cooperatively multitasking real time operating system configured to execute datapath routines and a general purpose operating system kernel configured to communicate with the network. |
| US07707361B2 |
Data cache block zero implementation
In one embodiment, a processor comprises a core configured to execute a data cache block write instruction and an interface unit coupled to the core and to an interconnect on which the processor is configured to communicate. The core is configured to transmit a request to the interface unit in response to the data cache block write instruction. If the request is speculative, the interface unit is configured to issue a first transaction on the interconnect. On the other hand, if the request is non-speculative, the interface unit is configured to issue a second transaction on the interconnect. The second transaction is different from the first transaction. For example, the second transaction may be an invalidate transaction and the first transaction may be a probe transaction. In some embodiments, the processor may be in a system including the interconnect and one or more caching agents. |
| US07707360B2 |
Detecting when to prefetch data and then prefetching data in parallel
The decision to prefetch inodes is based upon the detecting of access patterns that would benefit from such a prefetch. Once the decision to prefetch is made, a plurality of inodes are prefetched in parallel. Further, the prefetching of inodes is paced, such that the prefetching substantially matches the speed at which an application requests inodes. |
| US07707358B2 |
Dual access for single port cache
A method and system for accessing a single port multi-way cache with way dedication includes address multiplexers that simultaneously addresses a set of data and a set of program instructions in the multi-way cache. Duplicate output way multiplexers respectively select data and program instructions read from the cache responsive to the address multiplexer. |
| US07707356B2 |
Method and apparatus for scheduling disk read requests
Methods and apparatus are provided for reducing disk seek time to improve the overall throughput by improving the scheduling of read requests. One or more requests to read data from one or more disks are scheduled by suspending one or more requests to read data from the disk for a predefined period of time. The read suspension can be initiated, for example, in response to a request to read data from the disk, such as a speculative read operation. The predefined period of time may be approximately equal, for example, to an expected duration of the read request operation, an expected seek time, a predefined recovery time or a time since a last request less a recovery time. The read suspension can be conditioned upon one or more predefined criteria, such as a disk bandwidth threshold being satisfied, a time since a last request threshold being satisfied and a condition that only a request for a different stream than a currently requested stream is suspended. |
| US07707355B2 |
Memory system for selectively transmitting command and address signals
A system includes a memory controller adapted to output address signals, command signals and select signals; a plurality of memory modules; and a plurality of buses each corresponding to one of the memory modules. Each bus is adapted to transmit corresponding ones of the address signals, the command signals, and the select signals to the corresponding memory module. Each of the memory modules includes: a plurality of memory devices; and a register adapted to receive and buffer the corresponding command and address signals transmitted to the memory module, and adapted to transmit the buffered command signal to the memory devices which are to be accessed, in response to the corresponding select signal for accessing the memory devices. |
| US07707354B2 |
SRAM cache and flash micro-controller with differential packet interface
A flash microcontroller has a Static Random-Access-Memory (SRAM) buffer that stores several blocks of boot code read from a flash memory. The SRAM buffer also operates as a cache of flash data after booting is complete. Cache read and write hits use the SRAM cache rather than flash memory, while old cache lines and read misses access the flash memory. Both the external host and the microcontroller are booted from boot code buffered in the SRAM buffer. A boot-loader state machine reads the flash ID and programs flash parameter registers with timing parameters for the flash memory. The flash microcontroller uses a differential interface to the external host, with a differential transceiver and a differential serial interface. Frame, packet, and encoded clock processing is also performed by the serial interface. |
| US07707353B2 |
Access frequency estimation apparatus and access frequency estimation method
An apparatus for estimating a frequency of access to a storage device that includes a flash memory and a controller for controlling the flash memory includes interface. Data is written into the flash memory in units of a page and being erased from the flash memory in units of a block consisting of pages. The interface is supplied with an internal signal transferred between the flash memory and the controller, configured to recognize the internal signal, and outputs the internal signal as an input signal. An erasure sequence detection section outputs a detection signal when address data is followed by an erasure command requesting erasure of data in the block specified by the address data in the input signal. An address holding section holds address data in the internal signal, and outputs held address data as erasure address data when supplied with the detection signal. |
| US07707350B2 |
Bus interconnect switching mechanism
A front side bus swizzle mechanism modifies the front side (address and data) bus on a chip so that, when the chip is positioned on one side of a printed circuit board, connection to a second chip located on the opposite side of the printed circuit board is simplified. The simplified connection may result in less complexity and minimize the consumption of additional printed circuit board real estate. |
| US07707349B1 |
USB isochronous data transfer for a host based laser printer
A system, method, and processor executable instructions to isochronously communicate in standard USB mode laser printer scan data from a host computer to a laser printer. The host computer transmits a data stream that includes data packets having laser printer scan data, error detection information, and correction packets such as parity packets for use to reconstruct packets having an error. The laser printer receives the data stream, processes the error detection information, data packets and parity packets, and provides a continuous stream of laser printer scan data for printing. |
| US07707347B2 |
Data path master/slave data processing device apparatus
An apparatus is described for data processing in a computer system. The apparatus comprises a data processing device having a data processing master, a functionally coupled data processor core, and a functionally coupled data processor slave. Both the data processing master and the data processing slave are coupled to a common bus or common crossbar switch. The data processing device processes the data associated with transfers to or from the data processor slave. System masters will direct transactions that require data processing to the data processing slave, which will indirectly interact with the target memory slave. System masters will direct transactions that do not require data processing, directly to the target memory slave. |
| US07707346B2 |
PCI express multi-root IOV endpoint retry buffer controller
The link layer of the multi-root PCI (peripheral component interconnect) express device stores transaction layer packets (TLPs) sent from a transaction layer in a dedicated retry buffer dedicated to the virtual hierarchy (VH) associated with the TLP. The link layer of the multi-root device also stores information related to the TLP about the VH and an address of the TLP stored in the dedicated retry buffer in a sequence buffer. Upon receipt of a reset request for a VH, the link layer may purge the dedicated retry buffer associated with the VH. After purging, the multi-root device may send an ACK (acknowledge code) DLLP (data link layer packet), indicating that the VH has been successfully reset. By utilizing multiple retry buffers, the ACK DLLP response for a VH reset is sent as soon as the retry buffer pointers are reset to initial values. |
| US07707344B2 |
Interrupt mitigation on multiple network adapters
A method, information processing system, and computer readable medium, mitigate processor assignments. A first processor in a plurality of processors is assigned to a first communication port in a plurality of communication ports. An interrupt associated with the first communication port is generated. An assignment of a processor other than the first processor to handle the interrupt is inhibited. |
| US07707343B2 |
Interrupt control circuit and method
According to an embodiment of the present invention, an interrupt control circuit that controls a plurality of interrupt requests for interrupt handling executed by a processor, includes: an interrupt control module unit as a detecting unit determining whether or not there is an interrupt request masked with interrupt handling executed by a processor during the interrupt handling; and an interrupt control circuit including a priority mask flag indicating whether or not there is the interrupt request. With such configuration, it is possible to simply determine whether or not there is another masked interrupt request. |
| US07707341B1 |
Virtualizing an interrupt controller
In one embodiment, a method is contemplated. An interrupt is received in a processor from an interrupt controller. Responsive to receiving the interrupt, the interrupt is masked in the interrupt controller to permit another interrupt to be transmitted by the interrupt controller to the processor. The other interrupt has a lower priority than the previously-received interrupt in the interrupt controller. |
| US07707340B2 |
Bus system and method of burst cycle conversion
A bus system, which may prevent data from being incorrectly transferred when an early termination occurs during a burst mode, may include a bus, for example, an advanced high-performance bus (AHB), at least one bus master device, a bus arbiter and at least one transfer mode selection circuit. The at least one bus master device may generate a burst cycle control signal, a transfer start signal and a bus control request signal for requesting control of the bus, and may be activated in response to a bus control grant signal, so as to exchange data via the bus. The bus arbiter may generate the bus control grant signal in response to the bus control request signal and provide the bus control grant signal to the bus master device. The at least one transfer mode selection circuit may convert a burst mode into a single mode to generate a selection signal, when the bus control grant signal is deactivated before a burst mode operation is completed. |
| US07707336B2 |
Universal serial bus (USB) system with single port and host controller thereof
A universal serial bus (USB) with single port and a host controller thereof are provided. The USB comprises a USB port, a speed detection circuitry, a start of frame (SOF) generator, and a host controller. The USB port is electrically coupled to an external circuitry. The speed detection circuitry is electrically coupled to the USB port for detecting a transmission speed between the USB and the external circuitry via the USB port to provide a detecting result. The SOF generator is electrically coupled to the speed detection circuitry for receiving the detecting result and outputting a SOF signal, to determine a cycle of the SOF signal based on the detecting result. The host controller is electrically coupled to the SOF generator and the speed detection circuitry for adjusting the host controller based on SOF signal cycle to comply with the USB 2.0, USB 1.1 and USB 1.0 transmission standards. |
| US07707335B2 |
Device and method for managing a retransmit operation
A method and device for managing retransmit operations. The device, includes a FIFO memory unit, a read pointer, a retry pointer and a write pointer. The device is characterized by including a gray code state machine connected to an emulated read pointer logic; whereas the gray code state machine is adapted to provide a gray code word representative of a state of a read logic that comprises the read pointer; whereas the emulated read pointer logic is adapted to process at least one gray code word and to provide an emulated read pointer that tracks a FIFO memory unit entry that stores data that was not accepted; whereas the emulated read pointer logic is connected to a write control logic adapted to control writing operations to the FIFO memory unit in response to the emulated read pointer logic; and whereas the read logic receives a read clock that differs from a write clock provided to the emulated read pointer logic and to the write control logic. |
| US07707334B2 |
Self-synchronizing hardware/software interface for multimedia SOC design
A forced lock-step operation between a CPU (software) and the hardware is eliminated by unburdening the CPU from monitoring the hardware until it is finished with its task. This is done by providing a data/control message queue into which the CPU writes combined data/control messages and places an End tag into the queue when finished. The hardware checks the content of the message queue and starts decoding the incoming data. The hardware processes the data read from the message queue and the processed data is then written back into the message queue for use by the software. The hardware raises an interrupt signal to the CPU when reaching the End tag. Speed differences between hardware and software can be compensated for by changing the depth of the queue. |
| US07707331B1 |
Path determination using preferred paths or randomly selecting source and target ports
Described is a distributed copying technique that may be used in migrating large amounts of data from one or more source devices to one or more destination devices. The data source is divided into partitions. As Fibre Channel adapters (FAs) become available, each of the FAs may copy a partition of the data. In connection with specifying paths used for the distributed copying technique, a preferred path selection (source port-target port mapping) may be made by executing code in a controlling data storage system to perform discovery processing. The preferred path selection is used for the duration of the distributed copying unless the preferred path is unable to transmit data. A target port of the preferred path may be randomly selected from all accessible target ports, and/or in accordance with a specified portion of the target ports. Preferred paths may also be specified using an API (application programming interface). |
| US07707329B2 |
Method of securing radiolink for remotely programmable devices
A remotely programmable device includes a message store for receiving messages over a radiolink from a controller and forwarding the messages to a local application resident in the device, writable registers for controlling operation of the device, a command interpreter for interpreting commands embedded in thessages to write data to the register, and a lock for inhibiting writing of data to the registers. The local application is responsive to an authorization code embedded in the messages to release the lock and thereby allow writing of data to the registers. |
| US07707328B2 |
Memory access control circuit
A data transfer request of a data pro cessing device with respect to a synchronous memory is divided by a burst transfer length unit request dividing section into a plurality of data transfer requests in which a data transfer amount is an amount of data to be burst-transferred at a time and the data to be burst-transferred at a time is within a single memory bank. An assembling section assembles the divided data transfer requests into a plurality of new data transfer requests obtained by combining the divided data transfer requests, one for each memory bank. A data processing device can efficiently access continuous data stored in a plurality of memory banks, and is useful as a memory access control circuit of controlling an access operation of a data processing device with respect to a synchronous memory. |
| US07707323B2 |
Method and apparatus for enabling enhanced USB interaction
A method and apparatus for enabling enhanced interaction across a USB interconnect between a host and a peripheral device capable of performing a plurality of functions including enabling selection and execution of a vendor-specific support software supporting peripheral devices of a specific vendor by sending a first identification data to the host indicating that the peripheral device is of the same specific vendor and indicating that the peripheral device performs at least one of the functions indicated to be supported by the vendor-specific support software, awaiting receipt of an indication from the host that the vendor-specific support software has been selected and executed, simulating a detachment from and attachment to the host; and enabling the vendor-specific support software to again be selected and executed by sending a second identification data to the host indicating that the peripheral device is of the same specific vendor and indicating that the peripheral device performs multiple ones of the functions indicated to be supported by the vendor-specific software. |
| US07707320B2 |
Communication buffer manager and method therefor
Method for communication buffer management communicates messages between local and remote hosts. Socket, process buffer and reserve buffers allocated. Process and reserve buffers differentiated for transmit and receive. Global memory pool partitioned into process and reserve buffer pools; reserve buffer pool partitioned into transmit and receive pools. Messages stored in process buffer, but reserve buffer stores messages if low memory (POS). Communication system and mobile device include communication manager storing messages in process buffers; if POS exists, in reserve buffers. Communication buffer manager used for memory management, allocation, reclamation. Both adapt for static and dynamic memory management. |
| US07707312B2 |
Printer discovery protocol system and method
A protocol for discovering a silent device, such as a printer, attached to a mobile port of a switching node. A command is transmitted to the switching node for associating an IP address for the silent device to a particular virtual local area network (VLAN). Entry of the command causes the switching node to start searching for the silent device on the mobile ports. As part of the searching process, an ARP request with the IP address provided in the command is sent to each mobile port of the switching node. When the silent device responds with its MAC address in an ARP reply message, the MAC address is learned in a layer 2 table used for making forwarding decisions of data units received by the switching node. Furthermore, the port where the silent device was discovered, that is, the port receiving the ARP reply message, is associated with the VLAN of the silent device. |
| US07707306B2 |
Routing device for connecting multiple physically discrete networks into a single system and startup method thereof
One routing device which connects plural networks on which a plurality of other routing devices, including a parent router, are connected. The parent router manages network identification data to identify the plural networks. Master router data is included for each corresponding other routing device. Master router data includes master router identification data identifying whether the corresponding other routing device is a “master router” located on a path to the parent router or a “slave router” which is a routing device other than the master router, and includes network identification data identifying a network to which the corresponding other routing device connects. Upon startup of the one routing device, the master router data is acquired from the other routing devices on the networks to which the one routing device connects. It is determined whether a router function of the one routing device is enabled based on the acquired master router data. |
| US07707302B2 |
Method for transmitting a data stream from a producer to a plurality of viewers
In a method for transmitting a data stream, especially a reducible data stream, from a producer to a plurality of viewers, wherein producer and viewers are subscribers in a network having point-to-point connections, the producer transmits the data stream over a point-to-point network connection to at least one viewer, at least one viewer receives the data stream over a point-to-point network connection and promptly transmits it in identical or reduced form to at least one additional viewer, and every viewer is promptly supplied with the data stream in identical or reduced form by either the producer or another viewer over a point-to-point network connection. |
| US07707300B1 |
Methods and apparatus for transmitting information in a network
Embodiments of this invention can establish a communications path through a network device in a network for a stream of data served by a server. A host can request to receive the stream of data by sending a request through the network to the server. In response, the server creates a data distribution message and sends it onto the network towards the host. Each network device equipped with the invention receives the data distribution message via unicast communications, acknowledges the data distribution message, and creates a path table for the stream of data, and forwards the data distribution message to the next network device on route to the host. A network device that receives an acknowledgment of the data distribution message establishes at least one path through the network device in the path table for payload distribution messages that carry a stream of data. The stream of data can thus be propagated through a network with only one copy of portions (e.g., packets) of the stream traveling per path in the network, irrespective of the number of recipients served by a network device that receives the stream. Since the portions of data are propagated using standard routing protocols, they may pass or tunnel through network devices not equipped with the invention. |
| US07707299B2 |
Data package with recovery data
An improved solution for communicating content over a network, such as a peer-to-peer network, is provided. In an embodiment of the invention, when content is published in a data package for sharing with other peers on the network, recovery data is included in the data package. Subsequently, a peer can receive a combination of content and recovery data and generate the remaining content using the recovery data. In this manner, a peer will not be prevented from obtaining content by missing a single slice of content, resulting in a higher success rate for content transmissions. |
| US07707298B2 |
Secure sharing of LOB bound information in client applications
Secure sharing of bound information is enabled in client applications associated with a backend LOB service. Bound item IDs are assigned to newly created bound items by a client, the items synchronized with the LOB system, a correlation ID received in response to the synchronization, and the two IDs mapped. A reverse sequence of actions is performed when the LOB service creates the bound item. In response to an attempt by a client to exchange bound information, the item is placed in a pending state and allowed to be received by a receiver upon successful completion of data transfer and LOB system permission of the exchange passing the bound item ID and the correlation ID. If the LOB system rejects the exchange, the item is placed in an unbound state and the receiver not allowed to receive the bound information. |
| US07707293B2 |
Method, system and apparatuses for transferring session request
A method for transferring a session request including: acquiring a routing table related to a session during establishing the session; the routing table recording the address information of an AAA proxy server related to the session; transferring a session request of the session according to the address information of the AAA servers recorded in the routing table upon receiving the session request of the session. A system and a plurality of apparatuses for transferring a session request are provided as well. By the solution, all session requests of the session may be ensured to be transferred via the same route. |
| US07707292B2 |
Method for signing into a mobile device over a network
A system, apparatus, and method are directed to managing automatic sign in to an Instant Messaging (IM) session on mobile device from another computing device, such as a personal computer (PC), over a network. The end-user of the PC may provide an account identifier, password, and the like, and in response, receive a cookie, that may further include the account identifier, encoded string, and the like. The end-user may then request initiation of the IM session using a toolbar selection, a script, applet, form, web page selection, and the like. As part of the request, the cookie may be provided to the server. If the request is authenticated based, in part, on the cookie information, the server uses the account identifier to locate an associated a mobile device identifier. The mobile device identifier is employed to log the end-user automatically into the mobile device. |
| US07707288B2 |
Automatically building a locally managed virtual node grouping to handle a grid job requiring a degree of resource parallelism within a grid environment
A method, system, and program for automatically building a locally managed virtual node grouping to handle a grid job requiring a degree of resource parallelism for execution within a grid environment are provided. The grid environment includes multiple resource nodes which are identified by physical location as physically disparate groups each managed by a grid manager. The grid managers include a grid virtual node grouping subsystem that enables a particular grid manager receiving a grid job that requires a particular degree of resource parallelism for execution to build a virtual node grouping of resources from across the grid environment and locally manage the resources included in the virtual node grouping. In particular, the particular grid manager accesses, from the other grid managers, a current availability and workload of each of the physically disparate resource nodes. The particular grid manager selects a selection of resource nodes to build into a virtual node grouping for executing the grid job. The virtual node grouping is built by the other grid managers enabling the particular grid manager to acquire temporary management control over the selection of resource nodes for a duration of the execution of the grid job within the virtual node grouping. |
| US07707286B2 |
Methods for managing presence information in a real-time communications network
Methods for updating presence information between a first user equipment (UE) and a second UE over a communications network are presented including: on an INVITE message delivery failure to the second UE from the first UE, sending a first PUBLISH message on behalf of the second UE to a presence server by a communications server; sending a NOTIFY message to the first UE by the presence server; and setting a current presence status of the second UE to UNAVAILABLE. In some embodiments, methods further include: if an immediately previous presence status of the second UE is set to AVAILABLE, sending a NOTIFY message to all watchers of the second UE to indicate the current presence status of the second UE. In some embodiments, the first PUBLISH message utilizes a user-agent header to indicate that the communications server originated the first PUBLISH message. |
| US07707285B2 |
System and method for generating and using fingerprints for integrity management
A system and method is provided for capturing and using problem fingerprints in an Information Technology (IT) infrastructure for integrity management. A fingerprint of the transaction topology in an IT infrastructure is automatically captured at various time intervals prior to the occurrence of an event leading to a problem, such as a failure, hard threshold violation, defined transaction violation or user-provided occurrence. The fingerprint provides an indication of the activity and operation of the IT infrastructure immediately preceding the problem event. The captured fingerprint is then used to monitor real-time data in the IT infrastructure operation and activity to look for activity that matches a captured fingerprint to provide an indication of a pending problems before the problems occur. When it is determined that there is sufficient probability a problem event will occur based upon real-time data matching a previously generated problem fingerprint, an alert is generated to provide sufficient notification prior to the occurrence of problem event. |
| US07707280B2 |
Virtual circuit identifications for hybrid point-to-point networks
Methods and systems for identifying communication circuits are disclosed. In particular a communication circuit communicatively couples a first node to a second node. A virtual circuit identification is then obtained based on a first address associated with the first node and a second address associated with the second node. The communication circuit is then identified based on the virtual circuit identification. |
| US07707268B2 |
Information-processing apparatus, information-processing methods and programs
An information-processing apparatus which can easily output an accessory content suitable for a user situation at a point of time in course of an operation to output a main content or before or after the operation is provided. The present invention includes a history-information generation section generates one or more pieces of correlation information each including at least one piece of information on the user utilizing the apparatus at a point of time the apparatus outputs an already used main content and in a time band including the point of time. A user-utilization accessory-content determination section determines an accessory content regarded as a content whose output operation in course of an operation to output a new main content or before or after the operation is considered to be suitable for the user on the basis of one or more pieces of correlation information stored in the correlation-information storage section and characteristics of one or more accessory contents stored in the accessory-content storage section, and outputs the determined accessory content. The present invention can be applied to an information-processing apparatus which can output a piece of music or a picture in course of operations to read and write a mail text. |
| US07707265B2 |
System, method, and service for interactively presenting a summary of a web site
An interactive web site summary system builds an overview browsing system for the entire Web. Overview browsing represents an alternative to the search-based view of information work by providing a consistent set of summary views that can be browsed interactively. The views presented by the present system partition and linearize a corpus for ready understanding and exploration. These views show features of a web site such as, for example, the relation of a web site to other web sites, the broad nature of the information contained in the web site, how the web site is structured, how the web site has changed over time. The interactive web site summary system maintains such summary information in a process that is fast enough to be updated daily. |
| US07707262B1 |
Negotiating content controls
Access to an electronic conference may be administered by receiving an electronic instruction configured to establish the electronic conference, enabling more than one user to generate content restrictions that limit content rendered during the electronic conference, analyzing one or more participant devices to ensure compliance with the content restrictions, establishing the electronic conference in accordance with the content restrictions, and enabling user access to the electronic conference consistent with the content restrictions. |
| US07707260B2 |
Method and apparatus for adding recipients to sent email
A data processing system for resending a previously sent email message. A new recipient for the previously sent email message is selected. The new recipient of the previously sent email message is added in response to selecting the new recipient, wherein the previously sent email message is directed to the new recipient and a previous recipient. An indicator to the previously sent email message is added in response to selecting the new recipient, wherein the indicator indicates that the new recipient has been added to a form a new version of the previously sent email message. The new version of the previously sent email message is sent in response to adding the indicator, wherein the indicator causes the new version of the previously sent email message to replace the previously sent email message at an email program of the previous recipient. |
| US07707259B2 |
Workflow systems and methods for project management and information management
The present invention relates to workflow systems and methods. In one embodiment, the invention relates to integration of a calendar system with a workflow system where a calendar event can initiate a workflow by sending a message to a form route manager. The completion of a workflow or step in the workflow can result in sending a message to a calendar system to generate an event. In another embodiment, the invention relates to the integration of workflow with a project management system that includes project segments, which are processes that can be defined and controlled by workflow routes. The project management system sends a message to the workflow system to initiate workflow and the workflow system sends a message to the project management system, for example, at the completion of the workflow route. The relationship between the workflow routes can maintain the relationship between the project segments. If the relationships between project segments change, the relationship between the workflow routes changes without added effort. |
| US07707258B2 |
Sending e-mail from a hosted system
A method includes receiving e-mail input data from a client at a server that is configured to serve a hosted application that includes an e-mail user interface to the client. The e-mail input data is used to generate an e-mail message from a user of the client, where the client is associated with a first domain and the server is associated with a second domain. An e-mail object corresponding to the e-mail message from the user of the client is generated at the server, and the e-mail object is forwarded from the server to the client along with instructions to convert the e-mail object into the e-mail message and to send the e-mail message from the first domain. |
| US07707257B2 |
System and method for transforming a thread of email messages into a real-time meeting
A system and method for transforming a thread of email messages into a real-time e-meeting. Collaborative processing between asynchronous and synchronous components are controlled through a UI which controls the selection of threaded messages and initiates an e-meeting including all the recipients of the thread, each participant may privately view the full content of the message by selecting the message, and the moderator has the option to terminate the real-time meeting. Any participant who accepts the invitation can see a synchronized inbox that is limited to the selected thread. A final summary of the decisions is then sent as a final message in the thread, thereby being captured in everyone's inbox. |
| US07707256B2 |
Suggesting meeting locations for conducting meetings
A meeting location availability system determines the meeting locations that are available for use during a specified meeting time and suggests some or all of the available meeting locations as possible locations for conducting a meeting at the specified meeting time. The meeting location availability system maintains meeting location information, such as the preferred meeting locations, for each user. The meeting location availability system may then determine the meeting locations that are available for a meeting between meeting attendees at a specified meeting time by identifying the meeting locations for all of the meeting attendees and, from these meeting locations, identifying the meeting locations that are available for use during the specified meeting time. The meeting location availability system may then suggest some or all of the identified available meeting locations as possible locations for conducting the meeting at the specified meeting time. |
| US07707255B2 |
Automatic grouping of electronic mail
Automatic sorting and grouping of electronic mail items in an electronic mail system is provided. An automatic mail grouping property may be selected for electronic mail received, sent or stored in a variety of storage folders. For a given mail location (e.g., received mail, sent mail, or a given mail storage folder), a selected automatic grouping property causes mail to be displayed to a user in one or more categories that make location of specific mail items easier and more efficient. Visible dividers with optional headings may be provided between mail categories to quickly draw a user's attention to a given mail category and to separate large numbers of mail into logical groupings that make location of specific mail items more manageable. |
| US07707251B2 |
Drawing tool used with social network computer systems
A social network drawing system allows users of the social network to communicate with text as well as pictures that are posted on a web site. The social network program includes a user interface having drawing tools and a drawing area. The user selects the desired tools which include a marker, marker color, marker size and canvas size to prepare the illustration using a computer mouse. The completed illustrations are posted on the posting page which allows other users to view and respond with additional illustrations to the posted drawings. |
| US07707249B2 |
Systems and methods for collaboration
In some embodiments, the disclosed systems and methods provide a client-server infrastructure capable of supporting a variety of asynchronous and synchronous collaboration activities in a so-called collaboration place. Some of these activities include chatting, viewing and/or editing one or more data files, and sharing one or more applications, data files, and/or displays. The client-server infrastructure supports seamless navigation between the supported asynchronous and synchronous activities in the collaboration place. Additionally, the client-server architecture supports data persistence, so that data files associated with the collaboration place can be stored for subsequent access. |
| US07707245B2 |
Metasearching a client's request for displaying different order books on the client
A process and system for metasearching on a distributed network activated by a request executed on a client device to request a metasearch engine to send a plurality of search queries to a plurality of server devices, each of the plurality of search queries comprising a keyword phrase, each of the keyword phrases comprising at least one keyword, at least two of the keyword phrases of the plurality of search queries being different from each other, comprising incorporating, by the metasearch engine, received search results into at least two different order books corresponding to the at least two different keyword phrases, incorporating means for inputting at least one quantity of at least one item that may be ordered, providing means for ordering the at least one item, and communicating a response to the client device. The order books may comprise bid data and offer data of different financial instruments. |
| US07707237B2 |
Macrocell and method for adding
A macrocell including an adder block with a plurality of bit-slice adders, a bypass path and a control unit adapted to receive a carry of a first neighboring macrocell, and to output a carry by generation within the adder block or by passage of the carry of the first neighboring macrocell through the bypass path to a second neighboring macrocell. The control unit is adapted to signal a validity of the carry output of the macrocell depending on a logical combination of states of the two carry output lines. The control unit is further adapted, depending on a validity signal of the first neighboring macrocell indicating a validity of the carry, to prevent forwarding the carry. |
| US07707236B2 |
Methods and apparatus for an efficient floating point ALU
The present invention provides an improved technique for performing a near processing path exponent difference in an arithmetic logic unit (ALU) of a microprocessor. In one embodiment, an apparatus having a separate logic circuit for near processing path and far processing path subtraction generates exponent difference signals using only two least significant bits of exponents of the two floating point operands to perform the exponent difference. |
| US07707234B2 |
Use of multiple data comparators in parallel to trigger an oscilloscope on a pattern found in a serial data stream
