| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US07712373B2 |
Sensor device for real-time monitoring or relative movement using capacitive fabric sensors
A capacitive sensor device, including electrode materials carried by fabric substrates, is provided for monitoring relative movement of an expanding and/or contracting structure, such as the mammalian chest and/or torso, corresponding to a performance parameter related, for example, to respiratory function. Some embodiments include non-woven fabric substrates comprising compliant portions configured to stretch only in a selected direction and non-compliant portions upon which electrode materials are disposed. In some embodiments, layers of fabric substrates, carrying corresponding first and second electrode materials, are configured to cooperate to form a parallel plate capacitive sensor having a variable capacitance corresponding to a relative motion of the fabric substrates. |
| US07712372B2 |
Apparatus for testing performance of car audio system
An apparatus for testing switches of a vehicle audio system includes contact bars. In use, a front end of each contact bar contacts either one of the switches, or a portion of the surface of the audio system. A front end of an extension bar is connected to a rear end of each contact bar. A gear unit is connected to a rear end of each extension bar, to move the extension bar forward and rearward. A motor is mounted to each gear unit, to rotate the extension bars. A piezoelectric sensor is mounted to each motor, to measure the pressure applied to the contact bars. A control unit compares the pressures measured by the piezoelectric sensors with set values, and diagnoses the switches. |
| US07712369B2 |
Array-based system and method for inspecting a workpiece with backscattered ultrasonic signals
A method and an array-based system for inspecting a structure are provided that can identify unacceptable levels of porosity, microcracking or defects attributable to thermal damage. The inspection system includes a two-dimensional array of ultrasonic transducers, and an array controller configured to trigger at least one ultrasonic transducer to emit an ultrasonic signal into the structure. The array controller is also configured to receive data representative of backscattered signals preferentially received by at least one ultrasonic transducer from a portion of the structure offset from the at least one ultrasonic transducer that was triggered to emit the ultrasonic signal. |
| US07712362B2 |
Liquid surface detection device
The present invention provides a liquid surface detection device 1 in which corrosion is restrained even when liquid having conductivity is used so that a longer lifespan is achieved, including a liquid surface detection sensor 2 that outputs a signal indicating a variation in liquid level as a variation in resistance value by the sliding movement of a contact point 2a on an electrode connected to a resistor 2b, and a control unit 4 that controls supply and stops a supply of electric power to the liquid surface detection sensor 2 at predetermined intervals, in which a vehicle state determination unit that determines a state of a vehicle is provided and the control unit 4 controls the duration to stop the supply of electric power to the liquid surface detection sensor 2 when the vehicle state determination unit determines that the vehicle is in a traveling state. |
| US07712360B2 |
Air separator for ophthalmic surgical system
An air bubble separator is provided for ophthalmic surgical systems, which includes a housing 102 having a diagonally-oriented flow channel 110 and a vertically-oriented flow channel 130 adjoining the diagonally oriented channel. The diagonally-oriented flow channel 110 has a downstream portion 112 disposed downstream of the vertically-oriented flow channel 130, and an upstream portion 118 disposed upstream of the vertically-oriented flow channel 130. The downstream portion 112 of the diagonally-oriented flow channel 110 has a cross-sectional area 114 that is greater than that of the upstream portion 118. The downstream portion's cross-sectional area 114 is greater than the upstream portion's cross-sectional area 124 by an amount or percentage that is sufficient to slow fluid flow through the diagonally-oriented flow channel 110, so as to cause air within the fluid to rise and flow into the vertically-oriented flow channel 130. |
| US07712359B2 |
Dispensing measurement device and method of measuring dispensing
A dispensing measuring device. The device correlates the relative proximity between a Hall effect sensor and a magnet. One is held stationary, while the other is movable in response to ordinary actuation which occurs during dispensing. Detection of changes in the proximity are correlated to the amount of material dispensed. |
| US07712350B2 |
Apparatus and method for determining density of insulation
An apparatus for determining the density of insulation in a cavity of a structure that senses a force of the insulation against the sensor. The force is used to determine the density of the insulation, which, in turn, is used to determine the thermal resistance or R-value of the insulation. The apparatus may include a fixture for supporting the sensor and holding the sensor in the substantially fixed position. A method for determining the density of loose-fill, blown-in-place insulation in a wall cavity by the use of a sensor is that measures a force exerted on the sensor by the insulation. The measured force is used to determine the density of the insulation. The thermal resistance of the insulation is determined from the known cavity depth and insulation density. |
| US07712349B2 |
Gas sensor
The object of the present invention is to provide a gas sensor in which a gas detection element is mounted on a wiring substrate; in which a protective cap having gas inlets formed therein is attached to the wiring substrate; and which has a structure capable of effectively preventing emanation of gas from the wiring substrate and the protective cap. A gas sensor comprises a gas detecting element on a writing board where a protective cap with air vents is mounted. The sensor effectively prevents a gas from emanating from the wiring board and the protective cap. The wiring board where a plurality of gas detecting elements (8,9) are to be mounted is formed of a ceramic wiring board (2) excellent in heat resistance. The protective cap (3) having air vents (31 to 39) is formed of a metal excellent in heat resistance. The metal protective cap (3) is fitted to the ceramic wiring board (2) instead of using adhesive. In this way a gas sensor (1) is manufactured. Adoption of such a structure enables suppression of the gas emission from the ceramic wiring board (2) and the metal protective cap (3) effectively during the manufacturing step or in use of the gas sensor (1) attached to a car, thereby preventing lowering of the gas detection accuracy or early deterioration of the gas detecting elements (8,9). |
| US07712343B2 |
Dead locking deadbolt
A deadbolt mechanism including a lock out mechanism that functions to disable the operation of the deadbolt from at least one side of the deadbolt mechanism. The deadbolt mechanism includes a deadbolt, key cylinder, housing, turn knob and a shaft that connects the key cylinder and turn knob. To place the deadbolt mechanism in lock out mode, a release mechanism is actuated and the turn knob is pulled outward away from the door. By pulling the knob outward, the shaft engages a portion of the housing which prevents rotation of the shaft and thereby prevents movement of the deadbolt from the lock-out position. |
| US07712339B2 |
Joint rod lock
A jointed bar lock having a lock body and a jointed bar hoop which has a first end and a second end, said first end being permanently connected to the lock body and said second end being connectable to the lock body at a latching region of the lock body, with a bolt provided at the lock body selectively being movable into a latched position in which the bolt engages it the second end of the jointed bar hoop when it is connected to the lock body or is movable into a release position in which the second end of the jointed bar hoop is released for a removal from the lock body. The lock has an actuation device which is coupled to the bolt via a connection section and by which the bolt is movable from the latched position, into which the bolt is biased, into the release position. The lock body accommodates a combination locking mechanism to selectively block or release the bolt. The actuation device is arranged disposed opposite the combination locking mechanism with respect to the latching region of the lock body. |
| US07712336B2 |
Subassembly for industrial fabrics
A method of manufacturing an industrial fabric comprising the steps of knitting a first fabric strip portion having two widthwise edges and a width that is narrower than the industrial fabric to the desired length of the industrial fabric, forming the first fabric strip portion into an endless loop by joining the widthwise edges with a CD seam, placing the first fabric strip portion around two rotatably mounted rolls and knitting a second fabric portion to the desired length of the industrial fabric, where knitting of the second fabric portion proceeds along the first edge of the first fabric portion and is a knitted continuation thereof. Alternatively, knitted fabric strips can be joined together in a spiral fashion to create a full width industrial fabric. |
| US07712332B2 |
Pendant stabilization device
An apparatus comprises a bearing, a pendant, and a supporting component. The bearing rotatably engages the pendant. The supporting component engages a portion of the bearing. The bearing rotates relative to the pendant upon movement of the supporting component with respect to the pendant and the bearing to maintain the alignment of the pendant. |
| US07712331B2 |
System to increase capacity of LNG-based liquefier in air separation process
A system is set forth to increase the capacity of an LNG-based liquefier in a cryogenic air separation unit wherein, in a low production mode, the nitrogen that is fed to the LNG-based liquefier consists only of at least a portion of the high pressure nitrogen from the distillation column system while in a high production mode, a supplemental compressor is used to boost the pressure of at least a portion of the low pressure nitrogen from the distillation column system to create additional (or replacement) feed to the LNG-based liquefier. A key to the present invention is the supplemental compressor and the associated heat exchange equipment is separate and distinct from the LNG-based liquefier. This allows its purchase to be delayed until a capacity increase is actually needed and thus avoid building an oversized liquefier based on a speculative increase in liquid product demand. |
| US07712329B2 |
Oil balance system and method for compressors
A compressor system includes a first compressor, which has a first low side oil sump, in a first shell and a second compressor, which has a second low side oil sump, in a second shell. The first and second compressors are connected in series. There is an oil transfer conduit connected between the first low side sump of the first compressor and the second low side sump of the second compressor. The system also includes a normally open check valve in the oil transfer conduit. A method for effecting oil balance in a compressor system, the method includes establishing a first compressor in a first shell having a first low side oil sump and establishing a second compressor in a second shell having a second low side oil sump. The first and second compressors are connected in series. The method also includes positioning an oil transfer conduit between the first low side sump and the second low side sump and positioning a normally open check valve in the oil transfer conduit. |
| US07712323B2 |
Device for producing ice cubes in a refrigerator
The device comprises a basin-like container in which partitioning baffles define a plurality of cavities or moulds open at the top, intended to hold a respective quantity of water put into them by means of a solenoid valve, for the formation of corresponding ice cubes. An ejection device includes an electric motor device to which a rotatable shaft is coupled, from which stretch a plurality of ejector elements capable of provoking the expulsion of the ice cubes formed in said cavities or moulds as an effect of the rotation of the shaft.Control devices are associated with the motor device and with the solenoid valve, and comprise two cams operatively driven in rotation by the motor at different speeds. These cams have respective enabling and control profiles engaged operatively by the same feeler that cooperates with an electric switch in such a way as to define, in the operating cycle of the device, at least one time interval of predetermined duration for the opening of said water feed solenoid valve. |
| US07712322B2 |
Ice level sensing device for an automatic ice maker in a refrigerator
A device for sensing a level of ice stored in a bin of an automatic ice maker includes a bail arm and an actuator mechanism. The actuator mechanism is constituted by a shape memory alloy that, upon application of a voltage, contracts to move the bail arm to a raised position prior to initiation of an ice harvest cycle. After completion of the ice harvest cycle, the voltage is discontinued, allowing the shape memory alloy to relax, causing the bail arm to return to a lowered position. The bail arm includes a sensing member that extends into the bin and, depending upon the level of ice, prevents the bail arm from contacting a sensing switch, temporarily halting ice production. |
| US07712316B2 |
Turbine blade with reverse cooling air film hole direction
A gas turbine engine includes turbine blades having film cooling holes at an outer face of an airfoil wherein the film cooling holes are designed to be better filled with air. In a disclosed embodiment, the film cooling holes include a meter section extending along a direction having a main component extending from a blade tip to a blade root. In addition, a diffused section communicates with the meter section at a face of the airfoil. The diffused section is spaced toward the blade tip from the meter section. In this manner, centrifugal force ensures the diffused section is also filled with air. |
| US07712311B2 |
Turbocharger assembly with catalyst coating
A turbocharger assembly is provided. The turbocharger assembly includes a turbine assembly having at least one internal aerodynamic surface and a compressor assembly having at least one internal aerodynamic surface. At least one of the at least one internal aerodynamic surface of the turbine assembly and the at least one internal aerodynamic surface of the compressor assembly is at least partially coated with a catalyst material. The internal aerodynamic surfaces of the turbine assembly may include a volute, variable geometry mechanism, turbine wheel, and outlet. The internal aerodynamic surfaces of the compressor assembly may include and inlet, compressor impeller, diffuser, variable geometry mechanism, and a volute. An internal combustion engine incorporating the disclosed turbocharger assembly is also provided. |
| US07712310B2 |
Double power Stirling engine and coaxial Stirling power mechanism
A Stirling engine includes a piston seat, a displacer arranged in the piston seat, a piston seat, and a push rod. Meanwhile, a piston tube is arranged on the piston seat and an airtight piston is arranged in the piston tube. Moreover, one end of the push rod is connected to the displacer, while another end passes through the airtight piston and extends out of the piston seat. Additionally, a power mechanism includes the aforementioned Stirling engine, a crankshaft, an axle seat pivoted with the crankshaft, and two pairs of first and second swing arms that are respectively connected from the crankshaft to the top ends of the push rod and the airtight piston and are arranged symmetrically to each other. |
| US07712308B2 |
Selective catalyst reduction of nitrogen oxides with hydrogen
A system and method for reducing nitrous oxides in diesel exhaust with hydrogen and carbon monoxide over a palladium based catalyst. The catalyst comprises a compound represented by the formula: X % Pd—Y % V2O5/Z, where X is between about 0.1 to about 2.0, Y is between about 0.1 to about 7.0, and Z is an oxide support. |
| US07712307B2 |
Exhaust gas system, especially for an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle
In an exhaust gas system for an internal combustion engine, particularly of a motor vehicle, wherein the exhaust gas system comprises a nitrogen oxide reducing converter arranged in an exhaust gas line of the internal combustion engine, an exhaust gas cleaning device arranged upstream of the nitrogen oxide reducing converter and a reducing agent feed device for feeding a reducing agent into the exhaust gas of the internal combustion engine upstream of the nitrogen oxide reducing converter, a bypass line is provided which branches off from the exhaust gas line upstream of the exhaust gas cleaning device and rejoins the exhaust gas line at an entry point downstream of the exhaust gas cleaning device and upstream of the nitrogen oxide reducing converter. |
| US07712305B2 |
Exhaust aftertreatment system with spiral mixer
An exhaust aftertreatment system, including injection of chemical species, includes a mixer provided by a spiral chamber. |
| US07712304B2 |
Method for after treatment of exhaust gases, and exhaust gas after treatment array
A method and an apparatus for posttreatment of the exhaust gases of an internal combustion engines in which nitric oxides contained in the exhaust gas can be selectively catalytically reduced, and a first auxiliary agent kept on hand can be delivered to the exhaust gas, and means are provided for at least intermittently subjecting a portion of the first auxiliary agent to a chemical conversion into a second auxiliary agent, and an intermediate reservoir is provided for storing the second auxiliary agent, so that at least intermittently, the second auxiliary agent can be delivered to the exhaust gas parallel to or in alternation with the first auxiliary agent. |
| US07712302B2 |
Crossfire tube assembly for gas turbines
A crossfire tube for attachment between casing bosses of combustors includes a bellows assembly having a bellows with opposite cylindrical ends welded to annular flanges. The annular flanges include a bolt circle for securing the flanges to the combustor bosses. The flanges bear against a gasket for sealing against inserts welded to the casing bosses for retrofit in the sealing assembly to combustors or to seats where the inserts and bosses are formed integrally during original equipment manufacture. A telescoping cylindrical sleeve surrounds the bellows to protect from falling foreign object damage. |
| US07712295B2 |
Agricultural machine comprising a motor vehicle and several working units intended to cut plant products
An agricultural machine comprising: a motor vehicle that can move in two opposite directions, a direction of travel for work, and a transport direction, a driver's cabin that can move along the motor vehicle, at least one central support connected to the lifting device of the motor vehicle and supporting front working units intended to cut standing plant products, the working units that protrude laterally from the motor vehicle being able to be moved by means of the central support into a transport position in which they are positioned longitudinally at least partly above the motor vehicle. |
| US07712294B2 |
Lawn mower with deck lift system including automatic latch resetting
A power lawn mower includes at least one cutting blade driven, directly or indirectly, by an engine. A cutter deck assembly of the mower includes a cutter deck, cutting blade(s) housed therein, and a pulley/belt system powered by a drive shaft of the engine for driving the cutting blade(s). The cutter deck assembly is selectively adjustable upward/downward to adjust the cutting height of the mower and/or to allow an operator to put the cutter deck assembly in a heightened position for storage and/or transport and thereafter lower the cutter deck assembly to a cutting position. In certain example embodiments of this invention, a latch system is provided as part of a deck lift system for permitting the cutter deck assembly to be more easily and/or efficiently raised/lowered. |
| US07712293B1 |
Accessory mount arrangement for a lawn vehicle
The present invention is related to lawn maintenance and describes a system for mounting an accessory, such as a grass trimmer, to a lawn tractor or lawn mower. The mounting system provides a lawn tractor operator the ability to operate an accessory while seated in the lawn tractor. The mounting system is also advantageous in that the operator need not specifically align the tractor with any objects that present an obstacle for mowing, but may instead move the accessory to the object. The accessory mounting system includes a linkage arrangement that allows the accessory to be moved from side-to-side of the lawn tractor. The linkage arrangement includes a centered orientated vertical pivot member interconnected with a link member, which is defined by a pair of curvilinear members, that allows the link member to rotate to reposition the accessory. The linkage arrangement also allows limited vertical displacement of the accessory. |
| US07712286B2 |
Machine for packing cylindrical articles
A machine for packing cigarettes, having a group-forming device for forming a group of cigarettes, and a conveyor for feeding the group along a given path; the group-forming device has a number of seats, each for housing a respective subgroup of cigarettes; the subgroups are pushed, in use, through respective insertion channels tapering towards the conveyor, into a pocket of the conveyor to define the group of cigarettes; and the pocket has a substantially triangular cross section parallel to the path. |
| US07712283B2 |
Brackets and bracket system for assembling playground equipment
A bracket system for assembling playground equipment includes a plurality of deck support brackets, at least two vertical frame brackets, at least two horizontal frame brackets, a swing bracket, and at least two ladder brackets. The deck support brackets secure horizontal deck support beams to vertical frame beams at first points along the vertical frame beams. The vertical frame brackets attach to at least two adjacent vertical frame beams at second points above the first points. The at least two horizontal frame brackets fix at least one horizontal frame beam to the at least two adjacent vertical frame beams at the second points; the horizontal frame brackets and the vertical frame brackets interconnect. The swing bracket fastens a swing support beam to the at least one horizontal frame beam at a third point along the at least one horizontal frame beam. The at least two ladder brackets connect a ladder to one of the horizontal deck support beams. |
| US07712275B2 |
Method for reducing roof membrane damage from hail/fastener contact impact and a roof system having reduced membrane damage from hail/fastener impact
Disclosed herein is a method for reducing roof membrane damage from hail/fastener impact by locating a fastener, positioning an energy absorbing material over the fastener and affixing the material to the fastener. Further disclosed herein is a roof system with reduced hail/fastener impact damage characteristics. The system comprises a roof substrate having one or more layers of material at least one fastener exposed at a top surface of the substrate and a dedicated energy absorbing material positioned over the at least one fastener. A roof water proofing membrane is placed atop the foregoing elements. |
| US07712258B2 |
Suspension and sill system for sliding members
A panel or door suspension system used to hang sliding panels or doors. The panel members are hung by an upper bearing assembly with bearings on each side of the longitudinal axis of the panel thereby allowing the weight of the door to bear wholly on the upper bearings and to act centrally and downwardly between the bearings thereby preventing a moment on the bearings. A wedge member attached to the upper portion of the panel allows for vertical adjustment of the panel relative to the bearings and the door frame. A sill assembly beneath the panel allows for stable sliding operation of the panel member, provides for debris drainage and facilitates servicing of the members comprising the sill assembly. |
| US07712254B2 |
Compactable garden planter
At least one embodiment of the invention pertains to a collapsible planter apparatus is provided comprising (1) a floor section having one or more drainage holes, (2) a first side wall hingeably coupled to a first edge of the floor section, and (3) and a second side wall hingeably coupled to a second edge of the floor section opposite the first edge of the floor section. A third side wall may be removably coupled between the first and second side walls along a third edge of the floor section. A fourth side wall may also be removably coupled between the first and second side walls along a fourth edge of the floor section opposite the third edge of the floor section. |
| US07712249B1 |
Ultrasonic humidifier for repelling insects
The present invention is directed to an ultrasonic repellent humidifier for dispersing insect repellant into the air as a micro fine repellent vapor. A repellent tank provides rhodinol and cedarwood oil based repellent to a repellent well. An ultrasonic transducer is positioned in the well beneath the level of the repellent. It vibrates, forming a repellant vapor that is drawn into a vapor duct by a forced air system and out of the unit, dispersing the repellent vapor into the surrounding air. The vibrating portion of the ultrasonic transducer that is exposed to the oil-based repellent is a ceramic material that inhibits residue from forming on the transducer that reduces its efficiency. The ceramic material may be formed on the metal case of the transducer or on the piezoelectric oscillation crystal, or it may be a separately replaceable disc. |
| US07712247B2 |
Use of electromagnetic fields to affect insect movement
Disclosed are methods for affecting movement of an insect with respect to a specified location. One generates an electromagnetic field adjacent the location and exposes the insect to the field. Preferably the insect is a crawling insect such as a German cockroach, earwig, firebrat, or a silverfish. To attract insects, the strength of the field is not so high as to be repulsive to the insect, yet sufficiently strong as to be attractive. Such field generators are preferably incorporated into insect traps and insect bait stations. |
| US07712243B2 |
Apparatus for firearm maintenance
The present disclosure teaches an apparatus for removing a firearm magazine's floorplate comprising a substantially elliptically shaped element comprising an open end, a top surface, a bottom surface and an inner surface, a notch located in the upper surface of the element, a slit on the open end opposite the notch and a plurality of projections located on the inner surface. Methods of using the apparatus are also disclosed. |
| US07712241B2 |
Hand grip apparatus for firearm
A handgrip apparatus for firearm includes a hollow housing defining a handgrip surface and forming an enclosure. A fastener is connected to the housing for removably attaching the handgrip apparatus to a fore-end portion of a firearm. A retractable leg assembly is movable between a retracted position and an extended position and includes a pair of pivoting legs usable as a bipod support when the leg assembly is in the extended position. |
| US07712239B2 |
Overhead adjustable track support arrangement
A system for supporting display panels from an overhead support, comprising: two or more spaced-apart, elongated, hollow, extruded fixed rails which are attachable to an overhead support together with one or more spaced-apart, elongated, hollow, extruded moveable rails. A plurality of connectors are slidably disposed within the fixed rails, the connectors having a projection extending though an elongated gap in the moveable rail and into slidable receipt in the fixed rail. The moveable rails provide support for a display supporting clip. |
| US07712238B2 |
Ceiling mounted display sign
A display sign includes a sign mount configured to engage support rails of a ceiling and a graphics display supported by the sign mount and configured for rotation about 360°. A motor may be provided to power rotation of the graphics display. |
| US07712235B2 |
Lock device of work machine
A lock device is improved in durability by operating the operation member of a boom lock device in a non-contact state to solve a problem in a conventional work machine because there is a problem that the operation member is worn at the lateral rotating part of a boom bracket. In the lock device 51 for locking a boom 16 of the excavating device to the main body, an engaging member is provided on one of the boom and a boom bracket 15 provided on the main body, and an engaged member is provided on the other of the boom and the boom bracket. The engaging member is constituted by a plate formed on one side thereof with a hook part 52a, and on the other side thereof with a slot 52c. A support pin 55 is inserted into the slot, and a stopped 53 is disposed above the support pin, so that the support pin 55 and the stopper 53 support the engaging member. |
| US07712233B2 |
Particulate material spreading apparatus
To prevent or minimize bridging of material to be dispersed within a containment vessel, a rotatable auger is positioned in close proximity to a curvilinear inner wall surface of the vessel. The auger has an axis that moves parallel to the curved wall surface in a manner such that the auger flights maintain a close working relationship relative to the curved wall surface as the auger is positioned for movement therealong. A spreader apparatus is positioned to receive material dispensed through the vessel outlet port to broadcast the dispensed material externally of the vessel. |
| US07712229B2 |
Air-circulating shock absorbing shoes
Disclosed is an air-circulating and shock-absorbing shoe that protects the backbone and knee joints and provides smooth air circulation for pleasant wearing of shoes for a long time. The shoe includes an outsole formed with the firstfirst and secondsecond air chambers, a midsole and an insole formed with multiple air suction holes connected with the firstfirst air chamber, and a check valve formed in the secondsecond air chamber of the outsole. The shoe is formed with multiple concaved holes on the bottoms of the firstfirst and secondsecond air chambers, multiple air cushion projections formed on the bottom of the midsole and inserted into the concaved holes, and shock-absorbing holes formed on the top of the air cushion projections. |
| US07712228B2 |
Method and a device for effecting automatic centering of an annular workpiece on a rotating surface
A method and device for effecting automatic centering of an annular workpiece on a rotating surface having a rotational center involves arbitrarily positioning the workpiece on the slowly rotating surface, applying a support for the workpiece by way of spaced apart contact members that individually contact the workpiece and are synchronously movable in a guided reciprocating manner towards and away from the rotational center of the rotating surface. The contact members are gradually retracted away from the rotational center of the rotating surface until the workpiece is unaffected by the contact members during one revolution of the rotating surface so that the workpiece is centered, and the center of the workpiece coincides with the rotational center of the rotating surface. At least one of the contact members is provided with a mechanism for counteracting a friction force acting on the workpiece. |
| US07712226B1 |
Grid system apparatus
A grid system apparatus comprising a substantially planar base member and an attachment member. The base member has an upper surface and a lower surface opposite of the upper surface. The attachment member is mounted to the lower surface of the base and is compatible with the lower surface of the base which facilitates releasable attachment of the base member to an outside surface. The base member and the attachment member are configured as a plurality of border members which cooperate to define a plurality of voids therebetween. The border members include a plurality of outer border members defining an outer periphery thereof, and a plurality of inner border members defining the plurality of voids. The outer border members and the inner border members interface at intersection regions. |
| US07712224B2 |
Validating the error map of CMM using calibrated probe
Validating the error map of a CMM using a calibrated probe including a stylus, the probe capable of rotation about at least one axis, includes placing a calibration artifact on a table of the CMM, the table having an upper surface in an XY plane; positioning a Z-ram of the CMM in a first calibration position and a second calibration position with respect to the artifact such that the stylus contacts the artifact; calculating a measured value representing the measured length between the first and second calibration positions; calculating a nominal value based on the length of the stylus of the probe; comparing the nominal value to the measured value; and updating the error map of the CMM if the measured value differs from the nominal value by more than a predetermined value. The probe and/or the stylus moves relative to the Z-ram such that the calibration artifact remains stationary while the Z-ram is positioned in the first calibration position and the second calibration position. |
| US07712222B2 |
Composite utility blade, and method of making such a blade
A composite utility blade and method of making such a blade involves butt joining a high speed or tool steel wire to a front edge of an alloy steel backing strip. The wire defines a predetermined cross-sectional shape that substantially corresponds to the cross-sectional shape of the cutting edge of the blade. The wire is electron beam welded to the backing strip to form a composite strip defining a first metal portion formed by the alloy steel backing strip, a second metal portion formed by the high speed or tool steel wire, and a weld region joining the first and second metal portions. The composite strip is then annealed, and the annealed strip is straightened to eliminate any camber therein. The annealed composite strip is then hardened such that the first metal portion defines a first surface hardness and the second metal portion defines a second surface hardness greater than the first surface hardness. The hardened strip is then subjected to tempering and quenching cycles, and facets are formed on the edge of the second metal portion to form a straight, tool steel cutting edge. The composite strip is then scored at axially spaced locations to form a plurality of score lines, and the plurality of score lines define a plurality of blade sections there between. The cutting edge may be coated with AlTiN, TiN, or an inner coating of AlTiN and an outer coating of TiN. |
| US07712221B2 |
Method of cold-forming near net shape metal roller blanks for anti-friction bearings
A machine, method and tooling to precision cold-form roller blanks for anti-friction bearings. The machine is a multistage progressive former using floating die cavities to enable simultaneous shaping of the ends of the roller with high accuracy and without flash. The tools and staged forming create an improved roller with an advantageous grain pattern and devoid of structural defects previously attributable to the presence of sheared end face material in the radiused corners of the blank and flash at its mid-section. |
| US07712216B1 |
Restoration process for porosity defects in metal cast products
A restoration process for restoring surface porosity defects resulting from the casting process in metal cast products. The areas of a cast product having surface porosity defects are identified and the areas not containing surface porosity defects are masked using an adhesive, reusable, rubberized mask. The masked surface is subsequently cleaned and a metal spray is applied to the surface porosity defects. The mask is removed and the restored surface porosity defects are hand finished to create a cast product having less than 0.05% surface porosity. |
| US07712207B2 |
Method of manufacturing a wrap around shield for a perpendicular write pole using a laminated mask with an endpoint detection layer
A method for manufacturing a magnetic write pole and trailing wrap around magnetic shield for use in a perpendicular magnetic data recording system. The method includes the use of a hard mask structure with end point detection material embedded in a hard mask material. The novel hard mask structure provides the mill resistance of a hard mask, with the end point detection advantages of an end point detection layer. |
| US07712201B2 |
Method for installing a seal
An improved method and apparatus for installing a seal is provided. The method is preferably applied to install a lip seal onto a clutch shaft of a hydraulic clutch assembly. The clutch shaft defines a lip seal groove adapted to receive the lip seal. An installation cone and a driver are provided to facilitate the installation of the lip seal into the lip seal groove. The driver is hollow and generally cylindrical, and includes a plurality of angular fingers. The installation cone is initially placed over an end portion of the clutch shaft. Thereafter, the lip seal is placed onto the installation cone. The driver is then pushed over the installation cone such that the angular fingers engage the lip seal and push the lip seal into the lip seal groove without seal roll-over. |
| US07712199B1 |
Portable apparatus for installing floor boards and associated method
A manually operable hand tool for installing laminate flooring includes an elongated shaft and a base member statically connected to the elongated shaft and including a downwardly averted shoulder spaced from a distal end of the shaft. A first handle is slidably engaged with the shaft, and a stop member is statically affixed to the distal end of the shaft. A second handle is connected to the base member and extends upwardly from a top surface thereof. Such a second handle is forwardly offset at an oblique angle biased towards the averted shoulder and is securely welded to the base member for providing an additional gripping surface seated above the base member for applying additional weight to the base member during installation procedures. |
| US07712196B2 |
Belt lock
A belt lock includes a plug (20) and an attachment (30) to be detachably attached to the plug (20). The attachment (30) includes a belt attaching hole (32). The plug (20) is provided with a rail (26). The attachment (30) is provided with a groove (31) to be slidably engaged with the rail (26). The rail (26) is provided with a lock section (a recess) (27). The groove (31) is provided with a to-be-locked section (a protrusion) (34) to be engaged with the lock section (the recess) (27). |
| US07712192B2 |
Belt structure
A belt structure includes a first housing, a second housing, a third housing and a belt. The two ends of the belt are respectively connected to the first housing and the third housing, which can be buckled together quickly. The second housing and the first housing are connected, so that a mechanism for fine tuning the belt can be formed through the gear, the driving element and the resisting element in the first and the second housing, thereby a belt structure with fast buckling capability and fine tuning function can be achieved. |
| US07712188B2 |
Hinge for portable computer
A portable computer includes a monitor, a base, and a hinge. The hinge includes a shaft sleeve, a rotary shaft, a driven element, and a resistance structure. The shaft sleeve is fixed to the base. The rotary shaft is fixed to the monitor and disposed in the shaft sleeve. The driven element is connected to and driven by the rotary shaft. The resistance structure is disposed adjacent to the driven element, wherein the driven element does not contact the resistance structure when the rotary shaft is rotated in a first angular range, and the driven element contacts the resistance structure and sustains a resistance when the rotary shaft is rotated in a second angular range. |
| US07712186B2 |
Hinge device for refrigerator
A hinge for a refrigerator is disclosed. The hinge device for a refrigerator, which fastens a door thereto to open/close a storage space formed therein, includes a case having a side opened to define an exterior thereof, a case cap fastened to the case to close the opened side of the case, a rotation shaft provided within the case, the rotation shaft fastened to a side of the door to rotate together with the door, a clutch protrusion that projects outwardly from a lateral surface of the rotation shaft to have a predetermined curvature, and a clutch ring mounted within the case cap. The clutch ring is made of an elastic material and selectively contacts with the clutch protrusion to supply elasticity to the rotation shaft during the rotation thereof. The hinge device can damp an auto-closing section for closing a door of a refrigerator automatically. |
| US07712183B2 |
Electric vacuum cleaner
An electric vacuum cleaner (1) of the invention is adapted for wipe off cleaning using a sheet wound about a rotary brush (25) incorporated in a suction device (10). In order to wind a sheet (50) around a periphery of the rotary brush (25), a brush motor (44) rotates the rotary brush (25) in a predetermined direction at a predetermined rotational speed. At the same time, suction force of an electric blower fan (42) is set to the lowest level. This achieves the following advantage in a case where a wet sheet is used as the sheet (50). During sheet winding, water and alcohol released from the wet sheet (50) can be prevented from being scattered on a surface (100) to be cleaned. Further, the released water and alcohol do not adversely affect the electric blower fan (42). |
| US07712177B2 |
Cleaning sheet and its production method as well as transporting member having such cleaning sheet
To provide a cleaning sheet that can remove foreign matter adhering on a probe needle without wearing the probe needle and that does not allow the foreign matter to re-adhere on the probe needle, the cleaning sheet has a cleaning layer on at least one surface thereof, the cleaning layer containing a urethane polymer and a vinyl monomer. |
| US07712175B2 |
Toothbrush with polishing member
The invention is directed to toothbrushes that include a handle, a neck a head, and a polishing member attached to the head, where the polishing member includes a base proximate the backside of the head and a plurality of projections of sufficient size and shape and disposed in a pattern on the base that are effective to provide polishing of teeth. |
| US07712174B2 |
Rolling driving actuator and power toothbrush using the same
In a rolling driving actuator used as a drive source of a power toothbrush, permanent magnets are formed flat plate shape, and constituting a moving object by being attached to grooves formed on an outer peripheral face of a yoke which is press-fitted to and fixed on a shaft. On the other hand, a tubular shaped stator, which is constituted by a coil wound around a bobbin and stationary yokes provided on both side of the bobbin in axial direction of the shaft, is provided to face an outer face of the permanent magnet or an outer face of the yoke of the moving object with a predetermined clearance so that a center axis thereof becomes coaxial with the center axis of the shaft. By supplying an alternating current to the coil, the moving object is driven in rolling driving around the axis of the shaft. |
| US07712171B2 |
Patient support including turn assist, low air loss, or integrated lateral transfer
A patient support including turn assist, low air loss or integrated lateral transfer. The patient support is adapted to support a bariatric patient and includes a turning bladder for turning or assisting in turning a bariatric patient. |
| US07712168B2 |
Articulating bed and method of using the same
Disclosed are an articulating bed and methods of using the bed. The articulating bed includes a top frame and one or two underlying frames. The top frame includes a first side section and a second side section. One of the side sections is configured to slide in a lateral direction of the bed so as to vary a width of the bed. Further, the sections are configured to hingedly rotate. Various methods include sliding and hingedly rotating the side sections. Further, the methods includes sitting up a person lying on the bed and changing liners while the person is staying on the bed, using the sliding and hinged rotation features. |
| US07712166B2 |
Bed siderail and support structure
A siderail and support mechanism for a bed includes a siderail having a head edge and a foot edge. First and second support arms having upper and lower pivot shafts are configured to pivotally attach the siderail to a bed. At least one of the first support arm and the second support arm includes an edge configured to form a continuous face with one of the head edge and the foot edge of the siderail. In a further embodiment, a bed siderail and support mechanism includes a siderail for a bed including a central portion and at least one end portion. The end portion is configured to extend lower than the central portion to closely cooperate with a bed structure for preventing a patient from being trapped between the siderail and the bed. The siderails are configured to minimize potential trapping hazards. |
| US07712163B2 |
Portable child bed
A portable child bed in the nature of a cot. The cot includes a frame having a network of interconnected legs such that the frame is collapsible and expandable between open and closed configurations. The frame includes a stop to halt the expansion of the frame at a certain position. Flexible bedding depends from the frame in the nature of a hammock, with the flexible bedding being anchored at six positions about the frame. The frame of interconnected legs includes legs that are shaped to be out-of-the-way of the depending flexible bedding such that a child rests on the flexible bedding, not on the frame. Flexible straps run on an underside of the bedding and run to and between hubs of the frame. |
| US07712162B2 |
Bed frame system convertible from a toddler frame to a full or twin size frame, and method for converting the same
A toddler bed frame system is convertible for use with either a twin or full size bed, and includes a toddler side wall having detachable components for this purpose. A first supporting leg is connected to one end of the toddler side wall, and a toddler headboard is detachably and pivotally mounted about the first supporting leg. A second supporting leg is connected to the opposite end of the toddler side wall, and a toddler footboard is detachably and pivotally mounted about the second supporting leg. A third supporting leg is connected to the opposite end of the toddler headboard, and a side rail panel is detachably and pivotally mounted about the third supporting leg. A fourth supporting leg is connected at a free end of the side rail panel. A fifth supporting leg is connected at a free end of the toddler footboard. |
| US07712159B2 |
Convertible potty chair and urinal training device
A potty training device for male and female toddlers that is adaptable to be used as a training urinal for male toddlers. The convertible potty and urinal training device can be used the same way as conventional training potties but, in addition and unlike conventional training potties, is easily converted to a training urinal to train male toddlers to urinate in the standing position. This invention is comprised of a front, back, and side walls on a base with legs having a opening in the floor center. A removable waste container is mounted beneath the base for collecting waste making it adaptable to be used as a urinal for male toddlers. A removable seat with a opening in its bottom section is mated on the top and side brims of the urinal section making it adaptable to be used the same way as a conventional training potty. |
| US07716745B2 |
Binding a digital license to a portable device or the like in a digital rights management (DRM) system and checking out/checking in the digital license to/from the portable device or the like
To render digital content encrypted according to a content key (KD) on a first device having a public key (PU1) and a corresponding private key (PR1), a digital license corresponding to the content is obtained, where the digital license includes the content key (KD) therein in an encrypted form. The encrypted content key (KD) from the digital license is decrypted to produce the content key (KD), and the public key (PU1) of the first device is obtained therefrom. The content key (KD) is then encrypted according to the public key (PU1) of the first device (PU1 (KD)), and a sub-license corresponding to and based on the obtained license is composed, where the sub-license includes (PU1 (KD)). The composed sub-license is then transferred to the first device. |
| US07716743B2 |
Privacy friendly malware quarantines
The present invention provides a system, method, and computer-readable medium for quarantining a file. Embodiments of the present invention are included in antivirus software that maintains a user interface. From the user interface, a user may issue a command to quarantine a file or the quarantine process may be initiated automatically by the antivirus software after malware is identified. When a file is marked for quarantine, aspects of the present invention encode file data with a function that is reversible. Then a set of metadata is identified that describes attributes of the file including any heightened security features that are used to limit access to the file. The metadata is moved to a quarantine folder, while the encoded file remains at the same location in the file system. As a result, the encoded file maintains the same file attributes as the original, non-quarantined file, including any heightened security features. |
| US07716741B2 |
Method and system for offloading real-time virus scanning during data transfer to storage peripherals
The present invention provides a method, system, and computer program product for checking for viruses by adding a virus scanning capability to a data transfer device. In a method of the present invention a real-time virus checker is stored on a controller. The virus checker scans data as it is being written to a file. If a virus is detected, the suspected file is flagged. Anti-virus software is then invoked to perform a scan of the entire suspected file. In this manner, demands on CPU resources to perform scans will be greatly reduced as only those files marked as possibly containing a viruse need to be scanned, rather than scanning all the files on the entire data transfer device. |
| US07716740B2 |
Rogue access point detection in wireless networks
Methods to detect rogue access points (APs) and prevent unauthorized wireless access to services provided by a communication network are provided. A mobile station (MS) reports to a serving AP the received signal strength (RSS) for all APs in the area it travels. The serving AP detect a rogue AP based on inconsistencies perceived in the RSS reports, assessed during the handover phase or whilst the communication is active. |
| US07716738B2 |
Method and system in a communication network for allocating and changing link-level addresses
A method and communication system, are discussed, including a plurality of communication nodes connected by a data link, and a communication controller configured to allocate link-level addresses to the communication nodes. The communication nodes may be identified for communications over the data link. The communication controller is further configured to change from time to time the link-level addresses allocated to each communication node and to transmit the newly allocated link-level address to a respective communication node in an encrypted form. |
| US07716736B2 |
Apparatus, methods and articles of manufacture for computer virus testing
The present invention comprises apparatus, methods and articles of manufacture for computer virus testing in a networked environment. A host is provided that permits uploading of suspected files by a user. The are transferred to a server, where they are scanned for the presence of known virii. The files are then run, in an appropriate operating environment, separate from the operating system of the server, and the results compared to and noted against a reference. Any modified files are logged, as is any output. The user is notified as to the results, and in some embodiments, the lists of modified files are made available to various users. |
| US07716734B2 |
Systems and methods for pattern matching on principal names to control access to computing resources
Systems and methods are provided for resource access control in computer systems. Our approach includes new techniques for composing and authenticating principals in an access control system. Our principals may comprise information that identifies the role of the user of a computer system, the mechanism by which the user was authenticated, and program execution history. Thus, when a principal makes a request, access control determinations can be made based on the principal's identity. Access control lists may provide patterns that are used to recognize principals, thereby ensuring a level of security without enumerating precise identifiers for all of the possible principles that may request a particular resource. |
| US07716733B2 |
Information terminal device and character data display method
The information terminal device of the invention has a first function of displaying non-confidential data in a selectable manner on its display screen and, in response to the user's selection of the non-confidential data, showing the details of the non-confidential data. The information terminal device also has a second function of displaying confidential data in a selectable manner and, in response to the user's selection of the confidential data, showing the details of the confidential data. The first function is given as one normally selectable menu option and is activated by the user's selection of the corresponding menu. The second function is, however, not given as a normally selectable menu option and is triggered only by the user's series of operations of an operation unit in a preset sequence. No operation-related display appears on the display screen of the information terminal device during the user's series of operations of the operation unit. The information terminal device of this configuration does not hint even the presence of confidential data to any third person and thus effectively prevents the third person from analyzing or decoding the data stored in the information terminal device and having illegal access to the confidential data. This arrangement of the invention desirably enables the safe handling of confidential data without the potential for leakage of the confidential data from the information terminal device. |
| US07716729B2 |
Method for responding to denial of service attacks at the session layer or above
In a method for responding to a denial of service attack at a higher layer of a communication network, said communication network also having a lower layer beneath the higher layer for receiving packet information from users, providing a packet filter inspection layer between the higher layer and the lower layer. By use of an application layer which is associated with or comprises said higher layer, creating a rule in the packet filter layer to identify a likely denial of service attack. By use of the packet filter inspection layer, inspecting incoming packet information to determine whether it is a likely denial of service attack, and if it is stopping the incoming packet information from being sent to the application layer. After a predetermined time period, stopping use of the rule to prevent packet information from being sent through to the application layer. |
| US07716725B2 |
Firewall interface configuration and processes to enable bi-directional VoIP traversal communications
A firewall configured to be interfaced between an internal and an external networks. The firewall includes a VoIP processor for detecting an outgoing VoIP packet sent from the internal network, for changing data in a header of the VoIP packet and also changing data contents in the VoIP packet corresponding to data changed in the header to enable bi-directional VoIP communication. In one embodiment, the VoIP processor changes a source IP address and a port number in the header of the VoIP packet and also changes the data contents in the VoIP packet corresponding to the source IP address and the port number changed in the header to enable bi-directional VoIP communication. In another embodiment, the firewall further includes an external VoIP interface comprising multiple VoIP ports for receiving multiple incoming VoIP packets each designated with one of the VoIP ports. And, the VoIP processor further includes a VoIP port versus internal address table for identifying an internal address in the internal network for directing each of the incoming VoIP packets to the internal address identified. |
| US07716724B2 |
Extensible authentication protocol (EAP) state server
A method and system that may include two or more authentication devices configured to authenticate a user via an authentication session. The method and system may also include a device operably coupled to the two or more authentication devices and being configured to manage the authentication session. |
| US07716721B2 |
Method and apparatus for re-authentication of a computing device using cached state
Automatically re-authenticating a computing device seeking access to a network or a resource. A method comprises forwarding a request received from the computing device to an authentication device to enable the authentication device to authenticate the computing device using a full-authentication mechanism. State information related to authenticating the computing device is created from authenticating the computing device. The state information is received and stored. For example, an authenticator device that forwarded the initial authentication request from the computing device to the authentication device receives and stores the state information. The computing device is re-authenticated using the stored state information without again contacting the authentication device. |
| US07716714B2 |
System and method for recording television content at a set top box
A method of recording content at a set top box is provided and includes receiving a request to record multiple episodes of a television program. When a copy of a particular episode that has been previously stored in the memory of the set top box is received, a set top box selectively fails to record that particular episode of the television program. Further, the method includes monitoring metadata within an electronic program guide received at the set top box. Using the metadata, a set top box can determine when the particular episode of the television program is to be received and recorded at the set top box. |
| US07716713B1 |
Method and device for controlling the point of time of the operation of an application in digital data broadcasting
A digital broadcast system includes a digital broadcasting device which transmits service data together with a broadcast program, wherein the service data includes an application which allows a digital broadcasting receiver to perform a particular operation and information associated with the operating mode of the application. The digital broadcast system also includes a digital broadcasting receiver which receives the service data and executes the application when the operating mode of the application is an initial operating mode, and otherwise, waits until there is a service request by a viewer, and then executes the application. The digital broadcast system for broadcasting additional service data together with broadcast programs can arbitrarily select the point of time at which an application provided to a digital broadcast receiver is executed, during the manufacture of contents, so that various types of interactive services can be provided. |
| US07716712B2 |
Narrowband interference and identification and digital processing for cable television return path performance enhancement
An adaptive data stream filter removes narrowband interference from the CATV return path prior to these paths being combined in the network. A method for removing narrowband interference from the CATV return path detects potential narrowband interference in real-time and adapts a filter to remove this potential narrowband interference. An exemplary embodiment of the above method uses previously created filters that are combined based on detected interference in an adaptive manner to continually adapt to new interference sources. Another exemplary embodiment of the above method calculates new filter coefficients for the data stream filter based on detected interference. In another embodiment, two filters are operated in a ping-pong manner for each band of interference identified as above threshold. This enables updating of one filter while another filter is performing the data stream filter operation. |
| US07716709B2 |
Method of increasing capabilities of streaming content including video on demand
A system and method for increasing capabilities of streaming content including video on demand to multiple users are provided. The system includes a central broadcast station and at least two user locations for receiving streaming content from the central broadcast station. Each user location includes receiving equipment capable of tuning into more than one channel simultaneously and capable of capturing content from a first channel in a first in first out buffer as it presents content from a second channel. |
| US07716705B2 |
Remote DVR manager
A system and method for programming a digital video recorder (DVR) over a scheduling network. Program schedule information is provided to a user of a DVR via the scheduling network. A program selection is received from the scheduling client associated with a subscriber via the scheduling network. State information indicative of a state of a program provisioning system is used to determine whether the program selection is deliverable to the DVR via the program provisioning system. If the program selection is deliverable to the DVR via the program provisioning system, then the program is scheduled for recording by the DVR. The subscriber is notified if the program selection is deliverable or undeliverable. |
| US07716704B2 |
Television program selection apparatus and method
A television program selection system and method for selecting television programs for viewing or recording utilizing a guide schedule list which is received from a cable or satellite broadcaster for example, and comprises characteristics such as topic-theme, relevancy, and broadcast time data. The user can select a time period and optionally in addition a selection mode, which corresponds to one of the alternative algorithms used to sort the programs in the schedule and generate a list of suggested television programs to be displayed for the user to select a program. The default selection mode can use a conventional selection algorithm, and the optional selection mode can eliminate all programs which have any characteristics having a zero weighting. |
| US07716703B2 |
Daypart guide workflow
Advertising templates, and request for corresponding multimedia programs that are available for distribution to third parties during a time period, are transmitted to content providers who respond by sending ad elements corresponding to the advertising templates. Daypart guides showing particular ad elements are designed for a particular headend and daypart. Each daypart guide is available to viewers serviced by the particular headend only during the time of day corresponding to the daypart. Viewers of the daypart guide select one of the ad elements each of which is navigationally linked to a display request page for the corresponding multimedia program from which the viewer can request to initiate a real time distribution thereof. |
| US07716702B2 |
Technique for delivering via a communications network data for image display with a desired aspect ratio
A system and method are provided for delivering data including graphical components to user terminals through a communications network, e.g., a cable TV network. In one embodiment, multiple versions of a graphical component of a program guide, each formatted for a respective aspect ratio of a user's TV, are generated. On the other hand, a single version of non-graphical program guide data may also be generated. A data stream containing the non-graphical data and the multiple versions of the graphical component is transmitted to set-top terminals in the network via a transmission channel. If a graphical component is desired, the set-top terminal retrieves from the data stream a selected version of the graphical component that is compatible with the aspect ratio of the TV to which it is connected. |
| US07716701B2 |
Apparatus and method for displaying EPG guide bar
An apparatus for displaying an EPG guide bar includes: an EPG data extraction part extracting EPG data from a signal through a channel; a first memory storing the EPG data; a second memory storing a broadcast program; a user interface display part producing a guide bar having a fixed indicator displaying a present time with the help of a graphic processor, sliding title areas of broadcast programs corresponding to the EPG data of the first memory in the guide bar on real-time correspondingly to the present time, and updating the title areas with a predetermined time interval centering around the fixed indicator so as to produce information indicating a record proceeding status on at least one of the title areas of the broadcast programs which are being recorded in the second memory; and an on-screen display part converting the information from the user interface display part into an on-screen display form so as to display the converted information on a display. |
| US07716700B2 |
Technique for delivering entertainment programming content including commercial content therein over a communications network
Although personal video recorders (also known as digital video recorders) provide certain conveniences to viewers of programming content, such devices facilitate manipulation or “skipping” of commercials, frustrating the intent of the advertisers of the commercials. In accordance with the invention, when a user fast-forwards (rewinds) a commercial, alternate commercial(s) may be accessed for display in place of the original commercial, which provides a full impression of the goods and service promoted, otherwise impossible to appreciate at the fast-forward (rewind) speed. The duration of the alternate commercial(s) corresponds to the duration of the original commercial at the fast-forward (rewind) speed controlled by the user. With the invention, the user advantageously realizes the convenience of manipulating programming content, and at the same time can appreciate the full impression of an alternate commercial to the original commercial, albeit in a shorter duration. |
| US07716696B2 |
Television receiver, information processing method and program
A television receiver includes: broadcast wave receiving means for receiving a broadcast wave; obtaining means for obtaining information for specifying a program being a common program of programs received in accordance with first program information related to a receivable broadcast and programs received in accordance with second program information different from the first program information, said program having starting time of broadcast earlier in said first program information than in said second program information; and recording means for recording said program specified by said information. |
| US07716693B2 |
Optical disc drive with static electricity
An optical disc drive includes a chassis assembly formed of metal and grounded, a tray supporting an optical disc and installed capable of sliding in and out of the chassis assembly, a cover-deck formed of metal and attached on a lower surface of the tray, an eject switch provided on a front surface of the tray to unlock the tray which is inserted in the chassis assembly and locked therein, an eject button provided in front of the tray to press the eject switch, a bracket formed of metal, provided between the eject switch and the eject button, and having a lead formed at one end portion thereof and contacting the cover-deck, and a static electricity discharge wire electrically connecting the cover-deck and the chassis assembly, wherein static electricity generated when the eject button is pressed sequentially flows through the bracket, the cover-deck, and the chassis assembly, and flows out to ground. |
| US07716691B2 |
Disk-storing disk device with laterally disposed switchover member
A disk-storing disk device includes a mechanism base provided at a position beyond the perimeter of a disk stored in a disk storing region provided vertically within a middle portion of a casing, and a switchover member which moves following an arc path is provided on the mechanism base. Switching operations of various types of mechanisms can be performed by this switchover member. Also, other switchover members can be disposed vertically overlapping the mechanism base. Accordingly, the vertical movement region for holding disks can be made larger, and also, the planar area of the casing can be reduced. This allows a greater number of disks to be stored within the casing, while reducing the size of the casing. |
| US07716690B2 |
Disk-storing disk device with restricting mechanism
A disk-storing disk may include multiple supporting members for supporting disks and being stacked in the axial direction; a supporting member selecting mechanism for moving a supporting member to a selecting position; a driving unit having a rotational driving unit for clamping and rotating a disk held by the supporting member at the selecting position; a transporting mechanism for transporting a disk inserted from an insertion opening of the casing to the selected supporting member at the selecting position; and a restriction guide member having a restriction face and being turnably supported between a guiding attitude and a non-acting attitude; wherein, when a disk is transported toward a supporting member at the selecting position by the transporting mechanism, the restriction guide member turns to the guide attitude, and when the supporting member is moved by the supporting member selecting mechanism, the restriction guide member turns to the non-acting attitude. |
| US07716689B2 |
Disk-storing disk device with vibrational proofing
A disk-storing disk device is disclosed. A disk-storing disk device may include: a plurality of supporting members for supporting a disk and disposed stacked in the axial direction of the disk; a supporting member selecting mechanism for spreading the spacing between selected and adjacent supporting members; and holding members moveably supported by each of the supporting members, the holding members for holding a disk between the holding members and each of the supporting member when the supporting member selecting mechanism moves the plurality of supporting members in the axial direction of the disk. |
| US07716686B1 |
System, method and computer program product for interface hooking
A system, method and computer program product are provided. In use, a holding instruction is inserted. After inserting the holding instruction, the hooking of an interface is completed. |
| US07716682B2 |
Multimodal or multi-device configuration