A method and system are provided for determining a location of a predetermined N bit sequence in a data stream. The method comprises the steps of determining two N bit data words from consecutive bits of the data stream, and providing N, N bit comparators. A first N bits of the two N bit data words is compared with the predetermined N bit data sequence by a first of the N comparators, and a next N bits, starting at a second bit, of the two N bit data words are compared with the predetermined N bit sequence by a second of the N bit comparators. These comparisons are repeated, incrementing the starting bit, until N comparators have been employed and the first through N bits have been employed as the starting bit. |
| US07707230B1 |
Methods and structure for use of an auxiliary database for importation of data into a target database
Methods and associated structures for improving streaming database translation by use of an auxiliary database to store supplemental information derived as a by-product of the importation process and to then update the target database of the importation process using the supplemental information so generated. The supplemental information may include information such as supplemental attributes that define additional joins to be created in the target database following importation. In particular aspects hereof applicable to GIS database applications, supplemental geometric information may be derived from the source database during the importation process and stored in the auxiliary database. Following completion of the importation, the target database may be updated to add the geometric information from the auxiliary database to the newly imported objects in the target database. |
| US07707229B2 |
Unsupervised detection of web pages corresponding to a similarity class
A method of detecting web pages belonging to at least one similarity class from a plurality of web pages includes determining clusters of the plurality of web pages based on characteristics of the content of the web pages. For each of the determined clusters, at least one metric is determined indicative of similarity among resource locators associated with the web pages of that cluster. A determination of web pages belonging to the at least one similarity class is based on the determined clusters and the determined similarity metrics. |
| US07707222B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing access to information systems via e-mail
Invention provides a method for an e-mail based interface to function as a single common access point for requesting, receiving, publishing, accessing and sharing various data from multiple, remote information systems. The invention becomes akin to a human relay operator in the loop which is transparent to the user. By relaying the e-mail chain, the invention performs multiple functions based on the originating request, and reply as a human would. |
| US07707220B2 |
Methods and apparatus for interactive searching techniques
Methods and systems for searching comprise presenting a first information set to a user, receiving feedback, applying an evolutionary algorithm based on the feedback to generate a search query, causing the search query to be executed to generate a second information set, and presenting the second information set to the user. Then, in response to user input, the first information set is again presented to the user; feedback is again received, an evolutionary algorithm is again applied based on the feedback to generate a search query, and the new search query is caused to be executed to generate a third information set which is presented to the user. |
| US07707219B1 |
System and method for transforming a database state
A system and method for managing a database is provided. The system and method includes logic that supports an atomic synchronization operation initiated by execution of a single synchronization statement. This operation utilizes a single call to a database management system to transform a database table from a first unknown state to a known state that contains a specified target record containing one or more specified data values. The first unknown state may be a state that already contains the target record, or may instead be a state that does not contain the record. In the former instance, a record containing one or more of the data values is created, and in the latter instance, the existing record is updated. A one-step locking mechanism is performed in conjunction with the operation to prevent the occurrence of deadlock and to minimize the number of required lock requests. |
| US07707214B2 |
Hierarchical update scheme for extremum location with indirect addressing
A system and method for determining an extreme value of data in various applications including audio, video and image encoding schemes. The system and method are used to generate a hierarchical data structure by partitioning the data values and then generating a hierarchy using indices of these data values, with the apex containing the index of the extreme value. The system and method allow for changes in the data values in the base level of the hierarchy to result in the ripple through of the indices to the apex in an efficient manner. |
| US07707211B2 |
Information management system and method
To obtain information having a relation, it is required for an application program to execute retrieval processing in which the program first acquires key information supervising relations between tables to sequentially trace the relations to finally obtain the target information. Since it is required for the program to execute as many access operations as there are hierarchic level of relations, the access efficiency is lowered. By establishing a correspondence between first relating information representing relations between a first table and a second table and second relating information, path information representing hierarchic structure of data between a plurality of tables is stored in a storage. Various processings are executed by use of the path information. |
| US07707210B2 |
System and method for multi-dimensional foraging and retrieval of documents
A method for interactive foraging for documents within a corpus of documents includes forming a working set of documents which are a subset of the corpus of documents. A visual representation of the working set and a portion of the corpus other than the working set are generated, and a visual representation of a retrieval boundary, between the working set and the portion of the corpus other than the working set, is presented. A further embodiment provides a system for interactive foraging of documents within a corpus of documents which includes, a visualization foraging subsystem, and an analytical repository containing a plurality of documents. The documents have been analyzed and are provided with associated dimensional data. A search mechanism of the visualization foraging subsystem is configured to form a working set of documents from the corpus of documents. A display device displays the working set and a portion of the corpus other than the working set, and a retrieval boundary is displayed on the display distinguishing between documents in the working set and the displayed documents of the corpus other than the working set. |
| US07707207B2 |
Robust cardinality and cost estimation for skyline operator
The claimed subject matter relates to incorporating a skyline operator within a relational database engine, and more particularly to a database engine that utilizes novel techniques to determine the lowest cost of generating the skyline produced by the skyline operator. The database engine receives queries and associated preferences and, based on a cardinality estimate and a cost estimate, an appropriate skyline generating technique is utilized to produce a skyline representative of the received queries and its associated preferences. |
| US07707201B2 |
Systems and methods for managing and using multiple concept networks for assisted search processing
Multiple concept networks are generated from subsets of received queries. These concept networks can be used in various ways to enhance response to subsequent queries. In one embodiment, concept networks can be merged into a larger concept network that can be used to infer a user's likely intent given a query. In another embodiment, suggestions for related searches obtained using different concept networks can be merged or aggregated. Other users for concept networks in query processing, including assisted search, are also described. |
| US07707197B2 |
System and method for filtering and organizing items based on common elements
A system and method for filtering and organizing items from computer memories based on common elements is provided. Filters can be provided for manipulating the items, which serve as tools for narrowing down a set of items. The filters can be dynamically generated based on the properties of the separate items. The system can utilize virtual folders. The virtual folders can expose regular files and folders to users in different views based on their metadata instead of the actual physical underlying file system structure on the disk. Quick links can be provided, which serve as a set of predefined links (e.g., located on the left side of the display) that can be clicked on to generate useful views of the sets of items. Libraries, which can provide large groups of usable types of items that can be associated together, may also be used. |
| US07707195B2 |
Allocation locks and their use
Systems and methodologies are provided that employ an allocation lock, which permits only a single transaction to acquire space on a particular page at any one time. The allocation lock of the present invention facilitates operations of concurrent transactions at a subpage level (e.g., a row level), and in conjunction with a heap manager can enforce a set of conditions such that prior to a commit stage of a transaction, a space availability for a particular page can be typically assured (e.g., that transactions operating on various copies of the page do not consume all of storage space on that page), and reorganization of data around the page is mitigated (e.g., that a transaction need not move data around the page for purpose of merging various copies.) |
| US07707194B2 |
Interface to lock a database row through a logical locking interface
A method is described that comprises receiving at a first interface a request to lock a row of data from a database table. The method also comprises formatting the request into a format suitable for reception by a second interface. The second interface is an interface to a logical locking function. |
| US07707188B2 |
System and method for electronic archival and retrieval of data
A data archival system for the automated archiving of data files. The data archival system includes a central processing hub for receiving the data files, a data archival facility connected to the central processing hub; and an archival manager which is configured to cause the transmission of the data files from the central processing hub to the data archival facility in response to an archive request; the archival of the data files transmitted to the data archival facility in response to an archive request; the retrieval of the data files previously archived in response to a retrieval request; and the transmission of the retrieved data files from the data archival facility to the central processing hub. |
| US07707187B1 |
Methods and systems for caching information model nodes
Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture consistent with the present invention provide a cache manager that monitors access to an information model associated with a business service application and generates an access pattern for the information model based on a number of accesses to the information model. |
| US07707186B2 |
Method and apparatus for data set migration
A method and apparatus for migrating one or more data sets each having one or more extents from one or more source logical devices to one or more target logical devices concurrently with interaction between the application and the data being migrated. A background operation copies each extent from the source logical device to the target logical device in a copy state. When a certain level of data has been copied, the extent is locked to assure synchronization of the data in the target logical device to the corresponding data in the source logical device. The status is changed to a mirrored state. When the extents for a data set in a source logical device or in a group of data sets have been mirrored, all the extents are changed to a diverted state. I/O requests to the diverted extents thereafter are intercepted and processed according to whether they access an extent that is in the copy, mirrored, or diverted state. |
| US07707184B1 |
System and method for snapshot full backup and hard recovery of a database
The present invention provides a method for generating a backup of a database file that is suitable for a hard recovery operation. A snapshot of the database file is generated and the log and/or patch files associated with the database are stored in a backup location. Additionally, the header and/or footer information of the database is stored, thereby enabling a restored snapshot of the database to be converted into a file suitable for a hard recovery operation. |
| US07707183B2 |
Methods, systems and computer program products for monitoring changes to objects on a computer system using information models and baselines
Methods for monitoring changes in objects on a computer system include receiving a request to generate a baseline snapshot of a plurality of objects having associated object types. The object types include at least one object having an object type not managed by a file system of the computer system. Current information is obtained, responsive to the request to generate a baseline snapshot, from a plurality of data collectors to determine at least one attribute of each of the objects to define the baseline snapshot. A request for a baseline report for the objects is received. Updated information is obtained, responsive to the request for a baseline report, from the plurality of data collectors to update the at least one attribute of each of the objects. The baseline snapshot is compared to the obtained updated information to determine if any of the objects have changed. Receiving the request to generate the baseline snapshot may be preceded by generating a baseline definition query that identifies object types to be included in the generated baseline snapshot and their associated attributes and the received request to generate the baseline report includes an identification of the baseline definition query. |
| US07707181B2 |
System and method of distributing replication commands
A transactional replication system wherein each replicated command applies to a single row as identified by the primary key, replicated commands are dispatched among multiple connections by hashing of primary key from a single command queue to ensure that changes to the same data row are always dispatched to the same connection to maintain the order of commands as originally occurred on publisher. All connections commit their transactions at the same time in a coordinated fashion without a two phase commit. Retry logic based on a logical sequence number is used to reapply commands from any connection that fails to commit. |
| US07707174B2 |
Content display control method and content delivery server
An object of the present invention is to achieve an efficient and low-cost processing for switching contents on a display according to travel areas, time frames and vehicle attributions of a transportation object. To this end, the present invention provides a system constituted of a content delivery server and the e-paper. The content delivery server includes: an designation receiving unit for storing schedule designation information in a database of content/schedule information; a transportation object specification unit for specifying a transportation object according to attribute information of an e-paper; a travel schedule specification unit for specifying information on a scheduled travel time in an display area; an interval-period computing unit for associating a display period of content with a display area; a travel area specification unit for storing information on a travel area corresponding to the display area; a content setting unit for associating the information on the travel area with attribute information of the content; and a delivery processing unit for transmitting, to the e-paper, display schedule information and the content. The e-paper includes: a data obtaining unit for obtaining contents and display schedule information from the content delivery server; and a display processing unit for switching the contents to be output on a display panel according to the display schedule of the contents. |
| US07707172B2 |
Human relationships registering system, method and device for registering human relationships, program for registering human relationships, and medium storing human relationships registering program and readable by computer
To provide a human relationships registering system, a method and a server for registering human relationships, a program for registering human relationships, and a medium storing human relationships registering program and readable by a computer, all of which are used to establish wide and close relationships with members having a variety of occupations or engaged in various technical fields and to obtain expert knowledge or information. The human relationships registering system comprises first data processing units 2 and 3 including sections for receiving personal data of a new member, and a second data processing unit including a section for storing the received personal data. The second data processing unit stores the personal data of the new member in correlation to an existing member when the existing member confirms the new member. |
| US07707171B2 |
System and method for response clustering
An interactive response, storage and tracking system delivered through an interactive medium (e.g. mobile, internet, kiosk in shops) whereby the provided visual stimuli enables consumers/respondents/users to select a stimulus that best answers their response to a given question. These visual ‘answers’ are then collated to form ‘clusters’ of respondents that share the same or similar preferences thereby enabling the viewer of such information to understand the propensity of a given ‘cluster’ to behave, react, respond, perform and/or purchase. |
| US07707167B2 |
Method, system, and apparatus for creating a knowledge interchange profile
A method, system, and apparatus are provided for creating a knowledge interchange (“KI”) profile for a user that identifies the interests of the user, the individuals with which the user has communicated, and the topics on which the communication with the user was made. In order to create the KI profile, items of interest are gathered at the client computer by monitoring the interaction between a user and programs executing on the client computer. Once the items of interest have been identified, the KI profile is created by performing a social network analysis, an interest analysis, and a noun phrase analysis. Once the KI profile has been created, it may be uploaded to a server computer where it is aggregated with KI profiles created for other users. |
| US07707161B2 |
Method and system for creating a concept-object database
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to acquiring information from the worldwide web, organizing information acquired from the worldwide web, and using the acquired and organized information to facilitate web-page searching, web-page browsing, and other worldwide-web-based activities. In one embodiment of the present invention, a database of concept objects is created from an initial set of semantic objects and from hyperlink information obtained from web pages by one or more web crawlers. The initial set of semantic objects is processed using hyperlink based objects created by the web crawler. The processed semantic objects are then associated with additional hyperlink-based objects to create a concept-object database. In certain embodiments of the present invention, the concept-object database can be further refined and supplemented in an automated fashion by additional web crawling, subsequent association of hyperlink-based objects with concept objects, and creation of new concept objects as well as by user input to, and editing of, the concept-object database. The concept-object database may be employed, in various embodiments of the present invention, to facilitate web browsing, web-page searching, and other worldwide-web-base activities. |
| US07707154B2 |
Method and devices for encoding/decoding structured documents, particularly XML documents
Methods and devices are provided for encoding/decoding structured documents, particularly XML documents, wherein a bit stream or part of a bit stream is produced from a schema as a function of a metaschema with the aid of an encoding method. Under an exemplary embodiment, at least one of the following optimization processes is carried out: separation of anonymous types from element declarations and attribute declarations and encoding as own type, the type definition thereof being instantiated in the schema definition as a top level element; normalization of the syntax trees on the encoder side; replacement of the character strings of type names; and transmission of information for the inheritance tree. The decoding takes such optimization processes into account and conversely produces a schema from the bit stream. |
| US07707153B1 |
Automated work-flow management and document generation system and method
The present invention is a method and apparatus for a work-flow management and document generation system and more particularly a system and method, employing a database accessible by networked computers, for automating the operation of transaction processes such as those of a law office or legal services provider, including a real estate closing process. The system and method rely on intelligent agent processing, in accordance with rules that are incorporated within the database, to monitor and control the process, including such features as automatic status notification to the transaction participants. |
| US07707148B1 |
Method and device for clustering categorical data and identifying anomalies, outliers, and exemplars
One aspect of the invention is a method for assigning categorical data to a plurality of clusters. The method includes identifying a plurality of categories associated with the data. The method also includes, for each category in the plurality of categories, identifying at least one element associated with the category. The method also includes specifying a number of clusters to which the data may be assigned. The method additionally includes assigning at least some of the data, wherein each assigned datum is assigned to a respective one of the clusters. The method further includes, for at least one of the clusters, determining, for at least one category, the frequency in data assigned to the cluster of at least one element associated with the category. Further, the invention provides for detecting outliers, anomalies, and exemplars in the categorical data. |
| US07707147B2 |
Self-organization approach to semantic interoperability in peer-to-peer information exchange
In the exchange of information in a peer-to-peer information system network, the problem of semantic interoperability of the communication system used by the agent associated with every peer is addressed not by imposing a universal pre-defined ontology over universally defined conceptual schemata, but instead using mechanisms, inspired from natural language, that enable each agent to develop a repertoire of grounded categories and labels for these categories and to negotiate their use and semantics with other agents. The communication system, as well as its semantics, is hence emergent and adaptive instead of predefined. |
| US07707144B2 |
Optimization for aggregate navigation for distinct count metrics
A method and apparatus for performing a distinct count metric by utilizing aggregate navigation. For a distinct count query of an identifier of a detail table, where the query specifies zero or more restrictions, an aggregate table associated with the detail table is identified. It is then determined whether the aggregate table contains the identifier that is being distinct counted, and if so, whether the identifier is different in every row of the aggregate table. If it is, then the rows of the aggregate table that satisfy the specified restrictions are plain counted to obtain a result for the distinct count query. If the identifier is not different in every row of the aggregate table, a distinct count operation is performed on the rows of the aggregate table that satisfy the specified restrictions to obtain a result for the distinct count query. |
| US07707133B2 |
Method and system for managing computer systems
A management system for a computer system is disclosed. The computer system operates or includes various products (e.g., software products) that can be managed in a management system or collectively by a group of management systems. Typically, the management system operates on a computer separate from the computer system being managed. The management system can make use of a knowledge base of causing symptoms for previously observed problems at other sites or computer systems. In other words, the knowledge base can built from and shared by different users across different products to leverage knowledge that is otherwise disparate. The knowledge base typically grows over time. The management system can use its ability to request information from the computer system being managed together with the knowledge base to infer a problem root cause in the computer system being managed. The computer system being managed can also request the management system to process its knowledge base for possible problem cause analysis. The management system can also continually identify persisting problem causing symptoms. |
| US07707132B2 |
User preference techniques for support vector machines in content based image retrieval
Searching multimedia information which allows determining preferences based on very little amounts of data. The preferences are nonparametrically determined. Each preference is quantized into one of a plurality of bins. By doing the quantization, the distances between positive and negative samples are increased. The quantization amount may change depending on the number of samples which are used. The quantization can be used in a support vector machine or the like. |
| US07707129B2 |
Text classification by weighted proximal support vector machine based on positive and negative sample sizes and weights
Embodiments of the invention relate to improvements to the support vector machine (SVM) classification model. When text data is significantly unbalanced (i.e., positive and negative labeled data are in disproportion), the classification quality of standard SVM deteriorates. Embodiments of the invention are directed to a weighted proximal SVM (WPSVM) model that achieves substantially the same accuracy as the traditional SVM model while requiring significantly less computational time. A weighted proximal SVM (WPSVM) model in accordance with embodiments of the invention may include a weight for each training error and a method for estimating the weights, which automatically solves the unbalanced data problem. And, instead of solving the optimization problem via the KKT (Karush-Kuhn-Tucker) conditions and the Sherman-Morrison-Woodbury formula, embodiments of the invention use an iterative algorithm to solve an unconstrained optimization problem, which makes WPSVM suitable for classifying relatively high dimensional data. |
| US07707127B2 |
Method and apparatus using a classifier to determine semantically relevant terms
Systems and methods for determining semantically related terms using an active learning framework such as Transductive Experimental Design are disclosed. Generally, to enhance a keyword suggestion tool, an active learning module trains a model to predict whether a term is relevant to a user. The model is then used to present the user with terms that have been determined to be relevant based on the model so that an online advertisement service provider may more efficiently provide a user with terms that are semantically related to a seed set. |
| US07707125B2 |
Utility management system and method
Disclosed are a system and method for controlling a water supply system having at least one pump and at least one storage facility. Also disclosed are a system and method of establishing a pumping schedule for a water supply system having at least one pump and at least one storage facility. The systems and methods are adapted to minimize the economic cost associated with operating the pump(s) of the water supply system. Another aspect of the systems and methods includes meeting operational constraints of the water supply system. |
| US07707113B1 |
Method and system for setting levels of electronic wallet security
A method of a portable electronic device providing payment from an electronic wallet is provided. The method comprises prompting for input of a personal identification number (PIN) after the wallet has been opened and providing payment from the wallet after receiving the PIN, when the wallet is configured to a first level of security. The method also comprises providing payment from the wallet after the wallet has been opened, when the wallet is configured to a second level of wallet security, wherein the PIN is not contemporaneously input. The method also comprises providing payment from the wallet when the electronic portable device has been activated, when the wallet is configured to a third level of wallet security, wherein the wallet is not opened and the PIN is not contemporaneously input. |
| US07707107B2 |
Systems and methods for facilitating commercial transactions between parties residing at remote locations
The present invention provides a system and method for facilitating commercial transactions involving the exchange of monetary value for goods, services, or other value between remote individuals, as in the case of transactions between users of a distributed computer network such as the Internet. Remote individuals are provided with a convenient, cost-efficient, and secure means for engaging in commercial transactions with one another. The invention provides remote sellers with an irrevocable means of receiving funds from a remote purchaser; means for improving purchaser willingness to transact with an unknown party; transaction tracking; and rapid funds availability. The invention also provides remote purchasers with means for making a secure, confidential transfer of funds; means for immediate initiation of shipment by a seller; means for releasing funds to a seller only after approval of the goods, services, or other value; means for demonstrating proof of payment; and means for having some level of recourse against a remote seller. |
| US07707103B2 |
System and method for rating lenders
The present invention is directed at a system and method to rate lender profiles to determine the level of risk that is present in the loans originated or purchased by a particular lender will have a misrepresentation or as a result of material inaccuracies in the financial information provided by or on behalf of the borrower. The rating is preferably based on a variety of factors including at least one of, for example, prefunding controls, post closing controls, product mix, and/or loan source. |
| US07707098B2 |
System and method for money management using a plurality of profit levels in an electronic trading environment
A system and method for money management in an electronic trading environment are presented. According to one embodiment, a money management application intercepts an order before the order is sent to an exchange, and determines a plurality of P/L levels, based on which the money management application then selects a set of money management parameters to be used to control or modify order parameters before the order is sent to the exchange. The plurality of profit levels may include a net profit level determined based on a trader's net position and a current market level, a realized profit level determined based on trader's sells and buys associated with the tradeable object, or an open profit level determined based on the realized and net profit levels. The set of money management parameters may include a maximum order quantity and a maximum net position so that, for example, if the order quantity associated with the order is higher than the maximum order quantity associated with the applicable set of money management parameters, the order quantity may be modified to the maximum order quantity. |
| US07707097B1 |
Fully transparent commission calculator and display system
The present invention is related to systems and methods for implementing commission allocations in transaction management of auction-based trading for specialized items such as interest-rate-related instruments. In accordance with these systems and methods, a plurality of workstations that are connected to a server, and a structured commission allocation protocol may be provided. Through the workstations, the server, and the commission allocation protocol, the systems and methods may allocate commissions or fees when trading securities at accelerated levels with minimal errors and costs, control commission elements during real-time trading, and distribute commission and transaction data in real time. |
| US07707092B1 |
System and method for ranking investment performance
A method for ranking relative investment performance is provided. The method uses risk measured by standard deviation of return over time and return data (over risk-free returns) to compare an investment to a particular market to which the investment belongs. The method ranks the investments based on a mathematical computation involving orthogonal distance between each investment and the line defined by the overall market within which the investment operates. |
| US07707091B1 |
System and method for the analysis and prediction of economic markets
A system and method are provided which dynamically adapts to a changing economic environment by selecting or synthesizing an economic model from a set of economic models based on the selected model's ability to make accurate predictions about an actual economic market. The method and system each forms a space of different economic models, forms a behavioral landscape by extracting observables from executions of the economic models, and performs model selection and composite model synthesis through optimization over the behavioral landscape. |
| US07707090B2 |
Method and system for selecting optimal commodities based upon business profile and preferences
A system and method for assisting a customer in choosing a combination of commodities based on preferences of the customer. A combination is a set of related commodities, wherein bundling discounts may be applied to particular bundles of related commodities. Combination options are created by optimizing the categories within the combination in parallel, and then selecting the best value options from each category into a grouping. The effective cost of a grouping is calculated as a total of the effective costs of each option within the grouping. The effective costs consider weighted values of performance features in addition to the actual cost of a commodity. The groupings are ranked and presented to the user, so that the user may select a grouping as combination of commodities for purchase. |
| US07707089B1 |
Method and system for automating fraud authorization strategies
According to an embodiment of the present invention, a computer implemented method and system for automatically implementing a fraud strategy may involve identifying transaction data related to a customer transaction based on a payment instrument; automatically identifying a pattern based on one or more factors associated with a customer spending profile; identifying a potential fraud situation based on the identified pattern and the transaction data; executing an action for the potential fraud situation; and adjusting authorized use of the payment instrument. |
| US07707086B2 |
Electronic spread trading tool
A versatile and efficient electronic spread trading tool to be used when buying and selling comparable commodities either simultaneously or in conjunction with one another. The spread trading tool involves a method of displaying, on an electronic display device, the market depth of a plurality of commodities including an anchor commodity and a non-anchor commodity, where the method includes dynamically displaying a plurality of bids and asks in the market for the commodities, statically displaying prices corresponding to those plurality of bids and asks, where the bids and asks are displayed in alignment with the prices corresponding thereto, displaying an anchor visual indicator corresponding to and in alignment with a desired price level of the anchor commodity, displaying a price level indicator corresponding to and in alignment with a price level of the non-anchor commodity. Based on an unhedged position, and taking into account the parameters and spread price point values, as determined by the trader, price level indicators are calculated and displayed, which provide a visual representation of where the trader should buy and sell the applicable commodities. The price level for the price level indicator in the non-anchor commodity is determined based upon said desired price level of the anchor commodity. The price level indicator also includes a first visual indicator corresponding to and in alignment with a first price level of the non-anchor commodity and a second visual indicator corresponding to and in alignment with a second price level of the non-anchor commodity. |
| US07707085B2 |
System and method for providing environmental impact information, recording medium recording the information, and computer data signal
An environmental impact information collection system modifies and analyzes environmental impact information, which is collected and stored in advance, and obtains the environmental impact at each process done in an organization, according to each product. The environmental impact information collection system then obtains a set of environmental impacts in a product's life cycle. |
| US07707082B1 |
Method and system for bill management
Methods and systems are disclosed which relate to online bill management via interface surfaces printed with information and coded data. The coded data, encoded visibly or invisibly, may be queried by an appropriate sensing device. The sensing device communicates with a computer system. Together, the interface surfaces, sensing device and computer system are capable of effecting online bill management, including bill payment, over a network. |
| US07707081B2 |
System and method for computer-created advertisements
The invention relates to a computerized method for a user to create an advertisement by displaying a plurality of advertising formats for selection by a user; displaying a template corresponding to a selected advertising format; displaying a plurality of product references for selection by the user; displaying on the template a selected product reference to create a proposed advertisement; and creating a preview of the proposed advertisement, all of which may be implemented using the Internet. The invention further relates to a computerized system for creating an advertisement that comprises a template database for storing advertising formats; a product database for storing product references; and a computer to access the databases. Preferably, the user has a network interface such as Internet access that permits access via a remote location, software to permit a user to specify specifications such as quantity, printing information, ship date, paper type, pricing information, and payment information, and may be configured to receive images and text for new products. |
| US07707077B2 |
Electronic financial transaction with balancing invoice and credit items via page
An electronic transaction, in which a payment amount is deducted from a customer account and added to a provider account, is prepared in cooperation between an account computer and a browser-enabled customer computer. The account computer forwards invoice and credit information as well as calculation instructions in portions of a page to the customer computer. The customer computer interprets a first page portion with a browser to present different invoice items and credit items on a screen. A user selection of the invoice and credit items is received and then the payment amount is calculated by offsetting the amounts of the invoice and credit items with instructions in a second page portion. Thereafter, a response with the payment amount is returned to the account computer. |
| US07707073B2 |
Systems methods and computer program products for providing augmented shopping information
Methods for providing augmented shopping information to a user of a mobile terminal in a store include providing a shopping list identifying a plurality of items and obtaining information regarding physical locations of respective ones of the items in the store. The location of the mobile terminal in the store is established. An image of a view from the location is obtained. An item having an associated location in the obtained image is identified based on the obtained information regarding physical locations. A position within the image corresponding to the respective physical location of the identified item is determined. A graphic indication of the identified item is added to the obtained image at the determined position within the image to provide an augmented image of the view that is displayed to the user on a display of the mobile terminal. |