Embodiments of the present invention provide methods, system and machine-readable media for dynamic configuration and/or support for application using multiple modes and/or devices. Generally speaking, dynamic configuration and/or support for an application using multiple modes and/or devices can comprise accessing a multimodal and/or multi-device application via a user agent of a user device. The user agent can determine a plurality of modes or devices supported by the application and request multimodal services based on the modes or devices supported by the application. A multimodal/multi-device infrastructure communicatively coupled with the user agent can be adapted to register components of a multimodal service in a central repository. In response to the request for multimodal services from the user agent of the user device, the multimodal/multi-device infrastructure can locate services supporting the one or more modes or devices based on the registered components of the multimodal service in the central repository. |
| US07716679B1 |
Method and system for synchronous operation of linked command objects
A system and method provide for synchronous operation of linked command objects in a general purpose software application. The software application provides a user with a variety of operations that manipulate available data objects. The software application manages the data objects in a number of contexts. Each context manages the existence and execution of a number of command objects. Each command object operates on one or more data objects in its context. To support synchronous operations that affect the state of data objects in more than one context, command objects are linked to each other. When one command object is executed, the context of the command object identifies a command object linked to the executed command object and initiates the execution of the linked command object via the context that manages that command object. This synchronization allows for synchronous undo and redone operations. The delete states of the command objects are also synchronized. Deleting a command object destroys it, and prevents it from being undone. When one command object is deleted the command object linked thereto is also deleted, thereby preventing the linked command object from being independently undone resulting in an inconsistent state of the contexts. |
| US07716678B2 |
Processing messages in a message queueing system
A system, method, and a computer program product for processing messages in a message queuing system includes an application repository, a message store, and a queue-less application programming interface in each message queuing system. The application repositories may store application identification data provided by applications. The application programming interfaces may put messages to and get messages from the message queuing systems, and provide with each connect and put request application identification data. |
| US07716676B2 |
System and method for issuing a message to a program
Described is a mechanism for issuing an event notification message, from a first program to a second program, to indicate that an action occurred within the first program, where the event notification message includes a parameter that indicates that the action is one of a group of possible actions. More specifically, in an application configured to edit documents created with the eXtensible Markup Language XML, the occurrence of an XML-related action causes the event notification message to be issued. The XML-related action may be either an XML-related move action, an XML-related insert action, or an XML-related delete action. In this way, a single event notification message can be used to indicate the occurrence of three different types of actions while editing an XML document. |
| US07716673B2 |
Tasks distribution in a multi-processor including a translation lookaside buffer shared between processors
A system comprises a first processor, a second processor coupled to the first processor, an operating system that executes exclusively only on the first processor and not on the second processor, and a middle layer software running on the first processor and that distributes tasks to run on either or both processors. A synchronization unit coupled to the first and second processors also may be provided to synchronize the processors. Further still, a translation lookaside buffer may be included that is shared between the processors. Each entry in the translation lookaside buffer (“TLB”) may include a task identifier to permit the operating system or middle layer software to selectively flush only some of the TLB entries (e.g., the entries pertaining to only one of the processors). |
| US07716672B2 |
Method and system for regulating background tasks using performance measurements
A method and system for regulating tasks of background processes so as to reduce interference with foreground processes. The progress rate of a background task (e.g., amount of work performed per unit time) is measured and evaluated against a target amount. If the progress rate appears degraded, the background task is suspended for a computed time interval so as to back off from its interference with a foreground process. Each time the progress rate appears degraded, the time interval is exponentially increased from its previous value up to a maximum, however if the performance appears normal, the time interval is reset to a minimum. Evaluation of the work is statistically based so as to eliminate variations in measurements, and automatic calibration of the target amount is provided, as is a mechanism for prioritizing multiple background tasks. |
| US07716671B2 |
Method for coordinating a set of related tasks and events by reducing duplicated effort
A template listing one or more associated tasks is distributed to one or more devices, each device having a respective user. A task is selectively designated as either shared or individual. When information indicating that an action associated with a particular task has been performed is received at a first one of the devices, the template is updated at the first device, and optionally at others of the devices to indicate to others of the users that the action has been performed. The associated action of a shared task is performed once for all users, and the associated action of an individual task is performed separately by one or more of the users. Task information is optionally communicated between a template on a particular one of the devices and a personal information manager of the respective user of a particular device. |
| US07716667B2 |
Migrating virtual machines among computer systems to balance load caused by virtual machines
A cluster comprises a plurality of computer systems, wherein each of the plurality of computer systems is configured to execute one or more virtual machines. Each of the plurality of computer systems comprises hardware and a plurality of instructions. The plurality of instructions, when executed on the hardware, migrates at least a first virtual machine executing on a first computer system of the plurality of computer systems to a second computer system of the plurality of computer systems. The plurality of instructions migrates the first virtual machine responsive to a first load of the first computer system prior to the migration exceeding a second load of the second computer system prior to the migration. |
| US07716666B2 |
Accessing and loading software components of a development package on a computer while other software components of the package are loading
Enabling developers to access software components of a software development set while the set is loading on to the computer. A user interface may provide a visual representation of the software set being loaded on to a computer, including displaying the contents of the software set. Contents of the software set may be displayed before the contents have been loaded on to the computer. A user may be enabled to select, from the visual representation, a software component of the loading set that has not yet been loaded on to the computer. In response, the selected component may be loaded on to the computer, for example, using a separate, higher-priority process or thread from the one loading the software set. The selected component may be loaded asynchronously, irrespective of the particular synchronous order in which the software components of the software set are being loaded. |
| US07716663B2 |
Method, system and program product for controlling native applications using open service gateway initiative (OSGi) bundles
Under the present invention, a native application is packaged within an Open Service Gateway Initiative (OSGi) bundle to create a link there between. Then, the OSGi bundle is installed within an OSGi environment of a client device. Once installed, the OSGi bundle is deployed in a native environment of the client device and the native application is removed from within the OSGi bundle while maintaining the link. Thereafter, the native application within the native environment can be controlled from the server using the OSGi bundle within the OSGi environment. |
| US07716658B2 |
Method and apparatus for optimizing patching of objects containing references
One embodiment of the present invention provides a method and a system for patching a set of objects containing references. The system uses a location structure to keep track of the locations of references within the set of objects. During the patching process, the system converts the references within the set objects from an absolute form into an offset-based form, where offsets are computed with respect to base addresses of objects. The system then applies an offset-based patch to the set of objects and to the location structure using a binary-patching technique. After applying the patch, the system converts the references in the set of objects back into absolute form. By using an offset-based patch, the system reduces the number of reference changes that need to be specified in the patch, thereby reducing the size of the patch. |
| US07716657B2 |
Compiler optimization with privatizing of a non-final object
A method for compiler optimization particularly well suited to object-oriented language that permit dynamic class loading. The method permits the compiler optimization of code associated with a potentially polymorphic object that is a call parameter to a virtual procedure where the procedure is a candidate for devirtualization through inlining. The method includes steps for guarded devirtualizing of the procedure, insertion of code to ensure privatization of the object before the procedure is executed, creation of a guard assumptions associated with the object and application of known optimization techniques to the code associated with the object. |
| US07716650B2 |
Non-destructive debugging for add-ins
Methods and systems for debugging add-ins using a non-destructive approach. Add-ins are hosted, not stand-alone components, that run in a host application. The add-ins are loaded into an isolated environment so they can be debugged and stopped without affecting the host application. This prevents termination of the host application at arbitrary times. In addition, the host application can refresh itself when an add-in is stepped through in the debugger. The present invention also allows the add-in developer to interact with the host application during a debugging session even when the add-in is stopped at a breakpoint. |
| US07716644B2 |
Attributed debugging
A system and method facilitating attributed debugging is provided that facilitates a developer of an object to determine what information a debugger displays. An expression evaluator is provided. The system can further include, optionally, a debuggee (e.g., process to be debugged). The debuggee includes attribute(s) which are employed by the debugger to facilitate debugging of the application—“attributed debugging.” This allows a developer of a type to declaratively indicate how information is to be displayed during debugging. Attributed debugging thus allows the manipulation of the view of data in the debugger by allowing the type author annotations with which they can control. |
| US07716640B2 |
Techniques for developing portal snippets using an integrated development environment (IDE)
Techniques for developing applications for various frameworks. An IDE is provided comprising user-selectable options for building applications for a first framework and also for building applications for a portal based upon a second framework different from the first framework. The portal applications for the portal based upon the second framework may be developed using a language supported by the first framework. User-selectable options provided by the IDE also enable deployment of the portal applications to the portal. A single IDE can be used to develop applications for different frameworks. For example, Visual Studio .NET may be used to develop applications for the .NET framework and also to develop and deploy portal applications (e.g., portal snippets) for a portal based upon a Java-based framework such as J2EE. The portal snippets may be developed using a .NET language. |
| US07716636B2 |
User interface for accessing and loading software components of a development set on a computer while other software components of the set are loading
A user interface provides a visual representation of a software development set being loaded on to a computer, including displaying the contents (e.g., constituent software components) of the development set. Contents of the development set may be displayed before the contents have even been loaded on to the computer. The user interface may enable the user to select one or more of the software components of the development set (or the development set itself). In response to the user selection, the user may be enabled to perform limited operations on the software components. A user may be enabled to select, from the visual representation, a software component of the loading set that has not yet been loaded on to the computer. |
| US07716635B1 |
Method for the generation of graphic user interfaces for computer programs
Method for the generation of Graphical User Interfaces for computer programs which are completely generated on the basis of rules stored in a data base. The method comprises defining a set of lists representing the display elements and the contents thereof, and defining an hierarchical order, and associating the entries in a list of the set of lists with other lists of the set of lists and such is representing the being contained of display elements within an other. The method further includes defining a relationship between the entries in the lists of the set of lists which is defining which particular display element is depending from the contents of which other superior display element. |
| US07716632B2 |
Automated software robot generator
A system and a method for using a computer program to automate the process of searching and or retrieving data from a particular data pool for introduction to a user is provided. More specifically, a program is used that may robotically manipulate existing web sites using computer source codes that are generated all or in part by the computer program and/or software. The system may trace, monitor and analyze a browser or network application to produce transactions and manipulate the data retrieved to automatically access previously un-accessible data from a web site. |
| US07716628B2 |
System, method and program for generating mask data, exposure mask and semiconductor device in consideration of optical proximity effects
A system for generating mask data includes an extracting module extracting a block necessary to correct process proximity effects as a wide correction area from a plurality of blocks by comparing parameter, a wide correction data generator generating wide correction data to make the correction applied to the wide correction area, and a mask data generator generating mask data by applying the wide correction data to the wide correction area. |
| US07716625B2 |
Logic circuit and method of logic circuit design
A complementary logic circuit contains a first logic input, a second logic input, a first dedicated logic terminal, a second dedicated logic terminal, a first logic block, and a second logic block. The first logic block consists of a network of p-type transistors for implementing a predetermined logic function. The p-type transistor network has an outer diffusion connection, a first network gate connection, and an inner diffusion connection. The outer diffusion connection of the p-type transistor network is connected to the first dedicated logic terminal, and the first network gate connection of the p-type transistor network is connected to the first logic input. The second logic block consists of a network of n-type transistors which implements a logic function complementary to the logic function implemented by the first logic block. The n-type transistor network has an outer diffusion connection, a first network gate connection, and an inner diffusion connection. The outer diffusion connection of the n-type transistor network is connected to the second dedicated logic terminal, and the first network gate connection of the n-type transistor network is connected to the second logic input. The inner diffusion connections of the p-type network and of the n-type network are connected together to form a common diffusion logic terminal. |
| US07716623B1 |
Programmable logic device architectures and methods for implementing logic in those architectures
A programmable logic device (“PLD”) architecture includes logic elements (“LEs”) grouped together in clusters called logic array blocks (LABs”). To save area, local feedback resources (for feeding outputs of the LEs in a LAB back to inputs of LEs in the LAB) are reduced or eliminated as compared to in the prior art. Because all (or at least more) of any LE-output-to-LE-input connections of LEs that are working together in a LAB must be routed through the general-purpose input routing resources of the LAB, it is important to conserve those resources. This is accomplished, for example, by giving greater importance to finding logic functions that have common inputs when deciding what logic functions to implement together in a LAB. |
| US07716622B2 |
Memory re-implementation for field programmable gate arrays
Memory modules implemented on an FPGA device are re-implemented to improve the performance of the device, such as to reduce logic delays. One or more logic blocks of the FPGA device that realize the logic function of a memory module or portion of a memory module are desirably selected. Based on the outcome of a timing analysis, the most critical signal pin of the selected logic blocks may be identified. Methods of deriving the memory module re-implementation for various types of the most critical pins are disclosed. Procedures are described for integrating physical timing analysis, memory transformation, placement, and routing, as well as for the selection of logic blocks for re-implementation. |
| US07716620B2 |
Moment-based method and system for evaluation of metal layer transient currents in an integrated circuit
A moment-based method and system for evaluation of metal layer transient currents in an integrated circuit provides a computationally efficient evaluation of transient current magnitudes through each interconnect in the metal layer. The determinable magnitudes include peak, rms and average current, which can be used in subsequent reliability analyses. Interconnect path nodes are traversed and circuit moments are either retrieved from a previous interconnect delay analysis or are computed. For each pair of nodes, current moments are computed from the circuit moments. The average current is computed from the zero-order circuit moment and the peak and rms currents are obtained from expressions according to a lognormal or other distribution shape assumption for the current waveform at each node. |
| US07716619B2 |
Design structure for implementing dynamic data path with interlocked keeper and restore devices
A keeper device design structure for dynamic logic used in integrated circuit designs includes a first keeper path statically coupled to a dynamic data path, the first keeper path configured to prevent false discharge of the dynamic data path during an evaluation thereof, and a second keeper path selectively coupled to the dynamic data path. The second keeper path is configured to maintain the dynamic data path at a nominal precharge level prior to an evaluation thereof, wherein the second keeper path is decoupled from the dynamic data path during the evaluation. |
| US07716617B2 |
Semiconductor device, method for making pattern layout, method for making mask pattern, method for making layout, method for manufacturing photo mask, photo mask, and method for manufacturing semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, and a circuit pattern group comprising at least N (≧2) circuit pattern on the semiconductor substrate, at least one vicinity of end portion among the at least of N circuit patterns including a connection area to electrically connect to a circuit pattern in another circuit pattern group different from the circuit pattern group, the at least N wirings pattern including a circuit pattern N1 and at least one circuit pattern Ni (i≧2) arranged in one direction different from longitudinal direction of the circuit pattern N1, the at least one circuit patterns Ni having larger i being arranged at further position away from the circuit pattern N1, and in terms of a pattern including the connection area among the at least of Ni circuit patterns, the larger the i, the connection area being arranged at a further position in longitudinal direction. |
| US07716616B2 |
Slack sensitivity to parameter variation based timing analysis
A method, system and program product are disclosed for improving an IC design that prioritize failure coefficients of slacks that lead to correction according to their probability of failure. With an identified set of independent parameters, a sensitivity analysis is performed on each parameter by noting the difference in timing, typically on endpoint slacks, when the parameter is varied. This step is repeated for every independent parameter. A failure coefficient is then calculated from the reference slack and the sensitivity of slack for each of the timing endpoints and a determination is made as to whether at least one timing endpoint fails a threshold test. Failing timing endpoints are then prioritized for modification according to their failure coefficients. The total number of runs required is one run that is used as a reference run, plus one additional run for each parameter. |
| US07716613B2 |
Method for classifying errors in the layout of a semiconductor circuit
A method for classifying errors in the layout of a semiconductor circuit includes examining the layout of the semiconductor circuit for infringement of predetermined design rules in order to establish errors. For each error, the error is marked in the layout, and information about the error and the layout of the semiconductor circuit in an area surrounding the error is extracted. The extracted information is compared with prestored information within a multiplicity of classes, and the error is assigned to the respective class on the basis of the compared information. |
| US07716607B2 |
Automatic analyzer
In an automatic analyzer for performing qualitative and quantitative analyses of living samples, such as blood and urine, a capability of recognizing the analyzer state, e.g., the state under run of analysis or the stopped state, from a distance is provided without increasing the cost. To realize that capability, the screen saver function of a display is modified to have the function of recognizing the analyzer state and reflecting the recognized analyzer state on a design of a screen image displayed with the screen saver function. |
| US07716605B2 |
Thumbnail image browsing method in an embedded system
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a method of viewing images accessible by an embedded system, the method comprises: generating a trimmed image from an original image accessible by an embedded system, wherein the trimmed image's dimension are relatively smaller or equal to the dimensions of the original image; generating a thumbnail image from the trimmed image, such that dimensions of the thumbnail image are relatively smaller and directly proportional to the respective dimensions of the trimmed image; and associating the thumbnail image with the original image so that in response to selection of the thumbnail image the original image is displayed on the embedded system's display unit. |
| US07716604B2 |
Apparatus with thumbnail display
In a thumbnail screen, categories and category thumbnails are disposed and displayed in the depth (Z-axis) direction and in the horizontal (X axis) direction, respectively. When focus is given by a focus to any of upper and lower category thumbnails, which are displayed on the most front side, and a category name display part, the row (layers) of the thumbnails scrolls in the horizontal direction. When the right and left direction keys of a remote controller are operated while the category name display has focus, the scroll in the depth direction is performed, thus enabling the specification of a desired category. This three-dimensionally displays the thumbnails and facilitates the operation for viewing information. |
| US07716601B2 |
Information processing device, method for displaying icon, and storage medium
A host device includes: a scroll display processing section which moves and serially displays, in a predetermined area of a setting screen, expanded function icons indicating respective plural expanded functions which are available when a printing process is executed; a switching icon determination section which specifies the reference number of the expanded function icon which has reached a display type switching means which is a predetermined position or a position specified by an input by the user; and a display type switching section which switches the display type of the expanded function icon corresponding to the reference number specified by the switching icon determination section. With this, it is possible to provide an information processing device which moves and serially displays plural icons, and to display an eye-friendly setting screen. |
| US07716598B2 |
Resizing internet document for display on television screen
Methods and systems for scaling down a Web page image enables the image to be displayed on a standard television without horizontal scrolling of the image. A Web page image that initially has a horizontal dimension larger than the horizontal dimension of a television display is received from a web server and subsequently scaled down by a scaling factor that is based only upon the amount of scaling that is necessary to fit the image within the horizontal dimension of the television display. This scaling factor is used to scale the image horizontally and vertically, thus preserving the aspect ratio of the image. When a hyperlink from the scaled down Web page image is selected, coordinates to the hyperlink are scaled up based on the same scaling factor so that they will correspond with the server-side image map of the Web page image. |
| US07716594B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing method, recording medium, and program
In a service providing system, a live-distribution service for live-distributing contents supplied according to a reservation, and a chat service for providing the use of a chat space corresponding to the reservation for the live distribution are provided. |
| US07716592B2 |
Automated generation of dashboards for scorecard metrics and subordinate reporting
An interactive dashboard providing scorecard presentation with subordinate reports is automatically generated and configured based on centrally managed metadata definitions. The dashboard may be customized based on subscriber credentials, past preferences, and the like. The dashboard may be deployed to one or more locations to be consumed and further customized by end users. |
| US07716589B2 |
Non-computer interface to a database and digital library
A non-computer interface to a storage system includes a set top box (STB) or interface unit connected to a storage system for storing information to be accessed by a user. The storage system can be a database, such as a relational database having a plurality of tables, or a digital library system, for storing information to be accessed by the user. Also stored in the storage system are navigation information or rules for controlling a user's navigation of the database. A user interacts with the storage system through the STB, sending navigation commands to the storage system via the STB. The navigation commands available to a user are generated by combining the navigation rules with the user's access privileges. The user can send navigation commands via a remote controller which sends cursor control commands to the STB. Alternatively, the user can send navigation commands via a virtual reality interface. |
| US07716583B2 |
Shortcut for predetermined application
There is read information on a system indicative of how to reach at least one pre-configured, pre-designated application in the system. The information is used to build at least one software button in at least one group of software buttons that allows launching of the pre-configured, pre-designated application. |
| US07716582B2 |
Method for displaying a hierarchically structure list and associated display unit
A method is provided for displaying at least one hierarchically structured list having at least two levels, and a display unit for such a method is also provided, in which the user is offered an optimum overview in the display of hierarchically structured lists having at least two levels. In the display of one or more of the subordinate elements of the list, the respective superordinate element of the list associated with the subordinate element of the list is also always displayed. |
| US07716580B2 |
Web page title shortening
A method for shortening a web page title. The method includes determining if a title of a current web page fits in a title display area of a display. If the title fits the title is displayed in the title area. If the title does not fit, it is determined if the title of the current web page starts with a same word as a title of a previous page. If the title of the current web page starts with the same word, at least one word is removed from a beginning portion of the title of the current page that is in common with the title of the previous page, until the title of the current page fits in the title display area, or there are no more common words in the beginning of the title. End words or letters or end words can be removed until the title fits. Missing words may be indicated by adding a predetermined indicator in the area of the missing or removed words. |
| US07716576B1 |
Flexible XML parsing based on p-code
Methods and systems thereof for processing Extensible Markup Language (XML) documents are described. In one embodiment, an XML document comprising content in an XML format is parsed. The content is converted into pcodes according to a conversion key; that is, an XML tag is converted into a pcode can be converted back to XML using the conversion key. A pcode file including the parsed XML document, converted into pcode, is thereby generated. The pcode file is smaller than the original XML document and the content is already parsed, so the time needed to process the pcode file is significantly less than the time needed to process an XML document. Memory usage and the time needed to send and receive information are also improved. |
| US07716574B2 |
Methods and systems for providing direct style sheet editing
Systems and methods are disclosed for providing direct style sheet editing. The disclosed systems and methods may include selecting a first target rule for a next formatting operation. The selected first target rule may include a modified property and may be selected from a plurality of target rules. Furthermore, the disclosed systems and methods may include enabling property changes to occur in a most specific target rule in the plurality of target rules. The most specific target rule may contain the modified property. Moreover, the disclosed systems and methods may include providing a highlighting mechanism configured to allow a user to see which regions of a page are to be affected by the selected first target rule. |
| US07716566B2 |
Data error control
Multiple corruptions and/or erasures in data storage or data communication systems are corrected. An encoder generates M of parity fields from N data channels. Each item of the generated parity fields is the result of simple exclusive-or operations on one item from one or more data fields and possibly one item from one or more of the other parity fields. A decoder can regenerate as many as M missing or corrupted fields of either data or parity using combinations of correct and/or previously corrected items as inputs using M independent parity equations to solve for and correct each missing or corrupted item in turn. |
| US07716561B2 |
Multi-threshold reliability decoding of low-density parity check codes
A method and apparatus are provided for error correction of a communication signal. A multiple threshold scheme for iteratively decoding a received codeword includes using a comparison of an updated bit reliability with a threshold to generate a reconstructed version of the received codeword. At each iteration the bit reliability and the reconstructed codeword are updated based on a comparison using a threshold that has been updated for the given iteration. Embodiments include decoding and/or associated encoding methods and apparatus using a threshold having two of more values during the iterative decoding. |
| US07716558B2 |
Method and system for adaptive interleaving
A method a system for automatically controlling an adaptive interleaver involves monitoring performance parameters of a transmission system and controlling the adaptive interleaver in response to the performance parameters. The SNR and the data rate of the transmission system are preferably determined. The data rate is analyzed and the adaptive interleaver is adjusted in response to the data rate and the SNR. Alternatively, the BER and the data rate of the transmission system are determined. The data rate is analyzed and the adaptive interleaver is adjusted in response to the data rate and the BER. Alternatively, any one of the SNR, BER or data rate can alone be monitored and used to the adaptive interleaver. The system provides a effective system for adjusting an adaptive interleaver in response to performance parameters of a transmission system. |
| US07716557B2 |
Method and system for adaptive interleaving
A method a system for automatically controlling an adaptive interleaver involves monitoring performance parameters of a transmission system and controlling the adaptive interleaver in response to the performance parameters. The SNR and the data rate of the transmission system are preferably determined. The data rate is analyzed and the adaptive interleaver is adjusted in response to the data rate and the SNR. Alternatively, the BER and the data rate of the transmission system are determined. The data rate is analyzed and the adaptive interleaver is adjusted in response to the data rate and the BER. Alternatively, any one of the SNR, BER or data rate can alone be monitored and used to the adaptive interleaver. The system provides a effective system for adjusting an adaptive interleaver in response to performance parameters of a transmission system. |
| US07716556B2 |
Method for calculating an error detecting code
A method applied to an optical disc drive for calculating an error detection code corresponding to a data sector is disclosed. The data sector includes a plurality of bytes arranged in a matrix having N lines along a first direction and M lines along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The method includes: along the first direction, calculating error detection codes corresponding to M bytes located at each of the N lines, wherein for each of the N lines, only bytes having error bits affect an error detection code for the line; adjusting an error detection code of each of the N lines according to a displacement between each of the N lines and a last line of the N lines; and then determining the error detection code of the data sector by summing up the displacement-adjusted error detection code of each of the N lines. |