| US07707072B2 |
Method, system, and apparatus configured to manage entitlements relative to new purchases
An embodiment relates generally to a method of managing entitlements. The method includes receiving an indication of at least one purchase of a product by a user and determining an entitlement history of the user. The method also includes determining a plurality of purchasing conditions based on the entitlement history state and the at least one purchase of the product and providing the plurality of purchasing conditions for a user to select. |
| US07707071B2 |
Systems and methods for online selection of service providers and management of service accounts
An interchange party computer system (IPCS) having means for presenting user interfaces to consumer computer systems and capturing data input through the user interfaces, the IPCS being associated with at least one database holding data representing a plurality of consumer profiles, the profiles including consumer profiles expressing service selection attributes for a plurality of service sectors, and at least one database holding data for a plurality of service programs under a plurality of service sectors, each sector being represented by service programs from a plurality of service providers, the IPCS including (a) a Service Comparison/Selection; (b) an Automatic Bill Payment Module; (c) an Automated Services Monitoring Module; (d) an Automated Best Services Selection Module; (e) a Services Search Module; (f) an Incentive Program Module; (g) a Data Mining Module; and/or (h) a Pooling Module. |
| US07707069B2 |
Supply of digital audio and video products
A server for a merchant computer system, the server comprising: a file store for storing a range of audio/video products in respective product files; a dialogue unit having a network connection and operable to invite and receive a client selection from among the products via the network connection; a product reader for reading the product files to generate a digital audio/video signal; a digital signal processing unit having an input connectable to receive the digital audio/video signal from the product reader, a processing core operable to apply a defined level of content degradation to the digital audio/video signal, and an output connected to output the degraded digital audio/video signal from the processing core to the network connection. It is therefore possible for a content provider to change the characteristics of an audio or video data stream supplied over a network to a potential purchaser in a controlled and variable manner. The amount of degradation is sufficient to enable a potential purchaser to appreciate the characteristics of the audio or video product, whilst reducing the perceived quality. |
| US07707067B2 |
Technology migration program
A program by which retailers offer customers an exchange of older technology for newer technology. The older technology and newer technology have a common characteristic that facilitates the retailer to give the customer the newer technology for a reduced cost. |
| US07707066B2 |
Methods of facilitating merchant transactions using a computerized system including a set of titles
A method of facilitating a transaction between a merchant and a buyer using a computerized system including a set of titles. The method includes storing the set of titles in a merchant site corresponding to a set of products for sale; browsing the merchant site using a client device and selecting a product for purchase; and generating a payment slip title for the product including information relating to a payment amount and a buyer identifier. The method further includes selecting a payment structure from a set of available payment structures; modifying the payment slip title to include information corresponding to the selected payment structure; releasing the product title to the buyer; and transmitting the payment amount to the merchant. |
| US07707065B1 |
Method and arrangement for distributing information and services through a network
A method is provided for distributing information or services through a network. A piece of information or service to be distributed is composed and a list of intended recipients is compiled (301, 301′, 302, 601, 602). Said piece of information or service is released (304, 304′, 603) so that it becomes accessible to the recipients appearing on said list. As a response to an indication (305, 401, 606) of a certain recipient having accessed (605) said piece of information or service, an account associated with said certain recipient is credited (306, 608). |
| US07707062B2 |
Method and system of forecasting customer satisfaction with potential commercial transactions
A method and structure for predicting a satisfaction a consumer will experience contingent on accepting one or more offers from potential sellers. A request is received from a consumer describing one or more transactions in which the consumer may wish to engage. One or more offers are received from one or more potential sellers in response to the request. One or more predictive assessments are received from one or more predictors corresponding to one or more of these offers, each predictive assessment predicting a satisfaction that the consumer will experience contingent on accepting one or more offers from the potential sellers. For one or more of these offers, at least one aggregated prediction is calculated, based on the corresponding predictive assessments, according to a prediction aggregation mechanism. |
| US07707059B2 |
Adaptive marketing using insight driven customer interaction
A system and method for adaptive marketing using insight driven customer interaction. The invention uses a closed-loop process for developing insight that may be used to refine further customer interactions. Results of a first customer interaction such as a marketing campaign are stored in a database. The results may be used to retrain predictive models and gain new insights regarding how customers are responding to marketing campaigns. The insights may be used to refine the offers delivered to customers or to extend additional offers in an effort to increase the likelihood that customers will redeem the offers. After each marketing campaign, the results are stored in the database. New and/or modified offers are created based on insights provided by the results of past campaigns. This process may be repeated such that subsequent campaigns are based on insights generated by the predictive models. The insight enables businesses to better target customers with better offers. These offers can be delivered through ensuing marketing campaigns or, through any form of interaction that the business has with the targeted customers. |
| US07707055B2 |
Method and system for vendor management
A method and system for managing business transactions, such as mortgages or other financial transactions. A business transaction between an end user and a financial institution includes sub-transactions between the end user and a vendor. A software system performs functions to complete the business transaction. Automated ordering allows an end user to quickly and easily order a sub-transaction without input from the financial institution or the vendor, and also automatically orders sub-transactions upon satisfaction of a trigger event. Vendor management functionality allows a financial institution to manage the transactions of a vendor. Qualitative performance analysis functionality allows an end user to monitor and evaluate a vendor's price, turn-around time, quality score, and overall score. Vendor distribution functionality distributes sub-transactions among vendors. Vendor management company functionality allows a vendor management company—a vendor that outsources some or all of its sub-transactions to independent service providers—to effectively use the system. |
| US07707054B2 |
System and method for remotely managing maintenance operations associated with an asset
A commercially acceptable solution to provide for monitoring battery voltage of an asset, managing charging of batteries of a group of assets, and managing scheduled maintenance of assets may utilize system architecture having intelligent wireless devices associated with the individual assets. The use of intelligent wireless devices allows for the asset management system to operate and maintain functionality substantially without loss of data in the event of a loss of communication between the wireless devices and a management computing system via a network, including an out-of-range condition of the wireless devices with respect to a local monitor. |
| US07707052B2 |
Monitoring employment compensation
A method includes receiving compensation information of a particular employee of a first company from a database, receiving compensation information associated with a second company from a different database, and presenting in a graphical user interface (GUI) a graphical representation comparing the compensation information of the particular employee of the first company and the compensation information associated with the second company. |
| US07707050B2 |
Systems and methods for determining concentrations of exposure
A system and method are provided for identifying exposure concentrations. The process of determining exposure concentrations may include organizing exposure data, defining parameters, determining elevated exposure concentrations, and providing output results. The exposure data may relate to at least geographical locations, policies, accounts, portfolios, treaties, and other exposure data. The parameters may be defined to include at least an area of analysis, a region of interest, a threshold amount, results parameters, and other parameters. The exposure concentration may include at least defining and locating exposure locations using various techniques. The results may be presented using textual, graphical, or other display schemes. The output may be configured to convey information such as positional accuracy of an identified area, exposure accumulation in a defined area, and other information. |
| US07707049B2 |
System and method of providing pricing information
The present invention provides a system and method capable of providing an estimated premium without extensive and repetitive questioning. The present invention utilizes unique assumptions to dramatically reduce the amount of information that must be provided by the customer. In one embodiment, the present invention utilizes a mainframe computer system, an application server, and an external rules management system to interact with the customer via an attractive graphic user interface. Once logged onto the website of the present invention, the customer may choose to engage in a fast quote process which utilizes assumptions, driver information, and vehicle information to assess the risk associated with insuring the customer and then calculates an estimated cost to insure. |
| US07707046B2 |
Automated processing of electronic medical data for insurance and disability determinations
Methods and systems are described for automated processing of medical data for insurance and disability determinations. Based on medical conditions claimed by a claimant, medical evidence queries are automatically generated to provide instructions to medical providers for conducting physical exams and laboratory tests and for retrieving medical records. After medical evidence is collected according to the queries, the medical evidence and related rating codes and decisions are displayed to rating personnel in a user-friendly format to assist in making a rating decision. |
| US07707039B2 |
Automatic modification of web pages
Systems and methods for quickly and easily getting information about, or included in, a paper document into a public or private digital page. One embodiment of an example system includes a scanner that generates scan information from at least a portion of a paper document and a processing system that receives the generated scan information from the scanner, accesses a database of digital documents, searches the database based on the received scan information, locates a digital document corresponding to the paper document, and sends either the digital content or a hyperlink to the digital content to a predetermined web page. |
| US07707034B2 |
Audio codec post-filter
Techniques and tools are described for processing reconstructed audio signals. For example, a reconstructed audio signal is filtered in the time domain using filter coefficients that are calculated, at least in part, in the frequency domain. As another example, producing a set of filter coefficients for filtering a reconstructed audio signal includes clipping one or more peaks of a set of coefficient values. As yet another example, for a sub-band codec, in a frequency region near an intersection between two sub-bands, a reconstructed composite signal is enhanced. |
| US07707033B2 |
Method for training a consumer-oriented application device by speech items, whilst reporting progress by an animated character with various maturity statuses each associated to a respective training level, and a device arranged for supporting such method
Training a consumer-oriented application device is based on a plurality of user-presented speech items. A progress measure is reported regarding a training status reached for a particular user person. In particular, the training status is visually represented by an animated character creature which has a plurality of training status representative maturity statuses that are each associated to a corresponding training level. |
| US07707028B2 |
Clustering system, clustering method, clustering program and attribute estimation system using clustering system
A clustering system that clusters a language model group includes a union language model preparation unit that prepares a union language model for each language model so as to include a union of vocabularies in the language model group as entries, and a clustering unit that performs clustering with respect to the union language model group so as to classify the union language model group into a plurality of clusters. When the union language model preparation unit prepares a union language model for a certain language model, the union language model preparation unit records, regarding vocabularies included in the certain language model as a basis, occurrence frequencies of the corresponding entries in the certain language model, and records, regarding vocabularies not included in the certain language model, data showing that an occurrence frequency is 0. Thereby, a clustering system capable of clustering language models that includes voice uttered by or text written by a plurality of speakers can be provided. |
| US07707026B2 |
Multilingual translation memory, translation method, and translation program
A translation memory adapted to sentence-based translation includes a first retrieval dictionary of a first language having a first dictionary TRIE structure and a first index TRIE structure, and a second retrieval dictionary of a second language having a second dictionary TRIE structure and a second index TRIE structure. The first and second dictionary TRIE structures respectively store sub character strings on respective paths from roots to multiple nodes thereof. The first and second index TRIE structure respectively store index information to specify the sub character strings stored in the first and second dictionary TRIE structures. The index information stored in the first retrieval dictionary includes identification information that identifies the index information to specify the sub character strings in the second retrieval dictionary that are translations of those in the first retrieval dictionary. |
| US07707017B2 |
System modeling facilitating method and apparatus
A system modeling facilitating method and apparatus, wherein, entities and interactions among the entities are introduced gradually starting from critical entities in a system to form an abstract view of the entities. An associated sub-module is built for at least one of the entities and interfaces to other entities are formed for the sub-module. Representations of behaviors and logical relations among the behaviors, as well as links between its interfaces and representations of behaviors are built. When an entity is extended to be a sub-module, other entities appear in abstract form, forming a local view of sub-module together with the other entities shown in abstract form. A global view can be formed by combining the sub-modules depicted in the local view based on the interaction described in the abstract view. |
| US07707015B2 |
Methods for capacity management
In one aspect, a method of instructing at least one operator in a best practices implementation of a process for managing resource capacity in an information technology (IT) environment is provided. The method comprising providing instructions to the at least one operator to perform acts of: (A) creating at least one model of at least some aspects of the IT environment; (B) analyzing the at least one model to determine cost information relating to the modeled IT environment; (C) applying at least one simulated use condition to the at least one model; (D) analyzing performance of the at least one model under the at least one simulated use condition to determine information relating to at least a utilization of resources in the modeled IT environment and to determine resources in the modeled IT environment that create performance bottlenecks in the modeled IT environment; and (E) modifying at least one aspect of the at least one model impacting resource capacity based on the information determined in (B) and/or (D). |
| US07707014B2 |
Implementing a data flow block diagram having a control flow node on a programmable hardware element
A computer-implemented system and method for generating a hardware implementation of graphical code. The method comprises first creating a graphical program. A first portion of the graphical program may optionally be compiled into machine code for execution by a CPU. A second portion of the graphical program is converted into a hardware implementation according to the present invention. The operation of converting the graphical program into a hardware implementation comprises exporting the second portion of the graphical program into a hardware description, wherein the hardware description describes a hardware implementation of the second portion of the graphical program, and then configuring a programmable hardware element utilizing the hardware description to produce a configured hardware element. The configured hardware element thus implements a hardware implementation of the second portion of the graphical program. |
| US07707002B2 |
Device and method for determining process status by tone value and color reproduction measurement
The present invention concerns measures for the space-optimized determination of printing-related measured values. With the aid of a tone value and/or color gradient in a control patch and a suitable measuring device, it is possible to obtain, in a smaller amount of space, adequate or even detailed information about the printing process. Correcting values necessary for the automatic control of the printing operation can be determined on the basis of the information thus obtained, which can be also be continuously acquired due to the space-optimized tone value and/or color gradients. |
| US07707000B2 |
Test instrument and system responsive to execution time data
Test instruments constituting an automatic test system are characterized in terms of execution time data. The execution time data is composed of a set of execution times. Each of the execution times is the time required for the test instrument to perform a respective testing operation. The test instruments additionally have the ability to communicate their respective execution time data to such recipients as others of the test instruments, the system controller and recipients outside the automatic test system. Additionally, such test instruments have the ability to communicate test results to at least one other of the test instruments and the ability to process test results received from at least one other of the test instruments. Such characterization, communication and processing allows a system integrator to devise execution time-dependent test programs as part of a test suite that allows test throughput to be maximized. |
| US07706998B2 |
Delay lock loop delay adjusting method and apparatus
Systems and methods for synchronizing communication between devices include using a test circuit to measure a propagation time through a delay circuit. The propagation time is used to determine an initial delay value within a delay lock loop. This delay value is then changed until a preferred delay value, resulting in synchronization, is found. In various embodiments, used of the initial delay value increases the speed, reliability or other beneficial features of the synchronization. |
| US07706995B2 |
Capacitance manometers and methods relating to auto-drift correction
Systems, methods, and apparatus, including software implementation, are disclosed providing drift prediction of output values for manometers. A signal or other indication may be provided for or in relation to a capacitance manometer when a servicing, replacing, and/or zeroing event is predicted or determined to be required, based on a history (e.g., timestamps) associated with previous zeroing events. Previously recorded timestamps can be curve fit with suitable functions to calculate or predict future maintenance, calibration, and/or replacement events for a manometer. Such signals or indications can be generated as an on-screen indication, and could also be available upon interrogation of the manometer via a digital communications link or system. |
| US07706984B2 |
Method and device for identifying molecular species
The invention relates to a device and a method for analyzing the interaction between one or more molecular species the method comprising the steps of creating streams of digital data, transferring the stream of digital data through a substrate, manipulating the molecular structure of the substrate by adding or subtracting molecules or groups of molecules to be examined to or from the substrate, receiving the streams of digital data transferred through the substrate, decoding the identity of an examined molecule or group of molecules interacting with the substrate by deciphering how the molecules affinity to another molecule or group of molecules or molecular sensor or group of molecular sensors alters the stream of digital data. The invention relates further to a method for identifying molecular species, and to a device for identifying molecular species and to a substrate for analyzing the interaction and for identifying molecular species. |
| US07706983B2 |
Method for anonymously registering, storing and using body material and/or information derived therefrom
The present invention relates to a method for anonymously registering, storing and using body material of an individual, and/or information derived from the body material, wherein the anonymity can only be removed with the assistance of the individual himself, comprising the following steps, to be performed in suitable sequence, of: (a) collecting the body material of the individual; (b) determining a distinguishing biological characteristic of the body material; (c) linking the distinguishing biological characteristic to the body material by means of an anonymous coding system; (d) optionally using the body material for the purpose of obtaining information; (e) storing the body material and/or the information derived therefrom; and (f) if desired, returning the body material and/or making the information derived therefrom available to the individual only after a biological characteristic of the individual corresponding with the biological characteristic of the body material has been determined, and it has been established that the biological characteristic of the individual is identical to the biological characteristic of the body material. |
| US07706981B2 |
Method for generating reservoir models utilizing synthetic stratigraphic columns
The present invention incorporates the use of geophysical, geological and formation evaluation data to develop synthetic stratigraphic columns based on depositional rules and sedimentary stacking patterns. The present invention utilizes dynamic assignment and matching whereby the synthetic columns can be easily conformed throughout the reservation characterization process as geological data becomes available. |
| US07706978B2 |
Method for estimating unknown parameters for a vehicle object detection system
A method for estimating unknown parameters (pan angle (ψ), instantaneous tilt angle (τ) and road geometry of an upcoming road segment) for a vehicle object detection system. The vehicle object detection system is preferably a forward looking, radar-cued vision system having a camera, a radar sensor and an processing unit. The method first estimates the pan angle (ψ), then corrects the coordinates from a radar track so that pan angle (ψ) can be treated as zero, and finally solves a least squares problem that determines best estimates for instantaneous tilt angle (τ) and road geometry. Estimating these parameters enables the vehicle object detection system to identify, interpret and locate objects in a more accurate and efficient manner. |
| US07706977B2 |
Personal navigation device for use with portable device
A navigation system used by a user includes a navigation unit and a portable device. The navigation unit generates navigation-related output. The navigation unit transmits the navigation-related output to the portable device over a wireless communication link. The portable device receives the navigation-related output and uses at least a portion of the navigation-related output for processing performed thereby. In one embodiment, the portable device includes an input interface to receive user input from a user of the portable device. In such an embodiment, the portable device transmits the navigation-related input to the navigation unit over the wireless communication link, and the navigation unit uses at least a portion of the navigation-related input to generate the navigation-related output. |
| US07706976B1 |
Position based velocity estimator
A method of determining speed and heading of a rover/rover having one degree of freedom comprising the following steps: (A) determining a rover position coordinates using at least one source of a radio position measurements; (B) storing a set of statistically different rover points in a memory block, and (C) using a subset of rover points including a plurality of stored rover points and a current rover point to determine a speed and a heading of the rover. It is assumed that each rover point comprises a time Epoch and a rover position determined at time Epoch, and that each pair of statistically different rover points comprises two rover positions separated by a statistically significant distance. |
| US07706975B2 |
Mobile cellular identification database for enhanced GPS performance
A mobile station database of cellular identifications and associated position information is stored in mobile station memory. The mobile station uses the position information in the database to assist in determining a current position for the mobile based on an identifier, such as cell ID, base station BSIC, PSC, or carrier frequency. A satellite vehicle signal is searched in an uncertainty region that is a function of position information associated with the current identifier. The uncertainty region can be limited by assumed platform dynamics via predefined velocity and acceleration information. Time maintenance for the mobile station can also be achieved through known approximate position from the position database and measurement of a single satellite vehicle propagation delay. The mobile station can compare a position determination obtained through satellite vehicle signals with position database information to determine the validity of that position. Out-of-network position information is also stored in the position database and is optionally shared with a network. |
| US07706974B2 |
Navigation device and route guide method
The invention provides a navigation device that displays a map image representing a map and a recommended route graphic representing a recommended route from a current location to a destination on the map image. The navigation device includes a self intersecting place detection unit that detects a place where the recommended route intersects itself as a self intersecting place, and a recommended route plotting unit that plots the recommended route graphic on the map image so as to display part of the recommended route graphic corresponding to an interval to be passed next through the self intersecting place, and parts of the recommended route graphic corresponding to the intervals passing through the self intersecting place other than the interval to be passed next, in different display modes. Thus, it is possible to display the recommended route on the map so that the user will easily recognize the correct travel path at the self intersecting place on the recommended route. |
| US07706971B2 |
System and method for data mapping and map discrepancy reporting
Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to systems and methods for identifying and eliminating discrepancies in electronic maps. Embodiments of a method and system for correcting discrepancies in an electronic map includes receiving location information from one or more computing devices using the electronic map, identifying a discrepancy between the electronic map and the location information, and altering the electronic map to eliminate the discrepancy. |
| US07706965B2 |
Rectifying erroneous road traffic sensor data
Techniques are described for assessing road traffic conditions in various ways based on obtained traffic-related data, such as data samples from road traffic sensors (e.g., physical sensors that are near or embedded in the roads) and/or from vehicles and other mobile data sources traveling on the roads. The assessment of road traffic conditions based on obtained sensor data readings and/or other data samples may include various filtering and/or conditioning of the data samples, and various inferences and probabilistic determinations of traffic-related characteristics of interest. Assessing obtained data may further include determining traffic conditions (e.g., traffic flow and/or average traffic speed) for various portions of a road network in a particular geographic area, based at least in part on obtained data samples. |
| US07706964B2 |
Inferring road speeds for context-sensitive routing
Sensing, learning, inference, and route analysis methods are described that center on the development and use of models that predict road speeds. In use, the system includes a receiver component that receives a traffic system representation, the traffic system representation includes velocities for a plurality of road segments over different contexts. A predictive component analyzes the traffic system representation and automatically assigns velocities to road segments within the traffic system representation, thereby providing more realistic velocities for different contexts where only statistics and/or posted speed limits were available before. The predictive component makes predictions about velocities for road segments at a current time or at specified times in the future by considering available velocity information as well as such information as the properties of roads, geometric relationships among roads of different types, proximal terrain and businesses, and other resources near road segments, and/or contextual information. |
| US07706962B2 |
Diagnosis device for electromagnetic relief valve in fuel delivery device
A fuel delivery device 11 has a delivery pipe 18, which supplies fuel to a fuel injection valve 21 of an internal combustion engine 10. An electromagnetic relief valve 22 releases the fuel from the delivery pipe 18 in response to an opening instruction and lowers the pressure of the fuel in the delivery pipe 18. A diagnosis device for the relief valve 22 has an electronic control unit 27 outputting the opening instruction to the relief valve 22 in response to a stopping instruction for stopping the engine 10. The unit 27 determines whether the relief valve 22 has a defect based on a manner in which the pressure of the fuel in the delivery pipe 18 changes after output of the stopping instruction. As a result, it is appropriately diagnosed whether the electromagnetic relief valve 22 has a defect. |
| US07706956B2 |
Apparatus and system for driving fuel injectors with piezoelectric elements
An apparatus is provided for driving an injector injecting fuel into an internal combustion engine. The injector is provided with a piezoelectric element to be charged and discharged. The apparatus comprises a calculator and a charger. The calculator calculates a command value to charge the piezoelectric element. The calculator includes correcting means that corrects the command value based on information indicating either an operation of the piezoelectric element or an electric characteristic of the apparatus. The charger charges the piezoelectric element in response to the corrected command value to accumulate a desired amount of electric energy at the piezoelectric element. |
| US07706950B2 |
Controlling apparatus for continuously variable transmission
A continuously variable transmission 18 changes a speed-change ratio γ so that an actual rotation speed NIN of an input shaft 36 coincides with a target rotation speed NIN* set based on a target output P*. A target output calculating portion 156 calculates a first target drive force related value P1* based on both an acceleration required amount Acc and a load of an auxiliary machine AUX, calculates a second target drive force related value P2* based on the acceleration required amount without considering the auxiliary machine load, and sets the second drive force related value as the drive force related value P* upon a vehicle regular running. Even when the auxiliary machine load fluctuates in the vehicle regular running the target output does not fluctuate, and prevention of fluctuation of the target output rotation speed increases the drivability in the vehicle regular running. |
| US07706947B2 |
Industrial truck having increased static or quasi-static tipping stability
A forward-control counterweight fork-lift truck has a liftable and tiltable load-lifting device (1), a traction drive and operating drives for the movement of the load-lifting device (1). A calculation model (D) is stored in a control device (SE), to which directly or indirectly acting sensors (S) are connected for detecting the lifting load (L), the lifting height (H), the tilting angle (WM), the load torque (M), the direction of travel (R), the driving speed (V), and the steering angle (WL). The control device (SE) is designed to determine a driving and load state (Z) based on the detected physical variables (L, H, WM, M, R, V, WL) and the stored calculation model (D) and is operatively connected to the traction drive and the operating drives. Depending on the driving and load state (Z) determined, the operating speed, starting and braking acceleration, and driving speed are each reduced. |
| US07706946B2 |
Safety system for vehicle occupants
A safety system for occupants of a vehicle having, e.g., acceleration sensors and/or pressure sensors for sensing a side crash. The safety system also includes a detector to detect the lateral velocity of the vehicle. The control of the restraining devices of the safety system is able to be influenced by the detected lateral velocity. |
| US07706945B2 |
Vehicle lateral control system
A vehicle lateral control system that integrates both vehicle dynamics and kinematics control. The system includes a driver interpreter that provides desired vehicle dynamics and predicted vehicle path based on driver input. Error signals between the desired vehicle dynamics and measured vehicle dynamics, and between the predicted vehicle path and the measured vehicle target path are sent to dynamics and kinematics control processors for generating a separate dynamics and kinematics command signals, respectively, to minimize the errors. The command signals are integrated by a control integration processor to combine the commands to optimize the performance of stabilizing the vehicle and tracking the path. The integrated command signal can be used to control one or more of front wheel assist steering, rear-wheel assist steering or differential braking. |
| US07706942B2 |
Vehicle suspension control system and method
A vehicle suspension control system includes a level change recognition section that recognizes a change in level in a road, e.g. roadside curb, a travel path prediction section that predicts the travel path of the host vehicle, a ride-up judgment section which predicts that a wheel or wheels will ride up over the change in level, based on the predicted travel path, and a vehicle suspension element control section that controls the operation of the vehicle suspension or of an element thereof when ride up over the change in level is predicted. The system reliably reduces the jolting sensation which would otherwise occur when a wheel rides up over the change in level. |
| US07706939B2 |
Data recording apparatus and shut-down method for data recording apparatus
In a data recording apparatus for recording control parameters in a control unit in a vehicle, it is determined whether or not the control unit has terminated an operation for outputting control parameters to be recorded. Then, when it is determined that the control unit has terminated the operation, shut-down processing is executed at a timing at which the termination of the operation is determined for shutting down a power supply to the data recording apparatus. |
| US07706936B2 |
Method and system for adaptively modifying diagnostic vehicle information
A method and system for adaptively modifying diagnostic vehicle information is provided. A system can automatically optimize default OEM diagnostic vehicle information by recognizing when to make text and non-text modifications within the information. Manual changes that are made once can be learned and used over and over again. Modifications may be made based on a desired use of the diagnostic vehicle information. |
| US07706934B2 |
Portable guide device and portable telephone
A portable guide device is characterized by comprising a transport facility start judgment means for judging that a transport facility has begun to move if a period where an acceleration detected by an acceleration sensor (SN3) is included continuously in an acceleration range at the time of starting movement is not shorter than the acceleration continuation time; a distance calculation means for calculating the moving distance of the transport facility according to an acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor (SN3) when start of movement of the transport facility is detected; a route information storage means (KC6A) for storing route information including information on a distance between stations of the transport facility and station identifying information for identifying each station; and an announcement device control means (KC1) for controlling an announcement unit (11) which announces guidance of a station to a user of the portable guide device according to the station identification information on an entraining station, route information, and the moving distance. |
| US07706929B2 |
Preheating control system of information processing device and control method thereof
A preheating control system of an information processing device and a control method thereof are described. The system includes a temperature sensing module, a first controller, a heating module, and a second controller. After receiving a power ON signal, the first controller shifts to a primary control mode and determines whether temperature of the hard disk satisfies an operating temperature scope or not. When the temperature does not satisfy the operating temperature scope, the heating module is used to heat the hard disk. When the temperature satisfies the operating temperature scope, the first controller shifts to a secondary control mode and activates the second controller to execute a boot program of the information processing device, thereby improving system stability. |
| US07706926B2 |
Adaptive feedback sources for application controllers
The present invention provides an advanced spray control system for controlling a sprayer, which comprises a controller, a plurality of sensors and feedback means, and an output means for controlling the application system of the sprayer. The controller receives inputs from the operator through a user interface, and/or various feedback signals from the sensors of the system (e.g., a flow meter, or a pressure transducer). After processing these inputs, the controller sends signals to other components of the sprayer, such as, the pump, the storage means, the boom sections, and/or the nozzles, to maintain or change their operating conditions. Also provided are a method of controlling a sprayer using the spray control system and a sprayer comprising the spray control system of the present invention. |
| US07706923B2 |
Controller interface with separate schedule review mode
A controller equipped with a user interface having a separate schedule review mode, including methods of accessing and/or programming such devices, are disclosed. The controller may include a user interface that can be utilized to initiate a scheduling routine having a separate schedule review mode for displaying one or more schedule parameters of the controller without initiating the editing mode. An illustrative method of accessing a schedule on a controller coupled to a user interface may include the steps of initializing a scheduling routine within the controller, initiating a schedule review mode within the controller, displaying one or more schedule parameters for at least one period on the user interface, and exiting the scheduling routine. One or more of the schedule parameters can be modified, if desired, by initiating a separate editing mode within the controller. |
| US07706919B2 |
Wafer position teaching method and teaching jig
An object is to provide a method for teaching the position of a semiconductor wafer automatically and accurately without relying on the sight of an operator as well as a teaching jig that is used for the above method.To this end, in the invention, a teaching jig 11 is detected by a first transmission-type sensor 6 that is provided at the tips of a wafer gripping portion 5 of a robot. The teaching jig 11 is composed of a large disc portion 12 that is the same in outer diameter as a semiconductor wafer and a small disc portion 13 that is concentric with the large disc portion 12. The teaching jig 21 is detected by a second transmission-type sensor 18 that is provided on the wafer gripping portion 5. The second transmission-type sensor 18 is mounted on a sensor jig 15 so as to be detachable form the wafer gripping portion 5. |
| US07706918B2 |
Article holding system, robot, and method of controlling robot
An article holding system includes a recognizing device for recognizing the state of the holding object, a holding method specifying means for specifying the holding method according to the state recognized by the recognizing device, and a holding device for holding the holding object according to the holding method specified by the holding method specifying means. |
| US07706917B1 |
Celestial navigation system for an autonomous robot
A navigational control system for an autonomous robot includes a transmitter subsystem having a stationary emitter for emitting at least one signal. An autonomous robot operating within a working area utilizes a receiving subsystem to detect the emitted signal. The receiver subsystem has a receiver for detecting the emitted signal emitted by the emitter and a processor for determining a relative location of the robot within the working area upon the receiver detecting the signal. |
| US07706916B2 |
Three-dimensional force and torque converter with tetrahedral array
A three-dimensional force and torque converter unit for measuring an external force or torque applied to the unit and converting it into a signal, whereby the signal may be used to control a system or device incorporating the converter unit. The converter unit includes a controller formed with four spaced apart arms having six or more degrees of constraint. A force or torque may be applied to the tip portions of each of the arms via a gripping means. Sensors are used to measure the deflection of the arms under an applied loading or torque and an output signal is generated. |
| US07706912B2 |
Orifice formation control system
An orifice formation system is provided. The system includes a manufacturing machine configured to form an orifice in a workpiece, a computed tomography x-ray machine configured to generate data based on geometry of the workpiece, and a computer in communication with the manufacturing machine and the computed tomography x-ray machine. The computer is configured to control the manufacturing machine based on the data generated by the computed tomography x-ray machine. A method of controlling formation of an orifice in a workpiece is also provided. The method includes acquiring computed tomography data about the workpiece, determining geometry of the workpiece based on the computed tomography data, and forming an orifice in the workpiece based on the determined geometry of the workpiece. |
| US07706909B2 |
Three-dimension printing system including semiconductor object incorporation device
A system that prints three dimensional products is provided. The system includes at least one printhead for printing material to create the printed product, and an object incorporation device. The object incorporation device incorporates inorganic semiconductor objects into cavities created during the printing process. |
| US07706908B2 |
Method for positioning a wafer
The invention relates to a method for positioning a wafer (3) with a reference mark (6) in a vacuum processing unit with a transport chamber containing a transport device (2, 20, 21) for moving the wafers (3) in a plane to a process chamber arranged on said chamber and a single sensor (1), arranged within the transport chamber before the process chamber for recording the position of the wafer (3) by means of recording the edge thereof at a first detection point (4) and a second detection point (5), such that the actual position of the wafer (12) with a known wafer diameter can be determined with electronic analysis of both measured detection points (4, 5) and the transport device (2, 20, 21) guides the wafer (3) to a desired set position. The wafer (3) is aligned in a given position on the transport device (2, 20, 21) in relation to the reference marks (6) thereof and the projection of the reference marks (6) determines a non-permitted zone (22) along a direction of movement on the wafer (3) and hence defines a free zone on the remainder of the wafer (3). The sensor (1) is arranged in the transport chamber such as to guarantee that the non-permitted zone (22) is not scanned and the sensor (1) can thus only record the circular art of the wafer edge and not parts of the reference mark (6). |
| US07706907B2 |
Substrate processing apparatus, substrate processing method, computer program, and storage medium
A substrate processing apparatus is provided, which can place a substrate in a correct position, even though a positional error occurs between the substrate carried in a processing vessel and a placing table. This substrate processing apparatus can take a necessary action immediately against a positional error of the substrate generated when the substrate is separated from the placing table after completion of a process. The plasma apparatus 1 includes a processing vessel 11, lifting pins 34 provided in the processing vessel 11, and a detecting head 22. A wafer W is carried into the processing vessel 11 from the exterior of the processing vessel 11 by using a carrying apparatus 6, and is stopped in a transferring position above the lifting pins 34. Thereafter, the detecting head 22 is moved from an evacuation position to a detection position, so as to obtain positional error information between a current position in which the wafer W is currently held and a programmed position in which the transfer of the wafer W is to be carried out. Based on the positional error information, the transferring position of the wafer W is corrected by using the carrying apparatus 6, such that an amount of the positional error between the current position W and the programmed position is within an allowable range. |
| US07706903B2 |
Selective muting of applications
Methods, computer program products, and electronic devices are provided for managing sound in a plurality of computer-executed applications. One method includes: operating a sound manager function to provide a user with an option to selectively mute up to n-1 applications of n applications, where n>1; and in response to the user choosing to selectively mute up to n-1 applications, the sound manager function selectively muting the up to n-1 applications. Another method includes providing a user with an option to selectively mute up to n-1 applications of n applications, where n>1. In response to the user choosing to selectively mute up to n-1 applications, at least one action is performed in response to requests to play sounds by the selectively muted applications so that the sounds are muted with respect to a sound device. |
| US07706899B2 |
Method and apparatus for adaptive cascade proportional-integral-derivative controller
An adaptive cascade proportional-integral-derivative controller produces a fixed controller output including a fixed proportional-integral-derivative and a fixed feedforward controller command, and an adaptive controller output including an adaptive cascade PID and an adaptive feedforward command all from a reference command. The fixed controller output and the adaptive controller output are added to produce a control command for a controlled system, which provides a measure of an output and a rate of change of the output as feedback for the controller. |
| US07706897B2 |
Functional block for field devices used in process automation technology
A function block for field devices of process automation technology. The function block can be loaded into a component of a field device and is linkable with other function blocks (e.g., PID, AI, AO). The function block includes a web-server which makes information available in a general descriptive language (e.g., HTML). |
| US07706890B2 |
Treating a tumor or the like with an electric field that is focused at a target region
An apparatus is provided for selectively destroying dividing cells in living tissue formed of dividing cells and non-dividing cells. The dividing cells contain polarizable intracellular members and during late anaphase or telophase, the dividing cells are connected to one another by a cleavage furrow. The apparatus includes insulated electrodes to be coupled to a generator for subjecting the living tissue to electric field conditions sufficient to cause movement of the polarizable intracellular members toward the cleavage furrow in response to a non-homogeneous electric field being induced in the dividing cells. The movement of the polarizable intracellular members towards the cleavage furrow causes the breakdown thereof which adversely impacts the multiplication of the dividing cells, but does not damage non-dividing cells. In some embodiments, the electric field is guided to a desired target region by varying the sizes of the electrodes that are used to apply the electric field. In other embodiments, the electric field is guided to a desired target region (and/or away from other regions) by positioning one or more conductors in appropriate positions within the patient's body. |
| US07706889B2 |
Tree-based electrical stimulator programming
The disclosure describes an implantable stimulation system that guides programming with a therapeutic tree. All possible stimulation parameters are arranged on the therapeutic tree, with each level of the therapeutic tree containing a different stimulation parameter type. Each level includes nodes that are connected to nodes of adjacent levels. A program path is created by moving through nodes of lower levels. The stimulation parameter types are arranged so that coarse adjustments occur at higher levels of the tree and fine adjustments occur at lower levels of the tree. The nodes of the program path define the stimulation parameters of the delivered stimulation therapy. Performance feedback may be used by the system to evaluate nodes of the therapeutic tree and define the program path. The performance feedback may include beneficial effects, adverse effects, and system performance related to the stimulation therapy. Additionally, one or more sensors may provide the performance feedback. |
| US07706888B2 |
Bi-planar electrode with shunting gates
A neural stimulator includes an electrically non-conductive carrier and at least two electrically conductive electrodes disposed on opposite sides of the carrier. The electrodes on the opposite sides of the carrier are not electrically connected together. Instead, a signal source is connected to one of the electrodes on one side of the carrier and a return path to the signal source is connected to a corresponding electrode on the other side of the carrier. The corresponding electrode can, but need not be, directly opposite the electrode on the other side of the carrier. The electrodes can be rings, disks, other shapes or combinations thereof. Optionally, the carrier includes low-impedance shunts therethrough. |
| US07706884B2 |
Baroreflex stimulation synchronized to circadian rhythm
An aspect relates to a baroreflex stimulator. An embodiment of the stimulator comprises a pulse generator to provide a baroreflex stimulation signal through an electrode, and a modulator to modulate the baroreflex stimulation signal based on a circadian rhythm template. |
| US07706873B2 |
System and method for controlled delivery of a therapeutic agent to a target location within an internal body tissue
A method and system for the localized delivery of therapeutic agents to internal body tissues, especially the brain. In one aspect the invention is a method of delivering a therapeutic agent to a target location within an internal body tissue, the method comprising: charging the therapeutic agent; providing a plurality of polarizable microcatheters surrounding the target location; delivering the charged therapeutic agent between the microcatheters; and polarizing the microcatheters thereby generating an electrical field between the microcatheters that moves the charged therapeutic agent throughout the target location. In another aspect the invention is a system for carrying out the method. |
| US07706871B2 |
System and method of prediction of response to neurological treatment using the electroencephalogram
Disclosed is a system and method of assessing the efficacy of and predicting response to treatment of neurological or psychological disorders. The preferred embodiment uses at least two surface electrodes to acquire EEG signals from the surface of a patient's body, a processor for computing from the EEG signals various features and indices that are representative of the patient's neurological or psychological state. Pretreatment indices represent a patient's neurological or psychological state and therefore may be used to predict the response to treatment. Changes in these parameters may be used to assess the efficacy of treatment and to modify the treatment to optimize the resultant patient state. |
| US07706859B2 |
Device for detecting shape of endoscope
Position detecting elements are disposed in an endoscope insertion portion at predetermined intervals. Even when the endoscope insertion portion is bent, position data representing the detected positions of the elements is used to infer or detect the shape of the insertion portion. A virtual element is disposed between adjoining elements so that a predetermined condition will be met. Position data of the virtual element is used together with the actually detected position data in order to interpolate data for the purpose of detecting the shape of the insertion portion. Consequently, as if a larger number of elements were disposed, the shape of the insertion portion can be detected highly precisely. |
| US07706857B2 |
Methods and apparatus for mapping internal and bulk motion of an object with phase labeling in magnetic resonance imaging
Magnetic resonance imaging method and apparatus are provided for mapping the internal or bulk motion of an object by labeling the phase of a specimen magnetization with a selected spatial function and measuring changes in the phase of the magnetization. The spatial function is selectable to provide magnetization phase modulation corresponding to displacements in a selected direction, such as a radial or azimuthal direction. Methods and apparatus for producing images based on magnetization phase modulation acquire image data based on stimulated echos and stimulated anti-echos. In an embodiment, a series of 180 degree pulses produces alternating stimulated and stimulated anti-echos that are measured and assigned to respective images. |
| US07706855B1 |
System and method for MR data acquisition with uniform fat suppression
A system and method of MR imaging is disclosed that includes reconstruction of MR images with uniform or homogeneous fat suppression. An imaging process is performed using partial asymmetric acquisitions in conjunction with zero-filling of k-space for dynamic contrast-enhanced imaging. Data acquisition is carried out in a relatively short period of time which reduces scan time, reduces the likelihood of subject discomfort and motion-induced artifacts, and increases patient throughput. |
| US07706854B2 |
Device for recording cross-sectional images
In order to improve the quality of cross-sectional images, which have been recorded along a longitudinal axis of a vessel of a body, it is proposed to add successive cross-sectional images to an overall cross-sectional image. Artifacts in the cross-sectional images are hereby weakened and pathological structures to be detected are high-lighted. |
| US07706851B2 |
Compander, and associated methodology, for a radio communication station operable pursuant to a coded squelch scheme
Apparatus, and an associated method, for companding communication data. Companding is provided for a two-way radio communication station operable pursuant to a coded squelch scheme, such as an MURS or FRS radio. A baseband processor invokes compression operations upon originating communication data that is originated at the communication station. And, the processor invokes operation of expansion operations when the communication data comprises terminating data. |
| US07706846B2 |
Mobile terminal capable of re-selecting cell in accordance of residual amount of battery and method of operating the same
A mobile terminal and method for re-selecting a cell in accordance with a residual amount of a battery capacity so that the number of times or re-selecting a cell is reduced in accordance with the residual amount of the battery capacity. Information on a plurality of cells having different priorities in a hierarchical cell structure (HCS) is received and a cell size measuring reference is re-set in accordance with the received cell information or the residual amount of the battery capacity so that the mobile terminal is connected to a cell selected among the cells measured in accordance with the re-set measuring reference. |
| US07706841B2 |
Apparatus and method for transmitting wireless LAN information in mobile communication network for wireless LAN interworking
An apparatus and a method are provided for transmitting wireless local area network (WLAN) information in a mobile communication network for WLAN-interworking. The method includes the steps of setting a WLAN threshold value, which is used for determining if a WLAN area is present in a cell, and a measurement period in system information, broadcasting the system information in the cell, and transmitting a common pilot channel, which indicates that the WLAN area is present in the cell, in a predetermined direction with predetermined transmission power to cover the WLAN area by using beam forming. |
| US07706836B2 |
Method and system for a radio data system (RDS) demodulator for a single chip integrated bluetooth and frequency modulation (FM) transceiver and baseband processor
Aspects of a method and system for a radio data service (RDS) demodulator for a single chip integrated Bluetooth and frequency modulation (FM) transceiver and baseband processor are presented. Aspects of the system may include circuitry on a single chip that enables demodulation of an RDS signal, filtering of the RDS signal, and detection of binary bits in the filtered RDS signal. The filtered RDS signal may be generated by filtering the RDS signal based on a raised cosine filter, or a doublet filter. In general, the RDS signal may also be filtered by a filter that is a first, or greater derivative of a Gaussian filter in either the time or frequency domain. Aspects of the method may include demodulating the RDS signal, filtering the RDS signal, and detecting binary bits in the filtered RDS signal. |
| US07706835B2 |
High-frequency circuit device
A high-frequency circuit device is provided that achieves cost reduction and reduction in power consumption and does not require an additional high-frequency amplifier even when a transmission frequency band is newly added. The high-frequency circuit device has a configuration including a transmission amplifier circuit for transmitting high-frequency power from an antenna, which includes at least one high-frequency amplifier for a wide frequency band that amplifies signals in a plurality of transmission frequency bands differing by not less than 200 MHz from each other, a duplexer that is provided for performing simultaneous transmission/reception, upstream and downstream switch circuits in the direction of transmission that are provided so as to sandwich the duplexer between the high-frequency amplifier for a wide frequency band and the antenna and are switched on when the simultaneous transmission/reception is performed, and a power supply amplitude modulator that supplies an amplitude modulation voltage to a power supply terminal of the transmission amplifier circuit. |
| US07706824B2 |
Requesting and controlling access in a wireless communications network
A method, a computer program product and a device for requesting access to a node (BS) of a wireless communications network (10) are described. In the network (10) identification codes are used to differentiate access requests of different network components (UE). The method comprises the step of determining information about a transmission path (12) to e.g. the network node (BS), the step of determining an identification code in dependence on the determined transmission path information, wherein previously an association between identification codes and transmission path information has been established, and the step of modulating the selected identification code onto a signal to generate an access request signal carrying transmission path information. |
| US07706823B2 |
Method and system for synchronizing a base station of a wireless communication system and a subscriber communication equipment
A method of synchronizing a base station of a wireless communication system and a subscriber communication equipment located in the coverage area of the base station by compensating a sampling frequency offset in the subscriber equipment by interpolating input and/or output signals of a radio frequency part of the communication equipment to generate samples corresponding to the original symbol timing of the base station, and compensating the carrier frequency offset from the estimate of the sampling clock error. |
| US07706807B2 |
Systems and methods for evaluating point of communications locations
A computer-based program performs calculations to analyze, vary, test, manage, and/or improve the performance of channels and/or frequencies in the communication spectrum. The program varies parameters of a point of communication, such as the location, transmission power, channel frequency, antenna height, and the like, alone or in combination, to measure, test, and/or evaluate which parameter changes increase the market coverage of a target market or area. In some scenarios, changes to one point of communication cause the regulations governing the broadcast relationship between one or more nearby points of communication to be violated. When this occurs, the program determines which of the parameters, such as the location, transmission power, channel and/or frequency, antenna height, and the like, alone or in combination, of the point of communication interfering with the increased market coverage scenario to vary to overcome the conflict with communications and/or regulatory law. In addition, the program can determine simultaneously which of the parameters of multiple points of communication to vary to overcome the conflict with communications and/or regulatory law. The program outputs multiple solutions with varying degrees of difficulty and varying amounts of performance improvement. |
| US07706805B2 |
Delivery of time-sensitive data in a wireless network
Embodiments of the invention include a method and software for pre-allocating bandwidth for time-sensitive data such as voice data, for allocating some of the pre-allocated bandwidth to calls, and for timely delivery of frames that include time-sensitive data such as voice data in both the uplink and downlink direction for calls between an access point, e.g., a quality-assured access point (Q-AP) and one or more of its client stations. |
| US07706802B2 |
Media gateway interconnect routing in a softswitch environment
Calls are routed in a distributed mobile switching center environment in response to receiving a call to be routed from a first switching mode (310(1) to a second switching node (310(2)). An inter-switch mute for the call from the first switching node to the second switching node is identified. The inter-switch route includes an intermediate switching node (305) having multiple media gateway (320). An intra-switch route within the intermediate switching node is selected from multiple possible intra-switch routes for use in establishing the inter-switch route. Each of the intra-switch routes includes one or more interconnections (330) between media gateways. The call is connected using the identified inter-switch route and the selected intra-switch route. |
| US07706792B1 |
Intelligent customer care support
In a mobile communications system a visiting location register (VLR) associated with a switching receives an address of an external control component and a service identifier identifying a service to be performed by the external control component from a home location register (HLR) associated with a mobile communications device. When a customer care call from the mobile communications device is received at the switching center, the switching center suspends call processing and queries the external control component utilizing the address from the VLR. The external control component performs the service indicated by the service indicator and determines a translation for the customer care call and returns information to the switching center for routing the call according to the translation. The translation may be determined at least in part according to the service performed by the external control component. The translation may be determined at least in part according to one or more of time of day, day of week, location of the switching center, or NPA-Nxx. The service indicator and address of the external control component may be provided by the HLR in Dialed CAMEL Subscription Information (D-CSI) associated with the mobile communication device. |
| US07706783B2 |
Channel switching in a mobile station
A mobile station adapted for channel switching comprises an input unit adapted to receive user input associated with selection of content. The mobile station also comprises a timer generating unit operatively coupled to the input unit, adapted to generate a timer related to transmission of a command derived from the user input to a content server in response to the user input. The mobile station also comprises a transmitting unit operatively coupled to the input unit, adapted to transmit the command derived from the user input to the content server in response to expiration of the timer. The mobile station also comprises a receiving unit operatively coupled to the transmitting unit, adapted to receive the content from the content server in response to receipt of the command derived from the user input by the content server. |
| US07706782B1 |
System and method for developing information for a wireless information system
A system and method is described for providing data to a mobile information system. A broadcast server receives information preferences from a plurality of subscribers to the mobile information system. The broadcast server aggregates these information preferences and transmits the aggregated information preferences to at least one data source providers. The data source providers then assemble data for the mobile information system using the aggregated information preferences. |
| US07706781B2 |
Data security in a mobile e-mail service
A method for conveying e-mail traffic between an e-mail server (108) and a mobile terminal (102) which has an e-mail address (122A) under the e-mail server and permanent terminal identity (122B) and a temporary identity (122D) in an access network (114). A connectivity function (600) is operationally coupled to the e-mail server (108) and the access network (114). The connectivity function (120) encrypts e-mail traffic to the mobile terminal and decrypt e-mail traffic from the mobile terminal, by using encryption information (122C). The mobile terminal generates (2-1) a service activation code which comprises an identifier (124D) of the mobile terminal, encryption information (122C) and checksum information. The service activation code is conveyed (2-3, 2-4) via a secure channel (2-3) to an authenticating terminal (100), from which the identifier (124D) of the mobile terminal and the encryption information (122C) are conveyed to the connectivity function (600). |
| US07706777B2 |
Secure user interface in a shared resource environment
A system and method for providing a secure user interface in a shared resource environment. Various aspects of the present invention may comprise establishing a first wireless communication link between a first system and a user interface system. A first wireless communication port may, for example, establish such a wireless communication link. A first secure communication pathway may be established between the first system and the user interface system. A first secure communication module may, for example, establish such a secure communication pathway. A second wireless communication link may be established between a second system and the user interface system. A second wireless communication port may, for example, establish such a wireless communication link. A second communication pathway between the second system and the user interface system may be established. A second communication module may, for example, establish such a communication pathway. |
| US07706776B2 |
Scheme for MAC address privacy in infrastructure-based multi-hop wireless networks
A system and method for enhancing media access control (MAC) address privacy in a multi-hop wireless network, comprising providing at least one node which generates a temporary MAC address for itself for use in the network by at least one other node, and which ensures that the temporary MAC address is unique among other nodes in the network prior to using the temporary MAC address. |
| US07706773B2 |
System and method for managing communication services provided to a mobile terminal using a temporary wireless directory number
A system and method are provided for managing emergency services received by a mobile terminal having a temporary wireless directory number (TDN). The system includes an emergency call register (ECR) network and a disaster recovery call center (DRCC). The DRCC authorizes the mobile terminal to receive emergency services and provides service information for managing the emergency services to the ECR network if the mobile terminal is authorized to receive the emergency services. |
| US07706770B2 |
RF reception system and integrated circuit with programmable filter and methods for use therewith
An integrated circuit includes an on-chip antenna interface, coupled to an off-chip antenna interface having at least one off-chip filter component that forms a programmable filter with the at least one off-chip filter component. The programmable filter is programmable based on a control signal. An RF receiver generates inbound data in response to a received signal from the programmable filter. |
| US07706767B2 |
Dual path loop filter for phase lock loop
A dual path loop filter circuit for a phase lock loop is described. The filter circuit allows the filter to be integrated into a phase lock loop IC circuit without using active circuit components that may create additional noise and consume additional power. The filter circuit structure allows for a low capacitance capacitor to be used to filter out any undesired signals. |
| US07706766B2 |
Method and system for a programmable biasing mechanism for a mobile digital television environment
Certain aspects of a method and system for programmable biasing mechanism for a mobile digital television environment are disclosed. Aspects of one method may include controlling a bias of components within each of a plurality of radio frequency (RF) front-ends that comprise low noise amplifiers (LNAs) integrated within a single chip multi-band RF receiver, and of components within each of a plurality of baseband processors integrated within the single chip multi-band RF receiver. The controlling of the bias is based on signal power measurements within the integrated RF front-ends and within the baseband processors, and each of the plurality of RF front-ends handles processing of at least one of: a received UHF signal and a received L-band signal. |
| US07706764B2 |
Systems and methods for active noise cancellation in an RFID tag reader
Systems and methods for providing active noise cancellation in an RFID tag reader are described. In one aspect, the method features increasing the signal-to-noise-plus-interference ratio of a radio frequency tag response. The method includes receiving, with a first antenna element of a radio frequency tag reader, a radio frequency tag response having a noise-plus-interference portion and a response portion, receiving a noise-plus-interference signal with a second antenna element of the radio frequency tag reader, and processing the received radio frequency tag response and the noise-plus-interference signal to increase a signal-to-noise-plus-interference ratio of the received radio frequency tag response. |
| US07706754B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for measuring frequencies of basestations in cellular networks using mobile GPS receivers
Methods and apparatuses for frequency synchronizing basestations in a cellular communication system. In one aspect of the invention, a method to predict a timing of transmission of a basestation in a cellular communication system includes: receiving a first time tag for a first timing marker in a first cellular signal transmitted from the basestation; receiving a second time tag of a second timing marker in a second cellular signal transmitted from the basestation; and computing a frequency related to the basestation using the first and second time tags. Each of the time tags are determined using at least one satellite positioning system signal received at a mobile station which receives the corresponding time marker. |
| US07706753B2 |
System of communication using microwave signals over wireline networks
The present invention provides a system for wide-range microwave communications over wireline networks. In an exemplary embodiment, a wide-range transceiver is made having pre-calibrated modular units including an IF radio processing card, an RF transmitter module, and an RF receiver module. Calibration factors are loaded into a memory (e.g., EEPROM) in each module during production. Certain additional calibration factors may also be loaded upon installation, such as a one time calibration for the type and length of cable connecting the RF unit to a remote SPU (signal processing unit). A processor in the RF unit is responsive to control signaling indicating a desired transmitter or receiver configuration (e.g., a particular frequency, bandwidth and modulation), to attenuate the signal in the transmitter/receiver path based on the predetermined calibration factors from the applicable modules. A method for calibrating the modules is also disclosed. |
| US07706752B2 |
Wireless communication terminal and method for controlling power and using channel by adjusting channel bandwidth of wireless communication terminal
A wireless communication terminal and a method for controlling power and using a channel by adjusting a channel bandwidth of the wireless communication terminal. The wireless communication terminal generates a plurality of channels by dividing at least part of a frequency band for ultra-wideband communications to a plurality of frequency bands, receives a chaotic signal having a plurality of frequency components in the channels, and adjusts a frequency bandwidth which forms the channel when a certain condition is satisfied. Accordingly, since the chaotic carrier is transmitted and received in the narrow frequency band by adjusting the frequency bandwidth, the power consumption can be reduced drastically and the high-quality communications are feasible between the portable terminal and the wireless headset in the optimized channel environment. Furthermore, a greater number of portable terminals and wireless headsets can execute the radio communications in a certain wireless communication range. |
| US07706750B2 |
Enabling bluetooth support within a secondary and/or across multiple operating system partitions
A method for sharing Bluetooth pairs across multiple operating system partitions. The method includes the steps of pairing a first operating system partition with a Bluetooth enabled device; determining when a memory of an information handling system includes an additional operating system partition; and, pairing the additional operating system partition with the Bluetooth enabled device when the additional operating system partition is present. |
| US07706748B2 |
Methods of ground based beamforming and on-board frequency translation and related systems
Methods are provided to operate a communications system including a satellite and a satellite gateway. In particular, a feeder link may be provided between the satellite and the satellite gateway over a feeder link frequency band for communication of information between the satellite gateway and the satellite. A service link may be provided between the satellite and at least one radioterminal in a coverage area of the satellite over a service link frequency band. Moreover, the feeder link and service link frequency bands may be different. In addition, a frequency segment of the feeder link may be linearly translated from the feeder link frequency band to the service link frequency band to provide a frequency segment of the service link. Related satellites are also discussed. |
| US07706747B1 |
Method and system for broadcasting in a satellite communication system when switching between a primary site and a diverse site
A method and apparatus for broadcasting in a satellite communication system includes uplinking first uplink signals using a primary site, determining a switchover event and determining a primary site switch time. The primary site switch timer is determined along with a diverse site switch timer that is after the primary switch time. The uplink signal is discontinued from the primary site and the uplinking second uplink signals from the diverse site. |
| US07706746B2 |
Integrated or autonomous system and method of satellite-terrestrial frequency reuse using signal attenuation and/or blockage, dynamic assignment of frequencies and/or hysteresis
A cellular communications system comprising a space based system comprising a first set of cells, and a ground based system comprising a second set of cells. The space and ground systems can optionally function substantially autonomously, with each using spectrum from at least one predetermined frequency band. |
| US07706738B2 |
Paper discharge device and image forming apparatus having the same
A paper discharge device and an image forming apparatus having the same are provided. In the paper discharge device, the paper discharge roller has a non-uniform diameter extending in a longitudinal direction and the idle roller contacts with the paper discharge roller in the longitudinal direction of the paper discharge roller so that the print paper unfolds and discharges utilizing a velocity differential at a nip between the paper discharge roller and the idle roller. |
| US07706736B2 |
Image forming system, including an image forming apparatus and post-processing apparatus, that performs sheet conveyance control and post-processing on discharged sheets
An image forming system includes an image forming apparatus and a post-processing apparatus that performs post-processing on sheets discharged from the image forming apparatus. The image forming system includes a feeding unit configured to store a plurality of sheets and successively feed the sheets; a stack unit configured to stack sheets processed by the post-processing apparatus; a state detection unit configured to detect a predetermined state of the stack unit; and a control unit configured to restrict the number of sheets fed from the feeding unit so that the number of sheets existing in a sheet conveyance path extending from the feeding unit to the stack unit does not exceed a predetermined number. The predetermined number is the number of sheets that the post-processing apparatus can receive from the image forming apparatus after detection of the predetermined state by the state detection unit. |
| US07706735B2 |
Lubricant applying device and image forming apparatus
A lubricant applying device includes a solid lubricant and a roller brush that rotates while in contact with the lubricant, receives the lubricant, and applies the lubricant to an image carrier. A corner portion of the lubricant on an upstream side with respect to direction of rotation of the roller brush is convex, i.e., blunt. |
| US07706732B2 |
Image forming apparatus with increased transfer efficiency