| US07716555B2 |
Data backup method and memory device
Disclosed herein is a memory device which comprises a nonvolatile memory having first and second areas and a controller that stores backup data along with checksum data alternately in the first and second areas. In the first and second areas, data storing areas and checksum areas are respectively provided. The highest bit of checksum data stored in each of the checksum areas is used as the bit based on which the latest updated side is recognized. |
| US07716554B2 |
System and method for blind transport format detection with cyclic redundancy check
A method for BTFD decoding of signals having at least a message block of k-bit from a length candidate set S={s1, s2, . . . si}, wherein the k message bits are encoded by a CRC encoder and processed by an (n, l, m) convolutional encoder to generate encoded data that includes decoding a received frame to form a decoded sequence that includes an si-bit message and an error correcting code, calculating a δ(si) value, comparing δ(si) with a threshold value, repeating the decoding and calculating steps if δ(si) is greater than the threshold, and updating the threshold to be δ(si) if δ(si) is less than or equal to the threshold. |
| US07716553B2 |
System and method for designing RS-based LDPC code decoder
A memory address generation method and circuit architecture for time-multiplexed RS-based LDPC code decoder is presented. The method is developed for non quasi-cyclic RS-based LDPC code decoder implementation. A circuit for the memory address generation method achieves low area. High throughput time-multiplexed RS-based LDPC code decoder design models and circuit architectures are presented. The decoder models are specifically developed for 10BASE-T (10-Gigabit Ethernet Transceiver Over Copper) system. These time-multiplexed architectures enable higher throughput with lower area. |
| US07716551B2 |
Feedback and frame synchronization between media encoders and decoders
Feedback and frame synchronization between media encoders and decoders is described. More particularly, the encoder can encode frames that are based on source content to be sent to the decoder. The encoder can determine whether the frame should be cached by the encoder and the decoder. If the frame is to be cached, the encoder can so indicate by encoding the frame with one or more cache control bits. The decoder can receive the frame from the decoder, and can examine the cache control bits to determine whether to cache the frame. The decoder can also decode the frame. |
| US07716549B2 |
Semiconductor apparatus and testing method
A semiconductor apparatus comprising: a plurality of memory circuits each including a memory and an input/output selector, the memory having a plurality of memory cells and a plurality of input/output circuits respectively corresponding to the memory cells; and an incorporated self-test circuit that executes a quality test for the memory, wherein the input/output selector selects one of the input/output circuits and successively outputs data signals to the incorporated self-test circuit, the data signals read by the one of the input/output circuits from the corresponding memory cells. |
| US07716539B2 |
Serial communication control system
Disclosed is serial communication control system including: a first microcomputer; and a second microcomputer connected to the first microcomputer through a serial line, wherein the second microcomputer includes an R/B signal sending section to send one of a READY signal and a BUSY signal, the first microcomputer includes an R/B signal receiving section to receive the signal, and a first sending section to send first serial data to the second microcomputer when the R/B signal receiving section receives the READY signal, the second microcomputer includes a first receiving section to receive the first serial data, and a second sending section to send second serial data after the receiving operation of the first serial data by the first receiving section is completed and the R/B signal sending section thereafter sends the BUSY signal, and the first microcomputer includes a second receiving section to receive the second serial data. |
| US07716536B2 |
Techniques for entering a low-power link state
Techniques to cause a point-to-point link between system components to engage in a negotiation process that may lead to the link transitioning from an active state in which data may be transmitted between system components to a low power state where data may not be transmitted. The negotiation process may occur between each pair of nodes within an electronic system that are interconnected via point-to-point link. The negotiation may ensure that there are no pending transactions or transactions that may occur within an upcoming period of time. Through this negotiation each component acknowledges and agrees to transition the link to the low power state. |
| US07716534B2 |
Methods and apparatus for measuring performance in processing system
Techniques are disclosed for measuring performance in processing systems such as communications systems and computing systems. For example, a method of measuring performance in a processing system having a plurality of processing devices includes the following steps. A measurement system coupled to the plurality of processing devices generates an interrupt signal. The measurement system applies the interrupt signal to a set of processing devices under test, wherein the set of processing devices under test is selected from the plurality of processing devices, such that each processing device of the set under test makes data available to the measurement system. The available data represents data associated with the execution of at least one function performed by each processing device of the set under test. The measurement system obtains the available data and utilizes at least a portion of the available data to determine a measure of performance associated with each of the processing devices of the set under test. |
| US07716533B2 |
System and method for trapping bus cycles
A bus cycle trapping system includes at least one register, a north bridge, a south bridge and a central processing unit (CPU). The register is configured to store at least one trapping parameter. The north bridge traps a bus cycle matching the at least one trapping parameter while issuing an activating signal. The south bridge sends a system management interrupt message according to the activating signal. The CPU enters a system management mode according to the system management interrupt and executes a system management interrupt routine for doing a debugging test of the bus cycle matching the trapping parameter. |
| US07716527B2 |
Repair system
A repair system is disclosed comprising: a server having a repair manager; a client device having a repair agent; and a network, wherein the server and the client device are connected to the network. The repair agent, in response to a repair signal, is operable to restrict communication of the client device on the network to the repair manager, and the repair manager is operable to provide a repair application. The repair system is enabled to correct actual or potential problems including software viruses and trojans, and spam messages. Diagnosis and repairs can be carried out in response to a deleterious detection system or through user input to the device. The repair agent requires only limited system resources and therefore it particularly applicable to mobile devices where system resources are at a premium. |
| US07716520B2 |
Multi-CPU computer and method of restarting system
A multi-CPU computer which is capable of positively performing error handling, and restarting a system even when a fatal error has occurred in a CPU. When a hardware error has occurred in a first CPU, error information is notified to a second CPU by a first error notification circuit of the first CPU. Then, the error information notified from the first CPU is obtained by a second error notification circuit of the second CPU, and error handling based on the error information is requested of an operating system. The second CPU executes a process for storing fault information including the error information in a storage device and a process for restarting the system, according to the operating system. |
| US07716516B2 |
Method for controlling operation of microprocessor which performs duty cycle correction process
A technology for supplying a power supply voltage to a microprocessor. Before normal arithmetic processing of the microprocessor, duty cycle correction process for adjusting the duty cycle of a clock signal inside the microprocessor is performed. In the duty cycle correction process for adjusting the duty cycle, the duty cycle of the clock signal is adjusted so as to minimize the power voltage at which the microprocessor is still operable. |
| US07716515B2 |
Method for updating the timing of a baseboard management controller
The present invention discloses a method for updating the timing of a baseboard management controller (BMC) applied in a computer system. When a basic input output system (BIOS) installed on a motherboard of the computer system is initialized, the current time for the BMC to receive the BIOS is used for the timing of the BMC, and the BMC will send regular synchronous signals to the motherboard at a predetermined interval thereafter. After the motherboard has received the synchronous signal, the current time of the BIOS is sent to the BMC, and the BMC updates the timing of the BMC by the current time of the BIOS, so that the timing of the BMC will be consistent with the current time of the BIOS, and system administrators no longer need to update the time manually. |
| US07716509B2 |
Storage and access control method for storage
Embodiments of the invention prevent a storage from being continuously used in a state in which the time of a built-in clock is different from the actual time because of replacement of a battery or intentional tampering of time. In one embodiment, a storage having a recording medium for storing content data includes: a clock that can refer to present time and can set time to reliable standard time on the outside (time synchronization); a built-in power supply that supplies power to the clock; and a nonvolatile memory that records time when the time synchronization for the clock is performed. The storage compares, according to circumstances, the present time indicated by the built-in clock and the time when the time synchronization is performed last time and, when it is made clear that the time synchronization is not performed for time longer than a fixed time set in advance, prohibits an access to a limited access area of the recording medium. |
| US07716506B1 |
Apparatus, method, and system for dynamically selecting power down level
A system has a plurality of different clients. Each client generates a report signal indicative of a current latency tolerance associated with a performance state. A controller dynamically determines a power down level having a minimum power consumption capable of supporting the system latency of the configuration state of the clients. |
| US07716502B2 |
Current flattening and current sensing methods and devices
Flattening total current consumption of system having processing core and power supply input by current sensing within system at power supply input and controlling system current consumption such that system current is reduced if over reference current threshold, and increased if below reference current threshold. Inject additional current through digital injections cells working higher frequencies, by increasing switching activity, by increasing voltage supply to core, and by increasing operating frequency of processor core. Feedback signal indicates current consumption of system. Current consumption similarly decreased. Current sensed by mirroring input current inline with power supply input and compensating for voltage drop introduced by mirroring using opposing field effect transistors and maintaining outputs at same voltage through feedback control loop. Processor core may be general purpose processor core or cryptographic processor core. System may be system-on-chip or system-on-package. System includes processor core and current flattening device based on method. Also, current flattening device and current sensor. On chip current sensor sensing current draw of processor core. |
| US07716500B2 |
Power source dependent program execution
An electronic device having a processor powered by a power source may be operated by providing a plurality of program portions individually executable by the processor for performing the same computing function. Each program portion causes the processor to exhibit a different instantaneous power consumption profile while performing the computing function. A particular program portion is selected based on at least one characteristic of the power source and executed on the processor to perform the computing function. |
| US07716491B2 |
Generation and management of customer pin's
A method for securely generating a PIN comprises generating a number of random binary bits; determining the least significant bits of the number of bits; converting the least significant bits to a decimal integer; shifting the value of the integer by a predetermined constant to produce a shifted integer; and encoding the shifted integer as bits in a PIN block in accordance with a standard. A method for managing security of a PIN used to provide access to a secure device comprising choosing the PIN; storing an encrypted version of the PIN in the device; and communicating the PIN to a user of the device via a communication channel separate and apart from a channel reset to provide the device to the user. A method for resetting a PIN in a secure device comprising sending a message to a data center having an original PIN for the device, the message including authorization data indicative of at least one of the device and an authorized user of the device, and securely communicating the original PIN to the location of the device. |
| US07716487B2 |
License-based cryptographic technique, particularly suited for use in a digital rights management system, for controlling access and use of bore resistant software objects in a client computer
A technique for imparting substantial break-once-run-everywhere (BORE) resistance to passive and active software objects, and for controlling access and use of resulting protected objects by a client computer (400). Specifically, a relatively large number, n, of identical watermarks (1720) are embedded throughout a software object (1700), through use of n different secret watermark keys to form a protected object, with each key defining a pointer to a location in the protected object at which a corresponding watermark appears. |
| US07716479B2 |
Dynamically resolving recipients to retrieve public keys during send/receive
Systems and methods are disclosed that facilitate identifying messages generated on a mobile device while the device is offline as requiring encryption, storing the messages in a message outbox with a flag indicating that encryption is required, and identifying recipients of the flagged messages to generate a recipient list. The recipient list can be piggybacked on a server synchronization request when the mobile device enters a period of online activity, and a server can return public keys associated with identified recipients to permit an encryption component, such as a secure/multipurpose Internet mail extension protocol (S/MIME) encryption component, in the mobile device to encrypt the messages. |
| US07716473B1 |
Methods and apparatus providing a reference monitor simulator
A computer-implemented system, method and apparatus for operating a reference monitor simulator is operable to recreate the operations performed by a reference monitor on a computer system. In one configuration, the system defines at least one security rule specifying whether to allow or deny a request to access at least one resource under a given set of circumstances and supplies at least one request to access a resource. The system further applies the at least one security rule in response to the at least one request to access a resource to determine whether to allow or prevent the at least one request. |
| US07716465B2 |
Method and apparatus for maintaining a partition when booting another partition while an address line is disabled
In a processing system with a main partition and a sequestered partition, the main partition sends an interrupt to the sequestered partition before calling an operating system (OS) boot loader for the main partition. The sequestered partition may then enter an interrupt handler. After the sequestered partition enters the interrupt handler, an address line of the processing system may be disabled, and the OS boot loader for the non-sequestered partition may be called. The sequestered partition may then determine whether the address line has been re-enabled. The sequestered partition may remain in the interrupt handler until after the address line has been re-enabled. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US07716463B2 |
Deploying and receiving software over a network susceptible to malicious communication
Systems and/or methods that enable secure deployment and/or receipt of an operating system and/or updates for the operating system to a computer across a network susceptible to malicious communication are described. These systems and/or methods can, in one embodiment, enable a bare computer added to a network to have an operating system deployed to it and updated via the network before the bare computer is subjected to malicious code communicated over the network. |
| US07716459B2 |
Protection of a program jump from fault injection by masking a memory address with a random number
A method for performing at least one jump in a program executed by a processor, including determining a result over several bits as an indicator that a desired condition has been complied with, the result corresponding to an operation taking into account at least one predetermined value and at least one current value; and calculating a jump address which is a function of the result. |
| US07716457B2 |
Method and apparatus for counting instructions during speculative execution
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that counts speculatively-executed instructions for performance analysis purposes. During operation, the system counts instructions which are normally executed during a normal-execution mode. Next, the system enters a speculative-execution mode wherein instructions are speculatively executed without being committed to the architectural state of the processor. During the speculative-execution mode, the system counts the speculatively-executed instructions in a manner that enables the count of speculatively-executed instructions to be reset if the speculative execution fails. |
| US07716454B2 |
Method and apparatus for matrix decomposition in programmable logic devices
A processor is adapted for performing a QR-decomposition. The processor has a program memory, a program controller, connected to the program memory to receive program instructions, and at least one processing unit. The processing unit includes a CORDIC calculation block, and has a distributed memory structure, with separate memory blocks for storing respective parameter values. |
| US07716452B1 |
Translated memory protection apparatus for an advanced microprocessor
A method of responding to an attempt to write a memory address including a target instruction which has been translated to a host instruction for execution by a host processor including the steps of marking a memory address including a target instruction which has been translated to a host instruction, detecting a memory address which has been marked when an attempt is made to write to the memory address, and responding to the detection of a memory address which has been marked by protecting a target instruction at the memory address until it has been assured that translations associated with the memory address will not be utilized before being updated. |
| US07716451B2 |
Memory tuning for garbage collection and central processing unit (CPU) utilization optimization
A method, system and computer program product for garbage collection sensitive load balancing is disclosed. The method for memory tuning for garbage collection and CPU utilization optimization can include benchmarking an application across multiple different heap sizes to accumulate garbage collection metrics and utilizing the garbage collection metrics accumulated during benchmarking to compute both CPU utilization and garbage collection time for each of a selection of candidate heap sizes. One of the candidate heap sizes can be matched to a desired CPU utilization and garbage collection time, and the matched one of the candidate heap sizes can be applied to a host environment. |
| US07716446B1 |
System and method for cooperative virtual machine memory scheduling
Memory assigned to a virtual machine is reclaimed. A resource reservation application running as a guest application on the virtual machine reserves a location in guest virtual memory. The corresponding physical memory can be reclaimed and allocated to another virtual machine. The resource reservation application allows detection of guest virtual memory page-out by the guest operating system. Measuring guest virtual memory page-out is useful for determining memory conditions inside the guest operating system. Given determined memory conditions, memory allocation and reclaiming can be used control memory conditions. Memory conditions in the virtual machine can be controlled with the objective of achieving some target memory conditions. |
| US07716444B2 |
Method and system for controlling memory accesses to memory modules having a memory hub architecture
A computer system includes a memory hub controller coupled to a plurality of memory modules. The memory hub controller includes a memory request queue that couples memory requests and corresponding request identifier to the memory modules. Each of the memory modules accesses memory devices based on the memory requests and generates response status signals from the request identifier when the corresponding memory request is serviced. These response status signals are coupled from the memory modules to the memory hub controller along with or separate from any read data. The memory hub controller uses the response status signal to control the coupling of memory requests to the memory modules and thereby control the number of outstanding memory requests in each of the memory modules. |
| US07716441B2 |
Method for managing volume groups considering storage tiers
A tiered storage system according to the present invention provides for the management of migration groups. When a migration group is defined, a reference tier position is determined and the relative tier position of each constituent logical device is determined. Movement of a migration group involves migrating data in its constituent logical devices to target logical devices. The migration group is then defined by the target devices. A virtualization system makes the transition transparent to host devices. |
| US07716438B2 |
Storage system and back-up method for storage system
A storage system includes a primary volume and a first controller that stores data in a primary volume and stores content at a prescribed point in time in the form of differential data. The first controller generates generational management information corresponding to the differential data of the prescribed point in time and manages the generational management information. The storage system also includes a secondary volume configured to store backup data and a second controller configured to receive data sent from the first controller, store data to the secondary volume, store the generational management information, receive a request for a certain generation of the generations and provide data of the primary volume corresponding to the requested generation based on the request. The first controller determines to send differential data and the generational management information to the second controller when an amount of differential data reaches a prescribed amount. |
| US07716431B2 |
Analysis technique of execution states in computer system
An information processing method according to this invention is a method executed when one or a plurality of applications are executed in an arbitrary node in a computer system including a plurality of nodes, which comprises: obtaining data representing an execution state of an application for the plurality of nodes; calculating a used capability value for each application by using the data representing the execution state of the application and a capability value for each node; obtaining data representing an application usage frequency of each user for the plurality of nodes; calculating a usage ratio of each user for each application by using the data representing the application usage frequency; and calculating a ratio of the used capability value for the total capability value of the computer system for each user and each application by using the used capability value and the usage ratio. |
| US07716430B2 |
Separate handling of read and write of read-modify-write
Separate handling of read and write operations of Read-Modify-Write Commands in an XDR™ memory system is provided. This invention allows the system to issue other commands between the reads and writes of a RMW. This insures that the dataflow time from read to write is not a penalty. A RMW buffer is used to store the read data and a write buffer is used to store the write data. A MUX is used to merge the read data and the write data, and transmit the merged data to the target DRAM via the XIO. The RMW buffer can also be used for scrubbing commands. |
| US07716428B2 |
Data processing system, cache system and method for reducing imprecise invalid coherency states
A cache coherent data processing system includes at least first and second coherency domains. In a first cache memory within the first coherency domain of the data processing system, a coherency state field associated with a storage location and an address tag is set to a first data-invalid coherency state that indicates that the address tag is valid and that the storage location does not contain valid data. In response to snooping a data-invalid state update request, the first cache memory updates the coherency state field from the first data-invalid coherency state to a second data-invalid coherency state that indicates that the address tag is valid, that the storage location does not contain valid data, and that a memory block associated with the address tag is likely cached within the first coherency domain. |
| US07716427B2 |
Store stream prefetching in a microprocessor
In a microprocessor having a load/store unit and prefetch hardware, the prefetch hardware includes a prefetch queue containing entries indicative of allocated data streams. A prefetch engine receives an address associated with a store instruction executed by the load/store unit. The prefetch engine determines whether to allocate an entry in the prefetch queue corresponding to the store instruction by comparing entries in the queue to a window of addresses encompassing multiple cache blocks, where the window of addresses is derived from the received address. The prefetch engine compares entries in the prefetch queue to a window of 2M contiguous cache blocks. The prefetch engine suppresses allocation of a new entry when any entry in the prefetch queue is within the address window. The prefetch engine further suppresses allocation of a new entry when the data address of the store instruction is equal to an address in a border area of the address window. |
| US07716426B2 |
Prefetch command control method, prefetch command control apparatus and cache memory control apparatus
A prefetch command control apparatus is provided. A protocol slot generation unit, when receiving from a CPU a prefetch command in which a utilization time of data to be prefetched is specified, generates a protocol slot based on the utilization time and registers it in a schedule list storage unit. When receiving a regular access command, the protocol slot generation unit registers a protocol slot in a regular protocol queue storage unit. A cost evaluation unit evaluates an issuance cost of the prefetch command based on a cache retention time of data to be prefetched and evaluates an issuance cost of the regular access command based on a resource occupation cost. A protocol issuance unit decides which command shall be issued, the prefetch command or regular access command, based on the evaluation result of these issuance costs. |
| US07716423B2 |
Pseudo LRU algorithm for hint-locking during software and hardware address translation cache miss handling modes
The present invention provides an improved way to calculate a replacement way within a processor cache that is effective with different combinations of hardware address translation cache miss handling, software address translation cache miss handling, and hint lock bits. For some embodiments, LRU bits used to select an entry for replacement are updated only if software address translation cache miss handling is disabled. Further, for some embodiments, LRU bits may be modified to change the way a binary tree structure is traversed to avoid selecting a hint locked entry for replacement. |
| US07716422B2 |
Storage apparatus and method for using a non-volatile cache memory organized into stationary and non-stationary circular regions
Provided are a storage apparatus using a non-volatile memory as a cache and a method of operating the same, in which the non-volatile memory is used as the cache so as to preserve data even when electricity is interrupted. The storage apparatus using a non-volatile memory as a cache includes a main storage medium, the non-volatile memory being used as the cache of the main storage medium and having a stationary region and a non-stationary region divided according to whether data are fixed, and a block management unit managing blocks allocated in the non-volatile memory. |
| US07716417B2 |
Method and system for controlling access to tape media from a plurality of virtual computers
A tape library comprises: a plurality of tape media; a plurality of slots in which the plurality of tape media are respectively stored; a drive in which a tape medium extracted from any of the plurality of slots is set and which performs tape reading or writing in respect of this tape medium; and a controller by which a tape medium is extracted from a designated slot of these plurality of slots and set in the drive. The host computer comprises: a plurality of virtual computers; a first storage region in which is stored slot allocation information expressing which slot is allocated to which virtual computer; and an access control unit that specifies the slot allocated to a first virtual computer, of the plurality of the virtual computers, from the slot allocation information, and restricts access from the first virtual computer to the tape medium in the specified slot. |
| US07716415B2 |
Method of avoiding errors in flash memory
Whenever N data bits are stored in a cell of a memory that programs each of its cells to represent any one of 2N different patterns of N>1 bits as a respective one of 2N ordered cell states, the N data bits are mapped to a transformed pattern of N bits according to a transformation that maps the pattern of the lowest state (typically all 1's) to a different pattern, and the cell is programmed to represent the transformed pattern. The transformation may invert all, some or only one of the bits of each pattern. Whenever the cells of the memory are read, the transformation is inverted. |
| US07716403B2 |
Information technology integration with automation systems
The subject disclosure pertains to transparent communications in an industrial automation environment amongst automation system components and IT systems. Systems and methods are provided that send and receive data to, from and amongst automation devices and transactional based IT systems. The system is viewed as a control system to the automation device and as a transactional system to the IT system. Accordingly, it is not necessary to provide a custom interface between automation devices and the IT systems. |
| US07716401B2 |
Memory module capable of improving the integrity of signals transmitted through a data bus and a command/address bus, and a memory system including the same
A memory module and a related memory system are disclosed. The memory module comprises a semiconductor memory having a data output buffer, a data input buffer, a command/address input buffer and a first termination resistor unit connected to a data bus. The memory module further comprises a second termination resistor unit connected to an internal command/address bus. First and second termination resistor units are preferably of different resistive value and/or type. |
| US07716389B1 |
Direct memory access controller with encryption and decryption for non-blocking high bandwidth I/O transactions
Due to the integration of multiple I/O device controllers in a storage controller and the need to provide secure and fast data transfers between the I/O devices and the storage controller, an architecture that can perform multiple encrypt/decrypt operations simultaneously is therefore needed to service multiple transfer requests without a negative impact on the speed of transfer and processing. The present invention relates to enhancing Direct Memory Access (DMA) operations between multiple IO devices and a storage controller by adding a Data Processing Core. Exemplary implementations are provided to illustrate the background mechanism used by a DMA controller that minimizes central-processing-unit (CPU) intervention and the multi-channel architecture which allows multiple IO requests to be serviced simultaneously. |
| US07716377B2 |
Clustering server providing virtual machine data sharing
Technology for sharing data among multiple virtual machines in a cluster of virtual machines is disclosed. Each virtual machine identifies “managed” objects of an instance of an application running at the virtual machine. The managed objects are objects for which state information is to be replicated at the other virtual machines in the cluster on which other instances of the application are running. Operations performed by an instance of one application which affect the state of managed objects are detected and distributed. A computer-implemented method for maintaining consistent object states at different virtual machines includes receiving managed object state information from a first virtual machine including a first instance of an application; creating a representation of each of the managed objects; and responsive to the received information, communicating state information to at least a second virtual machine on which a second instance of the application is running to replicate the state information at the second virtual machine. |
| US07716376B1 |
Synchronized video session with integrated participant generated commentary
Systems and methods enable users to exchange content, such as chat text, with other users that are consuming video media. In one implementation, several users collectively group together to form a video session. The users in the video session each consume the same video media, and the video media is played on individual user computer devices in a synchronized manner. The users send chat text or other content to one another over a network using a computer user interface. The chat text or other content is superimposed over or otherwise merged with the synchronized video running on the individual user computer devices. |
| US07716375B2 |
Method for synchronization in networks