In an image forming apparatus, toner primarily transferred to an intermediate transfer belt is secondarily transferred at a first nip area formed by a secondary transfer roller and a transfuse roller, onto the transfuse roller, at pressure of 5.3 N/cm2 to 20 N/cm2 and at a driving speed ratio of the intermediate transfer belt and the transfuse roller of 1.02 to 1.04, and the toner sufficiently heated and melted in the process of conveyance from the first nip area to a second nip area formed by the transfuse roller and a pressure roller is thirdly transferred and fixed to a recording medium P at the second nip area, at pressure of 13.3 N/cm2 to 33.3 N/cm2. |
| US07706725B2 |
Full-color image forming apparatus having variable power light source
In a full-color image forming apparatus including a light source for monochrome image formation that outputs light corresponding to monochrome image information and exposes a monochrome image forming photoreceptor and light sources for color image formation that output lights corresponding to color image information and expose photoreceptors for forming images of colors other than black, when the light source for monochrome image formation and the light sources for color image formation are caused to output the lights and a full-color image is formed, an optical output of the light source for monochrome image formation is set to become equal to or less than optical outputs of the light sources for color image formation, preferably, become less than the optical outputs of the light sources for color image formation. |
| US07706721B2 |
Electrophotographic image forming device having fusing unit and supporting part to support fusing unit
An electrophotographic image forming device includes an image forming unit to apply a developer to a paper and to form an image thereon. The electrophotographic image forming device further includes a fusing unit having a fusing roller to receive the paper from the image forming unit, to fix the developer on the paper, and to move the paper, and a housing containing the image forming unit, and having a fusing unit accommodating part to detachably receive the fusing unit along a direction that is different than a paper transfer direction to be accommodated therein. Thus, the electrophotographic image forming device allows the fusing unit to be detachably mounted therein safely and conveniently. |
| US07706720B2 |
Restricting unit for restricting a supporter of a plurality of developers in an image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus comprises: a housing; a supporter located in the housing, a plurality of developing apparatus attachable to and detachable from the supporter; and a restricting unit that restricts movement of the supporter while at least one developing apparatus supported by the supporter is inside the housing. The supporter is movable relative to the housing. |
| US07706717B2 |
Methods for imaging cartridge conversion
Techniques are provided for modifying an image processing cartridge. In one aspect, a method of modifying one such imaging process cartridge is disclosed. The method provides the imaging process cartridge, the imaging process cartridge has a waste bin assembly, and the waste bin assembly further has an organic photo conductor (OPC) drum which is coupled with a first wiper blade. The first wiper blade exerts a first abutment pressure when the first wiper blade is coupled to the OPC drum. The method removes the first wiper blade and installs a second wiper blade, wherein the second wiper blade exerts a second abutment pressure when coupled to the OPC drum. |
| US07706710B2 |
Image forming apparatus
The image forming apparatus preferably includes a process unit, an acquisition unit, a detection unit, and a selection unit. The process unit executes processes in a plurality of modes corresponding to identification information for identifying a user. The acquisition unit acquires identification information for identifying a user. The detection unit detects presence or absence of an object to be used in at least any one of the plurality of modes. The selection unit selects a mode corresponding to the presence or absence of the object detected by the detection unit from the plurality of modes corresponding to the identification information acquired by the acquisition unit. |
| US07706709B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus that includes: a reading unit; an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet; a fixing unit; a mode selecting unit that selects a first mode from plural modes, in the first mode of which a document is read by the reading unit and the image is formed by the image forming unit; a temperature controlling unit that controls a temperature of the fixing unit to be one of a fixing state a standby state and a sleep state; a sleep transferring unit that transfers to the sleep state; and a switching unit that switches the fixing unit to the standby state on selecting the first mode. The temperature is controlled to transfer to the standby state on switching to transfer to the standby state, and otherwise, controlled to be in the sleep state is until receiving an instruction to the first mode. |
| US07706707B2 |
Fixing apparatus
In one embodiment, in a standby mode, an endless heating belt is caused to move apart from a hot roller. Furthermore, in color mode, the endless heating belt is caused to contact the hot roller to make possible thermal conduction between the endless heating belt and the hot roller, and a surface temperature of the endless heating belt is adjusted within a prescribed range of 200° C. to 210° C. being higher than a fixing temperature of 180° C. Further still, in monochrome mode, a length (or a surface area) of a heating contact region between the endless heating belt and the hot roller is set to a maximum to increase a thermal conduction efficiency between the endless heating belt and the hot roller, and a surface temperature of the endless heating belt is adjusted within a prescribed range of 210° C. to 220° C. being sufficiently higher than the fixing temperature of 180° C. |
| US07706702B2 |
Image forming apparatus with a developer determination system
A product of a predetermined time interval and the number of periods is set to be an integer multiple of a time (or agitation period) required for one rotation of an agitation member and also a light receiving state is detected when an interval signal is Hi. Therefore, the number of times that light cannot be received due to the agitation member (or the number of agitation influences) is constant within one period. Since the number of agitation influences is set to the constant number of times in one period and the influence of the agitation member is constant at the remaining developer amount ratio of 1/Light Receiving Ratio, the light receiving ratio appropriately indicating the remaining developer amount can be obtained and the remaining developer amount can be correctly detected. |
| US07706701B2 |
Image forming apparatus, method of acquiring toner-cartridge information and toner cartridge
An image forming apparatus of the invention permits a toner cartridge equipped with a non-volatile memory storing various information items to be mounted in a mounting portion of an apparatus main body through a toner-cartridge mounting panel capable of being opened and closed without suspending an image forming operation. In a case where an opened/closed status of the toner-cartridge mounting panel is detected, the apparatus retrieves cartridge-specific information from the non-volatile memory of the toner cartridge. The other data than the cartridge-specific information is read out only from a non-volatile memory of a toner cartridge, the cartridge-specific information of which differs from cartridge-specific information stored in a memory of the apparatus main body. |
| US07706700B2 |
System and method for authenticating an electrostatographic material in an image forming apparatus
Systems and methods for authentication of materials used in imaging members and assemblies. Authentication of imaging materials ensure that compatible components are being used with the imaging members and assemblies. Embodiments provide a system and method for efficiently detecting whether materials being used in the imaging members and assemblies are compatible and authentic materials authorized for such uses. |
| US07706699B2 |
Toner container and image forming apparatus
A toner container includes a longitudinal container body, a held portion, and an electric component. The longitudinal container body has a first end and a second end distal to the first end in a length direction of the container body. The held portion is attached to the first end of the container body and configured to be detachably attached to the toner-container holder. The held portion includes a toner outlet for discharging the toner. The electric component electrically communicates with a component in the main body to detect whether the toner container is operatively set in the toner-container holder. The electric component is attached to the held portion such that when the held portion is attached to the toner-container holder the electric component is located above the toner outlet with respect to a vertical direction. |
| US07706698B2 |
Remote control system and receiver
When operation keys are operated, a light-emitting device outputs an infrared signal corresponding to the operated operation keys. The infrared signal is applied to a light-detecting device. In response to the applied infrared signal, the light-detecting device generates a detected signal and supplies the detected signal to an amplifying circuit. The amplified detected signal from the amplifying circuit is decoded by a decoding circuit into a data code, which is supplied through an interface circuit to a computer. Based on control data supplied as the data code to the computer, the computer controls a projector to perform a process of displaying images page by page, for example. |
| US07706691B2 |
Transmission device having optical fiberhigh definition digital audio-video data interface
A transmission device having optical fiber high definition digital audio-video data interface (HDMI/DVI/UDI), in which optical fiber is utilized as the physical connection for the logical channels of the transmission device, and is used to carry images, voices and auxiliary data of the logic channels. For the half-duplex transmission mode utilized by the display data channel, the reverse unit, the serial unit, and the multi-serial unit are properly arranged, thus fulfilling the DC balance requirement of optical fiber transmission, and resolving the lower tolerance rate shortcomings of the I2C bus specification of display data channel (DDC) and the customer electronics control (CEC) channel. |
| US07706686B2 |
Router with resource add-drop functionality
A router includes a first processing module (1) adapted to route primary resources as a function of instructions received, inputs (2) adapted to feed the first processing module (1) with primary resources, outputs (3) adapted to collect primary resources switched by said first processing module (1), a second processing module (6) adapted to process secondary resources to be added or dropped, and coupling means (9) including a drop bus (8) and/or an add bus (7) and adapted, on the instructions of the control means (15), to drop either the whole of a primary resource arriving at one of said inputs (2) and/or outputs (3) or a portion thereof to feed said second processing module (6), and/or to add a secondary resource processed by said second processing module to a primary resource received at one of said inputs (2) and/or outputs (3) and in transit to a common destination. |
| US07706679B2 |
Apparatus and method for photography, apparatus and method for setting weight, and programs therefor
When an image obtained with use of a digital camera is deleted, deletion information including time and date of photography thereof is generated and recorded in a memory card. When an image obtained by photography is stored in the memory card, the deletion information is referred to, and a weight is set for the photographed image according to the number of deleted images photographed within a predetermined time before and/or after photography of the image, and added to the image. |
| US07706675B2 |
Camera
A camera is provided with a face detecting section, a focusing section, an area specifying section, and a controlling section. The face detecting section detects a face area within a shooting image plane. The focusing section has plural optional areas within the shooting image plane. Further, the focusing section obtains an image phase difference amount of a pair of images based on luminous flux having passed through a shooting lens in each of the optional areas. The area specifying section specifies a focusing area from among the optional areas corresponding to the face area. Further, the area specifying section changes a method of specifying the focusing area in accordance with the size of the face area. The controlling section performs a focusing operation of the shooting lens on the basis of the image phase difference amount in the focusing area. |
| US07706671B2 |
Multi-function liquid container
A container is provided for heating or otherwise processing the contents of the container. For example, the container may be a kettle or kettle for heating fluids therein. The container may receive a command, desired characteristic or desired range for processing the contents of the container. The container may further include at least one sensor such as a temperature sensor or pressure sensor for determining a corresponding characteristic of the contents of the container. Based on at least one determined characteristic and/or the input command, the container may heat or otherwise process the contents therein. The results and/or current status of the contents may further be provided through a display. Also, based on the current status of the contents, the container may further process/heat the contents or discontinue processing/heating of the contents. |
| US07706667B2 |
Recording apparatus and method, reproducing apparatus and method, recording medium, and program
The present invention relates to a recording apparatus and method, a reproducing apparatus and method, a recording medium, and a program for reproducing a video stream in a simpler method. A VOBU of an AV stream recorded on a recording medium includes, from the beginning thereof, navigation information, and then provider definition information followed by V_PCK, A_PCK, and S_PCK. The provider definition information contains closed GOP flag information, broken link flag, and I picture reproduction order information, the number of real frames, the number of reproduction frames, and progressive frame flag, related to the video data contained in the VOBU. A reproducing apparatus performs a reproduction process based on the provider definition information. The present invention is applicable to a reproducing apparatus of DVD. |
| US07706654B2 |
Integrated device for heat assisted magnetic recording
An apparatus includes a first waveguide configured to focus an electromagnetic wave to a focal region, and a second waveguide to further condense the light to an optical spot. The second waveguide includes a metallic structure defining an opening having one end positioned adjacent to the focal region and a multilayer structure positioned in the opening, the multilayer structure including a first layer of dielectric material, and second and third layers of dielectric material positioned on opposite sides of the first layer. A layer of lower index of refraction than that of the first dielectric layer may be positioned adjacent to the inner walls of the opening in the second waveguide to efficiently excite surface plasmons, and propagate them with low loss. |
| US07706652B2 |
Optical waveguide device, optical module and method of aligning optical axes thereof
An optical waveguide device includes: a channel waveguide which is positioned at a predetermined height relative to a bottom surface of a substrate; and a slab waveguide having a cross-sectional shape wider than that of the channel waveguide, being positioned at a predetermined height relative to the channel waveguide. Initially, an input end face of the optical waveguide device is vertically scanned with a light beam to achieve optical coupling with the slab waveguide, followed by transversely scanning to achieve optical coupling with the channel waveguide, hence, alignment of an optical axis with a minute channel waveguide can be effected easily and quickly. |
| US07706647B2 |
Resistive heater for thermo optic device
Resistive heaters formed in two mask counts on a surface of a grating of a thermo optic device thereby eliminating one mask count from prior art manufacturing methods. The resistive heater is comprised of a heater region and a conductive path region formed together in a first mask count from a relatively high resistance material. A conductor formed from a relatively low resistance material is formed directly on the conductive path region in a second mask count. Thermo optic devices formed by these two mask count methods are also described. |
| US07706638B1 |
System, apparatus and method for color machine vision with black and white photoelectric sensor
A color machine vision system with two or more differently colored light sources and one black and white photoelectric sensor (BW sensor). The light sources are employed to separately illuminate a target object with a different color, e.g., red, green, blue, magenta, yellow, and cyan. The BW sensor senses the reflection of colored light off the target object from each light source. A separate measurement is generated by the BW sensor for the reflected colored light from each light source and stored for further processing to render a color image of the target object. A calibration is performed to enable the BW sensor to sense reflected colored light from the target object in a linear mode, not the non-linear (saturated) mode. Since calibration enables the BW sensor's electronic components to operate (sense reflected primary colored light) in a relatively linear mode, the sensor is relatively accurate and fast in alternatively sensing/measuring reflected primary colored light from each of the light sources. |
| US07706637B2 |
Host configured for interoperation with coupled portable media player device
Methods and system for transferring images between devices is disclosed. For example, differently scaled images by a host device may automatically and/or selectively be transferred to a media player for display. In turn, appropriately scaled images may be transferred automatically and/or selectively to another display device for example a TV, camera or printer. The selectivity may occur either at the host level or at the player level. |
| US07706636B2 |
Image generation system (game system), image generation method, program and information storage medium
A part object which forms a model object is disposed by receiving a disposition direction for the part object and updating slot state data indicating a disposition state of the part object in a part slot provided corresponding to each part object. When another part object has been disposed in the part slot corresponding to the part object for which the disposition direction has been issued, whether or not to update the slot state data of the part slot is determined based on priority information which determines disposition priority of each part object, and the slot state data is updated based on the determination result. |
| US07706632B2 |
Method and apparatus for forming a multiple focus stack image
A method of producing a multiple focus stack image of a target, the stack image comprising a plurality of images of the target, each image having a corresponding focal range or position, wherein the method comprises causing relative scanning movement between the target and an array of light detectors, the array being used to repeatedly receive image information from the target during the scan in the form of scan lines; and causing the relative focus between the target and the array to be modified between the said focal ranges or positions of the respective images during the scan so as to obtain scan lines corresponding to each focal range or position during the scan, thereby obtaining the images in the stack, wherein each image is formed from the image information obtained as scan lines at the respective focal range or position during the scan. The method is then further characterized in that the relative focus is cycled between two extreme focal ranges or positions during the relative scanning movement and at least one scan line is obtained at a focal range or position located between subsequent extreme focal ranges or positions during the scan, each scan line being used to form one of the images of the target. |
| US07706631B2 |
Method and apparatus for processing image data
A method of processing image data representing a plurality of images, the method includes processing the image data for respective ones of the images in order to generate allocation data for each image, and on the basis of the allocation data, allocating an image a position in a template, the template includes a plurality of image windows, each window representing a template position; and on the basis of user input, generating selection data representing a user selected allocated image, and for an unselected allocated image, replacing that image with another image from the plurality of images. |
| US07706630B2 |
Method and device for extracting a subset of data from a set of data
A method for extracting a subset of data from an ordered set of bi-dimensional matrices (data arrays) such as a sequence of pictures or a multi-dimensional matrix, for instance, is implemented by dedicated hardware that may be used each time it is necessary to extract a subset of data from a data array. For each matrix of data, the method calculates very quickly row and column indices of border data of the portion to be extracted, which are obtained by arithmetical operations among row and column indices of vertices of a closed area of interest. The method is implemented in a device for selectively transferring a data stream sampled at a certain bit-rate to a microprocessor unit or to a memory receiving the data stream at a different rate. |
| US07706629B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for pixel transformations
Methods, apparatuses, systems, and machine readable media for pixel transformations. One exemplary method includes: determining a state of a pixel format transformation, wherein a pixel format includes a predetermined number of pixel data components and a predetermined number of bits for each of the pixel data components and wherein the state includes a source pixel format and a destination pixel format and at least one intermediate pixel format; converting pixel data in the source pixel format to pixel data in the intermediate pixel format; and converting the pixel data in the intermediate pixel format to pixel data in the destination pixel format. In certain embodiments, a method includes building and compiling a function, at run-time, for the pixel format transformation based upon the state. |
| US07706623B2 |
Image correcting method
In a reticle inspecting apparatus or the like, there is provided an image correcting method which is effective when a rank of a matrix lacks due to continuous equal grayscale values when an image is handled as a matrix. In the image correcting method, a random noise image having fine grayscale is superposed on a pattern image to make a matrix full-rank. |
| US07706619B2 |
Image processing device that produces high-quality reduced image at fast processing speed
A reduction-ratio acquiring section acquires a reduction ratio for reducing a source image into an output image. A division-number determining section determines a division number nDev for dividing each pixel constituting the source image into (nDev×nDev) division blocks, where nDev is an integer that is greater than or equal to two. A process-block-number calculating section calculates, based on the reduction ratio, a number of division blocks corresponding to a single pixel in the output image. An average-pixel-value calculating section calculates, for the single pixel, an average pixel value based on pixel values of the division blocks. The pixel values of the division blocks are pixels values of corresponding pixels in the source image. A repeating section allows the process-block-number calculating section and the average-pixel-value calculating section to repeat same processes for each pixel in the output image, thereby obtaining an entire output image. |
| US07706618B2 |
Image coding apparatus, image coding method, and recording medium, capable of creating highly versatile data
An input image is subjected to image region determination in a unit of prescribed block. Based on a result of image region determination, two or more pieces of layer data, of which validity or invalidity at the time of reproduction of the image is defined in a unit of prescribed block are generated by using data of the input image. Then, each of the two or more pieces of layer data is subjected to coding processing under a coding condition suitable for each of the generated two or more pieces of layer data, in a unit of block suitable for each of the two or more pieces of layer data. |
| US07706617B2 |
Image indexer for indexing a plurality of images
An image indexer for indexing a plurality of images that includes a first data structure for subsequent classification of the one or more images. The first data structure includes characteristics for at least one class. An image classifier classifies one or more individual images found in the plurality of images as classified images according to the first data structure. A second data structure performs subsequent clustering of the plurality of images, wherein the second data structure includes at least two sequential events in a set of known events. The classified images are clustered according to the second data structure, and a representative image is selected from each cluster of classified images. |
| US07706615B2 |
Information processing method and information processing device
In an information processing method for recognizing a handwritten figure or character, with use of a speech input in combination, in order to increase the recognition accuracy a given target is subjected to figure recognition and a first candidate figure list is obtained. Input speech information is phonetically recognized and a second candidate figure list is obtained. On the basis of the figure candidates obtained by the figure recognition and the figure candidates obtained by the speech recognition, a most likely figure is selected. |
| US07706613B2 |
System and method for identifying text-based SPAM in rasterized images
A system, method and computer program product for identifying spam in an image, including (a) identifying a plurality of contours in the image, the contours corresponding to probable symbols; (b) ignoring contours that are too small or too large; (c) identifying text lines in the image, based on the remaining contours; (d) parsing the text lines into words; (e) ignoring words that are too short or too long from the identified text lines; (f) ignoring text lines that are too short; (g) verifying that the image contains text by comparing a number of pixels of a symbol color within remaining contours to a total number of pixels of the symbol color in the image, and that there is at least one text line after filtration; and (h) if the image contains text, rendering a spam/no spam verdict based on a contour representation of the text that which appears after step (f). |
| US07706611B2 |
Method and system for character recognition
Character recognition is described. In one embodiment, it may use matched sequences rather than character shape to determine a computer-legible result. |
| US07706610B2 |
Segmentation of objects by minimizing global-local variational energy
An “Image Segmenter” provides a variational energy formulation for segmentation of natural objects from images. In general, the Image Segmenter operates by adopting Gaussian mixture models (GMM) to capture the appearance variation of objects in one or more images. A global image data likelihood potential is then computed and combined with local region potentials to obtain a robust and accurate estimation of pixel foreground and background distributions. Iterative minimization of a “global-local energy function” is then accomplished by evolution of a foreground/background boundary curve by level set, and estimation of a foreground/background model by fixed-point iteration, termed “quasi-semi-supervised EM.” In various embodiments, this process is further improved by providing general object shape information for use in rectifying objects segmented from the image. |
| US07706609B2 |
Bayesian demosaicing using a two-color image
A Bayesian two-color image demosaicer and method for processing a digital color image to demosaic the image in such a way as to reduce image artifacts. The method and system are an improvement on and an enhancement to previous demosaicing techniques. A preliminary demosaicing pass is performed on the image to assign each pixel a fully specified RGB triple color value. The final color value of pixel in the processed image is restricted to be a linear combination of two colors. Fully-specified RGB triple color values for each pixel in an image used to find two clusters represented favored two colors. The amount of contribution from these favored two colors on the final color value then is determined. The method and system also can process multiple images to improve the demosaicing results. When using multiple images, sampling can be performed at a finer resolution, known as super resolution. |
| US07706608B2 |
Image processing device, image processing method and image processing program
An image processing device generates an output image as a color image wherein each pixel has color information, using a first image as a sparsely color sampled image wherein each pixel has monochromatic information obtained by an image sensor which has multiple pixels each photoelectrically converting light of a plurality of colors. The device includes: a simulation unit for generating a second image as an estimated image of the sparsely color sampled image; a comparison unit for comparing the second image with the first image, and generating first information thereof; a converting unit for converting the first information into second information corresponding to the color image; a penalty computing unit for computing the correction amount of the input image; and a correction unit for generating a third image by correcting the input image based on the second information and the correcting amount; this third image being used as an output image. |
| US07706605B2 |
Color correction table forming method and apparatus, control program and storage medium
Color reproducibility is improved by enabling one to control a smoothing condition for each of plural positions on color space. When a color correction table is formed by using smoothing, the smoothing conditions respectively corresponding to the plural positions on the color space are set, and then the smoothing is performed according to the smoothing conditions. |
| US07706603B2 |
Fast object detection for augmented reality systems
A detection method is based on a statistical analysis of the appearance of model patches from all possible viewpoints in the scene, and incorporates 3D geometry during both matching and pose estimation processes. By analyzing the computed probability distribution of the visibility of each patch from different viewpoints, a reliability measure for each patch is estimated. That reliability measure is useful for developing industrial augmented reality applications. Using the method, the pose of complex objects can be estimated efficiently given a single test image. |
| US07706600B2 |
Enhanced virtual navigation and examination
Virtual navigation (2255) and examination of virtual objects are enhanced using methods of insuring that an entire surface to be examined has been properly viewed. A user interface (FIG. 23) identifies regions which have not been subject to examination and provides a mechanism (2250) to route the user to these regions in the 3D display. Virtual examination is further improved by the use of measuring disks (905) to enhance quantitative measurements such as diameter, distance, volume and angle. Yet another enhancement to the virtual examination of objects is a method of electronic segmentation, or cleaning, which corrects for partial volume effects occurring in an object. |
| US07706598B2 |
Method and apparatus for visual inspection
A visual inspection apparatus includes an image-data acquisition unit for acquiring plural pieces of image data A to C on an inspection target, image comparison units for comparing the image data A to C with each other thereby to create plural pieces of sign-affixed difference-image data D and E, the image data A to C being acquired by the image-data acquisition unit, difference-image comparison units for determining the difference between the sign-affixed difference-image data D and E created by the image comparison units, and a judgment unit for subjecting, to a threshold-value processing, difference data F between the difference-image data D and E, the difference data F being acquired by the difference-image comparison units, obtaining a detection sensitivity by enlarging the difference between an abnormal signal level of an image of an area where an abnormality exists from the visual inspection. |
| US07706596B2 |
Method and apparatus for automating an inspection procedure
A process for using a hand-held infrared inspection system incorporating on-board training, on-board validation, on-board operator certification, on-board reporting information, or on-board survey instructions. Improved methods for automating area surveys are provided through exception-driven surveillance practices. Imbedded information enables less experienced operators to use more sophisticated devices more effectively. Validation or certification assures operator knowledge or ability. Multilevel classification of anomalies aids in automated analysis and report generation. |
| US07706593B2 |
Verification method for determining areas within an image corresponding to monetary banknotes
A method for verifying areas within an image corresponding to monetary banknotes includes: dividing the image into a plurality of verification sections; generating a banknote boundary map having border sections corresponding to boundaries of valid monetary banknotes; generating a texture decision map from the image having texture sections each having texture values within a valid range according to a valid monetary banknote, determining objects in the texture decision map by removing texture sections in the texture decision map corresponding to border sections in the banknote boundary map; calculating a texture property value for objects according to texture feature values for each verification section; calculating shape property values for each object; and further removing texture sections from the texture decision map corresponding to objects that do not have the texture property value within a first predetermined range and the shape property value within a second predetermined range. |
| US07706592B2 |
Method for detecting a boundary of a monetary banknote within an image
A method for detecting a boundary of a monetary banknote within an image includes dividing the image into a plurality of sections; generating a color feature map containing color histogram data for each section of the image; generating a gray level feature map indicating a gray level value for each section of the image; recording border sections onto a banknote boundary map, the border sections being sections having color histogram data within a first predetermined range and gray level values within a second predetermined range; removing internal border sections enclosed by perimeter border sections from the banknote boundary map; and dilating the perimeter border sections on the banknote boundary map. |
| US07706589B2 |
Analysis of a multi-dimensional structure
A method is provided for analysis of a multi-dimensional structure which includes a tubular structure from two-dimensional datasets for respective pre-determined projection directions. A pair of corresponding initial projected centre points of the tubular structure is identified in two respective initial and further two-dimensional datasets. Projected edges of the tubular structure in said initial two-dimensional datasets and in said further two-dimensional dataset near the respective projected centre points are identified. A local size of the tubular structure is derived at the three-dimensional spatial position of the centre point of the tubular structure from said projected edges and the predetermined projection directions. |
| US07706585B2 |
Method and apparatus to detect the roughness of vessels
In a method and an apparatus for detecting the roughness of a vessel in a living subject, an in vivo image of an inner contour of the vessel wall is obtained using an imaging modality. A dimensional value characteristic of the complexity of the inner contour is calculated from the image information in the image describing the inner contour. |
| US07706571B2 |
Flexible layer tracking with weak online appearance model
Method for tracking an object recorded within a selected frame of a sequence of frames of video data, using a plurality of layers, where at least one object layer of the plurality of layers represents the object includes initializing layer ownership probabilities for pixels of the selected frame using a non-parametric motion model, estimating a set of motion parameters of the plurality of layers for the selected frame using a parametric maximization algorithm and tracking the object. The non-parametric motion model is optical flow and includes warping the mixing probabilities, the appearances of the plurality of layers, and the observed pixel data from the pixels of the preceding frame to the pixels of the selected frame to initialize the layer ownership probabilities for the pixels of the selected frame. |
| US07706567B2 |
Assured document and method of making
The present invention teaches techniques for creating scans of documents that are both secure from tamper and that are assured of satisfactory image quality. In particular, a method of producing an assured document is disclosed wherein the documents digital signature is combined with the scan quality in a secure way. |
| US07706565B2 |
Multi-channel digital watermarking
The present invention provides digital watermarks through multiple channels. The channels can include, e.g., visible, ultraviolet and infrared channels. The non-visible channels can be selected to fluoresce either in the visible or IR/UV spectrums upon the appropriate illumination in the infrared or ultraviolet spectrums. The watermarks in the various multiple channels can cooperate to facilitate watermark detection or to authenticate an object in which the watermarks are embedded. In other implementations the multiple watermarks include so-called orientation components. A relative relationship between the orientation components is used to convey data. |
| US07706561B2 |
Electroacoustic transducer with a diaphragm and method for fixing a diaphragm in such transducer
Apparatus and method for manufacturing an electroacoustic transducer for, for instance, a hearing aid, with a diaphragm arranged in a housing. The diaphragm is attached onto a film or punched from a sheet of material, such that along the circumferential edge of the diaphragm, a free strip of film or a strip of material remains present, in a capillary space between the circumferential edge of the film and the inner wall of the housing, or in a capillary space between the diaphragm and the strip of material, a polymer of a low viscosity is provided to connect to diaphragm with the housing wall. Through the method, the production of the transducer is greatly simplified. |
| US07706560B2 |
Speaker apparatus
A cross-sectionally substantially-semicircular portion of an edge portion adapted to connect an outer periphery of a diaphragm to a speaker frame is configured to have an uneven-thickness structure in which the thickness of the portion gradually decreases toward a sticking portion of an outer peripheral portion of the speaker frame from a sticking portion of the outer periphery of the diaphragm. Thus, the propagation characteristic of vibrations generated on the edge portion is improved. Disturbance is prevented from occurring in an mid-range frequency characteristic due to inverse resonance caused by the edge portion. |
| US07706555B2 |
Stereophonic device for headphones and audio signal processing program
A stereophonic device for headphones to which a monophonic signal or a stereophonic signal is inputted comprises an uncorrelating processing unit for reducing the correlation between two signals obtained by dividing the inputted monophonic signal into two channels or two signals constituting the inputted stereophonic signal, a reflected sound adding processing unit for adding a reflected sound, and a sound image localizing processing unit for controlling the position where a sound image is localized. |
| US07706554B2 |
Electret condenser
An electret condenser 2 includes a fixed electrode 6, a vibrating electrode 5, an electretized silicon dioxide film 7 formed between the electrodes, and silicon nitride films 8 and 9 formed so as to cover the silicon dioxide film 7. The silicon dioxide film 7 covered with the silicon nitride films 8 and 9 is formed on the vibrating electrode 5. |
| US07706552B2 |
Sound signal processing apparatus and sound signal processing method
A satisfactory sound volume sensation from a hearing point of view can be obtained, and an effective sound volume correction operation can be obtained with an algorithm as simple as possible. Correction step 0 (correction function off, level correction value 0) to correction step 16 (level correction value—16 dB) are defined. When a first condition that is defined in such a manner as to correspond to a state in which distortion occurs is satisfied, the correction step is made to proceed by one step from the current correction step (−1 dB is added to a level correction value). When a second condition that is defined in such a manner as to correspond to a state in which distortion does not occur is satisfied, the correction step is made to return by one step from the current correction step (−1 dB is subtracted from the level correction value). |
| US07706550B2 |
Noise suppression apparatus and method
A noise estimation unit estimates a noise signal in an input signal. A section decision unit distinguishes a target signal section from a noise signal section in the input signal. A noise suppression unit suppresses the noise signal based on a first suppression coefficient from the input signal. A noise excess suppression unit suppresses the noise signal based on a second suppression coefficient from the input signal. The second suppression coefficient is larger than the first suppression coefficient. A switching unit switches between an output signal from the noise suppression unit and an output signal from the noise excess suppression unit based on a decision result of the section decision unit. |
| US07706547B2 |
System and method for noise cancellation
The invention is directed to a system and method for noise cancellation for an apparatus such as an electric motors or generator. The system may comprise a plurality of actuators, a plurality of phase controllers, each phase controller receiving an input signal representing a movement of an apparatus and outputting an output signal based on the input signal and at least one predetermined phase shift, and a plurality of amplifiers, each amplifier receiving an output signal from one of the phase controllers and outputting an amplified signal to drive one of the actuators. The method may comprise the steps of generating a first signal representing a movement of the apparatus, generating at least one second signal based on (a) the first signal, (b) at least one predetermined phase shift, and (c) at least one predetermined amplitude, and driving at least one actuator with the at least one second signal. |
| US07706546B2 |
Computer-based onboard noise suppression devices with remote web-based management features
The present invention provides a method, apparatus, and computer implemented instructions for computer-based onboard noise suppression devices with remote web-based management features. The present invention detects noise within a computer. A noise canceling signal is generated based on parameters. These parameters may include, for example, the percentage of noise to suppress. The noise canceling signal is broadcasted to reduce or eliminate noise. Additionally, the present invention provides the ability to remotely manage noise suppression within computers. |
| US07706545B2 |
Systems and methods for protection of audio amplifier circuits
Systems and methods for providing protection from failure events in a digital audio amplification system. One embodiment of the invention comprises a system having a digital amplifier controller, an amplifier output stage coupled to the controller and configured to receive audio signals from the controller, one or more sensors coupled to the output stage and one or more low-pass filters coupled to receive sensor signals from the one or more sensors. The low-pass filter is configured to filter the sensor signals and to provide the filtered sensor signals to the controller, which provides a programmable response to the filtered sensor signals. The response may range from not taking any action, to limiting the amplification of audio signals, to shutting down the system. |
| US07706544B2 |
Audio reproduction system and method for reproducing an audio signal
An audio reproduction system is divided into a central wave-field synthesis module and a plurality of loudspeaker modules disposed in a distributed way, wherein synthesis signals for the individual loudspeakers as well as corresponding channel information associated to the synthesis signals are calculated in the central wave-field synthesis module. The synthesis signals for a loudspeaker as well as associated channel information will then be transmitted to respective loudspeaker modules via a transmission path, wherein every loudspeaker module obtains the synthesis signals and associated channel information intended for the loudspeaker associated to the loudspeaker module. A distributed audio rendering and digital/analog converting takes place in the loudspeaker module to generate the actually analog loudspeaker signals in a distributed way in spatial proximity to every loudspeaker. The division into a central wave-field synthesis module and the plurality of distributed loudspeaker modules allows that audio reproduction systems that are scalable with regard to the price can be generated in order to offer systems of different size scalable in price particularly for cinema reproduction rooms varying strongly in size. |
| US07706543B2 |
Method for processing audio data and sound acquisition device implementing this method
The invention concerns the processing of audio data. The invention is characterized in that it consists in: (a) encoding signals representing a sound propagated in three-dimensional space and derived from a source located at a first distance (P) from a reference point, to obtain a representation of the sound through components expressed in a spherical harmonic base, of origin corresponding to said reference point, (b) and applying to said components compensation of a near-field effect through filtering based on a second distance (R) defining, for sound reproduction, a distance between a reproduction point (HPi), and a point (P) of auditory perception where a listener is usually located. |
| US07706541B2 |
Information management apparatus
An information management apparatus capable of reliable management of distributed information and an information providing system employing the same information management apparatus has a main information reproducing system for reproducing main information recorded in a given recording medium; and a reproduction management system for managing the main information reproducing system for reproducing the main information. A receiver is provided with a unit for recording distributed information and control information limiting the number of main information reproducing cycles on a recording medium, and a main information reproducing system provided with a reproduction disabling function for limiting the reproduction of main information. |
| US07706540B2 |
Content distribution using set of session keys
A method includes generating a set of session keys and encrypting content utilizing the set of session keys to generate encrypted content. The set of session keys is transmitted. The encrypted content is transmitted to a content destination, so as to enable the content destination, utilizing the set of session keys, to decrypt the encrypted content. |
| US07706539B2 |
Method of guaranteeing users' anonymity and wireless local area network (LAN) system therefor
A method of guaranteeing users' anonymity and a wireless LAN system therefor are provided. In a wireless LAN system, the method of guaranteeing user' anonymity includes (a) creating a plurality of temporary address sets, each of which corresponds to a unique Media Access Control (MAC) address of a wireless terminal and transmitting the temporary address set to the corresponding wireless terminal, and (b) performing data packet transmission between the wireless terminal and the wireless access node using a temporary address selected from the temporary address set as a source address or a destination address. Therefore, it is possible to guarantee users' anonymity and improve security of a system by not exposing a MAC address during data packet transmission between a wireless terminal and a wireless access node. |
| US07706538B1 |
System, method and data storage device for encrypting data
A system, method and data storage device for encrypting data to provide at-rest data encryption of data in the data storage device. The system includes a compression engine for receiving a host data stream packet and selectively generating a compressed data packet, and an encryption engine in electronic communication with the compression engine for receiving an unencrypted data packet from the compression engine. The unencrypted data packet comprises the compressed data packet when the compression engine generates the compressed data packet. The unencrypted data packet comprises the host data packet when the compression engine does not generate the compressed data packet. The encryption engine generates an encrypted data packet having an encrypted component corresponding to the unencrypted data packet and a set of meta data indicative of one or more characteristic of the encrypted data packet. |
| US07706533B2 |
Copy protection for video signal using narrowed horizontal synchronization signals
Enhancements to a video anticopying process that causes an abnormally low amplitude video signal to be recorded on an illegal copy. The enhancements in one version introduce into the overscan portion of the television picture, just prior to the horizontal or vertical sync signals but in active video, a negative going waveform that appears to the television receiver or videotape recorder to be a sync signal, thereby causing an early horizontal or vertical retrace. One version provides (in the right overscan portion of the picture), a checker pattern of alternating gray and black areas which causes the TV set on which the illegal copy is played to horizontally retrace earlier than normal in selected lines with a consequential horizontal shift of the picture information on those lines. This substantially degrades picture viewability. In another version a gray pattern at the bottom overscan portion of the picture causes vertical picture instability. In another version selected horizontal sync signals are narrowed, causing irregular vertical retraces. Also provided is apparatus for removing or attenuating these enhancements from the video signal, to allow copying. |
| US07706532B2 |
Encryption/decryption device and method
An encryption apparatus for encrypting input picture data with high secrecy and restoration against an error of encrypted data. An EXOR circuit calculates input picture data and a pseudo random sequence and obtains encrypted data. The obtained encrypted data are held in a first FF circuit. The first FF circuit is reset for each line. Counters count for each line or each frame and are reset for each frame or at the beginning of a program. An encryption device encrypts outputs of a second FF circuit that holds a fixed value, the counters and the first FF circuit with a key and generates a pseudo random sequence. A shift register divides the bit sequence. The EXOR circuit calculates the output of the shift register and the input picture data and obtains encrypted data. Since the encrypted output is fed back, data cannot be stolen using a successive input of the same data. In addition, since an encrypted output that is fed back is reset for each line, the encrypted output can be recovered from an error. |
| US07706531B2 |
Recording apparatus, reproduction apparatus, data processing apparatus, recording and reproduction apparatus and data transmission apparatus and corresponding methods
An encryptor is provided for encrypting AV data sent from an interface. A controller controls recording of the encrypted AV data by controlling a recorder for recording the encrypted AV data in a magnetic disk. The recorder is controlled by the controller so as to reproduce the data recorded on the disk. A decrypter decrypts the reproduced data that is sent to the interface. |
| US07706528B2 |
Prime calculating apparatus, key issuing system, and prime calculation method
A prime calculating apparatus calculating a prime and determining whether the prime has been duly generated. The prime calculating apparatus (i) generates a random number, (ii) calculates a multiplication value R by multiplying a management identifier by the random number, and (iii) calculates a prime candidate N, according to N=2×(multiplication value R+w)×prime q+1, with respect to w satisfying an equation of 2×w×prime q+1=verification value (mod management information). Then, the prime calculating apparatus judges whether the calculated prime candidate N is a prime, and outputs the calculated prime candidate N as a prime when determining that it is a prime. |
| US07706525B2 |
Systems and methods for side-tone noise suppression
A side-tone circuit comprises a microphone configured to generate a reverse link audio signal and a side-tone noise suppressor. The side tone noise suppressor is configured to receive the reverse link audio signal, suppress noise in the received reverse link audio signal, and output a noise suppressed side-tone signal. The side-tone noise circuit also includes a speaker configured to receive the noise suppressed audio signal and communicate it to a user. |
| US07706518B2 |
Network infrastructure for ringbacks
An apparatus and methods are disclosed that enable a caller to specify one or both of (i) the content of a ringback signal that is generated when placing a call, and (ii) one or more properties of the ringback signal. In the first illustrative embodiment of the present invention, a “far” data-processing system that is closer to the called terminal than to the calling terminal (e.g., a terminating switch, an edge switch that is close to the terminating switch, etc.) generates a ringback signal based on preferences or rules of the caller that are stored in a database. In the second illustrative embodiment of the present invention, a “near” data-processing system that is closer to the calling terminal than to the called terminal (e.g., an originating switch, an edge switch that is close to the originating switch, etc.) generates a ringback signal based on caller rules and preferences. |
| US07706512B2 |
Method and apparatus for voice message editing
A method and apparatus for voice message editing, particularly a method and apparatus for splicing voicemails sections together. A system, method and computer program product are described for forming a voice message on an interactive voice response system (IVR) spoken by a user including recording a first voice message where the user speaks the first voice message but makes an error in a last portion of the first voice message. A second voice message is recorded where the user speaks the last portion again without the error. Splice points are determined in the first and second voice messages. The first and second voice messages are spliced at the splice points such that the spliced first and second voice message is a continuous voice message including the last portion but not including the error. |
| US07706511B2 |
System and method for sending text messages converted into speech through an internet connection
This disclosure includes a system to send text messages by the Internet and deliver messages in the form of speech directly on an addressee's phone. This system includes a central server where software is installed. The server receives a written text message, converts it into speech and processes it, so that the message can be sent in vocal form over a telephone line. The user receiving the message in vocal form can also answer it, sending a reply message to the sender using the telephone. |
| US07706510B2 |
System and method for personalized text-to-voice synthesis
A communication device and method are provided for audibly outputting a received text message to a user, the text message being received from a sender. A text message to present audibly is received. An output voice to present the text message is retrieved, wherein the output voice is synthesized using predefined voice characteristic information to represent the sender's voice. The output voice is used to audibly present the text message to the user. |
| US07706501B2 |
Method and apparatus for measuring long bone density of small-animals
A method and apparatus are disclosed for measuring long bone density of small animals. A phosphor screen or plate is provided of a type that transduces incident ionizing radiation to emitted light. A small animal is positioned before the phosphor screen or plate and exposed to soft X-radiation having an energy level in the range of 11 to 16 Kev. Light emitted by the phosphor screen or plate is captured using a digital camera and a digital X-ray image is prepared of a long bone of the animal. The X-ray image is transformed into an X-ray density image and a region of interest is defined on the long bone in the X-ray density image. At least one row of pixels is scanned within the region of interest of the X-ray density image. A nonlinear least squares analysis of data obtained from the scanning step is conducted using a cylindrical model for the long bone within the region of interest. |
| US07706498B2 |
X-ray CT apparatus
For the purpose of X-ray CT imaging a heart of a subject with high image quality while reducing stress on the subject, once an optimal cardiac phase has been set by an optimal cardiac phase setting section 30b and a target position in a subject to be scanned when the cardiac phase of the subject is at an optimal cardiac phase is defined at a target position defining section 30c, a transport-starting-cardiac-phase calculating section 30b calculates a transport-starting cardiac phase such that the target position is scanned at the optimal cardiac phase, using the optimal cardiac cycle, target position, scan start position, transport speed of an imaging table, and approach-run time for the imaging table. A scan control section starts transport at the imaging table 4 when the cardiac phase of the subject coincides with the transport-starting cardiac phase, and performs a helical scan with a helical pitch of one or more, for example. |
| US07706496B2 |
Digital phase detector for a phase locked loop
According to one exemplary embodiment, a digital phase detector includes a phase/frequency detector, where the phase/frequency detector is configured to receive a reference signal and a divided oscillator feedback signal and output a first pulse-width modulated signal and a second pulse-width modulated signal. The digital phase detector also includes a first time-to-digital converter, where the first time-to-digital converter is coupled to the phase/frequency detector. The first time-to-digital converter is configured to receive and convert the first pulse-width modulated signal to a first digital number. The digital phase detector further includes a second time-to-digital converter coupled to the phase/frequency detector and configured to receive and convert the second pulse-width modulated signal to a second digital number. The digital phase detector further includes a summation element, where the summation element is configured to subtract the second digital number from the first digital number and output a digital phase error signal. |
| US07706495B2 |
Two-point frequency modulation apparatus
A two-point frequency modulation apparatus is proposed whereby the spectrum of transmission waves is kept within the spectrum mask. Voltage is supplied to the control voltage terminal of VCO 1 in accordance with modulation data via noise shaper 101 that has operating characteristics of attenuating more noise at higher frequencies. As a result, by virtue of the working of noise shaper 101, the signal level outputted from the PLL circuit combining the modulation signal and the quantization noise decreases in proportion to the distance form the central frequency, so that two-point frequency modulation apparatus 100 is made possible whereby the spectrum of an RF modulation signal is kept within the spectrum mask. |
| US07706492B2 |
Method and apparatus for correcting symbol timing
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for correcting symbol timing of a receiver. The receiver receives a signal transmitted by a transmitter based on a symbol period. The method includes: sampling the signal with a sampling period to generate N sampled data in series, wherein the sampling period is half the symbol period; from Kth data of the N sampled data, getting M data to serve as a first data set; performing a timing recovery algorithm upon the first data set to generate a first timing metric; from (Kth+1) data of the N sampled data, getting M data to serve as a second data set; performing the timing recovery algorithm upon the second data set to generate a second timing metric; and correcting the symbol timing according to the first and second timing metrics. |
| US07706483B2 |
Carrier phase ambiguity correction
A receiver comprises a demodulator for providing a demodulated signal and a centroid calculator responsive to the demodulated signal for identifying a correct carrier phase for use in the centroid calculation and in removing carrier phase ambiguity in the demodulator. In addition, the centroid calculator may include a limiter. |
| US07706479B2 |
OFDM receiver
A carrier interpolation unit (a digital filter) performs interpolation processing of SP signal in the frequency domain. An IFFT circuit converts a frequency-domain signal into a time-domain signal. A delay profile generation unit generates a delay profile based on an output of the IFFT circuit. The filter control unit controls a pass band of the digital filter in accordance with the delay profile. An FFT window control unit controls a position of a window to extract a calculation range of FFT in accordance with the delay profile. When delay time of multipath is larger than the guard interval, and when the reception power of the interference wave is larger than a threshold, the pass band of the digital filter is minimized. |
| US07706478B2 |
Method and apparatus of source separation
An embodiment generally relates to a method of signal discrimination. The method includes receiving plurality of signal mixtures, where each signal has a property whose value is based on a principal eigenvalue of a unique separating operator. The method also includes creating a separating operator using a target signal approximation and applying a separating operator for a target signal to the plurality of signal mixtures. The method further includes obtaining the target signal based on an operation of optimization of the separating operator for maximum property value amplitude on the plurality of signal mixtures. |
| US07706477B2 |
Advanced multi-sensor processing
Each receiving node (120) of a plurality of receiving nodes (120-1, 120-2 and 120-3) such as base stations in a wireless network converts a superposition of signals received from a plurality of transmitting nodes such as mobile terminals (10) to produce soft complex signal information. The soft complex signal information associated with the considered plurality of receiving nodes are collected, for example in a central node (130) and jointly detect signal information transmitted from at least a subset of the plurality of transmitting nodes (10) based on the collected soft complex signal information. The collected soft signal information generally retains phase and amplitude information, and the transmitted signals are preferably detected in a joint detection process based on a complex channel representation and collected soft signal information. In a truly distributed realization, adjacent receiving nodes or base stations exchange soft complex signal information with each other, thus forming at least partially overlapping groups for distributed collection of information, detection and subsequent decoding in each base station. |
| US07706475B1 |
Compensation of I/Q mismatch in a communication system using I/Q modulation
A communications system is provided that includes a detector that has I/Q mismatch, a calibration circuit that estimating a phase and/or an amplitude mismatch of the detector, and a compensation circuit that uses the estimated phase and/or amplitude mismatch to mitigate the effects of the amplitude and/or phase mismatch. An IQ-modulated signal produced by the I/Q-modulator can be communicated over a loop back connection to the detector of the communication system. The calibration circuit can estimate the I/Q mismatch for the IQ-modulator and can provide the estimated values to a pre-compensation circuit. In one aspect, I/Q mismatch in the IQ-modulator of a communication system can be determined using a spectrum analyzer. Power measurements can be used to compute the amplitude mismatch and the phase mismatch of an IQ-modulator. |
| US07706472B2 |
Methods and systems for detecting defects in serial link transceivers
Methods and systems for detecting defects in serial link transceivers. Defect detection includes detecting open circuits in one or more of the transmission lines, detecting short circuits between one or more of the transmission lines and a power supply, detecting short circuits between the transmission lines, or detecting short circuits across optional AC-couplings in the transmission lines. The detection can include direct or indirect detection of voltage or current. |
| US07706471B2 |
Method and apparatus for receiving signals by a plurality of antennas
A correction unit corrects the phases of received multicarrier signals, respectively, carrier by carrier. A combining unit and a computing unit performs adaptive array processing on the corrected multicarrier signals on a carrier-by-carrier basis. A derivation unit derives, carrier by carrier, a phase for correction to be used by the correction unit, based on error in the multicarrier signals which have undergone the adaptive array processing. The derivation unit updates a frequency for correction about a carrier to which a known signal is assigned, based on error in the carrier, so as to derive a phase for correction and the derivation unit also derives a phase for correction, based on the error in the carrier and the phase for correction in a carrier to which the known signal is assigned. |
| US07706468B2 |
Transmitter with forward error correction coding for hybrid AM in-band on-channel digital audio broadcasting systems
A transmitter for broadcasting an AM compatible digital audio broadcasting signal includes an analog modulator for producing an analog modulated carrier signal centrally positioned in a radio channel, wherein the analog modulated carrier signal is modulated by an analog signal, and a digital modulator for producing a plurality of digitally modulated subcarrier signals in the radio channel, wherein the digitally modulated subcarrier signals are modulated using complementary pattern-mapped trellis code modulation including a code mapped to overlapping partitions. In a first operating mode the analog modulated carrier signal and the plurality of digitally modulated subcarrier signals are in a 20 kHz channel and in a second operating mode the analog modulated carrier signal and the plurality of digitally modulated subcarrier signals are in a 30 kHz channel. |
| US07706467B2 |
Transmitter with an envelope tracking power amplifier utilizing digital predistortion of the signal envelope
A transmitter comprises an amplifier operable for receiving an input signal and amplifying the input signal to produce an output signal. A power supply is coupled to the amplifier for supplying power to the amplifier, the power supply operable for tracking the input signal and varying the level of power supplied to the amplifier in response to variation of the input signal. A predistortion circuit is coupled to the power supply, the predistortion circuit operable for receiving the input signal and predistorting the input signal to the power supply for addressing input signal tracking capabilities of the power supply. |
| US07706466B2 |
Lower complexity layered modulation signal processor
A method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving a coded signal having an upper layer signal and a lower layer signal is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of combining the upper layer signal and the lower layer signal, encoding the combined upper layer signal and lower layer signal, delaying the upper layer signal, modulating the delayed upper layer signal, modulating the lower layer signal, transmitting the delayed upper layer signal and transmitting the lower layer signal. The apparatus comprises an encoder, for encoding a combined upper layer signal and lower layer signal, a delay, communicatively coupled to the encoder, for delaying the upper layer signal, a first modulator, for modulating the delayed upper layer signal, a second modulator, for modulating the lower layer signal, a transmitter, communicatively coupled to the first modulator, for transmitting the delayed upper layer signal, and a second transmitter, communicatively coupled to the second modulator. |
| US07706465B2 |
Method and apparatus for communication by a secondary user of spectrum
During operation of a node in a secondary communication system (100) data enters a spreader (301) and is appropriately spread. The spread data is then modulated onto all available channels using a multi-carrier OFDM modulation technique. This entails the spread data being modulated onto those channels that are currently being used by the primary communication system (120). Finally, a transmitter (303) transmits the spread data only over carriers that will not interfere with the primary communication system. |
| US07706464B2 |
Digital transmitter
An equalizer provided in a digital transmitter compensates for attenuation in a signal channel to a digital receiver. The equalizer generates signal levels as a logical function of bit history to emphasize transition signal levels relative to repeated signal levels. The preferred equalizer includes an FIR transition filter using a look-up table. Parallel circuits including FIR filters and digital-to-analog converters provide a high speed equalizer with lower speed circuitry. The equalizer is particularly suited to in-cabinet and local area network transmissions where feedback circuitry facilitates adaptive training of the equalizer. |
| US07706461B2 |
Communication method, transmission signal forming method, and data structure of transmission signal
In a communication method for transmitting a multipath characteristic measurement signal and a plurality of data transmission signals, the multipath characteristic measurement signal and data transmission signals are a signal array formed by a plurality of coefficient matrices that are orthogonal to one another within the matrices and which comprise at least one coefficient array that is common in the column direction or row direction. The multipath characteristic measurement signal formed by the coefficient matrices is the same signal array formed by the one common coefficient array. As a result, the transmission wait time and the signal reception time required for transmission of a multiplicity of data transmission signals are shortened in the simultaneous transmission of the multipath characteristic measurement signal and the plurality of data transmission signals by the spread modulation of transmission data by means of a spread spectrum, whereby the scale of the reception processing device is miniaturized. |
| US07706460B2 |
QAM signal decoding
A demodulator recovers a transmitted symbol represented by a received quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) signal. Such a demodulator may include: a QAM-decoding block operable to map a received signal vector onto a constellation so as to yield a first symbol, and identify a next-most probable second symbol based upon the signal vector; and a selection unit operable to select, among the first and second symbols, the one having the lower error content as corresponding to the transmitted symbol. A corresponding method may include similar steps. |
| US07706457B2 |
System and method for beamforming using rate-dependent feedback in a wireless network
Embodiments of multicarrier receiver and method for beamforming using rate-dependent feedback in a wireless network are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed. In some embodiments, decimated beamforming matrices are generated for groups of two or more subcarriers and provided to a multicarrier transmitter. The number of subcarriers in a group may be based on a receive data rate. The multicarrier transmitter uses the decimated beamforming matrices to beamform signals for transmission to the multicarrier receiver. |
| US07706456B2 |
Methods and apparatus for combining and/or transmitting multiple symbol streams
A stream of modulation symbols from a zero symbol rate (ZSR) coding/modulation module and a stream of modulation symbols from another type of coding/modulation module are input into an interweaver module. The interweaver module mixes the two input streams when assigning modulation symbols to be communicated in a segment. If a ZSR modulation symbol is non-zero, the ZSR modulation symbol is allocated a transmission position. If the ZSR modulation symbol is a zero modulation symbol, the modulation symbol from the other coding/modulation module is allocated the transmission position. The non-zero modulation symbols from the ZSR module are higher in power than the non-zero modulation symbols from the other module, thus facilitating detection and recovery. |
| US07706452B2 |
Reception device, transmission device, and radio system
A transmitter using a plurality of pulse signals having different pulse sequence times, a receiver for steadily demodulating pulse signals of only desirable wave, and a wireless system are disclosed. In the transmitter, a control signal generating circuit outputs a control signal for generating a plurality of pulse signals having different pulse sequence generating times, a pulse generating circuit generates a plurality of pulse signals by using the control signal. In the receiver, reception front end receives the plurality of pulse signals having different pulse sequence generating times, delay circuit delays at least one of reception front-end output signals supplied from the reception front-end by a given time, delay pulse composition circuit combines delay signal with reception front-end output signal, so that the receiver steadily demodulates the pulse signals of only the desirable wave. |
| US07706451B2 |
Method of selecting a filtering strength for filtering a pixel in an image
In the method, a motion vector difference between a motion vector for a first block including the pixel and a motion vector for a second block adjacent to the first block is obtained. A filtering strength is selected based on the motion vector difference. |
| US07706446B2 |
Image-data processing apparatus
An image processing apparatus detecting a noise area in image data generated by decoding encoded data encoded by a frequency transform method and a lossy compression method. The image processing apparatus includes a motion detection unit for detecting motion in an area having at least one pixel in the image data, a deviation detection unit for detecting the deviation of the image motion in the area having at least one pixel, and a noise detection unit for detecting the noise area in accordance with the deviation of the image motion. |
| US07706444B1 |
System and method for intracoding video data
A video system for coding a stream of video data that includes a stream of video frames divides each video frame into a matrix of a plurality of subblocks, wherein each subblock includes a plurality of pixels. The video system operates in accordance with nine prediction modes. Each prediction mode determines a prediction mode according to which a present subblock is to be coded. One of the nine prediction modes is selected to encode the present subblock, wherein the selected prediction mode provides for a minimum error value in the present subblock. |
| US07706441B2 |
Transcoding apparatus and method, and target bit allocation and picture complexity estimation apparatus and methods used for the same
A transcoding apparatus and method, and target bit-allocation and picture complexity estimation units and methods used for the same are provided. The transcoding apparatus includes: a video decoding unit which receives a compressed bitstream and performs decoding thereof to output decoded pictures; a complexity estimation unit which estimates complexity of a current picture among the decoded pictures to encode the current picture; a target bit-allocation unit which performs desired bit-allocation using the complexity information of the current picture; a bit-rate control unit which controls bit-rate using bit-allocation information and state information from memory, which outputs an encoded bitstream; and a video encoding unit which encodes the decoded pictures on the basis of the bit-allocation and state information of the bit-rate control unit. Therefore, an effect exists for transcoding that improves image quality. |
| US07706437B2 |
Frequency domain equalizer for wireless communications system
The present invention relates to wireless communications and is particularly applicable to devices and modules for correcting errors introduced to a wireless signal after its transmission. An equalizer is provided which compensates for undesirable effects on received radio signals introduced by either signal processing or by the transmission medium. In operation, the equalizer multiples the complex received signal with a complex corrective signal that compensates for these effects. A tap corrective signal corrects for time-varying channel effects (i.e. channel distortions), a timing tracking signal corrects for carrier frequency offset errors, and a phase tracking signal corrects for sampling frequency offset errors. |
| US07706433B2 |
Physical layer device having an analog SERDES pass through mode
A physical layer device (PLD) includes a first serializer-deserializer (SERDES) device and a second SERDES device. Each SERDES device includes an analog portion with a serial port that is configured to communicate serial data with various network devices, and a digital portion that is configured to communicate parallel data with other various network devices. The PLD includes a first signal path that is configured to route serial data signals between the analog portions of the SERDES devices, bypassing the digital portions of the SERDES devices. Therefore, the SERDES devices can directly communicate serial data without performing parallel data conversion. A second signal path is configured to route recovered clock and data signals between the analog portions of the SERDES devices, but still bypassing the digital portions of the SERDES devices. The recovered clock and data signals are then regenerated before being transmitted over a network device. |
| US07706430B2 |
System, apparatus, and method for adaptive weighted interference cancellation using parallel residue compensation
A system, apparatus and method for a multi-stage Parallel Residue Compensation (PRC) receiver for enhanced suppression of the Multiple Access Interference (MAI) in Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) systems. The accuracy of the interference estimation is improved with a set of weights computed from an adaptive Normalized Least Mean Square (NLMS) algorithm. In order to reduce complexity, the commonality of the multi-code processing is extracted and used to derive a structure of PRC to avoid direct interference cancellation. The derived PRC structure reduces the interference cancellation architecture from a complexity that is proportional to the square of the number of users to a complexity that is linear with respect to the number of users. The complexity is further reduced by replacing dedicated multiplier circuits with simple combinational logic. |
| US07706428B2 |
Low complexity inter-carrier interference cancellation
Inter-carrier interference (ICI) in a kth sub-carrier of an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) signal received at time t is reduced, wherein the received OFDM signal comprises a plurality of sub-carriers. This is achieved by generating a self-interference term, ICIk−L,k−L, for a signal received on sub-carrier k−L, wherein L ∈ [ . . . , −3,−2,−1,1,2,3, . . . ], and wherein the self-interference term is an estimate of the data received at time t on the sub-carrier k−L, weighted by a rate of change of the channel through which sub-carrier k−L passes at time t. An ICI cancellation coefficient, GL is obtained, and an estimated ICI term is generated by adjusting the self-interference term, ICIk−L,k−L, by an amount based on the ICI cancellation coefficient, GL. The estimated ICI term is then subtracted from a term representing a signal received on the kth sub-carrier at time t. |
| US07706424B2 |
Gas discharge laser system electrodes and power supply for delivering electrical energy to same
A apparatus and method are disclosed which may comprise a fluorine gas discharge laser system and electrode support system which may comprise a first electrode electrically connected to a source of high voltage; a first insulating mechanism insulating the first electrode from ground; a second electrode electrically insulated from the source of high voltage and together with the first electrode forming an elongated discharge region between portions of the first and second electrodes respectively extending along a longitudinal axis of each of the first and second electrodes, defining electrode discharge receiving region end portions; a plurality of current return tines electrically connected to the second electrode and to ground, the tines distributed along the longitudinal extent of the elongated discharge region; a second insulating mechanism electrically isolating the second electrode from ground except through the plurality of current return tines. |