The invention relates to a method for synchronization in networks, whereby the local time (tloc) which is valid at the particular node, is updated at different nodes. For that purpose, timing messages are regularly transmitted by a freely selectable superior node (N1; N3; N6) and only by a superior node to an inferior node N2, N3; N4-N6; N7), which receives the timing messages M1-M8) and analyzes said messages for updating the local time (tloc) thereof. A minimum propagation time (dmin) is determined for a timing message (M1-M8) between an inferior node (N1;N3;N6) and a superior node (N2, N3; N4-N6; N7). When the inferior node (N2, N3; N4-N6; N7) receives a timing message (M1-M8), said inferior node extracts the local time of the superior node (N1; N3), which is contained in said timing message (M1-M8) and adds the minimum propagation time (dmin) thereto, in order to generate a reference time (tcomp,1-tcomp,8). Said reference time (tcomp,1-tcomp,8) is then compared with the proper local time (tloc). If the reference time is retarded in relation to the proper local time (tloc), said proper local time (tloc) is not updated. If said reference time is advanced in relation to the proper local time (tloc). |
| US07716372B2 |
Method, system and storage medium for providing services based on user preferences
An embodiment of the invention is a method for providing services to a user. The method includes receiving a request from a user for content and obtaining a user preference defining at least one of a modality preference, a paradigm preference and a service preference. Content is accessed including markup tags associating said content with the user preference. Processes identified with a process markup tag associating said processes with said user preference are executed and the order of processes is dependent on the user preference. Content having markup tags corresponding to the user preference is retrieved and provided to the user. |
| US07716368B2 |
Network system and communication method, information processing apparatus and method, and program
A network system is provided allowing easy communications with another apparatus via NAPT, as well as a communication method, an information processing apparatus and method, and a program. A local communication apparatus acquires a service providing packet from an apparatus service providing apparatus via a port of a relay apparatus, acquires a service providing packet from another apparatus service providing apparatus via another port of the relay apparatus, calculates a difference value between two pieces of global address information contained in the service providing packets, and predicts that a third port is the port to be used for the next communication. The system, apparatus and methods described can be applied to an instant message service system. |
| US07716360B2 |
Transport binding for a web services message processing runtime framework
A method is described that involves causing a received Web service's message body to be de-serialized into an object oriented token stream with an event based reader and identifying a Web services endpoint method with a message key that was in the token stream. The method also involves obtaining, with the message key, a description of the endpoint method's input parameters from cached data that contains information pertaining to the Web service. The method also involves identifying the parameters within a second token stream generated from the received Web service's message body. The method also involves causing an object oriented response message body to be serialized with an event based writer into a Web services message that is a response to the received Web services message. |
| US07716357B2 |
Service discovery and publication
A system and methods for service discovery and publication are disclosed. Application programs write requests for service discovery, publication, and subscription to a service discovery application programming interface. The service discovery application programming interface invokes one or more lower-level protocols to satisfy the discovery, publication and/or subscription request. Service information retrieved from lower-layer protocols is formatted into a consistent data model and returned to the client application. In addition, service information may be stored in a persistent data store managed by a discovery persistence service communicatively connected to the service discovery API. |
| US07716356B2 |
Server-based acquisition, distributed acquisition and usage of dynamic MAC addresses in a virtualized Ethernet environment
Methods and systems for dynamically acquiring MAC addresses in a virtualized Network environment. A server may be partitioned into a plurality of logical partition. Each logical partition may be associated with a logical adapter to provide network access to the partition. A MAC address may be dynamically allocated to a logical adapter from a predefined range of MAC addresses. Furthermore, the MAC addresses may be unique within a particular subnet, therefore the same MAC address may be assigned to adapters in different subnets. |
| US07716353B2 |
Web services availability cache
A Web Services availability cache is part of a computer system, such as an enterprise system of a business or organization. The availability cache is populated with information from Web Services communicatively connected to the computer system by a network connection. In one embodiment, the availability cache is populated based on each request handled by a server process associated with the availability cache. A server receives a request from a client having an application dependent upon information from the Web Service. The server sends the request to the Web Service and stores returned information in the availability cache. Also, the server sends the returned information to the client, which initiated to request. Once the cache is populated, the server handles subsequent requests for information from the client by using the Web Service if it is available or by using the availability cache if the Web Service is not available. |
| US07716349B1 |
Electronic book library/bookstore system
The invention, an electronic book selection and delivery system, is a new way to distribute books and other textual information to bookstores, libraries and consumers. The primary components of the system are a subsystem for placing text in a video signal format and a subsystem for receiving and selecting text that is placed in the video signal format. The system configuration for consumer use contains additional components and optional features that enhance the system, namely: (1) an operations center, (2) a video distribution system, (3) a home subsystem, including reception, selection, viewing, transacting and transmission capabilities, and (4) a billing and collection system. The operations center and/or video distribution points perform the functions of manipulation of text data, security and coding of text, cataloging of books, messaging center, and uplink functions. The electronic books may be provided to an intermediate point such as a library or a bookstore. From the library or bookstore, electronic books may be provided to consumers for viewing on the home subsystem. The library may store electronic books for lending on a file server. The library may incorporate security features to prevent unauthorized copying of the electronic books, such as including a time out feature that disables the electronic book after a specified period. |
| US07716347B2 |
Method for managing commerce contexts
A method for managing commerce contexts between a direct commerce context and a temporary commerce context in a client session. Commerce context parameters are associated with the direct and temporary commerce contexts. The commerce context associated with a client request is determined according to the commerce context parameters associated with the client request. |
| US07716345B2 |
Client to server streaming of multimedia content using HTTP
Systems and methods are described for streaming multimedia data from a client to a server using HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP). A session is initiated with a header that identifies a content length header that is a maximum allowed by the server, regardless of the actual length of the data to be streamed. If a firewall or proxy server limits access to the server, the content length of the data is specified to be about an amount of data that can be streamed to the server in one minute. If more data remains to be streamed when an amount of data approximating the content length has been streamed, a continuing streaming session is requested and subsequent data is streamed to the server in the continuing streaming session. The process repeats until all data has been streamed. |
| US07716344B2 |
Conference server operations
An improved networked computer communications system handles arbitrary streams of data, and transports at varying speeds those streams where intermediate updates can be dropped if they are obsoleted by later arriving data updates, optimizing the utilization of network and node resources. Complex buffering by system server software allows distributed, parallel, or redundant processing, transmission, and storage for performance, reliability, and robustness. Various parameters of the system can be monitored, and the system can be reconfigured automatically based on the observations. Varied techniques reduce the perceived end-to-end latency and take advantage of software and hardware capabilities that assets connected to the system may possess. One conferencing system allows conference participants to share all or a portion of the display seen on their computer screens. The conferees may be at sites removed from each other, or may view a recorded presentation or archived conference at different times. Conference participants are either “presenters” who can modify the display or “attendees” who cannot modify the display. A pointer icon, which can be labeled to identify the conferee, is displayed on the shared image area. Each conferee can modify the position of his or her own pointer, even when not presenting, so that every participant can see what each conferee is pointing to, should a conferee choose to point to an element of the display. These and other features apply to other data streams shared in the conference or in meetings where there is no shared-image data stream. |
| US07716339B2 |
System and method for discretization of client-server interactions
A system and method for converting continuous data streams received over a persistent communication connection (e.g., for Telnet) into discrete requests that may be issued over non-persistent connections (e.g., via HTTP). An application is served from a J2EE-compliant application server, to clients operating a variety of communication protocols (e.g., HTTP, Telnet). The application is developed according to a single application model, but can be served to heterogeneous clients. The application communicates via a request/response format (e.g., HTTP), thereby requiring clients communicating via other formats or protocols (e.g., Telnet) to connect to the application via one or more other components of the application server. Illustratively, the application server includes a Telnet resource adapter for maintaining persistent communication connections with Telnet clients, and an EJB (Enterprise Java Bean) configured to discretize continuous Telnet data streams into discrete application requests. |
| US07716334B2 |
Computer system with dynamically configurable capacity
A computer system comprises a plurality of field replaceable units (FRUs) for supplying processing resources and a system controller. Each of the plurality of FRUs has a field replaceable unit identification (FRUID) memory adapted store a capacity-on-demand (COD) indication associated with the FRU, wherein the COD indication is indicative of whether the FRU is a base level resource or a COD resource. The system controller is configured to access the FRUID memory of each of the plurality of FRUs to detect the COD indication. Additionally, the system controller is configured to enable at least those of the plurality of FRUs for which the corresponding COD indication indicates that the FRU is a base level resource. The system controller is further configured to identify a need for additional processing resources, and is configured to enable additional ones of the plurality of FRUs responsive to identifying the need for additional processing resources. |
| US07716331B2 |
Method of gaining secure access to intranet resources
Method of gaining secure access from a host (13) to Intranet resources provided by at least a content server (18) in a data transmission system wherein the host is connected to the content server through a gateway (17). Such a method consists in generating and sending at predetermined transmission instants from either the host or the gateway verification messages wherein each verification message contains a signature which depends upon the data exchanged between the host and the gateway since the preceding verification message, the host and the gateway also called peer devices having at their disposal same algorithm defining which of them sends a verification message at each of the predetermined instants. |
| US07716325B2 |
Method and system of determining possible change in location of network element
A method and system for determining a potential change in a physical location of a network element. The potential change being assessed to determine whether operating characteristics associated with the network element may reflect conditions and/or circumstances indicative of a possible change in the physical location of the network element. |
| US07716324B2 |
Identification and tracking of digital content distributors on wide area networks
A system and method for tracking and identifying digital content distributors using file sharing networks. The system monitors distribution networks, logs pertinent network and distributor information, generates network statistics, gathers evidence of content distribution, and notifies interested parties of the availability of content on file sharing networks. |
| US07716322B2 |
Automatic exploration and testing of dynamic Web sites
A unique tool, i.e., “VeriWeb”, is employed to automatically discover and systematically explore Web-site execution paths that can be followed by a user in a Web application. Unlike traditional spiders (or crawlers) that are limited to the exploration of static links, VeriWeb can navigate automatically through dynamic components of Web sites, including form submissions and execution of client-side scripts. Whenever examining a new Web page, the system determines all possible actions a user might perform—be it a link, via a button with a JavaScript handler, or via form submission—and can execute them in a systematic way. In order to systematically test different paths in a Web site, VeriWeb addresses two critical problems: systematic Web site exploration and automatically filling out forms. |
| US07716320B2 |
Method and apparatus for persisting SNMP MIB integer indexes across multiple network elements
Disclosed are systems and methods for persisting management information indexes across multiple network elements. In particular, methods of detecting and curing potential collisions among a peer group of network elements by use of a hashing function can be provided in accordance with embodiments. For example, a method for maintaining persistence across network elements can include: (i) configuring one of the network elements, and providing a configuration string therefrom; (ii) performing a hashing algorithm on the configuration string to provide a hash value; (iii) determining if any collisions exists between the hash value and corresponding values from among a peer group of network elements; and (iv) assigning the hash value as a management table index when no collision is found, or assigning a new value for the management table index when a collision is found. |
| US07716319B2 |
Computer system and method for managing log information
A computer system for managing log information, enabling correct comprehension of system logs for an identical resource before and after migration among plural nodes. A global ID, being unique in the system, is given to a resource (LU) migrated from one file share server to another. The global ID remains the same in the migration destination file share server after migration and log messages for the resource are obtained based on the global ID. |
| US07716313B2 |
Policy based system management
A computer network includes a plurality of components governed by policies from a policy manager. Where conflicts arise between policies, a conflict management policy is inherent in the system and is implemented to detect and resolve such conflicts. |
| US07716312B2 |
Method and system for transferring large data files over parallel connections
A method and system are disclosed for transferring large data files over parallel connections. A file can be transferred between a first application operating on a first system and a second application operating on a second system. A plurality of connections are established between the first application and the second application. A send buffer is created to store N segments of the file at the first system, N being an integer greater than one. The N segments of the file are read into the send buffer. Each segment in the buffer is sent on a corresponding connection among the plurality of connections for delivery to the second application. The number of connections can be selected by a user. |
| US07716305B2 |
Apparatus, system, and method for preserving cluster level serialization during file server serialization reinitialization
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for preserving cluster level serialization during file server serialization reinitialization. The apparatus includes a permission request module, a cluster negotiation module, and a completion notification module. The permission request module communicates a permission request to a remote file server in anticipation of a reinitialization of a local file server. The cluster negotiation module implements a reinitialization protocol on the remote file server during the reinitialization of the local file server. The completion notification module notifies the remote file server when the reinitialization of the local file server is complete. The apparatus, system, and method beneficially facilitate continued serialization negotiation among the remote file servers during the reinitialization of the serialization data on the local file server and, thereby, preserve the integrity of shared data resources. |
| US07716303B2 |
Accessing deep web information associated with transportation services using a search engine
Methods, apparatuses, and articles for receiving a search request associated with a transportation service from a client device, the search request including a plurality of search criteria, are described herein. Additionally, the methods, apparatuses, and articles further return to the client device an answer page having a plurality of answers potentially associated with the transportation service, the plurality of answers identifying a plurality of information locations having information potentially associated with at least a one of the plurality of search criteria, where at least one of the answers includes at least one input field of a query answer page for entry of at least one feature of the transportation service, the query answer page to be dynamically generated by one of the information locations in response to a query. |
| US07716301B2 |
Environment setting device, environment setting program storage medium, information processing device and environment setting method
A network environment to which an information processing device is connected is recognized and an operating environment of an OS running on the information processing device is changed to an operating environment according to the recognized network environment. |
| US07716300B2 |
Systems and methods to facilitate self regulation of social networks through trading and gift exchange
The subject invention provides a unique system and method that facilitates self-regulation of a social network system based at least in part on user behavior, and in particular on good or desirable user behavior. The system and method involve monitoring user behavior such as user activity and user interactions with other users and the network itself. Several factors can be weighed to determine whether the user behavior is good. Network assets or rights can be allocated to good users in the form of gifts or trade exchange opportunities whereas less desirable or bad users may not receive such gifts or trade opportunities or assets and rights might be revoked from them. By watching user behavior and promoting good behavior in this manner, the social network can be managed and self-regulated to optimize the utilization and distribution of both limited and unlimited assets (e.g., network created and user created assets or resources). |
| US07716299B2 |
Determining the configuration of a data processing system existing at the time a transaction was processed
The invention provides a method, system and computer program product for determining the configuration of a data processing system at the time a transaction was processed. A transaction is received from a client device and tracked through the data processing network. Each processing node within the data processing network is assigned a unique identifier which identifies the configuration of the processing node. As the transaction is routed from one processing node to the next, the unique identifier of the processing node is stored to form a transaction path. Once the transaction has been committed to storage, a unique value is generated uniquely identifying a particular transaction path permutation. |
| US07716294B2 |
Method, system, and computer program product for providing an instant messaging interface with dynamically generated message buttons
The present invention provides a method, system, and computer program product for providing an instant messaging (IM) interface with dynamically generated message buttons. A method in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes: retrieving information from a user associated application; dynamically generating a message button based on the retrieved information and a user policy; and rendering the dynamically generated message button on the IM interface. |
| US07716284B2 |
Subsystem-scoping architecture for breakout rooms in a virtual space
A method, system, and architecture for providing a web conference system that efficiently provides a breakout room or multiple breakout rooms within a single web conference (also referred to herein interchangeably as a “meeting” or “virtual meeting”) is provided. In some embodiments, the web conference system architecture provides a web conference system that allows for the creation of breakout rooms within a single web conference, where each breakout room provides a named view onto each feature subsystem of the web conference, with or without separate permission levels on each view. Each breakout room may also provide a named view of the contents of the web conference, with or without separate permission levels on each view. |
| US07716281B2 |
Method and system for transferring content from the web to mobile devices
A web page architecture is provided for enabling a user browse the web within an inline frame embedded in a web page and drag and drop content rendered in the inline frame into a receiving panel in the web page for transmission to the user's mobile device. The delivery mechanism to receive such content on the user's mobile device may be either through SMS messaging or through communicating with a client application on the user's mobile device. |
| US07716280B2 |
State reflection
The claimed subject matter provides systems and/or methods that facilitate replicating a state associated with a client, user, service, application, and the like. A third party service provider can support any number of services that can be concurrently requested by several clients without user perception of degraded computing performance as compared to conventional systems/techniques due to improved connectivity and mitigated latencies. A replication component can generate replicas of states associated with requested services. Further, the replicas can facilitate seamlessly interacting with the third party service provider (e.g., while transitioning between client devices). Additionally, by providing replicas of the state related information, differing third party service providers can effectuate services based upon a request from a client without regenerating the state. |
| US07716279B2 |
WS addressing protocol for web services message processing runtime framework
A method is described that involves processing a Web services message within an object oriented runtime environment. The processing involves executing a plurality of protocols to support a Web service that the message pertains to. Each one of the protocols perform one or more operations that contribute to a different part of the processing. The executing involves a first of the protocols receiving from an object WS Addressing information retrieved from the message's header. The executing also involves the first protocol providing the WS Addressing information to a second of the protocols. The executing also involves the second protocol providing the WS Addressing information to at least one of: a third protocol of the protocols; a component that performs an endpoint method of said Web service; software that identifies a new transport level destination address for said message. |
| US07716276B1 |
Network that supports user-initiated device management
A network supporting user-initiated management of updatable mobile electronic devices such as, for example, cellular phones, personal digital assistants, pagers, personal computers, and the like, permits a user to employ a personal computer (PC) or other device to browse information web portal in order to determine whether an update of firmware, software, and/or configuration information in the mobile electronic device is appropriate. If the user determines that an update is appropriate, or if a content server or a device management (DM) server determines that an update is appropriate, the user may schedule a download of one or more update packages. The update packages may comprise executable instructions for converting a first firmware/software version to a second firmware/software version, and may have associated multipurpose internet mail extension (mime) types. An update may be immediately executed, or an update may be scheduled and performed at a later time according to the user-selected schedule. |
| US07716274B1 |
State data persistence in a distributed computing environment
Various embodiments of a system and method for persisting application state data are disclosed. The system may include a server cluster networked to a persistent data store such as a database resident on a backend system. Each server of the cluster may include a server container providing services for one or more applications along with a persistence mechanism. The persistence mechanism may be able to detect changes to the state of an application and persist only the portion of the application state that changed to the remote, persistent data store. In some embodiments, the persistence mechanism may be a Java Data Object (JDO) persistence manager which provides object persistence and transaction support while masking the peculiarities of resource managers for particular databases. |
| US07716273B2 |
Systems and methods for projecting content from computing devices
Systems and methods are provided that enable an alternate display device to wirelessly receive content from a computing device, freeing users from the burden of physically connecting the computing device via a cable. The content sent to the display device can also be simultaneously or separately viewed on the computing devices of other nearby computing devices. Generic mechanism(s) and corresponding user interfaces are provided for computing devices to engage in discovery of devices to which content may be delivered, for accepting delivery and for initiating transmission of content. |
| US07716268B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing a processor based nested form polynomial engine
A method and apparatus for providing a processor based nested form polynomial engine are disclosed. A concise instruction format is provided to significantly decrease memory required and allow for instruction pipelining without branch penalty using a nested form polynomial engine. The instruction causing a processor to set coefficient and data address pointers for evaluating a polynomial, to load loading a coefficient and data operand into a coefficient register and a data register, respectively, to multiply the contents of the coefficient register and data register to produce a product, to add a next coefficient operand to the product to produce a sum, to provide the sum to an accumulator and to repeat the loading, multiplying, adding and providing until evaluation of the polynomial is complete. |
| US07716265B2 |
Data transformation apparatus and method
The present invention performs a lossless four-point orthogonal transformation with reduced rounding errors using a simple configuration. A data transformation apparatus receives four items of vector data X0, X1, X2, and X3, ( Y 0 Y 1 Y 2 Y 3 ) = 1 1 + a 2 ( 1 a a a 2 a - 1 a 2 - a a a 2 - 1 - a a 2 - a - a 1 ) ( X 0 X 1 X 2 X 3 ) and determines D0 to D3 as: D0=X0+aX1+aX2+a2X3; D1=aX0−X1+a2X2−aX3; D2=aX0+a2X1−X2−aX3; and D3=a2X0−aX1−aX2+X3. Integer data smaller than half a divisor {1+a2} is added to D1 to determine D1′, and a value equal to half the divisor is added to D0, D2, and D3 to determine D0′, D2′, and D3′, respectively. D0′, D1′, D2′, and D3′ are divided by the divisor and the results are rounded such that resulting integers are smaller than the results of division, and outputting the resulting integers. |
| US07716261B2 |
Method and apparatus for verifying storage access requests in a computer storage system with multiple storage elements
Method and apparatus are disclosed for verifying access to logical volume stored on at least one of the plurality of storage elements. The access can involve verification that the appropriate logical volume is being accessed and may also or instead include checking of authorization of a user to access that logical volume or logical entity. A database may be maintained to track users or host computers that are permitted to access the logical volume. |
| US07716259B2 |
File splitting apparatus, file splitting method and file splitting program
A file splitting apparatus for splitting a data file recorded over a plurality of recording management regions arranged in the recording region of a recording medium, the apparatus including a management region detecting section for detecting a management region including a file splitting position, a management region recording part copying section for copying the management region recording part including the file splitting position; and a management information altering section for altering the management information of the data file to first management information for managing one of the split data files obtained by splitting the data file at the file splitting position and second management information for managing the other split data file. |
| US07716253B2 |
Centralized KPI framework systems and methods
The subject invention pertains to a centralized key performance indicator (KPI) framework and systems and methods of utilization. In particular, KPIs can be defined and centrally stored as data or metadata in a data store. Systems and methods are provided to enable, among other things, KPI definition, storage, identification of defined or available KPIs, and interaction with the KPIs. For instance, an interface is provided to allow KPI data to be requested and retrieved from a source such as a database. A generic application program or users thereof can then interact with and display KPI data without knowing anything a priori about the stored data or the structure thereof. |
| US07716247B2 |
Multi-protocol access to files and directories
An operating system is provided. The system includes an agent component to monitor computer activities between one or more single-item access components and one or more set-based access components. A protocol component is employed by the agent component to mitigate data access conflicts between the single-item access components and the set-based access components. |
| US07716245B2 |
Content distribution system and method
In a content distribution method, two or more certification marks (130) are produced for the content to be delivered, each of the certification marks containing a temporary access information item defining an accessing right to the content. Each of the certification marks is distributed to a user at a shop. In a content delivery server, two or more content delivery information items are stored in association with the content, each of the delivery information items containing said temporary access information item. A network device (120) reads the temporary access information item from the certification mark purchased by the user. The network device accesses the content delivery server (110) using the temporary access information item, and receives the content from the content delivery server. |
| US07716243B2 |
Provisions for validating content using a content registration authority
Strategies are described for validating content transferred over a communication channel using a more effective approach than heretofore provided in the art. A content registration authority is provided which registers the content disseminated by one or more content providers to one or more client devices. A client device which receives content that has been registered can securely consume the content, based on an assumption that a content provider which furnishes the content is entrusted by the content registration authority to provide the content, and without prompting a user of the client device to expressly approve the content provider. In a first solution, the content registration authority registers the content by issuing a certification stamp; in a second solution, the content registration authority registers the content by storing registration information in a central repository. The content may contain instructions which perform operations in the context of an instant messenger application. |
| US07716239B2 |
Apparatus and method for performing process hazard analysis
A software application implementable on a computer system for performing process hazard analysis. The process has a plurality of nodes with equipment, and process data created by external applications is stored in a plurality of external databases on the computer system. A plurality of internal master lists are created for the software application by importing the process data from the external databases into the software application. A node record for each node of the process is compiled by inputting information on the node. The node records for each node are organized according to one of a plurality of guidewords. The node records of the process are reviewable by filtering the node records according to a selected guideword, nodes, equipment, or other process data. |
| US07716237B2 |
System and associated methods for remotely enabling features
A method and apparatus enables a feature among a plurality of features in an application loaded on a client, with the client located remotely from a server. The server receives a data profile request from the client. In response to the data profile request, a data profile is sent from the server to the client, the data profile including a profile key to identify the client, an application identification to identify the application, and a feature selector. The application uses the feature selector to enable the feature among the plurality of features. |
| US07716234B2 |
Apparatus and method for querying databases via a web service
A computer readable storage medium includes executable instructions to receive an input message specifying a query identifier and query parameters. A query definition specified by the query identifier is retrieved. The query parameters are mapped in accordance with the query definition to form a query. The query is passed to a semantic layer with semantically dynamic objects. Query results are received from the semantic layer. The query results are mapped to a specified web service interface to form an output message. |
| US07716233B2 |
System and method for processing queries for combined hierarchical dimensions
An abstract query is received for querying data sources for a combined hierarchical dimension having at least one hierarchy. The abstract query is mapped into data source specific queries by generating context expressions according to the at least one hierarchy. The data source specific queries are executed in an order according to the at least one hierarchy to produce value results for the combined hierarchical dimension. |
| US07716232B2 |
Devices, systems, and methods for producing and distributing multiple variations of an instance of a media presentation
Devices, systems, and methods are described for authoring, producing, securing, and/or distributing multiple variations of an instance of a media presentation. For example, one device embodiment includes a processor and memory having instructions executable on the processor. The instructions can allow a producer of media content to define a number of variating dimensions for a media presentation, maintain subscriber variation database tables having records that define subscriber variations in terms of a set of variating dimensions from the number of variating dimensions, maintain media element database tables having records that define media elements in terms of a set of variating dimensions from the number of variating dimensions, and determine which elements and in what order the elements are to be included a variation of an instance of a media presentation. |
| US07716231B2 |
System and method for generating suggested alternatives for visual or audible submissions
Alternative representations are generated from a user's audible or visual data submission (e.g., user's picture) for use as part of an online account profile or user identification in an online service (e.g., online gaming user profile) or computer device. A specific representation is selected for use with the online account or computing device. Furthermore, a specific representation of the user's audible or visual data that is suitable for a particular display device (e.g., television, cellular telephone) can be generated and presented. |
| US07716228B2 |
Content quality apparatus, systems, and methods
Embodiments herein receive a set of content quality threshold values, a search string, and a content data stream at a content quality metric (CQM) apparatus. Content segments associated with the content data stream are scored and/or graded according to a set of content relevance scales. The content data stream is then filtered to include only passing content segments and intermediate calculation values used to determine whether a content segment is passing. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US07716227B1 |
Visually representing series data sets in accordance with importance values
A method comprises determining an importance value for each series data set among a plurality of series data sets and visually representing each of the series data sets in accordance with the importance values. |
| US07716224B2 |
Search and indexing on a user device
Search may be performed on a user device, such as a handheld electronic book reader device. A search query term may be received. Text of a collection of electronic items stored in memory of the user device may be searched for the queried term. Search results may be returned identifying locations in the electronic items at which the queried term appears. |
| US07716223B2 |
Variable personalization of search results in a search engine
A search engine provides personalized rankings of search results. A user interest profile identifies topics of interest to a user. Each topic is associated with one or more sites, and a boost value, which can be used to augment an information retrieval score of any document from the site. Search results from any search are provided to the user, with a variable control of the ranking of the results. The results can be ranked by their unboosted information retrieval score, thus reflecting no personalization, or by their fully or partially boosted information retrieval scores. This allows the user to selectively control how their interests affect the ranking of the documents. |
| US07716222B2 |
Quorum-based power-down of unresponsive servers in a computer cluster
A quorum-based server power-down mechanism allows a manager in a computer cluster to power-down unresponsive servers in a manner that assures that an unresponsive server does not become responsive again. In order for a manager in a cluster to power down servers in the cluster, the cluster must have quorum, meaning that a majority of the computers in the cluster must be responsive. If the cluster has quorum, and if the manager server did not fail, the manager causes the failed server(s) to be powered down. If the manager server did fail, the new manager causes all unresponsive servers in the cluster to be powered down. If the power-down is successful, the resources on the failed server(s) may be failed over to other servers in the cluster that were not powered down. If the power-down is not successful, the cluster is disabled. |
| US07716219B2 |
Database search system and method of determining a value of a keyword in a search
Methods of determining values of keywords in an internet search are described. According to one aspect of the invention, a method comprises steps of receiving keywords entered for a plurality of searches; detecting converted transactions associated with the plurality of searches; analyzing the converted transactions; and determining values associated with the keywords based upon the converted transactions. According to other aspects of the invention, methods for recommending subsets of keywords and for recommending keywords based upon converted transactions and click through rates are disclosed. A database search system is also disclosed. |
| US07716217B2 |
Determining relevance of electronic content
In an electronic mail system, a user's actions with an application for managing electronic content are monitored. Based on the user's actions and/or on the actions of other users in the system, a relevance analysis module determines a relevance to the user of a piece of electronic content based on a likelihood of interest of the electronic content piece to the user and/or a measure of a level of significance the user has to another entity associated with the electronic content piece. |
| US07716214B2 |
Automated and dynamic management of query views for database workloads
The embodiments of the invention provide a method, program storage device, etc. for automated and dynamic management of query views for database workloads. More specifically, a method begins by executing queries, which includes accessing a set of data tables for each of the queries. During the executing of the queries, the method accesses a required data table from a cache if the required data table is present in the cache and creates the required data table if the required data table is not present in the cache. The accessing of the required data table from the cache has a lower processing cost than accessing the required data table from a base table. Also during the executing of the queries, created data tables are stored in the cache, wherein one or more of the created data tables are removed from the cache when the cache becomes full. |
| US07716209B1 |
Automated advertisement publisher identification and selection
A method of searching for information includes receiving a query, providing the query to a first search engine that searches a set of data sources, the data sources having relationships to an ontology, receiving search results from the search engine, analyzing the search results to determine at least one statistic corresponding to the search results and the query, wherein the statistic is based upon a relevance score that is calculated based upon a first weighting function related to a concept, a second weighting function related to a data source item, a set of items related to the concept, and a set of items related to the search results, and providing at least one concept to a user, wherein said at least one concept correspond to said at least one statistic. |
| US07716206B2 |
Communication networks and methods and computer program products for performing searches thereon while maintaining user privacy
A communication network is operated by associating a pseudonym with a user of the communication network at a proxy searcher. A complex search request from the user is received at the proxy searcher, the complex search request being associated with the pseudonym. The complex search request and pseudonym are forwarded from the proxy searcher to a central searcher. The complex search request is divided into a plurality of simple search requests at the central searcher. The plurality of simple search requests are performed on at least one database. The results of the plurality of simple search requests are provided to the proxy searcher, the results being associated with the pseudonym. |
| US07716204B1 |
Handle allocation managers and methods for integated circuit search engine devices
A handle allocation manager is provided for an integrated circuit search engine device that includes multiple stages of a multilevel tree of search keys and a handle memory. The handle allocation manager includes a handle availability memory that stores handle availability indicators to provide an indication of whether a handle is available for association with a key. A handle availability summary memory stores indicators for groups of handles and a block availability summary memory stores indicators for multiple groups of handle availability summary memories. The handle allocation manager can use these memories to search for a next available handle. Related methods are also provided. |
| US07716196B2 |
Method for culling a litigation discovery file set
Methods and systems for culling a litigation discovery file set are described. A directory of the litigation discovery file set is traversed. A hashcode corresponding to a file in the directory is computed. The hashcode is compared to a database and if the hashcode matches an entry in the database, then the file is removed. |
| US07716189B1 |
Method for preserving relationships/dependencies between data in a file system
An apparatus or method for preserving the relationships or dependencies between content of files in a file system or between content of files in separate file systems. The preservation of relationships or dependencies may require the preservation of the files and their content as well. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving a first instruction that, when implemented, performs an operation involving a first file in a file system, wherein the first file is related to the second file. In response to receiving the first instruction, a second instruction is selected that, when implemented, performs a second operation involving the first file or a second file, wherein the second instruction is implemented before or after implementing the first instruction. |
| US07716187B2 |
System and method for transparent storage reorganization
An improved system and method for transparent storage reorganization is provided. A reorganization server may be used to consolidate storage from many servers to fewer servers or to distribute storage from a few servers to many servers. To do so, a legacy server name may be aliased to the network address of a reorganization server. The contents and permissions of each legacy share may then be copied to a unique share name on another server. A root may next be created on the reorganization server using the legacy server name, and a link that points to the legacy share copied on the other server may be created on that root. Any client may then request access to the relocated legacy share using the legacy share name. |
| US07716185B2 |
Creation of a single client snapshot using a client utility
Systems and methods for backing up and/or restoring data. When a backup operation is initiated, systems and methods are provided for creating a single snapshot of the backup items, including backup groupings. The single snapshot is used by a backup/recovery application to perform a save process on each backup grouping. By using the same snapshot, the backup is performed based on the same point in time so that the backed up data across the client system is consistent and synchronized. When a recovery operation is initiated, recovery items (e.g., backup groupings, writers and writer components) are selected from backup groupings of the client. |
| US07716184B1 |
System and method for performing sparse backups
Systems and methods for performing sparse backups are disclosed. One method may involve: receiving information indicating unallocated extents from a file system that organizes data on a primary storage device; copying to a backup storage device data from extents of the primary storage device, where the unallocated extents indicated by the information are not copied; and for each of a plurality of copied extents, storing a mapping from an original extent on the primary storage device to a new extent on the backup storage device into which data stored in that original extent is copied. A backup volume that includes the data included in plurality of copied extents may be mounted, and the mapping may be used to translate accesses to the extents on the backup volume to extents on the backup storage device. |
| US07716183B2 |
Snapshot preserved data cloning
A method and device for cloning snapshots is provided. A new snapshot can be created by cloning an existing snapshot. The clone snapshot may use the preserved data of the existing snapshot, thereby obviating the need to copy the preserved data. Additionally, the clone snapshot may be created with a data structure for storing write data. Since the clone snapshot initially has no write data to store, the creation of the entire clone snapshot can be accomplished without copying any preserved data or write data from the existing snapshot, thereby increasing the efficiency with which a clone snapshot can be created. |
| US07716178B2 |
Systems and methods for monitoring database replication
Data processing systems and methods are provided that include a relational database and an application program that performs a data processing step on data belonging to a pre-defined entity stored in the relational database. The relational database and the application program may be linked by an interface that provides an intermediate layer for extracting a self-contained temporary table out of the relational database that contains the data belonging to a user selected entity. The disclosed systems and methods may be used for various data processing purposes, including monitoring database replication. |
| US07716177B2 |
Proactive space allocation in a database system
A method and apparatus for proactively allocating space to a logical layer of a database is provided. Allocation of space to a logical layer of a database is an expensive operation that should be minimized. The allocation of space includes discovering free space in all the higher layers in the logical storage hierarchy. It also includes cross-domain system calls and cleansing disk-write operations. In prior approaches, the allocation processes were triggered on-demand, only a certain logical layer was discovered to be at full capacity when an insert-row operation was attempted. In one embodiment of the invention, space needs are statistically predicted based on prior rates of space consumption. The database server pre-allocates space as needed, based on the statistical predictions. Rates of consumption are examined periodically. Space is pre-allocated before any logical layer reaches full capacity by a combination of proactive background processes; foreground-triggered, background processes; and classic foreground allocation. |
| US07716172B2 |
Method of splitting a multi-dimensional cube between a multi-dimensional and a relational database
A method of operating a multi-dimensional database is disclosed. In this method, a multi-dimensional portion of the data is transferred to a multi-dimensional database. A relational portion of the cube is kept in the relational database. When data from the relational portion needs to be accessed, the system produces the SQL queries to obtain data from the relational database. |
| US07716168B2 |
Modifying table definitions within a database application
Methods, systems, and computer program products modify a table definition of a database table within a database application. A method involves providing a user interface for creating a new field in the database table, receiving data that creates the new field while displaying the database table, and modifying schema of the database table to include the new field and the data. The method also involves interpreting a data type of the data as the data is received. A data type interpreted for a column in the database table that contains the new field is the data type of the data received in the new field. Still further, the method involves handling objects dependent on the database table in a manner unbeknownst to a user of the database table. Thus, the schema is modified while the objects dependent on the database table remain visible or open to the user. |
| US07716166B2 |
Method and apparatus for simplifying the decoding of data
The various methods and devices described herein relate to devices which, in at least certain embodiments, may include a method of decoding data or a data stream in a file, which may include checking for a first data portion of a plurality of data portions in the file, the first data portion having a first data value, reading in data from another data portion of the plurality of data portions, decoding or decompressing the data, performing a checksum operation on the decoded data if the first data portion having the first data value is not detected, and skipping a checksum operation on the decoded data if the first data portion having the first data value is detected. In the embodiment, a checksum operation on encoded data may also be skipped. In an embodiment, the first data value may include information or instructions about how a decoder may decode the data and may also include a tag or identifier. |
| US07716165B2 |
Analysis of third party networks
A method of analyzing customer behavior, where customers are engaged in customer-to-customer transactions in the third-party network, includes the transformation of data representing the customer-to-customer transactions from a data representation to a network representation, and then analyzing the network representation. The network representation includes a set of nodes and a set of links where each node represents a customer and each link represents a transaction between two of the customers. |
| US07716164B2 |
Layout information for data element
Providing layout information includes assigning at least a first context value to layout information for a data element. The layout information is configured for use in displaying an instance of the data element in a graphical user interface. The method includes storing the layout information and the first context value in a schema definition for the data element. Providing display of data using layout information includes receiving a context definition. A data element is identified using the received context definition. A schema definition for the data element includes layout information with at least a first context value assigned thereto. The method further includes providing, using the layout information, an instance of the identified data element for display in a graphical user interface. |
| US07716163B2 |
Method and system for defining semantic categories and actions
An XML (eXtensible Markup Language) schema to define a list of terms to be recognized as semantic categories is disclosed. Using an instance of the XML schema, a user may easily define terms to be recognized as semantic categories without having to compile a complete recognizer plug-in. The XML schema may be written using any editing tool or XML schema editing tool to create an instance of the schema. An instance of the semantic category list schema is also referred to as a semantic category list file. Typically, the user completes all of the properties of the XML schema and specifies the list of terms to recognize directly in the XML schema. In addition to specifying terms directly in the XML schema, the user may use a binary representation of the list of terms because of size constraints. The user may also define actions in the semantic category list file. |
| US07716162B2 |
Classification of ambiguous geographic references
A location classifier generates location information based on textual strings in input text. The location information defines potential geographical relevance of the input text. In determining the location information, the location classifier may receive at least one geo-relevance profile associated with at least one string in the input text, obtain a combined geo-relevance profile for the document from the at least one geo-relevance profile, and determine geographical relevance of the input text based on the combined geo-relevance profile. |
| US07716158B2 |
System and method for context sensitive searching
A method and system which allow the addition of context into a search involves the use of state monitors in the computing environment. The state monitors record information such as the installed hardware, software, user preferences, and operating modes. The state information is used to modify information gathered via a user search to make the search results more relevant to the user in the context of his computing environment. The monitors, along with logical operators and variables, assess the current state of the machine and modify the displayed search results by excluding irrelevant information, biasing up information relevant to the computing environment and biasing down other information less relevant to the computing environment. |
| US07716155B2 |
Method and apparatus for predicting future behavior of data streams
Techniques are disclosed for predicting the future behavior of data streams through the use of current trends of the data stream. By way of example, a technique for predicting the future behavior of a data stream comprises the following steps/operations. Statistics are obtained from the data stream. Estimated statistics for a future time interval are generated by using at least a portion of the obtained statistics. A portion of the estimated statistics are utilized to generate one or more representative pseudo-data records within the future time interval. Pseudo-data records are utilized for forecasting of at least one characteristic of the data stream. |
| US07716150B2 |
Machine learning system for analyzing and establishing tagging trends based on convergence criteria
Systems and methods that analyze aggregated tagging behavior of users, and evaluate such tagging trends to identify criteria for taxonomy applications. Initially, existence of a possible trend of tagging data based on collective user behavior is determined. Subsequently, tagging trends can be examined to identify that a predetermined convergence criteria has in fact been met, and/or establish such criteria for taxonomy applications. Machine learning systems (implicitly as well as explicitly trained) can be supplied to facilitate determining the trends and the convergence criteria. |
| US07716149B2 |
Method, device, and program product for a social dashboard associated with a persistent virtual environment
Device, method, and computer program product that provides a user interface for monitoring the social health of a persistent virtual environment. The disclosed technology allows a user to monitor and diagnose the health of the persistent virtual environment based on the social interactions between subscribers of on-line entities who have interactions related to the persistent virtual environment. |
| US07716143B2 |
Offering sewing patterns over a public network
The invention is directed at systems and methods for offering sewing patterns over a public network. Briefly stated, sewing patterns are delivered as tiled patterns over the public network and printed at a local computing device for assembly by a customer. |
| US07716142B2 |
System for setting special wholesale pricing for resellers
A system for calculating a special wholesale pricing between a wholesaler and a reseller for a transaction between the reseller and an end-user. A wholesale discount pricing system is provided that comprises: a system for inputting a special pricing request from a reseller, wherein the special pricing request includes a product identifier and an end-user discount the reseller intends on applying to the transaction with the end-user; a product mapping system that maps the product identifier to a set of pricing parameters; and a calculation system that calculates the special wholesale pricing based on the set of pricing parameters and the inputted end-user discount. |
| US07716140B1 |
Methods and systems for controlling access to relationship information in a social network
Systems and methods for controlling access to relationship information in a social network are described. One described method comprises receiving a request from an observer for relationship information indicating at least a first relationship between a target in a social network and a second entity in the social network, identifying at least a first privacy rule for the first relationship, and outputting at least part of the relationship information to the observer if the first privacy rule is satisfied. |
| US07716137B2 |
System and method for automatically tracking and enabling the operation of a product
System and method for automatically tracking and enabling the operation of a product. An order is received and information regarding the order, customer, and product is stored. A key is given to the customer to be used in registration. During registration, the key is provided and a candidate fingerprint obtained. If the candidate fingerprint matches the fingerprint of the ordered product, data is automatically sent to the product that enables the product to operate. In addition over time, status regarding the product is received and updates are sent to the product as needed or requested. |
| US07716132B1 |
Mechanism for express enrollment of a user with an online bill payment service
A system, method, and a computer program product that enrolls a user with a bill payment service without requiring a user to provide account information. |
| US07716128B2 |
Electronic indentifier payment systems and methods
A payment service method and system involve a payment service provider, a customer/payor and a consumer provider/payee. The customer/payor enrolls in the service and is provided a unique identifier that enables the customer to conduct transactions with the payment service provider. The customer/payor interfaces with the payment service provider through various forms of communication, and can facilitate payments to the consumer providers/payees through the payment service provider while remaining anonymous. |
| US07716127B2 |
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. |
| US07716125B2 |
Networked loan market and lending management system
A system for matching lending orders and borrowing orders includes a borrowing order receiver, a lending order receiver, and a matcher. The borrowing order receiver is configured to receive borrowing orders from at least one borrower, each borrowing order including borrower-requested loan terms. The lending order receiver is configured to receive lending orders from at least one lender, each lending order comprising lender-requested loan terms. The matcher is configured to automatically identify a plurality of borrowing orders each having borrower-requested loan terms that satisfy the lender-requested loan terms of a respective current lending order, and select from amongst the identified plurality of borrowing orders a set of borrowing orders to be provided as a match of the respective current lending order, wherein the borrowing orders of the sets are selected so as to optimize said respective provided matches with respect to criteria of respective operator-definable utility functions. |
| US07716124B2 |
Method and system for assisting a client in the transfer of usage of accounts at one or more financial institutions
A system and method of assisting a client transfer financial services using a first account to a second account collects relevant information and authorization from the client. The system and method maintains a database of counterparties providing services to clients of financial institutions and uses the information provided by the client and information in the database of counterparties to schedule and effect the transfer of the services. The system and method creates the necessary transfer information for each service to be transferred and dispatches the completed transfer information to each counterparty with a desired date for the transfer to be effected, the desired dates being selected in accordance with a cashflow analysis performed by the system and method of both the account at the previous financial institution and the account at the new financial institution. |
| US07716122B2 |
Apparatus and methods for managing trading orders with decaying reserves
A system comprises a memory operable to store a trading order for a particular quantity of a trading product, wherein a first portion of the particular quantity is a displayed quantity and a second portion of the particular quantity is a reserved quantity. The system further comprises a processor communicatively coupled to the memory and operable to disclose the displayed quantity to one or more market centers. The processor is further operable to identify a decay rate associated with the trading order. The processor is further operable to cause the reserved quantity to decay based at least in part on the identified decay rate. |
| US07716120B2 |
Apparatus and methods for placing and transmitting trading orders
In various embodiments, real and test trading orders are processed and results are transmitted back to the entities originating the orders. |
| US07716118B2 |
System and method for providing latency protection for trading orders
A system for managing trading orders comprises a memory operable to store an order associated with a first price. The system further comprises a processor communicatively coupled to the memory and operable to identify a latency value. The processor is further operable to receive a counterorder and to identify a potential trade associated with the order and the counterorder, the potential trade based at least in part on the first price. If the latency value satisfies a configurable condition, the processor is further operable to initiate a configurable period of time. If the potential trade is not valid upon expiration of the configurable period, the processor is further operable to prevent the execution of the potential trade. |
| US07716114B2 |
Systems and methods for an online credit derivative trading system
A credit derivative trading system comprises a credit derivative authority configured to receive defined positions for credit derivatives and update a plurality of trade clients in real-time whenever there is movement in the market for a particular credit derivative. |
| US07716107B1 |
Earnings derivative financial product
A system for and method of using a financial instrument to take a view on a price-to-earnings ratio for a set of one or more equities. The system and method may be used to commodify the price-to-earnings ratio for one or more equities, such as a stock or an index. The system and method may include a financial instrument that allows a user to take a view on an earnings, or ratio comprising price and earnings, for underlying equities. |
| US07716106B2 |
Common index securities
A common index fund system and method enables investment in entities that is indexed to a common index, rather than individual company performance. For small business entities, the creation, issuance, trading and management of fund shares as a liquid investment may be accomplished with, for example, a relatively stable industry-based risk. The entities receive value from a pool and in return make payments into the pool in an amount that varies according to the index, which causes a corresponding change in the value of the shares. |
| US07716101B2 |
Method for optimal winner determination in combinatorial auctions
In a multi-unit combinatorial auction, reverse auction, or exchange, a number of bids can be received, with each bid including one or more items and for each item a desired quantity thereof. Each bid also includes a price. A number of unique combinations of bids can be formed from the received bids, and the one combination of bids which represents the best value in terms of an auction setting, a reverse auction setting and/or an exchange setting can be determined. Thereafter, the bids forming this combination can be declared the winning bids of the auction, reverse auction or exchange. |
| US07716100B2 |
Methods and systems for computing platform
Hardware accelerated analytical computing apparatus, method and system includes one or more analytical processing units. Each processing unit is formed of a respective field programmable gate array (FPGA) and performs a respective analytical operation. An application interface enables use of respective desired ones of the analytical processing units by one or more computer application programs. Different computer application programs utilize different ones of the analytical processing units. Each computer application program performs a respective analytical computation. Alternatively, an application program may be programmed into one of the FPGA's. |
| US07716098B2 |
Method and apparatus for reducing optical emissions in an integrated circuit
A method of hindering optical detection of a pattern of data being stored, moved or processed by at least one active circuit in an integrated circuit, the active circuit including at least first and second active devices that change state within a period of time, such that each device exhibits low resistance in one state and high resistance in another state, the method comprising controlling timing of the change of state of the first active device relative to the second active device so as to prevent the devices having simultaneous intermediate resistances between the low and high resistances, thereby to reduce optical emission by the at least one active circuit compared to causing the changes of state of the two devices to happen simultaneously. |
| US07716096B2 |
Application service provider and automated transaction machine system and method
An application service provider (ASP) and automated transaction machine method and system is provided. The method includes providing a plurality of individually accessible server side ATM applications through at least one ASP server. The method further includes enabling a plurality of ATMs to selectively access each server side ATM application through communication with the at least one ASP server. The method also includes performing services for the ATMs with the at least one ASP server responsive to the plurality of server side ATM applications. |
| US07716093B2 |
Sales tax assessment, remittance and collection system
An adaptive computerized system of assessing the taxability of goods or services sold at retail or wholesale. The system has the capability to conduct an analysis of all products and/or services sold by a retailer or wholesaler either offline or online and provide the seller with the ability to monitor the tax status, including tax rates, of any goods or services sold by the seller at the point of sale or online in any number of taxing jurisdictions. The system includes a master database which links uniform commodities code technology such as UPC to tax assessment information for goods and/or services sales transactions made by any number of merchants in potentially unlimited taxing jurisdictions. The system also automatically generates tax collection and remittance reports and submit such report and the tax payment to the appropriate taxing jurisdictions. |