| US07706422B2 |
Semiconductor optical element
A semiconductor optical element has an active layer including quantum dots. The density of quantum dots in the resonator direction in a portion of the active layer in which the density of photons is relatively high is increased relative to the density of quantum dots in a portion of the active layer in which the density of photons is relatively low. |
| US07706417B1 |
Method of and circuit for generating a plurality of data streams
A method of generating a plurality of data streams using a data protocol is disclosed. The method comprises steps of receiving an input data stream comprising a periodic sequence of data words, wherein each the data word of the input data stream is associated with a data stream of a plurality of data streams. The data words of the input data stream are sequentially processed by a data control circuit. Finally, data output by the data control circuit is demultiplexed to generate a plurality of output data streams. A circuit for generating a plurality of data streams using a data protocol is also disclosed. |
| US07706415B2 |
Packet multiplexing multi-channel audio
Systems and methods for providing multi-channel audio using a reduced amount of resources for the decoding process. A 5.1 channel audio stream is divided into three stereo streams. The packets from each of three stereo streams are multiplexed to create a pseudo-5.1 channel audio stream. The pseudo 5.1 channel audio stream is then decoded and demultiplexed at the output to create the output 5.1 channel audio sound. As such, the decoder resources only have decode a single pseudo 5.1 stream. This technique is equally applicable to 7.1 or other multi-channel formats. |
| US07706413B2 |
Synchronization system using redundant clock signals for equipment of a synchronous transport network
A synchronization system (D) for equipment of a synchronous transport network comprises, firstly, a first synchronization module (MA) comprising i) a first submodule (SM1A) delivering a first intermediate clock signal derived from a first external reference clock signal or an internal reference clock signal, ii) a second submodule (SM2A) delivering a first main reference clock signal derived from the first intermediate clock signal or a second intermediate clock signal, and iii) a third submodule (SM3A) delivering a first output reference clock signal derived from the first main reference clock signal or a second main reference clock signal, and, secondly, a second synchronization module (MB) comprising i) a first submodule (SM1B) delivering the second intermediate clock signal derived from another first external reference clock signal and another internal reference clock signal, ii) a second submodule (SM2B) delivering the second main reference clock signal derived from the first or the second intermediate clock signal, and iii) a third submodule (SM3B) delivering a second output reference clock signal derived from the first or the second main reference clock signal. |
| US07706408B2 |
Communication apparatus, communication method, and communication system
A physical frame is constructed, the physical frame including a medium access control super-frame payload which in turn includes a plurality of medium access control frames. With respect to the constructed physical frame, virtual carrier sense information is set in the plurality of medium access control frame so that a result of carrier sense is identical to another by virtual carrier sense based on the plurality of medium access control frames in the medium access control super-frame payload. The physical frame in which the virtual carrier sense information has been set is transmitted to a destined communication apparatus. |
| US07706397B2 |
Apparatus and method of controlling transmission in reverse direction
Briefly, a wireless communication system that includes an Initiator and a Responder to transmit an aggregation of data units in a reverse direction is provided. The Initiator includes a medium access controller capable of allocating a time slot for exchanging one or more transmissions of aggregation of data units with the Responder. The medium access controller includes a channel access scheme, which is able to allocate the time slot for the Responder to transmit the aggregation of data units in the reverse direction, and to grant Originator rights of the Initiator to the Responder within said time slot. |
| US07706388B2 |
Method and node equipment for guaranteeing service reliability in an end-to-end quality of service framework
A method for guaranteeing service reliability in an end-to-end Quality of Service framework is provided. The method includes checking whether connection information held in all node equipment gone through by a session connection is consistent. If the connection information is consistent, the consistency check is completed. Otherwise, the inconsistent connection information is released from the node equipment. In the provided method, a consistency check is performed inside every node equipment, and between node equipment in the network, and thus, abnormal resources may be retrieved, so that network service ability will not be affected by abnormal situations. Consistent with the provided method, degradation of service ability because of network abnormity can be avoided, and network reliability and availability can be improved. |
| US07706384B2 |
Packet scheduling with quality-aware frame dropping for video streaming
The embodiments of the invention relate to video streaming, particularly to quality-aware adaptive and selective transmissions. The embodiments of the present invention provide for a set of scheduling patterns to be evaluated, and from such set determine the target scheduling pattern that is calculated to provide the least distortion increment based on the evaluation set. |
| US07706383B2 |
Minimum contention distributed wavelength assignment in optical transport networks
An optical transport network comprises a number of nodes, or routers, which are coupled together via optical fibers. When a physical link comes up between a node and a neighboring node, a handshake between the node and the neighboring node recognizes the link such that the node, and the neighboring node, include it in respective link assignment tables. In addition, the node and the neighboring node negotiate a predefined sequence for assigning link resources from their respective assignment tables for satisfying future connection requests. |
| US07706380B2 |
Data transmission method, data transmission apparatus and data transmission system using this method
A data transmission method includes a step of dividing each data into two or more low-speed data so as to create two or more sequences of low-speed data which are separated by no-signal intervals, a step of adding a fixed pattern for detecting a head or an end of each low-speed data included in each of the two or more sequences of low-speed data to each of the no-signal intervals included in each of the two or more sequences of low-speed data so as to create two or more sequences of fixed-pattern-added low-speed data, and a step of transmitting the two or more sequences of fixed-pattern-added low-speed data to the transmit station connected to the other network. |
| US07706379B2 |
TS transmission system, transmitting apparatus, receiving apparatus, and TS transmission method
A transmitting apparatus includes an input interface which receives a TS, a counter which counts the number of packets contained in the TS and output count values, a multiplexing section which multiplexes the output count values of PCR packets contained in the TS on a predetermined position of each PCR packet, a discard section which discards null packets from the TS, and a transmitting section which transmits the TS. A receiving apparatus includes a receiving section which receives the TS, an extraction section which extracts the count values from the PCR packets contained in the received TS, and a rearranging section which rearranges the multiplex position of the PCR packets of the received TS based on the extracted count values to restore a TS equivalent to the previous TS from which the null packet has not been discarded. |
| US07706377B2 |
Video processing circuit and method of video processing
Video stream processing, such as processing that includes MPEG decoding an subsequent post-processing involves using signal processing circuitry (102, 106) to execute a first and a second video stream processing function. The first video stream processing function produces frame data of successive video frames in a temporally ordered output sequence of frames. The second video stream processing function uses the frame data in an ordered input sequence of frames that differs from the output sequence, for example because later P-frames are needed to decode B frames. The frame data is buffered between application of the first and second video processing function to the frame data. A first and a second. buffer memory (12, 106) are used. The first buffer memory (12) is coupled to the signal processing circuitry via a shareable channel (15) such as an external IC terminals, but the processing circuitry does not use the shareable channel (15) to access the second buffer memory (106). The second video processing function reads frame data from first and second ones of the frames selectively from the first and second buffer memory (12, 106) respectively. The second ones of the frames occur in the same temporal order in both the input and output sequence. The first ones of the frames contain at least all particular frames whose position relative to the second ones of the frames in the output sequence differs from the position of the particular frames relative to the second ones of the frames in the input sequence. |
| US07706372B2 |
Method and apparatus for shared I/O in a load/store fabric
An apparatus and method is provided for allowing I/O devices to be shared and/or partitioned among a plurality of processing complexes within the load/store fabric of each of the processing complexes without requiring modification to the operating system or driver software of the processing complexes. The apparatus and method includes a switch for selectively coupling each of the processing complexes to one or more shared I/O devices. The apparatus and method further includes placing information within packets transmitted between the switch and the I/O devices to identify which of the processing complexes the packets are associated with. The invention further includes an apparatus and method within the shared I/O devices to allow the shared I/O devices to service each of the processing complexes independently. |
| US07706369B2 |
Location discovery in a data network
A method for location discovery in a data network includes receiving, at a first device, connection information from a neighboring network device and determining a physical location of the first device based on the connection information. The method can include receiving, at the first device, the physical location transmitted from the neighboring network device. The method can further include associating a level of trust with the physical location based on the neighboring network device. The first device be one of a variety of devices, such as a router, a switch, a network entry device, a firewall device, or a gateway. |
| US07706366B2 |
Wireless communication system, method for transmitting frame, and computer program product thereof
A wireless communication system, method for transmitting a frame, and computer program product thereof are provided. The system comprises a base station and a subscriber station. The frame comprises a MAP area and a user area. The MAP area comprises a broadcast test area. The method and the computer program product thereof operate: the base station initially transmitting a first burst in the user area by a first transmission module; determining whether the first burst that is transmitted by the first transmission module fits a special situation; and if yes, the base station transmitting test information in the broadcast test area by a second transmission module or asking the subscriber station to transmit data by a second transmission module. |
| US07706360B2 |
Disk device for loading and unloading disks of different sizes
An optical disk drive of a slot-in type is loadable with any of two optical disks different in the diameter, and has an insertion slot formed in a case chassis for disk loading. A disk entered through the insertion slot is received by a disk support arm set in a ready position. A loading mechanism is actuated when the disk support arm is pressed by the disk. In response to this, plural arms and the disk support arm cooperate to support the disk, which is moved to a chuck position for writing and reading information. For disk unloading, the disk, supported by the plural arms, is moved by the disk support arm to an ejection position. The disk support arm is shifted from an advance position for pressing the disk to the ejection position, to the ready position which is offset toward the chuck position. |
| US07706359B2 |
Systems and methods for voice and data communications including a network drop and insert interface for an external data routing resource
Systems and methods by which voice/data communications may occur are disclosed. In particular, systems and methods are provided with a computing system having a multi-bus structure, including, for example, a TDM bus and a packet bus. An integrated communication system is coupled to a digital telecommunications link, the communication system providing voice and data communications to a plurality of users. At least a first packet bus is coupled to one or more packet-based devices and adapted for transferring packetized data to and from the system. One or more time division multiplex (TDM) buses are coupled to one or more telephony devices. Data routing resources are provided internal to the integrated system. A network interface module couples data to and from a data router external to the integrated system. The data router external to the integrated system is coupled to the first packet bus. Data is routed via the external data router through the network interface module and coupled to data channels of the digital telecommunications link, while voice data is selectively coupled to voice channels of the digital telecommunications link. |
| US07706358B2 |
IP application service providing system
An IP application service providing method enabling inbound communication in IP application communication intended between an internal node concealed from an outside network and belonging to an inside network and an external node belonging to the outside network through a gateway device set to permit only outbound communication, includes periodically transmitting a control packet aiming at notifying of a control channel port and at maintaining a communication permission entry of a control channel path to a connection support device on the outside network from the internal node subordinated to the gateway device; notifying the internal node of a connecting destination address/port pair associated with the external node via the control channel from the connection support device; and actively opening a data channel of an IP application to the notified connecting destination address/port pair. |
| US07706357B1 |
Bandwidth division for packet processing
A bandwidth divider and method for allocating bandwidth between a plurality of packet processors. The bandwidth divider includes a plurality of counters for measuring the bandwidth of data packets transferred from the bandwidth divider to a respective packet processor; and a controller for analyzing the plurality of counters and transferring a data packet to a selected packet processor based on the contents of the counters. The method monitors the bandwidth consumed by the packet processors; determines, based on the bandwidth consumed by the packet processors, which packet processor has consumed the least amount of bandwidth; and allocates a next data packet to the packet processor which has consumed the least amount of bandwidth. |
| US07706350B2 |
Methods and apparatus for flexible spectrum allocation in communication systems
The disclosed embodiments provide for methods and systems for flexibly allocating a shared frequency spectrum to a plurality of users, the spectrum may have a first number of segments, each segment having a second number of clusters associated with a certain sector/cell. In one aspect, a method for flexibly allocating a shared frequency spectrum to a plurality of users comprises the acts of fixedly assigning a first group of clusters to a first group of users, such that the first group of users stay fixed to the assigned clusters, and assigning a second group of clusters to a second group of users, such that the second group of users hop within the assigned clusters. |
| US07706342B2 |
Enhanced multi-user packets with extended MAC index space for wireless communications
The present invention provides methods for identifying the target mobile stations for data transmission in a wireless communication network. An enhanced Multi-User Packet format that supports both the legacy MAC Index and the new extended MAC Index in the same packet is described. The length of extended MAC Index can be variable. |
| US07706339B2 |
Method and system for communicating media based on location of media source
A method for communicating media based on location of media source includes receiving communications from a plurality of endpoints. Each communication comprises a media message and location information identifying a location of its transmitting endpoint. The method includes receiving a selection of a geographical area and comparing the location information of each communication with the selected geographical area. The method also includes presenting to a user each message received from each endpoint of the plurality of endpoints located within the selected geographical area. |
| US07706337B2 |
Method for performing neighbor discovery in a multi-tier WLAN
A method for performing neighbor discovery in a multi-tier wireless local area network where a client creates a neighbor list identifying a neighbor wherein the neighbor is identified as an access point or a client. Then, the client determines a time to perform a scan of neighbors based upon 1) a type of neighbor discovery to be performed and 2) when a first beacon is transmitted by an access point in a first tier of the multi-tier wireless local area network. Subsequently, the client performs a scan of neighbors at the determined time on a channel associated with the type of neighbor discovery. Finally, the client receives a beacon sent from a neighbor of the client to update the neighbor list with information transmitted in the beacon. |
| US07706330B2 |
Method and system for link adaptation in a wireless multi-carrier communication system
A method and system for link adaptation between a wireless multi-carrier access point (102) and a wireless multi-carrier communication device (104) is described. The wireless multi-carrier access point obtains a set of available LEP methods from the wireless multi-carrier communication device. The wireless multi-carrier access point selects an LEP method from the set of available LEP methods, based on at least one link parameter. The wireless multi-carrier access point then communicates the LEP method selected, to the wireless multi-carrier communication device. The selected LEP method is used during the transmission of information between the wireless multi-carrier access point and the wireless multi-carrier communication device. |
| US07706329B2 |
Method and apparatus for compressed mode handling in a dual receiver user equipment (UE)
A method relating to inter-frequency or inter Radio Access Technology (RAT) measurements (IFM) between a User Equipment (UE) and a mobile communications network (NW), and an apparatus for implementing the method, comprising operating, by a UE having a plurality of receiver branches (100) (110), detecting whether IFM is needed (120); and selecting, if IFM is needed, either to use dual antenna data reception for detecting data in compressed mode and performing IFM during gaps, or to use single antenna data reception mode (SADRM), using the second antenna for IFM based on the value of certain parameters (130). |
| US07706326B2 |
Wireless communication methods and components that implement handoff in wireless local area networks
This invention relates to wireless local area networks, and particularly to the IEEE 802.11 family of standards. It consists of a method and apparatus that can be implemented in access points (APs) and subscriber wireless transmit/receive units (WTRUs), in order to allow an AP to initiate re-association of a WTRU to itself or a different AP. The invention improves the robustness of the network by enabling more efficient load balancing, congestion control, and roaming, without compromising the user experience. |
| US07706325B2 |
Method and system for handling context of data packet flows
The present invention relates to the handling of context of data packet flows. As mentioned, there is a need of a coordination mechanism for the transfer of context for flows that belong to the same session. One object with the invention is to offer a coordination mechanism for the handling of context associated to flows that belong to the same session. The above-mentioned object is achieved by a context procedure, in which the total context for a session is divided into one common context and one dynamic context per IP flow. The common context is handled by a centralized control node, such as a Midcom Agent, and the dynamic context is handled by a middlebox associated to an access router. The context transfer procedures for the two types of contexts are coordinated so that an unambiguous session control is maintained. |
| US07706323B2 |
Wireless communications in a multi-sector network
In a wireless network employing Spatial Division Multiplexing Access (“SDMA”) in at least one of its cells, a method is provided for dynamically allocating transmission resources to different subscriber devices. The method comprises the steps of: providing at least one base station comprising at least one antenna array; providing one or more sectors associated with that wireless communications network; dynamically dividing one or more of the sectors into a plurality of virtual sub-sectors, each allowing communications between the base station and at least one respective subscriber; from among the plurality of the virtual sub-sectors, selecting at least one pair of subscriber devices wherein each of the pair of subscriber devices is not interfered substantially by transmissions directed to the other subscriber of that pair; for each of the divided sectors, generating plurality of time frequency allocation maps; transmitting the generated maps to all virtual sub-sectors associated with the respective sector; and for each of the sectors, beamforming the transmissions to be conveyed to the subscriber devices' pairs, summing them and conveying the summed result towards the array antenna. |
| US07706319B2 |
Fast session setup extensions to H.324
A method of initiating a set up process for a call between users with reduced set up times using one or more 3G telecommunication networks. The method includes establishing a bearer channel between a first terminal and a second terminal after a call signaling process and determining, at the first terminal, one or more preferences for a call between the first terminal and the second terminal. The one or more preferences are associated with one or more modes of operation for the call. The method also includes determining a mobile level for operations and interleaving the one or more preferences, the mobile level for operations, and one or more media streams. The method further includes transferring the one or more preferences, the mobile level for operations, and the one or more media streams from the first terminal to the second terminal through a portion of a telecommunication network using the bearer channel. |
| US07706318B2 |
Method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving MBMS packet data and control information
A method and apparatus is provided that enables a mobile terminal which cannot simultaneously receive two physical channels to receive a service that utilizes two physical channels. In one embodiment, the service data and control information are transmitted on separate physical channels in a non-simultaneous manner such that the physical channel on which the data is transmitted includes an indication of when control information is available on the other physical channel on which the control information is transmitted, thereby facilitating the mobile terminal switching between the two physical channels in order to receive the service data and control information. In another embodiment, the service data and control information are transmitted on a single physical channel, thereby precluding the need for the mobile terminal to switch between two physical channels in order to receive the service data and control information. |
| US07706316B1 |
Processing an incoming packet of unknown protocol by encapsulating the packet and sending it to another processor
One or more network routers include data path processors and a control path processor. A number of network protocols that are not installed on the data path processors are installed on the control path processor. When one of the data path processors receives a network packet that is in an unrecognized format, a header is appended to the network packet and forwarded to the control path processor. The control path processor removes the header and identifies a proper protocol associated with the network packet. Next, the control path processor places the network packet in a processing stack associated with an appropriately installed network protocol in order to process the network packet on behalf of the originally sending data path processor. |
| US07706312B1 |
Digital sub-carrier signal recovery based on pilot zero-crossing
In an apparatus for generating a synchronized sub-carrier signal based on a pilot signal, a zero-crossing detector may detect a pilot signal zero-crossing in response to consecutive pilot signal samples. In response to the zero-crossing detector, a sub-carrier signal phase sampler generates a sequence of sub-carrier phase samples at a sampling frequency, inclining a first sub-carrier signal phase sample and additional sub-carrier signal phase samples at predetermined phase sample intervals. A phase sample counter counts the number of phase samples obtained by the sub-carrier signal phase sampler. A sub-carrier signal generator generates a synchronized sub-carrier signal in response to the sub-carrier signal phase samples. In response to the zero-crossing detector and the phase sample counter, a post-zero-crossing sub-carrier phase computation circuit outputs to the sub-carrier signal phase sampler an expected phase of a post-zero-crossing pilot signal phase sample in response to a premature pilot signal zero-crossing and an adjusted post-zero-crossing sub-carrier signal phase sample in response to a detected pilot signal zero crossing. |
| US07706311B2 |
Expanding cell radius in a wireless communication system
The present invention provides a method and an apparatus for a wireless communication between a base station and at least one mobile station. The method includes receiving a request for a data rate from the mobile station on a reverse link channel to the base station. The method further includes, in response to the request, skipping a first slot after a delay for a portion of a slot on a forward link transmission before transmitting a data packet in a second slot. By beginning the forward link transmission at the start of the second slot, for example, a software module may cause the base station to skip a slot immediately after the half slot delay. This additional delay of one slot or a portion of the slot may expand radius of a cell for a wireless communication between the base station and the mobile station in a relatively high-speed wireless data network. |
| US07706309B2 |
Data transfer control device, electronic instrument, and data transfer control method
A data transfer control device includes: a transmitter circuit; a receiver circuit; a transfer direction switch circuit which performs switching a transfer direction; a transfer direction switch indication circuit which indicates the transfer direction switch circuit to switch the transfer direction; and a code generation circuit which generates a transfer direction switch request code when a transfer direction switch request has been received from an upper layer circuit. When the transfer direction switch request has been received from the upper layer circuit, the transmitter circuit transmits the transfer direction switch request code through a serial signal line, and the transfer direction switch indication circuit indicates the transfer direction switch circuit to switch from a transmission direction to a reception direction after the transfer direction switch request code has been transmitted. |
| US07706307B2 |
System and method for selecting a communication band
A system and method for making a band selection in a wireless communications device is provided. The available bands include a first-communication band, a second communication band, and an auxiliary band. A wideband diplexer provides a wideband path, which includes the first-communication band and the auxiliary band, and a second-communication band path. A combination duplexer couples to the wideband path, and has an auxiliary signal port, a first-band receive port, and a first-band transmit port. A standard duplexer couples to the second communication path to provide a second-band receive port and a second-band transmit port. In one example, the first communication band is the PCS band, the second communication band is the cellular band, and the auxiliary signal is a GPS satellite signal. |
| US07706306B2 |
Generating a path inventory for a communication network
Generating a path inventory for a communication network includes sending a path message through a sequence of nodes of the communication network. The sequence of nodes comprises an initiating node, a set of intermediate nodes, and a terminating node. The path message is sent from the initiating node, through the set of intermediate nodes, to the terminating node. The path message sent from the initiating node may not have a specified destination address. The following is repeated for each node of the set of intermediate nodes: establishing a next node subsequent to the each node, and gathering path information about the next node in the path message. The path message is received at the terminating node, and the path information is recorded in a return message. |
| US07706304B2 |
Method and system for assigning routers to hosts
A system and method in an IP-based network for defining a specific router for a host to utilize as a default router. The host is configured with a plurality of preferred correlation values, each of which has a different corresponding preference level. Routers send Router Advertisement (RA) messages to the host and include at least one router correlation value and at least one corresponding priority value. The host compares the received router correlation values with its preferred correlation values and identifies the router that sent the router correlation value that matched the preferred correlation value having the highest corresponding preference level. The identified router is selected as the host's default router. If more than one router matches the preferred correlation value having the highest corresponding preference level, the router that sent the highest priority value is selected. |
| US07706301B2 |
Routing in a data communication network
A method of supporting mobility in an Internet Protocol (IP)-based data network. The method comprises the steps of generating a first stateful IP autoconfiguration message at a mobile node, whereby the message includes an address capable of use for routing maintenance. The mobile node transmits the generated message to a first access node, which incorporates its address and forwards the message to a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) Server. The DHCP Server and access node analyze the message to determine a route to deliver data to and/or from the mobile node. One or more route update message are triggered from said access node and said DHCP server to a number of network elements between said access node and said DHCP server in the IP based data network to support mobility in an IP domain with minimum bandwidth use and minimum tunneling required. |
| US07706300B2 |
Method for providing topology awareness information within an IP network
A method, a unit and a computer program product for providing topology awareness information within an IP network includes a central node and a plurality of routers, wherein the probe is implemented in a router within the IP network and the probe belongs to a topology awareness system, that includes: elements for obtaining and maintaining relationship with other probes within the IP network, elements for collecting information about other network elements e.g. routers and switches, elements for communicating topology information with the central node of the topology awareness system, and elements for obtaining information concerning local resources on the router where the probe is implemented. |
| US07706293B2 |
Performance management system, apparatus and method between residential gateway and broadband remote access server
The present invention discloses a performance management system, apparatus and method between a Residential Gateway (RG) and a Broadband Remote Access Server (BRAS), the method thereof includes: configuring an OAM IWF for the protocol conversion between the performance management message of the Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) Operation, Administration and Maintenance (OAM) protocol or the point-to-point Ethernet OAM protocol and the performance management message of the service layer Ethernet OAM protocol in a Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer (DSLAM), when the performance management is performed in a broadband IP network, after the OAM IWF configured in the DSLAM performing the protocol conversion of performance management message, performing the end-to-end performance management between an RG and a BRAS according to the performance management message with the converted protocol. This invention can not only enhance the accuracy of the statistics of the traffic flow, but also enhance the accuracy of the SLA test. |
| US07706292B2 |
Network system, network apparatus, route change method, and program storage medium storing program thereof
A test packet generator of an entry device generates a delay test packet including priority information. A test packet transmitter of the entry device transmits the delay test packet to an exit device through a route corresponding to the priority information. A test packet receiver of the exit device receives the delay test packet. A reply packet transmitter of the exit device returns a reply-delay test packet toward the entry device through the same route in the counter direction. A reply packet receiver of the entry device receives the reply-delay test packet. A delay calculator of the entry device calculates a delay time on the basis of the time of transmitting the delay test packet and the time of receiving the reply-delay test packet. A route changer of the entry device changes routing appropriately on the basis of the delay time. |
| US07706291B2 |
Monitoring quality of experience on a per subscriber, per session basis
A system and method for monitoring quality of experience includes forwarding a data packet flow carrying content between first and second endpoints. The data packet flow is forwarded at an intermediate point between the first and second endpoints so that the first and second endpoints are communicatively coupled over one or more networks through the intermediate point. The data packet flow is analyzed at the intermediate point and an intermediate point quality of content rating of the content received at the intermediate point is generated. A report detailing one or more attributes about the data packet flow based at least in part on the intermediate point quality of content rating is further generated. |
| US07706289B2 |
System and method for validating packet classification
A system and method for validating packet classification within an input/output device or component. Based on a target DMA engine within the device, and a protocol path for testing the DMA engine, sets of packet attributes are generated and used to format packets for input to the device. The output of the device is examined to determine if the correct DMA engine was used within the device. The DMA policy specifying which DMA engine to use for a particular packet configuration or set of protocol attributes can be dynamically replaced or modified without halting the validation process. |
| US07706284B2 |
Link property setting method, route calculating method and system using the same
A method of setting shared risk link group identification information (SRLG ID) which is one of link properties employed for calculating a route for a path in a communications network including nodes and links for interconnecting the nodes, and indicates a link group which shares resources, comprises the step of assigning a number of SRLG IDs to the link group in accordance with a failure rate of resources shared by that link group. A route calculating method for calculating routes for a working path and a standby path comprises the step of calculating the routes such that a minimum number of SRLG IDs duplicate between all links on the route of the working path and all links on the route of the standby path. |
| US07706271B2 |
Method of transmitting packets and apparatus of transmitting packets
On performing load balancing in a network device, there will be provided an apparatus of transmitting packets which implements uniform allocation processing in conformity with the traffic conditions. A packet transfer apparatus is provided with a statistics information collecting processor as a functional processor independent of the packet transfer processing. The line card transfers header information of packets to be transmitted and received to the statistics information collecting processor. The statistics information collecting processor collects statistics information in accordance with header information of transmitted and received packets transferred from the line card. On the basis of the statistics information collected by the statistics information collecting processor, the setting of the search table to be provided for the line card will be renewed. |
| US07706268B2 |
Transmission device
A transmission device capable of detecting and discarding duplicate data transmitted over Work and Protection paths of a ring network. An add/drop multiplexer adds/drops and cross-connects signals. When an FS-R control signal, for example, is received, a bridge distributes the signal output from the add/drop multiplexer to the Work and Protection routes of the ring network. When the signal distribution is executed by the bridge, a discard information inserter inserts discard information into the signal output to the Work route by the bridge. A discard information detector determines whether or not the discard information is included in the signal dropped by the add/drop multiplexer. A signal discarder discards the dropped signal, depending on whether the discard information is detected by the discard information detector. |
| US07706266B2 |
Systems and methods of providing proxy-based quality of service
Systems and methods for dynamically controlling bandwidth of connections are described. In some embodiments, a proxy for one or more connections may allocate, distribute, or generate indications of network congestion via one or more connections in order to induce the senders of the connections to reduce their rates of transmission. The proxy may allocate, distribute, or generate these indications in such a way as to provide quality of service to one or more connections, or to ensure that a number of connections transmit within an accepted bandwidth limit. In other embodiments, a sender of a transport layer connection may have a method for determining a response to congestion indications which accounts for a priority of the connection. In these embodiments, a sender may reduce or increase parameters related to transmission rate at different rates according to a priority of the connection. |
| US07706265B2 |
Decentralized node, access edge node, and access node for aggregating data traffic over an access domain, and method thereof
The present invention relates to a method, an access node, an access edge node and a decentralized node for aggregating data traffic over an access domain. The decentralized node corresponds to one of the service providers, and is located in closer proximity with user domains to be serviced. The decentralized node maintains over the access domain one or several Virtual Local Area Networks, for aggregating thereon data traffic to be exchanged with the user domains, on behalf of the service provider domain. To allow proper aggregation of the data traffic, service bindings are created and stored at the access edge node, and further stored at the decentralized node and at the access node. Therefore, aggregation of the data traffic between the decentralized node and the user domains over the access domain is performed in accordance with the created service bindings. |