| US07716092B2 |
Use of separate rib ledgers in a computerized enterprise resource planning system
Enterprise management applications perform a “revenues increasing the budget” (RIB) operation on general ledger data and store elements of the general ledger data that have a RIB effect in another ledger, called the “RIB ledger”. RIB ledgers may include sets of RIB rules, storage for documents reflecting all relevant delta values together with the corresponding links to the underlying original transaction documents as well as storage for all relevant aggregated data. Accordingly, when audit operations are performed for RIB budget increases, relevant transaction data is readily available in the RIB ledger. Such copies of the data are more easily accessed than through a search of the larger set of general ledger data, thus facilitating and accelerating use of the RIB techniques in an online system. |
| US07716088B2 |
Method and system for electronic commerce using multiple roles
A computer system for conducting electronic commerce. The system provides multiple electronic shopping carts for each user. Each electronic shopping cart has an indication of items currently within the electronic shopping cart and billing and shipment information. The system generates a display that identifies each of the electronic shopping carts and sends the generated display to a user computer system. The system then receives a selection of one of the identified electronic shopping carts from the user computer system and receives a selection of an item from the user computer system. In response to receiving the selection of the item, the system adds the item to the selected electronic shopping cart. The system then receives an indication to checkout the items in the selected electronic shopping cart from the user computer system. In response to receiving the indication to checkout, the system ships the items in the selected electronic shopping cart in accordance with the shipment information of the selected electronic shopping cart and bills for the items in the selected electronic shopping cart in accordance with the billing information for the selected electronic shopping cart. The system thus allows a user to select each of the electronic shopping carts for adding items to each electronic shopping cart. |
| US07716084B2 |
Information translation communication protocol
An inventive procurement system includes a requisition system for special item purchases that are not found when searching a catalog database. Using the requisition system the buyer is provided with the desired item while the information associated with the requisition is selectively added to a rule-based knowledge base as well as to an item database. In a preferred embodiment a common language generator has been used to normalize free form data using pre-determined rules to place the data into a class/attribute/value relationship. By having the item requisition follow the same relationship, the pre-determined rules may be updated and the free-form data associated with the item properly coded for inclusion into an item database. |
| US07716083B1 |
Apparatus and method for delivering freshly-prepared fine food
A food service system and method utilizing a food carrier for the delivery of high quality meals that are hot and safe to eat. The food carrier preferably comprises a body having an interior, an exterior and an opening, said interior defining a compartment; sealing means disposed around said opening; a door that covers said opening, said door being configured to seal against said sealing means when a partial vacuum or pressure is created in said compartment; a passageway connecting said interior and said exterior; a valve on said passageway; and a dish configured to fit within said compartment. The method comprises collecting data on favorite prepared foods from pre-registered households in predetermined communities and utilizing the data to purchase, prepare and deliver, with the utmost convenience utilizing the food carrier, ready-to-eat dishes at affordable prices. |
| US07716078B2 |
System and method for web-based sports event scheduling
A system and methods are provided for communication between entities that need to coordinate on scheduling events. Communication between schedulers, such as coaches, athletic administrators or organization administrators who may be in charge of a multiplicity of sports or activities at institutions, such as colleges or universities, who need to connect and communicate on a particular task. These tasks may include scheduling of events such as sports competitions or other events or activities in which there may be shared or common interests or a shared network of users, players or participants. Search by criteria to find matching potential opponents for scheduling events is also provided. Automatic schedule updates are maintained, typically in a logically centralized database, facilitated by a messaging system to facilitate ease of scheduling. |
| US07716077B1 |
Scheduling and planning maintenance and service in a network-based supply chain environment
A system, method and article of manufacture are provided for administrating a network-based supply chain on a network. Operation of entities is monitored. Entities include server processes, disk space, memory availability, CPU utilization, access time to a server, and/or a number of connections in a network-based supply chain. Items including merchandising content, currency exchange rates, tax rates, and/or pricing in the network-based supply chain are updated at predetermined intervals. In addition, external data stored separately from the network-based supply chain is synchronized with internal data stored on the network-based supply chain. Contact information received from users of the network-based supply chain is also managed. Users include service providers and manufacturer utilizing the network-based supply chain. The items are altered based on profiles of the users of the network-based supply chain. |
| US07716075B1 |
Computer based system for pricing tax flow-through annuity product
A computer-based method, system and apparatus for pricing a tax flow-through annuity product. The resulting product is superior to traditional VA's, offering: lifetime income guarantees; capital gains tax treatment on annuity withdrawals; stock dividends taxed as dividends, not ordinary income; ETF-like tax efficiency by minimizing capital gains distributions, even on actively-managed funds; and wealth transfer efficiency through step-up in basis on death. The product benefits life insurance carriers and distributors. Investor benefits include: the ability to realize the full benefit of recent tax reform; the potential for better tax treatment than existing mutual funds; a guarantee of lifetime income; and the ability to pass assets on to heirs efficiently. |
| US07716070B2 |
Medical triage system
A method of determining a triage disposition for a person includes providing a plurality of triage categories that includes questions grouped into a plurality of tiers ranked according to urgency. Each of the plurality of tiers corresponds to one of a set of triage dispositions. At least a first relevant triage category and a second relevant triage category can be selected from the plurality of triage categories based on information about a medical condition of the person and then accessed. The person can be triaged by (a) identifying from all of the selected relevant triage categories a highest urgency tier that has at least one unasked question; (b) asking the person one of the at least one unasked question of the highest urgency tier; and (c) repeating (a) and (b) for all of the selected triage categories until the triage disposition is determined. |
| US07716068B2 |
Systems and methods for look-alike sound-alike medication error messaging
Systems and methods are provided for look-alike sound-alike medication error messaging. Prescription data relating to a prescription is parsed to identify a submitted drug product and a submitted daily dosage. An absolute dose screening process may be executed to determine whether the submitted daily dosage meets absolute dosing criteria for the submitted drug product. A typical dose screening process may be executed to determine whether the submitted daily dosage meets statistically derived typical dosing criteria for the submitted drug product and any look-alike sound-alike alternative drug products. If it is determined that the prescription should be rejected based on typical dosing criteria or absolute dosing criteria, a reject message may be built for presentation to the pharmacist. |
| US07716062B2 |
Dental appliances and systems and methods for distributing dental appliances
Dental appliances and systems and methods for distributing dental appliances are provided. The dental appliances may be worn within a mouth of a patient to treat a dental condition. The dental appliances may be distributed to the patient through various venues. The venues range from those in which the patient has direct contact with a care provider to those in which the patient is able to independently determine an appropriate dental appliance to treat the dental condition. As a result, the amount of interaction between the patient and a care provider is significantly reduced, as well as an overall cost of treatment. The time necessary for appointments, if any, is also reduced and/or eliminated. |
| US07716061B2 |
Method and apparatus for obtaining status information in a grid
The present invention provides a method, apparatus, and computer instructions for obtaining status information for processes executing in a grid. Responsive to a submission of a job from the data processing system to a remote node on the grid, a job identifier is received from the remote node. The job identifier is saved in a set of job identifiers. Responsive to a request for a status of jobs submitted from the data processing system, a job status request for each job identifier in the set of job identifiers for processes still executing is submitted using the set of job identifiers to form a set of job status requests. Responses to the set of job status requests are received. The responses are then presented. |
| US07716059B1 |
Network-based child support framework
A system, method and article of manufacture are provided for providing a network-based child financial support framework. First, a database is maintained including information on a received financial support payment utilizing a network. Further, general information is provided relating to the financial support payment utilizing the network. The calculation of a proper amount of the financial support payment may also be allowed based on a profile a user. Still yet, a history associated with the financial support payment is displayed. |
| US07716056B2 |
Method and system for interactive conversational dialogue for cognitively overloaded device users
A system and method to interactively converse with a cognitively overloaded user of a device, includes maintaining a knowledge base of information regarding the device and a domain, organizing the information in at least one of a relational manner and an ontological manner, receiving speech from the user, converting the speech into a word sequence, recognizing a partial proper name in the word sequence, identifying meaning structures from the word sequence using a model of the domain information, adjusting a boundary of the partial proper names to enhance an accuracy of the meaning structures, interpreting the meaning structures in a context of the conversation with the cognitively overloaded user using the knowledge base, selecting a content for a response to the cognitively overloaded user, generating the response based on the selected content, the context of the conversation, and grammatical rules, and synthesizing speech wave forms for the response. |
| US07716054B2 |
Activity-ware for non-textual objects
Providing for summarization and analysis of audio content is described herein. By way of example, an oral conversation can be analyzed, such that points of interest within the oral conversation can be identified and file locations related to such points of interest can be marked. Points of interest can be inferred based on a level of energy, e.g., excitement, pitch, tone, pace, or the like, associated with one or more speakers. Alternatively, or in addition, speaker and/or reviewer activity can form the basis for identifying points of interest within the conversation. Moreover, a compilation of the identified points of interest and portions of the original oral conversation related thereto can be assembled. As described herein, audio content can be succinctly summarized with respect to inferred and/or indicated points of interest, to facilitate an efficient and pertinent review of such content. |
| US07716053B2 |
Information transmission method and information transmission system in which content is varied in process of information transmission
A system and method for transmitting messages among terminals with increasing uncertainty. According to one embodiment, players in a game exchange text messages via wireless computing devices. A first player selects from among a menu of fixed phrases and inserts words within the phrase to complete a message. When the message is received at a second wireless computing device, the message may be degraded by, for example, by removing one or more words or reducing a reliability rating. As the message is passed to third and subsequent wireless computer devices, the message can be further degraded. By degrading the message, the curiosity of a player can be peaked, thus resulting in more engaging game play. |
| US07716051B2 |
Distributed voice recognition system and method
A distributed voice recognition system (500) and method employs principles of bottom-up (i.e., raw input) and top-down (i.e., prediction based on past experience) processing to perform client-side and server-side processing by (i) at the client-side, replacing application data by a phonotactic table (504); (ii) at the server-side, tracking separate confidence scores for matches against an acoustic model and comparison to a grammar; and (iii) at the server-side using a contention resolver (514) to weight the client-side and server-side results to establish a single output which represents the collaboration between client-side processing and server-side processing. |
| US07716048B2 |
Method and apparatus for segmentation of audio interactions
A method and apparatus for segmenting an audio interaction, by locating anchor segment from each side of the interaction, iteratively classifying additional segments into one of the two sides, and scoring the resulting segmentation, If the score result is below a threshold, the process is repeated until the segmentation score is satisfactory or until a stopping criterion is met. The anchoring and the scoring steps comprise using additional data associated with the interaction, a speaker thereof, internal or external information related to the interaction or to a speaker thereof or the like. |
| US07716047B2 |
System and method for an automatic set-up of speech recognition engines
A system and method for an automatic set-up of speech recognition engines may include a speech recognizer configured to perform speech recognition procedures to identify input speech data according to one or more operating parameters. A merit manager may be utilized to automatically calculate merit values corresponding to the foregoing recognition procedures. These merit values may incorporate recognition accuracy information, recognition speed information, and a user-specified weighting factor that shifts the relative effect of the recognition accuracy information and the recognition speed information on the merit values. The merit manager may then automatically perform a merit value optimization procedure to select operating parameters that correspond to an optimal one of the merit values. |
| US07716046B2 |
Advanced periodic signal enhancement
An enhancement system improves the perceptual quality of a processed speech. The system includes a delay unit that delays a signal received through a discrete input. A spectral modifier linked to the delay unit is programmed to substantially flatten the spectral character of a background noise. An adaptive filter linked to the spectral modifier adapts filter characteristics to match a response of a non-delayed signal. A programmable filter is linked to the delay unit. The programmable filter has a transfer function functionally related to a transfer function of the adaptive filter. |
| US07716036B2 |
Method and apparatus to use clock bursting to minimize command latency in a logic simulation hardware emulator / accelerator
The present invention utilizes clock bursting to minimize command latency in a logic simulation hardware emulator/accelerator. The emulator/accelerator includes an emulator system having logic gate functions representing a design under test. The logic gate functions further include special burst clock logic for toggling a clock signal to a plurality of latches within the design under test for a predefined number of clock cycles. A host workstation, coupled to the emulator system by a high-speed cable, provides control for the emulator system. In normal operation, the host workstation encodes a predefined number of clock cycles for the emulator to run, then transmits the encoded number of cycles to the burst clock logic via the high-speed cable. The host workstation then generates a trigger signal within the high-speed cable, which directs the burst clock logic to read and decode the predefined number of cycles and begin toggling the clock signal. |
| US07716035B2 |
Simulation of a PCI device's memory-mapped I/O registers
PCI simulation component has an initialization component, a configuration space simulator and a memory-mapped I/O space simulator. The initialization component can claim an amount of memory by modifying the amount of memory that an operating system has available to it. The initialization component further identifies to the operating system that at least some of the claimed memory resides on a PCI bus. The configuration space simulator causes the operating system to accept that the simulated PCI device is present in the system. |
| US07716034B2 |
Multi-port trace data handling
A method of trace data compression receives trace data on a first port and a second port stores a prior data value. If trace data is received on only one port, then that trace data is transmitted as an indication of matching and non-matching sections between the current trace data and the stored data value and the non-matching sections of the current trace data on the one port. If trace data is received on both ports, then the first port trace data is transmitted relative to the prior stored value and the second port trace data is transmitted relative to the first port trace data. The stored prior data is reset to zero upon each initiation or termination of trace data on either port. The stored prior value is set to the second port value or the first port value if no second port value is received. |
| US07716032B2 |
System and method for optimizing block diagram models
A method includes in a system determining a constraint for constraining operation of a portion of a block diagram model, determining if the portion of the block diagram model violates the constraint, and providing a user information based on the violating of the first constraint. |
| US07716029B2 |
Method for optimal gridding in reservoir simulation
A method is disclosed for performing optimal gridding in reservoir simulation, the method comprising: establishing an optimal coarse grid proxy that can replace all or parts of a fine grid with a coarse grid while preserving an accuracy of a predefined simulation model output, the step of establishing an optimal coarse grid proxy including finding, by using an optimizer, a best fit of a coarse grid output to the output of a training set. |
| US07716026B2 |
Non-destructive method for inverse-calculating fiber probe aperture size and prediction method of fabrication profile of near field photolithography
A non-destructive method to inverse-calculate a fiber probe aperture size, and a prediction method of the simulation and fabrication profile of near field photolithography are provided. The error between an experimental result of the photolithography and a simulation result of the theoretical model of near field photolithography is set as an objective function to inverse-calculate a fiber probe aperture size that can match with the photolithography experiment and the theoretical model of near field photolithography. Finally, by comparing the fabrication profile of the photolithography experiment and that of the simulation result of the inverse-calculated fiber probe aperture size, it is verified that the inverse-calculated fiber probe aperture size is reasonable and acceptable. By combining with other parameter control of near field photolithography, the present invention also proposes a prediction method of the fabrication profile of near field photolithography by means of inversely calculating the fiber probe aperture size. |
| US07716024B2 |
Method and apparatus for electronically generating a color dental occlusion map within electronic model images
A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture provide a system for electronically generating a color dental occlusion map within electronic model images. With the advances recently made computational systems, these computer based image systems may be used to permit end users to replace paper and physical models with electronic images. A mechanism to capture image representations of physical objects accurately and with sufficient resolution is provided in a form that is both inexpensive to operate while providing rapid turn-around for users. Second, a mechanism to visually display interaction between parts of an object is also provided. These features are expressly addressed for impressions of human teeth that are scanned to allow electronic images of the models of a patient's teeth to be represented and manipulated. |
| US07716022B1 |
Computer-implemented systems and methods for processing time series data
Computer-implemented systems and methods for providing a forecast using time series data that is indicative of a data generation activity occurring over a period of time. Candidate models and candidate input variables are received. For each candidate model, transfer functions are determined for the candidate input variables in order to relate a variable to be forecasted to the time series data. For each candidate model there is a selection of which of the candidate input variables to include in each of the candidate models based upon the determined transfer functions. A model is selected from the candidate models to forecast the time series data using the selected input variables of the selected model. |
| US07716021B2 |
Grid transparency and grid hole pattern control for ion beam uniformity
A design process for varying hole locations or sizes or both in an ion beam grid includes identifying a control grid to be modified; obtaining a change factor for the grid pattern; and using the change factor to generate a new grid pattern. The change factor is one or both of a hole location change factor or a hole diameter change factor. Also included is an ion beam grid having the characteristic of hole locations or sizes or both defined by a change factor modification of control grid hole locations or sizes or both. |
| US07716020B2 |
Recording medium storing car seat fabric simulation program, car seat fabric simulation method, car seat fabric simulation device, car seat fabric manufacturing method, and car seat fabric trading method
A car seat fabric is simulated with a feeling of reality. A fabric texture information input acceptance portion (101) accepts texture information about the fabric used for the car seat fabric. A thread information input acceptance portion (102) accepts thread information about threads used for the fabric. A 3-D fabric image creation portion (103) creates a steric structure of the car seat fabric as a 3-D fabric image on the basis of the texture information accepted at the fabric texture information input acceptance portion (101) and the thread information accepted at the thread information input acceptance portion (102). An image attachment portion (105) attaches the 3-D fabric image created by the 3-D fabric image creation portion (103) to a car seat model. A car seat image display (402) displays the car seat model to which the 3-D fabric image is attached by the image attachment portion (105). |
| US07716018B2 |
Method and computer program for determining operating parameters in a roller bearing and a roller bearing which may be analyzed
The invention relates to a method and a computer program for determining operating parameters such as, in particular, the rotational speed, the rotational direction, the radial force, the axial force or of structural sound events of a rotating roller bearing to which a sensor arrangement is fixed which, on rotation of the roller bearing delivers a sinusoidal signal, depending on its rotational position, which is sampled at sampling points k, k+1, k+2, . . . To determine the rotational speed, the rotational direction, the radial force and/or the axial force, a mean value is determined by means of estimation and the operating parameters are determined on the basis of a corrected signal which does not obtain an offset by subtraction of the estimated mean value from the sensor signal. To determine structural sound events, the sensor signals are filtered in a high-pass filter and structural sound occurring is determined by estimating a statistical moment of at least the second order. The invention also relates to a roller bearing which is provided with an evaluating device for carrying out the method. |
| US07716017B2 |
Distributed plug-and-play logging services
Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture consistent with the present invention log information by reading a configuration file to determine a destination for sending logging information. The logging information is sent to the destination. Additional logging information is generated. It is determined whether the configuration file has been updated to indicate a new destination instead of the destination. When the configuration file has not been updated to indicate the new destination, the additional logging information is sent to the destination. When the configuration file has been updated to indicate the new destination, the additional logging information is sent to the new destination. |
| US07716016B2 |
Method and apparatus for automatic uncertainty-based management feedback controller
Improved management feedback-based controller techniques are disclosed for use in accordance with a computing system. For example, a method for managing a computing system includes the following steps. At least one measured performance metric is obtained from the computing system being managed. At least one control input value is generated based on parameters including a control error and a control deadzone such that uncertainty associated with the computing system is accounted for in accordance with the parameters. The control error is determined from a computation comprising the at least one measured performance metric and at least one performance metric goal. The control deadzone is defined such that the control input value is not generated when the control error is within the control deadzone. The control input value is sent to the computing system to effectuate achievement of the at least one performance metric goal associated with the computing system. |
| US07716014B2 |
Reuse of manufacturing process design models as part of a diagnostic system
A method and apparatus that includes determining differences between a process model and an actual process are used as a diagnostic system for the actual process. The process model includes elements from a design process to provide a “known good” condition for evaluating the differences. Initial input states to the process model are the initial input states to the actual process. Output information correlated to states in the actual process is provided by controls, such as programmable logic controllers, that manage the actual process. |
| US07716010B2 |
System, method and kit for measuring a distance within a railroad system
A system is provided for measuring a distance within a railroad system. The railroad system includes a rail vehicle having a plurality of pairs of wheels, where the plurality of pairs of wheels are in respective contact with a pair of rails. The system further includes a transducer positioned on an outer surface location of the rail vehicle. The transducer is configured to emit a signal to an object located the distance away from the transducer. The transducer is configured to receive the signal having reflected from the object along the distance to the transducer. The system further includes a controller coupled to the transducer to receive transmission and reception data of the signal to determine the distance. A method is also provided for measuring a distance within a railroad system, as well as a kit for converting a rail vehicle from a first configuration to a second configuration. |
| US07716009B2 |
Metrology tool recipe validator using best known methods
A method of preparing recipes of operating a metrology tool, wherein each recipe includes a set of instructions for measuring at least one dimension in a microelectronic feature. There is provided a desired recipe having instructions for measuring one or more desired dimensions, the desired recipe or portion thereof including a summary of parameters relating to metrology tool function with respect to the microelectronic feature dimension to be measured. The method includes comparing the instructions in the desired recipe with the instructions in a database, identifying differences between the instructions in the desired recipe and the instructions in the database, modifying the instructions in the desired recipe to conform to the instructions in the database, verifying the desired recipe prior to using the modified desired recipe by the metrology tool, and using the desired recipe to execute a microelectronic feature measurement on the metrology tool. |
| US07716008B2 |
Acceleration data processing program, and storage medium, and acceleration data processing apparatus for use with the same
The data acquisition means acquires the acceleration data at predetermined time intervals. The change amount calculation means calculates a change amount vector representing a change amount of the acceleration by using the acceleration data having been acquired by the data acquisition means. The accumulation vector calculation means calculates an accumulation vector by sequentially and cumulatively adding the change amount vector having been calculated by the change amount calculation means. The direction determination means determines, as a waving direction representing a moving direction of the input device, a direction of the accumulation vector, when the accumulation vector having been calculated by the accumulation vector calculation means satisfies a predetermined condition. |
| US07716007B2 |
Design structures of powering on integrated circuit
Design structures, method and systems of powering on an integrated circuit (IC) are disclosed. In one embodiment, the system includes a region in the IC including functional logic, a temperature sensor for sensing a temperature in the region when the IC is powered up and a heating element therefor; a processing unit including: a comparator for comparing the temperature against a predetermined temperature value, a controller, which in the case that the temperature is below the predetermined temperature value, delays functional operation of the IC and controls heating of the region of the IC, and a monitor for monitoring the temperature in the region; and wherein the controller, in the case that the temperature rises above the predetermined temperature value, ceases the heating and initiates functional operation of the IC. |
| US07716004B2 |
Method and apparatus for matching test equipment calibration
A method includes collecting trace data associated with a plurality of device testers. Tester health metrics are generated for each of the device testers. The tester health metrics are analyzed to identify a selected tester health metric that diverges from the plurality of tester health metrics. A corrective action is initiated for the tester associated with the selected tester health metric. A method includes collecting trace data associated with a plurality of device testers. The trace data for each of the device testers is compared to a reference trace data set to generate tester health metrics for each of the device testers based on the difference therebetween. The tester health metrics are analyzed to identify a selected tester health metric that diverges from the plurality of tester health metrics. A corrective action is initiated for the tester associated with the selected tester health metric. |
| US07716002B1 |
Methods and apparatus for using black box data to analyze vehicular accidents
Disclosed are methods and apparatus for using black box data to analyze vehicular accidents. The methods include obtaining information from an event data recorder associated with a vehicle and using the data obtained therefrom in determining and analyzing the vehicular accident. Attributes to be analyzed include impact severity, change in velocity, and other desired parameters. Further disclosed are methods to securely communicate the downloaded black box information to a secure location for later analysis and processing. |
| US07715997B2 |
Intelligent inspection based on test chip probe failure maps
A method and system for semiconductor wafer inspection is disclosed. Each of a plurality of dies on a wafer may be probed with a probe tool to produce probe data. The probe data may be used to generate one or more non-repeating care areas. An inspection tool may use the non-repeating care areas to perform an inspection of the semiconductor wafer. |
| US07715991B2 |
Systems and methods for monitoring energy system components
A method for estimating an amount of damages sustained by a component operating in an energy system by monitoring the component is provided. The method includes generating a transfer function that is dependent upon an input of at least one operating condition of the component and an output of a crack-initiation time and/or a crack propagation for at least one critical region. The method further includes receiving data from at least one sensor coupled to the component, wherein the data relates to the at least one operating condition of the component, and inputting the received data from the at least one sensor into the transfer function to calculate at least one of the crack-initiation time and the crack propagation for the at least one critical region. The method also includes recording at least one of the crack-initiation time and the crack propagation on a memory storage device. |
| US07715985B2 |
Method of evaluating the interaction between a wavefield and a solid body
Described is a finite-difference methodology for efficiently computing the response from a model subject to changes within sub-volumes with the sub-volume enclosed with an extrapolation surface within an injection boundary using Green's functions to update the injection boundary and transmitting an updated wavefield from the injection boundary back into the altered sub-volume to include higher order reflections from outside of the altered sub-space. |
| US07715984B2 |
Method for continuous interpretation of monitoring data
It is shown that a pressure pulse originating in a well is correlated to a pulse observed at a distant well with a characteristic time. The correlation time is directly related to the diffusion time scale arising out of the pressure diffusion equation. The relationship is affected by the source-observer or observer-observer distance but the correction is small for large distances. In practice, further corrections have to be included for finite width pulses. For these pulses, a practical scheme for continuous permeability monitoring is presented. |