| US07706263B2 |
Tracking and blocking of spam directed to clipping services
A method and apparatus tracks and blocks content requested by a first remote device for forwarding over a network to a second remote device. For a given content item, one or more usage identities are tracked. Usage identities may include any combination of one or more of a source identity, a content identity, and/or a destination identity. One or more thresholds associated with the tracked usage identities are applied to determine whether a request to forward content should be blocked; a threshold is a limit on the number of times a content item having a particular usage identity may be forwarded within a time period. Misuse of content-forwarding messaging services by spammers and the like may thereby be discouraged. In one embodiment, the invention may be employed as part of a content clipping service for forwarding content to mobile devices by way of SMS or another mobile messaging technology. |
| US07706260B2 |
End-system dynamic rate limiting of background traffic
Dynamic rate limiting of background traffic to alleviate congestion in the access network is enabled. ICMP echo round-trip times and ICMP losses to a nearby node outside the local area and just beyond the divergence in end-to-end paths are measured, allowing unambiguous discrimination of nearby from distant congestion points. Using round-trip time samples, either short-run delay or short-run variance in delay can be measured to estimate congestion. When combined with an appropriate control law, background traffic can be rapidly reduced to allow interactive traffic to traverse unhindered through the access network. The described system and methods can be implemented in the application-layer and without any additional support from the network. |
| US07706257B2 |
Protection method for ring network of optical transmission network
A ring network protection method for an optical transmission network relates to digital information transmission, and includes using the overhead byte APS/PCC in the ODUk to transmit the protection information of the APS. The method adds fields in the APS/PCC and further includes: (a) the network element in which the protection switching takes place in the OTN sends the protection switching information to other network elements through the fields set in the APS/PCC of the ODUk; and the network element which received the ODUk performs corresponding processing according to the fields carried by the APS/PCC in the ODUk and implements the protection switching for the OTN ring network. |
| US07706254B2 |
Method and system for providing ethernet protection
A method is provided for providing protection of a local area network (LAN) connection that includes providing first and second LAN cards in a multi-service platform. The first and second LAN cards each include at least one port. The first and second LAN cards are coupled to a network edge device through their respective ports to communicate LAN traffic. The method also includes designating the first LAN card as an active card and the second LAN card as an inactive card. The method further includes detecting a network failure associated with the first LAN card. The method further includes protecting LAN traffic communicated between the second LAN card and the LAN by designating the second LAN card as an active card and the first LAN card as an inactive card. |
| US07706252B2 |
System and method for locating faults in a hybrid fiber coax (HFC) cable network
A fault location system (FLS) for a hybrid fiber coax (HFC) cable network. The FLS comprises an interactive map, a datastore, an object generator, and a display server. The datastore receives identifying information and status information of customer premises equipment (CPE) units connected to the HFC cable network. The object generator associates the identifying information and the status of CPE units with an object and further associates graphical attributes with the object. The display server graphically displays the object on the interactive map at location coordinates indicative of the street address, and graphically displays the object according to its graphical attributes. When used with a processor, the FLS applies algorithms to non-responsive CPE units selected from the interactive map to identify possible common sources of a fault. |
| US07706245B2 |
High density optical disc having small track pitch
A recording method whereby an inorganic resist made of an incomplete oxide of a transition metal is formed as a film onto a substrate and a latent image corresponding to pits is formed onto the inorganic resist by exposure. The exposure is performed by a laser beam whose intensity has been modulated by a pulse signal whose pulse height decreases in a rear portion in a length direction of the pit, thereby forming a format of a track pitch smaller than a recording beam diameter (track pitch/exposure beam diameter=0.333 to 0.833). |
| US07706244B2 |
Information recording media and playback power determining method for signal playback
A super resolution optical disk medium having an array of pits less than or equal in size to optical resolution is disclosed, wherein the pits are read by using heat generated within the medium upon irradiation of a read laser beam. A playback power determination method for use with the disk is also disclosed. A playback power level at which super resolution occurs is determined based on a bit error rate (bER) of the optical disk and the amplitude of a playback signal having a predefined signal pattern. In the optical disk, NR/SR is set to one (1) or less, where SR is the signal obtained from a high-temperature region in case the playback is performed in the state that the super resolution occurs, and NR is the amplitude of a signal which is read in the absence of such super resolution. |
| US07706238B2 |
Laser power control system and method
A laser power control system and related method for reducing a settling time in a target laser power transition are disclosed. The laser power control system includes a state decision circuit, for generating a state decision signal according to a selected operational state of a target circuit; a plurality of buffers, for storing a plurality of control data corresponding to a plurality of candidate operational states of the target circuit respectively; and a multiplexer, coupled between the state decision circuit and the buffers, for coupling a selected buffer of the buffers and the target circuit according to the state decision signal for outputting a control datum stored in the selected buffer to the target circuit. |
| US07706237B2 |
Objective lens and optical pickup apparatus
An objective lens is provided for an optical pickup apparatus at least reproducing information for a first optical disc, and recording and/or reproducing information for second and a third optical discs. The objective lens includes an optical surface including a common area including a diffractive structure having a cross section in a serrated shape and divided into a plurality of ring-shaped zones. Refractive index differences between media arranged at both side of the optical surface for a light flux with one and the other wavelength satisfy a predetermined condition, and the objective lens satisfies a predetermined conditions defined by using an approximate coefficient which makes a Pearson's correlation coefficient R satisfy 0.99998≦R when a depth parallel to the optical axis of step differences between the ring-shaped zones at a vertical distance from the optical axis is approximated by a least squares method. |
| US07706231B2 |
Read-only recording medium, reproduction apparatus and reproduction method
A data-arranging method similar to that of a RAM disk is adopted for a ROM disk to make the ROM disk highly compatible with the RAM disk. According to this method, buffer areas are allocated as a data run-in and a data run-out respectively preceding and succeeding a RUB (Recording Unit Block) used as a recording/reproduction unit. In addition, at locations separated from each other in the buffer areas by a distance equal in length to a sync-data gap in successive frames in the RUB, pieces of sync data (SA) are provided so that the sync data always appears at equal intervals in a signal reproduced from the ROM disk, providing a feature advantageous to establishment and protection of synchronization. It is thus possible to implement a ROM disk that is highly compatible with the RAM disk and advantageous to a synchronization system. |
| US07706230B2 |
Recording medium, read/write method thereof and read/write apparatus thereof
A recording medium read/write method and apparatus are disclosed. The present invention records version information of a corresponding recording medium as read/write control information within the recording medium. The version information includes write compatibility version information and read compatibility version information. The read/write apparatus efficiently performs the read/write of the recording medium with reference to the version informations recorded within the recording medium. |
| US07706228B2 |
System and method for controlling optical pickup unit
A system for supplying a driving voltage to move an optical pickup unit to a predetermined position includes a storage unit, an output unit, and a drive module. The storage unit is used for storing instructions. The instructions include a move-outwards instruction, a move-inwards instruction, and a move discriminate-position instruction. The output unit is constructed and arranged for outputting the instructions. The drive module is coupled to the output unit for supplying the driving voltage to move the optical pickup unit toward an outermost position based on the move-outwards instruction, move the optical pickup unit to an innermost position based on the move-inwards instruction, and move the optical pickup unit from the innermost position to the predetermined position based on the move discriminate-position instruction. |
| US07706227B2 |
Information recording/reproduction apparatus
An optical information recording/reproduction apparatus includes a correction device that corrects aberration, due to a change in thicknesses of a transparent substrate and spherical aberration generated by inserting an optical attenuation device into an optical path or retreating the optical attenuation device from the optical path, by changing intervals between a plurality of lenses. The correction device is disposed between an objective lens and a light source. The correction device also functions as a collimator lens. The optical attenuation device is provided in an optical path of diverging light flux from the light source to the correction device, for attenuating an optical output from the light source. A discrimination circuit discriminates (i) a kind of the optical recording medium and (ii) an insertion of the optical attenuation device into the optical path or a retreating of the optical attenuation device from the optical path, and produces a discrimination result. A learning circuit performs a learning process by searching for a correction amount, while the correction device changes the intervals between the plurality of lenses, and a circuit changes initial positions of the intervals between the plurality of lenses at a start of the learning process performed by the learning circuit, in accordance with the discrimination result produced by the discrimination circuit. |
| US07706226B2 |
Determination of optimum writing strategy for recording information onto optical information recording medium
The invention is to provide a method for determining an optimum writing strategy for an optical information recording system to record information onto an optical information recording medium. According to a preferred embodiment of the method of the invention, a determination function of speed and temperature is provided. The determination function is related to a plurality of allowable writing strategies. Then, the optical information recording system receives a user-desired speed and senses a temperature therein. Finally, one of the allowable writing strategies is determined, by applying the user-desired speed and the temperature in the determination function, as the optimum writing strategy. |
| US07706223B2 |
Apparatus for and method of detecting a wobble signal in accordance with a time shift
An apparatus for and a method of detecting a wobble signal in accordance with a time shift includes comparing a basic wobble signal with reference levels to detect pulses representing the time shift in an analog fashion, and digitally determining a code value for the basic wobble signal on the basis of the widths of the pulses using a channel clock signal and a wobble clock signal. The determined code value is accumulated and serves as a basis on which final wobble data is produced. |
| US07706222B2 |
Demodulator, disk drive device, and demodulation method
A demodulator for demodulating an input signal including a predetermined modulated signal includes a multiplication fundamental wave generator for outputting a multiplication fundamental wave for the predetermined modulated signal, a calculator for multiplying the multiplication fundamental wave by the input signal and for integrating the multiplication result, a demodulated signal generator for generating a demodulated signal of the modulated signal using the output from the calculator, a phase determiner for determining a cross-phase state of the input signal and the multiplication fundamental wave on the basis of a balance of levels of a plurality of integrated values, obtained as the integration result, for an interval containing the modulated signal in the input signal, and a phase adjuster for adjusting a phase of the multiplication fundamental wave to be supplied to the calculator on the basis of the determination result of the phase determiner. |
| US07706221B2 |
Information recording/reproducing apparatus
Disclosed herein is an information recording/reproducing apparatus that includes a first and a second recording/reproducing modules, a buffer memory to store information temporally, and a control module that switches between a first mode and a second mode when the information is dubbed from the first recording/reproducing module to the second recording/reproducing module. In the first mode, information in the first recording/reproducing module is reproduced and stored in the buffer memory. In the second mode, the information stored in the buffer memory is recorded in the second recording/reproducing module. The apparatus further includes a temperature detecting module. Depending on the temperature detected by this module, the apparatus changes the movement of the second recording/reproducing module in the first mode and the movement of the first recording/reproducing module in the second mode. |
| US07706220B2 |
Photodetector, diffraction grating, optical pickup and optical disc apparatus
The present invention provides a photodetector capable of generating highly accurate tracking and focusing error signals free of variations in light quantity caused by interference, in an optical pickup with a two-wavelength multilaser. The photodetector comprises first three light receiving areas arranged linearly to receive three light beams respectively resulting from splitting of a light beam emitted from a laser light source of a first wavelength and second three light receiving areas arranged linearly to receive three light beams respectively resulting from splitting of a light beam emitted from a laser light source of a second wavelength longer than the first wavelength. The distance between both-end light receiving areas out of the first three light receiving areas is longer than the distance between both-end light receiving areas out of the second three light receiving areas. |
| US07706218B2 |
Optical pickup apparatus and controlling method thereof
An optical pickup apparatus includes an objective lens that focuses light on an optical recording medium; an actuator that drives the objective lens in a direction of an optical axis of the objective lens toward or away from an optical recording medium in response to an input voltage applied to the actuator; an actuator driven distance sensor that senses a distance the actuator moves according to time or the input voltage applied to the actuator; an input voltage calculator that calculates an input voltage to be applied to the actuator that compensates for a hysteresis phenomenon that occurs during movement of the actuator based on the distance sensed by the actuator driven distance sensor; and a controller that controls operation of the actuator according to the input voltage calculated by the input voltage calculator. |
| US07706210B2 |
Semiconductor memory device including delay locked loop and method for driving the same
A semiconductor memory device includes: a delay locked loop (DLL) for delaying an external clock to generate a DLL clock signal; an internal command signal generator for generating an internal command signal in response to an external command; a delay circuit for delaying the internal command signal by a delay time corresponding to a delay time of the DLL to output a delayed internal command signal; and an output enable signal generator for generating an output enable signal based on the delayed internal command signal and the DLL clock signal. |
| US07706197B2 |
Storage device and control method of storage device
In a storage device having a redundancy remedy function in a block unit having a memory cells array divided in plural blocks, prior to the access operation to individual memory cells in the block, the block address BA for specifying a block is entered, and block redundancy is determined in the entered block address BA, and hence it is not necessary to determine input or redundancy of the block address BA on every occasion of the access operation. As a result, the time to the access operation start to the memory cell can be shortened, and the access speed is enhanced. |
| US07706196B2 |
Semiconductor memory device
A semiconductor memory device is provided to improve the tAA characteristics. The semiconductor memory device includes: a discrimination signal generating unit for generating a first discrimination signal denoting a write operation of the semiconductor memory device; a selective delay unit for delaying a command-group signal in response to a second discrimination signal; and a fuse unit for generating the second discrimination signal based on the first discrimination signal, the second discrimination signal determining whether the selective delay unit selectively delays the command-group signal in response to the first discrimination signal. |
| US07706195B2 |
Strobe signal controlling circuit
A strobe signal controlling circuit is provided which includes an initial write controller configured to outputs a write pulse signal, which is activated in a write command, in synchronization with a clock signal, a DQS signal outputting unit configured to outputs a write DQS signal by synchronizing an output signal of the initial write controller to the clock signal, a control signal generator configured to generates a control signal in response to the output signal of the initial write controller, and a reset signal generator configured to responds to a reset signal and a DQS enable signal to output a reset signal to the DQS signal outputting module in synchronization with the control signal. |
| US07706191B2 |
Systems and methods to reduce interference between memory cells
Embodiments of the inventive subject matter provide systems and methods for programming a set of memory cells by inducing a first voltage on the lower page of a first group of memory cells to hold a first least significant bit, and by inducing a second voltage on the lower page of a second group of memory cells to hold a second least significant bit. Once the lower page is programmed, the voltage may be shifted to the upper page of each memory cell into a final range representing one or more most significant bits to be programmed. Each memory cell may store a voltage within a final programmed range representing a binary value. |
| US07706180B2 |
Method and apparatus for reduction of bit-line disturb and soft-erase in a trapped-charge memory
A method and device for trading off inhibit disturb against bit-line disturb in a non-volatile memory where a threshold shift per inhibit disturb is increased, a threshold shift per bit-line disturb is decreased and the total threshold shift over the expected lifetime of the non-volatile memory due to inhibit disturbs is approximately equalized with the total threshold shift over the expected lifetime of the non-volatile memory due to bit-line disturbs. |
| US07706178B2 |
Programmable matrix array with phase-change material
A phase-change material is proposed for coupling interconnect lines an electrically programmable matrix array. Leakage may be reduced by optionally placing a thin insulating breakdown layer between the phase change material and at least one of the lines. The matrix array may be used in a programmable logic device. The logic portions of the programmable logic device may be tri-stated. |
| US07706177B2 |
Method of programming cross-point diode memory array
A method of programming a nonvolatile memory array including a plurality of nonvolatile memory cells, a plurality of bit lines, and a plurality of word lines, wherein each memory cell comprises a diode, or a diode and a resistivity switching element is disclosed. The method includes both bias programming the memory cells of the device. |
| US07706175B2 |
Magnetic random access memory and method of manufacturing the same
A magnetic random access memory includes a first wiring, a second wiring formed above and spaced apart from the first wiring, a magnetoresistive effect element formed between the first wiring and the second wiring, formed in contact with an upper surface of the first wiring, and having a fixed layer, a recording layer, and a nonmagnetic layer formed between the fixed layer and the recording layer, a metal layer formed on the magnetoresistive effect element and integrated with the magnetoresistive effect element to form stacked layers, a first side insulating film formed on side surfaces of the metal layer, the magnetoresistive effect element, and the first wiring, a first contact formed in contact with a side surface of the first side insulating film, and a third wiring formed on the metal layer and the first contact to electrically connect the magnetoresistive effect element and the first contact. |
| US07706174B2 |
Static random access memory
A static random access memory (“SRAM”) comprising: a pair of inverters each having an input and an output; a cross-coupling path coupling the input of a first inverter to the output of a second inverter; and a transmission gate, wherein the transmission gate comprises a p-channel transistor coupling the input of the second inverter to the output of the first inverter; and an n-channel transistor coupling the input of the second inverter to the output of the first inverter in parallel with the p-channel transistor. In another embodiment, the SRAM comprises a first inverter having a supply voltage node connected to a supply voltage, and a ground node connected to ground; a second inverter cross-coupled with the first inverter and having a supply voltage node connected to a supply voltage, and a ground node; and a switch selectively connecting and disconnecting the ground node of the second inverter to ground. |
| US07706159B2 |
Charge pump, DC-DC converter, and method thereof
A charge pump for a DC-DC converter includes an input terminal receiving an input voltage, an output terminal outputting an output voltage, a plurality of charge pumping stages connected in series between the input terminal and the output terminal, and a voltage level shifter shifting voltage levels of first and second gate clock signals so that received first and second gate clock signals have a predetermined amplitude. Therefore, the charge pump can increase power efficiency by maximizing a magnitude of VGS. A DC-DC converter using the charge pump can also be applied to a portable device, for minimizing power consumption, and a method for improving power efficiency of the DC-DC converter is provided. |
| US07706158B2 |
Amplifier with switchmode power supply
An amplifier is driven by DC voltage from a switchmode power supply, whereby the switchmode power supply includes on the primary side a primary winding and bias supply winding. The bias supply winding supplies a reflected voltage from a secondary winding to a bias supply capacitor. The bias supply capacitor drives the control circuit and provides a sensing to the control circuit. The power supply further includes an active clamp circuit for controlling the voltage stress on a main switch. In another embodiment, boost inductors and a balancing transformer are added on the primary side of the transformer to prevent overvoltage conditions at light loads. |
| US07706157B2 |
Systems and methods involving balancing currents for thyristors
An exemplary embodiment includes a method for balancing thyristor bridge circuits, the method comprising, determining currents of thyristors in a first leg of thyristors of a thyristor bridge circuit, determining a first set of gate firing times for the thyristors in the first leg of thyristors responsive to determining the current of the thyristors in the first gate of thyristors, wherein the first set of gate firing times are operative to balance a current load between the thyristors in the first leg of thyristors, and gating the thyristors in the first leg of thyristors according to the first set of gate firing times. |
| US07706153B2 |
DC-DC Converter
A DC-DC converter includes a switching circuit having first and second switching elements to which a direct current voltage is supplied, the first and second switching elements periodically operated so that one of the switching elements is turned on while the other one is turned OFF during a period other than a dead time period, a serial circuit in which a first capacitor, and primary windings of first and second inductance elements are connected in series, and a connection is made between an output point of the switching circuit and a reference potential point (or input voltage point), and output circuits including rectifier elements, each of which rectifies a voltage induced by secondary windings of the first and second inductance elements, the output circuits obtaining a direct current output voltage. |
| US07706146B2 |
Power system module and method of fabricating the same
Provided are a power system module allowing a user's requirements to be easily met, and having economic practicality and high integration, and a manufacturing method thereof. The power system module includes a plastic case, a molding type power module package, a control circuit board, and at least one external terminal. The plastic case defines a bottom and a side wall. The molding type power module package is fixed to the bottom of the plastic case and includes at least a power device therein. The control circuit board is fixed to the side wall of the plastic case, includes at least a control device mounted thereon which is electrically connected to the power module package. The external terminal protrudes to outside the plastic case and is electrically connected to the control circuit board. |
| US07706141B2 |
Device with integrated electronic components provided with a partition for separating ventilated zones
Device with integrated electronic components, that comprises a board forming a support for the said components, a cover mounted on the said board to cover the said components, and a separating partition which extends from the cover to the board substantially perpendicularly to the latter, the said partition separating two distinct zones of the board, wherein it comprises an overcover covering the cover and defining an internal space between the cover and the overcover in which are provided cooling gas division means delimiting two distinct secondary spaces in the internal space, an upstream secondary space into which cooling gas is able to be injected and a downstream secondary space into which cooling gas is able to be discharged so that cooling gas injected into the upstream zone of the board is directed toward the downstream secondary space of the internal space and that cooling gas injected into the upstream secondary space of the internal space is directed toward the downstream zone of the board. |
| US07706135B2 |
Load center with displaceable wiring plates
A load center enclosure with displaceable end wall plates for easily accessing the wall cavity above and below the load center and adding additional electrical conductors in post installation applications. |
| US07706132B2 |
Solid electrolytic capacitor
A solid electrolytic capacitor includes a negative terminal, first to fourth capacitor elements coupled to the negative terminal, first and second positive terminals connected to the first to fourth capacitor elements, and a package resin covering the first to fourth capacitor elements. Each of the first to fourth capacitor elements has a first end and a second end opposite to the first end, and each of the first to fourth capacitor elements includes a negative electrode provided at the first end and a positive electrode provided at the second end. The first to fourth capacitor elements are stacked in this order. The positive electrodes of the first and fourth capacitor elements extend in a first direction from the respective negative electrodes of the first and fourth capacitor elements. The positive electrodes of the second and third capacitor elements extend in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, from the respective negative electrodes of the second and third capacitor elements. This solid electrolytic capacitor has a small leakage current. |
| US07706130B2 |
Process for producing electrode for electric double layer capacitor and process for producing electric double layer capacitor employing the electrode
A process for producing an electrode for an electric double layer capacitor, in which water is used as a forming auxiliary agent and kneading an pulverizing steps are omitted to improve production efficiency, and a process for producing an electric double layer capacitor employing such a electrode, are provided. In a first mixing step, an activated carbon and a carbon black are mixed by a grinder containing a grinding medium. As the grinder containing a grinding medium used in this first mixing step, a commonly used ball mill can be used. In the second mixing step, a mixture is taken out from the grinder containing a grinding medium of the first mixing step, and moved into a second mixer prepared separately. Then, polytetrafluoroethylene as a binder and water as a liquid lubricant are added and the materials are mixed again. Thereafter, a calendar forming is carried out. The mixture obtained by the second mixing step is not a clumpy body of clay state or rubber state but a product which can be easily turned into grains of 1 to 2 mm, by simple means such as a wire sieve. |
| US07706126B2 |
Structure of supercapacitor and method for manufacturing the same
The method for manufacturing a supercapacitor according to the present invention includes the following steps. First, stack a bottom electrode plate and a top electrode plate in parallel. Then, install a first rubber frame and a second rubber frame face-to-face on the bottom and the top electrode plates. The first rubber frame is adapted with a first opening, while the second rubber frame is adapted with a second opening. Next, install an isolation membrane in a space surrounded by the first and the second rubber frames. Afterwards, bind the first and the second rubber frames. Then, produce vacuum in the space. Next, place the bottom and the top electrode plates into an electrolyte to make the electrolyte flow into the space. Finally, use a first resin to seal the first and the second openings. Thereby, the short-circuit phenomenon caused by long-term usage of the supercapacitor can be prevented. In addition, the structural strength of the supercapacitor can be reinforced to avoid electrolyte-leakage phenomenon. |
| US07706120B2 |
Ion generating element, ion generator and neutralizer
An ion generating element capable of cost reduction and space saving while exhibiting a high generation efficiency of positive ions and negative ions and stabilized generation capacity with less variation, and an ion generator and a neutralizer employing it. The ion generating element comprises a dielectric body having at least two faces, at least two discharge electrodes arranged on the at least two faces of the dielectric body, and an induction electrode arranged in the dielectric body and subjected to the action of the at least two discharge electrodes and is characterized in that positive ions and negative ions are generated on the body, and ions are generated from the at least two faces of the dielectric body through discharge generated because of the potential difference between the discharge electrode of the ion generating element and the induction electrode when a drive voltage is applied between them. |
| US07706115B2 |
Over-voltage indicator and related circuit and method
Over-voltage indicator and related circuit and method. The over-voltage indicator can work with an I/O circuit of a chip for detecting over-voltage in an I/O pad and providing an indication signal accordingly. When over-voltage does not happen, the over-voltage indicator continues to detect a signal level of the I/O pad and keeps the indication signal low. Once over-voltage is detected, the over-voltage indicator pauses detecting, asserts a high level in the indication signal, and periodically resumes detecting until end of over-voltage is detected. With informing provided by the indication signal, a core cell of the chip can perform proper operation to reduce potential damage caused by over-voltage. |
| US07706112B2 |
Active clamp protection device
An active clamp device electrically couples first and second nodes in respective first and second supply domains referenced to ground potentials that can be different. The active clamp device comprises first and second active devices controlled by signals respectively referenced to the first and second supply domains that create a short-circuit or low impedance connection between the first and second nodes in normal operation and drive impedance between the first and second nodes high in response to a transient event. |
| US07706104B2 |
Rotating disk storage device having a carriage formed with non-binding pads
Embodiments of the invention enhance a mounting precision of a head gimbal assembly with respect to a carriage. In one embodiment, a rotating disk storage device comprises a magnetic disk; head gimbal assemblies each including a slider provided at a front end thereof and a mounting portion provided at a rear end thereof, the slider including a head for reading data from the magnetic disk; and a carriage holding a voice coil. The carriage is formed with a pivot opening into which a pivot cartridge for turning about a pivot shaft is inserted and mounting surfaces on which the mounting portions of the head gimbal assemblies are mounted, and a first pad, a second pad and a third pad projected so as to come into partial face contact with the head gimbal assemblies on the mounting surfaces. |
| US07706099B2 |
Magnetic disk drive and method of controlling the same
Embodiments of the present invention provide a magnetic disk drive, in which a disturbance component contained in an output signal from a rotational vibration detector, can be appropriately suppressed irrespective of frequency of the component, and a method of controlling the drive. According to one embodiment, in a magnetic disk drive having a rotational vibration detector for detecting rotational vibration of a drive housing, a main control circuit performs a head moving step of driving a voice coil motor to move a magnetic head on a magnetic disk, a frequency estimation step of estimating a frequency of each disturbance component contained in an output signal from the rotational vibration detector after moving the magnetic head, and a suppressor setting step of setting a notch filter for suppressing the disturbance component based on the estimated frequency. |
| US07706098B2 |
Disk drive in which the dynamic flying height of head is adjusted
According to one embodiment, an adjusting element adjusts a dynamic flying height of a head lying over a disk in accordance with the power supplied to it. A calculation module calculates the power to supply to the adjusting element, from a barometric pressure detected by a barometric pressure sensor. A failure detection module detects failure of the barometric pressure sensor. An unload controller predicts an abnormal dynamic flying height of the head from the failure detected and then instructs the unloading of the head away from the disk. |
| US07706094B2 |
Storage device and servo information writing method
A storage device receives and holds a storage medium that is subjected to first servo writing processing for writing servo information, a Gray code of which is offset, from an inner cylinder or an outer cylinder to a predetermined cylinder and, after the first servo writing processing, subjected to second servo writing processing for writing servo information from an opposite direction to the predetermined cylinder and in which Gray codes are written to be offset not to overlap in the first or second servo writing processing and the pieces of servo information having different mark patterns are written in the first servo writing processing and the second servo writing processing. The storage device acquires cylinder information and mark patterns from the servo information written in the held storage medium and controls a position of a head based on the acquired cylinder information and mark patterns. |
| US07706092B2 |
Null servo pattern for bit-patterned media
A patterned recording media comprises a segment and a null pattern formed in the segment. The segment comprises first and second rows of discrete magnetic elements separated by a non-magnetic material, and a row of non-magnetic material positioned between the first and second rows. The null pattern comprises consecutive groups of the discrete magnetic elements in the first and second rows of the segment. Each group in the first row has a magnetic polarity that is opposite the magnetic polarity of adjoining groups in the first row. Each group in the second row has a magnetic polarity that is opposite the magnetic polarity of adjoining groups in the second row. |
| US07706087B2 |
Optical system and optical apparatus
Providing an optical system having a large aperture ratio, a long back focal length, high optical performance with excellently correcting various aberrations, and an optical apparatus equipped with the optical system. The system includes, in order from an object along an optical axis of the optical system, a first lens group having positive refractive power, and a second lens group having positive refractive power. The second lens group includes a negative lens, a first positive lens, and a second positive lens, and the optical system includes a compound type aspherical lens constructed by a glass material and a resin material. |
| US07706084B2 |
Surveillance camera with lens adjustment mechanism
A surveillance camera has a housing, a photographic lens installed in the housing, and an adjustment mechanism connected to the photographic lens. The photographic lens has a first adjustable lens for adjusting distance, and a second adjustable lens for adjusting focal length. A distance adjustment ring is coupled to the first adjustable lens, and a focal length adjustment ring is coupled to the second adjustable lens. The adjustment mechanism has a support, a first adjustment screw, and a second adjustment screw. A first adjustment ring installed on the distance adjustment ring of the photographic lens has teeth corresponding to threading of the first adjustment screw, and a second adjustment ring installed on the focal length adjustment ring of the photographic lens has teeth corresponding to threading of the second adjustment screw. |
| US07706082B2 |
Zoom lens and imaging apparatus incorporating the same
The invention relates to a zoom lens and an imaging apparatus incorporating the same. The zoom lenses comprises, in order from its object side, a positive first lens group G1, a negative second lens group G2, a positive third lens group G3, and a positive fourth lens group G4. Zooming is implemented by changing the spacing between the respective lens groups. Upon received in a lens mount, the third lens group is shifted and positioned while its optical axis is tilted at an angle of ±45° with those of other lens groups or placed substantially horizontal. At least one of lenses in the second lens group G2 or the fourth lens group G4 is configured such that a portion of that lens proximate to the third lens group being received in the lens mount is cut away. The following condition (1) is satisfied: 0.3 |
| US07706079B2 |
Projection zoom lens system and projection type display apparatus
A projection lens system includes, in order from the magnification side, a negative first group G1 and positive second to fifth groups G2 to G5. In the lens system, the first group G1 has aspheric surface, a lens closest to the magnification side (L7) in the fourth group G4 has an aspheric surface, and the fifth group G5 is formed of one positive lens. During zooming, the first group G1 and the fifth group G5 remain stationary, while the second to fourth groups G2 to G4 are moved separately. Furthermore, the lens system satisfies the expression 0.8 |