| US07715983B2 |
Detecting hazardous conditions in underground environments
A method of detecting hazardous conditions within an underground environment can include obtaining acceleration information at a plurality of communication nodes distributed throughout the underground environment and propagating the acceleration information among selected ones of the plurality of communication nodes to an analysis node. An indication of a hazardous condition within the underground environment can be identified from the acceleration information collected over a period of time. If an indicator is identified, a notification of the hazardous condition can be provided. |
| US07715977B2 |
System and method for computer aided dispatching using a coordinating agent
A system and method for controlling the movement of plural trains over a rail network, where the rail network is divided into a plurality of planning areas with a boundary element of common track between adjacent planning areas, using a local coordinating agent for controlling the movement of the trains through the boundary elements. |
| US07715970B2 |
Fifth wheel slide interlock
A speed interlock can prevent a sliding fifth wheel on a vehicle from being unlocked while the vehicle is moving faster than a threshold speed. A processor, such as the vehicle's electronic control unit, advantageously monitors the vehicle speed and a switch that controls the fifth wheel slide, preventing the fifth wheel from being unlocked if the vehicle speed is above a threshold. |
| US07715969B2 |
Assisting a vehicle driver via changes in reaction force and engine output characteristic
A scene recognition device detects the state of the environment around a vehicle. Risk is determined based on the detected state of the environment. Based on the detected state of the environment and/or the determined risk, an actuator coupled to an accelerator selects one out of different reaction force characteristics of varying of reaction force with different positions of the accelerator. Based on the detected state of the environment and/or the determined risk, an engine output modifier modifies an engine output characteristic of varying of engine output with different positions of the accelerator. |
| US07715966B2 |
Method for creating spiral swath patterns for convex polygon shaped field boundaries
A computationally efficient method for generating a spiral swath pattern for a region of a field bounded by a convex polygon, the method automatically generating curved portions for the swath pattern having radii of curvature greater than a minimum turning radius based on the minimum turning radius and a definition of the field boundary. |
| US07715964B1 |
Very low speed vehicle control algorithm operating in the spatial domain
A method of operating a vehicle at a substantially low speed based on change in the vehicle position. The method comprises the following steps: (A) transforming a steering control algorithm into a substantially low speed (SLS) steering control algorithm, wherein the (SLS) steering control algorithm is configured to operate the vehicle in an asynchronous low speed mode; and (B) implementing the SLS steering control algorithm as a controller configured to operate the vehicle in the asynchronous low speed mode. |
| US07715953B2 |
Trailer backing up device and method
The present invention helps a driver steer a vehicle while backing up a trailer. A trailer being pushed wants to turn around and be pulled (i.e., to jackknife). To compensate for this instability, the driver must skillfully control his steering to cause the trailer to alternately move to be pulled from the opposite side thereby repeatedly crossing the centerline of the pushing vehicle. The moment when the trailer crosses this centerline is the moment of greatest instability and the position in which the driver would most desire to have the trailer travel. A pointer indicates in what direction the trailer is presently being directed; to backup the trailer, the driver turns the vehicle's wheel such that the pointer is kept pointing in the direction of the intended trailer destination. The present invention can be adapted to most vehicle and trailer combinations with minimal cost and complexity. |
| US07715949B2 |
Vibration reducing device
A vibration reducing device that reduces the vibration of a control object includes a digital controller. A vibration state detection device detects the vibration of the control object and generates an analog signal of the vibration of the control object. An input-side bandpass filter has a passband that is narrower than a frequency range from a Nyquist frequency to a sampling frequency of the digital controller, and that contains no frequencies that are an integer multiple of the Nyquist frequency of the digital controller. The input-side bandpass filter allows a part of the analog signal that falls within the passband from the analog signal generated by the vibration state detection device to pass. An A/D conversion device converts the analog signal that has passed through the input-side bandpass filter into a digital signal. A D/A conversion device converts a digital feedback control signal, determined by the digital controller on the basis of the digital signal converted by the A/D conversion device, into an analog feedback control signal. An actuator applies vibration to the control object on the basis of the analog feedback control signal converted by the D/A conversion device. |
| US07715946B2 |
Industrial robot
An industrial robot, having an end-effector supporting mechanism for holding an end-effector and accommodating an imaging device of a visual sensor, which is free from the interference with the periphery and capable of taking an image of the working position. A container-shaped adaptor of the end-effector supporting mechanism is attached to a distal end of a wrist flange provided in a robot wrist supported by a robot arm. The adaptor has a first attachment section provided with a first attachment surface to be attached to the wrist flange, and a second attachment section provided with a second attachment surface disposed generally parallel to a wrist flange surface at a position apart from the first attachment section by a predetermined distance along a rotary center axis of the wrist flange. On the second attachment surface, a tool holding member of the end-effector supporting mechanism for holding the working tool is attached. |
| US07715942B2 |
Method for controlling a movable tool, input device and machine tool
In the method for controlling a movable tool, in particular a grinding tool, by means of a feed function that specifies the movement of the tool in time in at least one axis, an initial feed function in the form of at least one initial feed curve (29) is displayed on a monitor. From the initial feed function and from inputs effected by means of a pointing device, a feed function is calculated and displayed as a modified initial feed curve on the monitor. Control commands for moving the tool are produced from the feed function. The input of the feed function is simplified and rendered more flexible. |
| US07715941B1 |
Method and apparatus for scheduling a plurality of processing tools
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for scheduling a plurality of processing tools. The method comprises providing a first processing tool and a plurality of second processing tools, selecting one of the plurality of second processing tools, and determining a target output parameter of a combination of processing tools comprising said first processing tool and said selected one of the plurality of second processing tools. The method also includes determining at least one input parameter of a process model for controlling the first processing tool based upon the target output parameter of the combination of processing tools. |
| US07715937B2 |
Allocating manufactured devices according to customer specifications
A method and system sorts manufactured integrated circuit devices by evaluating performance characteristics of the manufactured integrated circuit devices. All of the integrated circuit devices are manufactured using an identical design, and differences in the performance characteristics among the integrated circuit devices occurs because of variations including manufacturing line variations. The integrated circuit devices are sorted into groups according to the performance characteristics and are utilized in different computing devices depending upon individual performance requirements of the computing devices. |
| US07715928B1 |
Efficient communications and data compression algorithms in sensor networks using discrete wavelet transform
Techniques and sensor networks based on distributed wavelet transform algorithms for efficient sensor networks. Wireless multihop sensor networks can implement the described techniques to exploit the data flow direction in the network to perform partial computations to approximate the wavelet coefficients using the available data that arrives at each sensor. Non-multihop sensor networks may use inter-sensor communications and the distributed wavelet transform algorithms to decorrelate the data and thus improve the energy efficiency. |
| US07715927B1 |
Implantable myocardial infarction patch having electroactive polymer
A myocardial infarction patch for placement over a myocardial infarction includes an electroactive polymer (EAP) structure. Varying electricity supplied to the EAP structure causes the patch to expand and contract over the myocardial infarction. The expansion and contraction of the patch can be coordinated with the expansion and contraction of the heart. The electricity is provided to the EAP via a pacemaker, defibrillator, ICD or similar pulse-generating device. Causing the patch to expand and contract against the myocardial infarction can improve the ejection fraction of the heart. |
| US07715919B2 |
Control of treatment therapy during start-up and during operation of a medical device system
A method and medical device system for controlling treatment therapy delivered to treat a nervous system disorder. During start-up, the medical device system prevents the therapy device from delivering therapy to the patient for a predetermined time period after the therapy device has been activated. During operation, before the therapy device is programmed, the system performs a check on the programming information to ensure that the programming information will result in treatment therapy being within of an acceptable range of one or more therapy parameters. |
| US07715917B2 |
Method and apparatus for determining an efficacious atrioventricular delay interval
Determining an optimal atrioventricular interval is of interest for proper delivery of cardiac resynchronization therapy. Although device optimization is gradually and more frequently being performed through a referral process with which the patient undergoes an echocardiographic optimization, the decision of whether to optimize or not is still generally reserved for the implanting physician. Recent abstracts have suggested a formulaic approach for setting A-V interval based on intrinsic electrical sensing, that may possess considerable appeal to clinicians versus a patient average nominal A-V setting of 100 ms. The present invention presents a methods of setting nominal device settings based on entering patient cardiac demographics to determine what A-V setting may be appropriate. The data is based on retrospective analysis of the MIRACLE trial to determine what major factors determined baseline A-V settings. |
| US07715911B2 |
Apparatus for tissue stimulation
Delivering electrical stimulation to a body tissue by a circuit. The circuit includes a first and second terminal electrically coupled to body tissue. A sole capacitor has a first electrode and a second electrode. The first electrode is coupled to the first terminal. The second electrode is coupled to a power source through a switch. |
| US07715909B2 |
SCG point pick process device and method
A seismocardiograph using multiple accelerometer sensors to identify cardiac valve opening and closing times. A methodology for selecting event times is also disclosed. |
| US07715906B2 |
Method and apparatus for detecting noise in an implantable medical device
An implantable medical device and associated method monitor a physiological signal for sensing physiological events and detecting a physiological condition in response to the sensed physiological events. The device senses a first event from the physiological signal, senses a noise signal in the physiological signal and senses a next event from the physiological signal wherein the first event and the next event define a signal interval. The signal interval is declared as a noisy interval in response to the sensed noise signal. |
| US07715900B2 |
Quadruple inversion recovery for quantitative contrast-enhanced black blood imaging
A contrast enhancement (CE) agent is infused into blood flowing through a site that is to be imaged with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Two double inversion procedures are carried out, forming a quadruple inversion recovery (QIR) pulse sequence. Each double inversion procedure comprises a non-selective and slice-selective inversion RF pulse. The first double inversion procedure is followed by a first predefined inversion delay period, TI1, and the second procedure by a second predefined inversion delay period, TI2. A black-blood image can thus be produced in which blood appears consistently black and tissues surrounding the blood, such as a vessel wall, heart, atherosclerotic plaque, or thrombus, are clearly visible. Unlike the prior art black-blood imaging technique, the QIR method does not require a precise knowledge of the T1 of the blood carrying the CE agent in order to suppress the signal and artifacts caused by the blood flowing through the site. |
| US07715898B2 |
System and method for employing multiple coil architectures simultaneously in one electromagnetic tracking system
The presently described technology provides a method for simultaneously employing two or more coil architectures in an electromagnetic tracking system. The method includes providing a transmitter that includes three single-coil transmitters, one or more receivers each including three single-coil receivers, and a receiver array that includes a plurality of single-coil receivers; tracking one or more of the single-coil transmitters of the transmitter with respect to the receiver array; and simultaneously tracking one or more of the receivers with respect to the transmitter. |
| US07715897B2 |
Extended optical range reflective system for monitoring motion of a member
A garment and system includes a monitoring fabric that exhibits a light reflection property and substantially no light transmission property when the fabric is illuminated with light having wavelength(s) in the range of 400 to 2200 nanometers. The amount of useful light reflected by the fabric into an aperture of acceptance defined with respect to an axis extending from the fabric relative to the amount of light lost to the aperture of acceptance detectably changes when the fabric stretches in response to motion, as the motion induced by physiological activity (e.g., heart rate). The system includes at least one radiation source and at least one radiation detector, with the detector disposed in the aperture of acceptance. The source and detector may be attached to the fabric in relative positions such that the reception of incident radiation by the detector is directly affected by a change in the amount of useful light reflected by the fabric into the aperture of acceptance as the fabric stretches in response to motion. |
| US07715894B2 |
Apparatus and method for acquiring a signal
An electrode cap for obtaining EPM signals from a head of a subject, the cap comprising: (i) an insulating layer (33) for positioning adjacent to the head of the subject; (ii) an electrically conductive layer (29) comprising ionic conduction means, situated above the insulating layer so that in use, it is separated from the head of the subject by the insulating layer; (iii) a plurality of measurement signal electrodes (13) extending through the electrically conductive layer and the insulating layer for contacting the head of the subject, the measurement signal electrodes being electrically insulated from the electrically conductive layer; and (iv) at least one reference node (53, 55) electrically connected to the electrically conductive layer. |
| US07715893B2 |
Calibration techniques for a continuous analyte sensor
Disclosed herein are systems and methods for calibrating a continuous analyte sensor, such as a continuous glucose sensor. One such system utilizes one or more electrodes to measure an additional analyte. Such measurements may provide a baseline or sensitivity measurement for use in calibrating the sensor. Furthermore, baseline and/or sensitivity measurements may be used to trigger events such as digital filtering of data or suspending display of data. |
| US07715888B2 |
Decorative wireless earphone device
A decorative wireless earphone is a single piece integrated with a necklace, a microphone, a main unit and an earpiece. The main unit has a shape of pendant and the earplug is hidden behind the ornamental part. The lead wire is received in the necklace. The distance between the microphone and the earpiece is almost equal to the distance between the mouth and the ear of human. Due to the wireless earphone being designed as an ornament, it could be worn on the neck naturally and reasonably with less chance of being lost, convenience and easy-storage. Hence, the decorative wireless earphone of the present invention has enhanced the value thereof additionally and has promoted competition thereof in the market. |
| US07715885B2 |
Power saving system in distributed wireless personal area network and method thereof
A power saving system in distributed wireless personal area network and a method thereof are disclosed. A PS (Power Save) anchor that provides information about hibernating devices to a beacon group through power save information elements in media access control for a wireless personal area network based on a wireless mobile ad-hoc network. Accordingly, all devices in the given wireless personal area network can schedule their active modes and hibernating modes according to hibernating intervals of destination devices with which the devices want to communicate. This can effectively reduce the necessity of the devices' waiting for the destination devices to awake from the hibernating mode as the devices maintain their idle state, and thus the power consumption of all the devices in the network can effectively be reduced. |
| US07715879B2 |
Transmitting and receiving method, and radio apparatus utilizing the same
A processing unit transmits, from at least one of a plurality of antennas, data corresponding respectively to the plurality of antennas. A control unit generates request signals with which to let a second radio apparatus supply information on rates at the second radio apparatus. When transmitting the request signal, the processing unit also transmits, from a plurality of antennas which includes antennas other than the antennas that transmit the data, known signals corresponding respectively to the plurality of antennas. |
| US07715876B2 |
Transmitting and receiving method, and radio apparatus utilizing the same
A processing unit transmits, from at least one of a plurality of antennas, data corresponding respectively to the plurality of antennas. A control unit generates request signals with which to let a second radio apparatus supply information on rates at the second radio apparatus. When transmitting the request signal, the processing unit also transmits, from a plurality of antennas which includes antennas other than the antennas that transmit the data, known signals corresponding respectively to the plurality of antennas. |
| US07715873B1 |
Wearable accessories providing visual indicia of incoming events for wireless telecommunications device
A wearable accessory may provide visual indicia of an incoming network event for a wireless telecommunications device. The wireless telecommunications device may detect the presence of the wearable accessory within a wireless personal area network. After detecting the presence of the wearable accessory, the wireless telecommunications device may determine the display type of the wearable accessory and if any interface software is required to properly communicate a signal to the wearable accessory. Upon receipt of an incoming network event, the wireless telecommunications device may send a signal to the wearable accessory based on the display type of the wearable accessory, thereby causing the wearable accessory to provide visual indicia of the incoming network event. |
| US07715871B2 |
Method and apparatus for repeating wireless signals bidirectionally and synchronously
A method and an apparatus for repeating wireless signals bidirectionally and synchronously are provided in the present invention, specially used for repeating wireless signals emitted from the base station and terminal devices bidirectionally and synchronously in the TDD system. Said apparatus comprises: a receiving and transmitting antenna set, a frequency selection and bidirection RF amplication circuit, and a synchronization extraction and control device. Signals emitted from the base station and terminal devices are received and repeated by the receiving and transmitting antenna set. The synchronization control information is extracted from signals emitted from the base station by the synchronization extraction and control device to control the frequency selection and bidirection RF amplication circuit, thereby synchronously repeating signals received bidirectionally. By using the present invention, synchronously repeating signals received bidirectionally can be realized without delaying the time for receiving and transmitting signals, at the same time, a function of monitoring system malfunction can be also provided, thereby ensuring that the system works reliably. |
| US07715862B2 |
Coding selection method
The invention relates to channel coding in the air interface in telecommunication systems, and specifically to methods used in selecting coding methods. The network utilizes information reported by a power control channel quality reporting procedure, such as reporting procedures used for Enhanced Power Control or Fast Power Control, for controlling the TFC selection. |
| US07715859B2 |
Presence engine and a method of operating a presence engine for encoding or decoding availability status into a signal representative of an audio signal
A system and a method are disclosed for a presence engine and a method of operating a presence engine for encoding or decoding availability status into a signal representative of an audio signal. The presence engine is configured to manage availability status of a user. The presence engine comprises an input configured to receive a signal representative of an audio signal and an output configured to send a signal representative of an audio signal. The presence engine also comprises a processor configured to encode availability status of a user into a signal representative of an audio signal and/or configured to decode availability status of a user from a signal representative of an audio signal. |
| US07715853B1 |
Terrestrial repeater system for use with craft-mounted base stations
A craft-mounted repeater system processes signal properties (e.g., signal strength) between terrestrial (ground-based) wireless networks and mobile users that are aboard crafts (e.g., airplanes and/or ships) equipped to allow the user's mobile communications device to communicate at departure and at arrival of the craft. An onboard craft-mounted non-translating in-band only repeater system is a provided that increases the terrestrial mobile network signal levels inside the aircraft or ship to allow passengers to communicate with a terrestrial cellular communications system. |
| US07715851B2 |
System and method for locating wired networks using wireless data
A system and method is provided for using a wireless network to determine a device's physical location and retrieve location specific settings based upon the device's physical location. A device's physical location is determined by matching the identifier of the wireless access point (WAP) to which the device is connected with a list of WAP identifiers and corresponding location identifiers. The retrieved location identifier is then used to retrieve location specific settings that are applied at the device. |
| US07715850B2 |
Method and apparatus for identifying transmitters in a wireless communication system using power predictions
Identification of transmitters for signals received by a terminal. To determine the transmitter of a given received signal, a list of candidate transmitters that may have transmitted that signal is determined. A coverage zone to use for the received signal is also determined. This coverage zone is the area where the terminal may receive the signal being identified. The predicted power for each candidate transmitter is then determined, e.g., using a path loss prediction model and the coverage zone. The predicted powers for the candidate transmitters are compared (directly or relatively) against the measured power of the received signal. The candidate transmitter with (direct/relative) predicted power closest to the (direct/relative) measured power is deemed as the one that transmitted the signal. Propagation delays may also be predicted and used for transmitter identification. The identified transmitters may be used to determine a position estimate for the terminal. |
| US07715849B2 |
User positioning
The invention proposes a method for locating a network element, comprising the steps of obtaining (S1) the coordinates (xS, yS) of a second network element (BTS) to which the first network element (MS) is connected or attached; detecting (S2) a serving area (S), which is served by the second network element (BTS); detecting (S3) a propagation delay of the first network element with respect to the second network element (BTS); determining (S4) a propagation delay depending area (C), which is an area having a distance to the second network element (BTS) based on the propagation delay and a width based on the propagation delay; and forming (S5) an intersection area (I) of the serving area (S) and the propagation delay depending area (C); wherein a location estimate of the first network element (MS) is determined (S6) from the intersection area (I). Thus, an uncertainty area where a first network element is located can be reduced and the location accuracy can be improved. |
| US07715848B2 |
Integrated circuit for optimizing access point channel selection
A wireless communication method and system for optimizing channel selection for an AP. The channel selection optimization process includes four sub-processes: (1) a measurement process; (2) a candidate channel determining process; (3) a channel selection process; and (4) a channel update process. Candidate channels used for supporting communication performed by the AP are determined. The candidate channels are chosen from an allowable channel set (ACS) if a detected interference of each candidate channel is less than an established maximum allowed interference. |
| US07715846B2 |
Versatile system for adaptive subchannel allocation in wireless communications
Dynamic and asymmetric sub-channel allocation in a wireless communications system—particularly an orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) system—is disclosed. The methods and constructs of the present disclosure identify a plurality of cells, each divided into an equal number of sectors. A transmission channel associated with each cell is divided into a plurality of sub-channel groups. For each sector, a set of adjoining inter and intra coverage area sectors is identified, and associated together as a pool set. For each such pool set, a resource pool is formed from the plurality of sub-channel groups. A single sub-channel group from a resource pool is allocated to each sector in a corresponding pool set. Additional sub-channel group in that resource pool are thereafter allocated to sectors from the pool set on an as-needed, as-available basis. |
| US07715844B2 |
Spatial channel model with a three-dimensional cloud of scatterers
The present invention provides a method for determining a spatial channel model. The method may include generating a three-dimensional scattering cloud model based on a scattering environment proximate a mobile unit and a configuration of a plurality of antennas. |
| US07715840B2 |
Vehicular wireless apparatus
A vehicular wireless apparatus continues a standby state even after an ACC switch of the vehicle is turned off. In the vehicular wireless apparatus, when it is determined that the ACC switch is turned from on to off, paging area information stored in a RAM (volatile memory) is stored in an EEPROM (nonvolatile memory). When the ACC switch is then turned from off to on, a power-on-reset is done for the whole of the vehicular wireless apparatus and paging area information stored in the RAM is reset. The paging area information stored in the EEPROM is then read. Whether a location registration should be newly done is determined based on the read paging area information. |
| US07715835B1 |
Method and apparatus for administering mobile client devices across locations
A method of administering a mobile client device is provided. In an example, notice is received of a device being physically present at a location of interest, an executable work flow or script for implementing a corresponding change to the device is prepared in response to the physical presence notice, and the executable work flow or script is transmitted to the device upon an occurrence of the device initiating a communication with a network so as to enable an agent resident on the device to implement the corresponding change. In an example, a device detector remotely receives a response signal from a vicinity of the device, the response signal being generated and transmitted in response to a corresponding interrogation signal. In an example, the interrogation signal is an RFID interrogation signal. |
| US07715831B2 |
Methods, systems, and devices for detecting and indicating loss of proximity between mobile devices
Methods of detecting proximity between a mobile terminal and a wireless accessory device having an associated support function for use with the mobile terminal include establishing a wireless communication connection between the wireless accessory device and the mobile terminal. The established wireless communication connection is utilized to provide the associated support function. In addition, a wireless signal having a limited range is communicated between the mobile terminal and the wireless accessory device. The wireless signal indicates a proximity between the mobile terminal and the wireless accessory device. An alert signal indicating that the proximity between the mobile terminal and the wireless accessory device has exceeded a predetermined range is provided responsive to the communicated wireless signal when the established wireless communication connection is not being utilized to provide the associated support function. Related devices are also provided. |
| US07715827B2 |
Mobile communication terminal and method for calculating media play time of the mobile communication terminal
A mobile communication terminal and a method for calculating a media play time of media file on the mobile communication terminal are disclosed. In one example embodiment, a mobile communication terminal includes a communication unit, a controller, and a display. The communication unit is capable of downloading a media file from a media server. The controller is capable of calculating a first data size on the basis of information extracted from the media file. The controller is also capable of calculating a media play time on the basis of the first data size and a second data size of the media file. The display is capable of displaying the media play time. |
| US07715820B2 |
Method for connecting a call in a mobile station during an emergency situation
A method for automatically connecting a call in a mobile station during an emergency situation. In the method a call connection request message including a service identifier previously set for automatic call connection and a password is received. Next, whether the call connection request message is valid is determined using the password included in the received call connection request message. If the call connection request message is valid, devices for outputting an alert signal of the mobile station are turned off, and a response signal for call connection in response to the call connection request message is automatically generated. |
| US07715818B2 |
System for controlling additional function of communications terminal and the communications terminal
A technology is disclosed for providing an additional function control system which permits a carrier to select whether or not an additional function possessed by a communications terminal can be made available. A communications network is connected to a communications terminal when using a communications function of the communications terminal which is subscribed to a communication service. An additional function controller manages the additional function of the communications terminal, and provides the communications terminal with additional function control information for controlling the operation of the additional function. The communications terminal comprises an additional function unit for providing the additional function, and limits the operation of the additional function unit based on the additional function control information from the additional function controller. |
| US07715816B2 |
Methods and systems for providing wireless network communications
Systems and methods are disclosed for providing wireless network communications. The disclosed systems and methods may include receiving first data from a wire line network at a transceiver placed at a location on the wire line network. The location may comprise a place where the wire line network is present, where electrical power for the transceiver is present, and where a service provider of the wireless network communications has a legal right to locate the transceiver. Furthermore, the disclosed systems and methods may include transmitting the first data wirelessly from the transceiver to a wireless device and receiving second data at the transceiver wirelessly from the wireless device. |
| US07715814B2 |
Method and system for spurious signal control in receivers
A method and system for dynamically shifting spurious tones away from the desired frequency in a virtual local oscillator receiver, such that any undesired signal residing at such spurious tones are effectively delineated from the desired signal and removed from the RF input signal. The system detects the presence of potential undesired blocker signals in the RF input signal, and initiates an iterative power comparison and mixer signal adjustment loop. As the virtual local oscillator uses two mixer signals, the frequency of one of the mixer signals is adjusted during the loop until the power of the down-converted signal is minimized to a predetermined level. Minimized power in the down-converted signal is indicative of the absence of the blocker signal, since the presence of a relatively high power signal is indicative of a blocker signal overlapping with a desired signal. |
| US07715812B2 |
RF power amplifier
Transmission in DCS1800, PCS1900, and WCDMA1900 is performed by a common second RE power amplifier. In DCS1800 and DCS1900, transmission power is set in a high transmission power mode at 33 dBm by a high-gain input amplifier to activate an internal voltage follower of a bias circuit, and in WCDMA1900, in a low transmission power mode at 28 to 29 dBm by a low-gain input amplifier to inactivate the voltage follower. Switching of the high and low transmission power modes and controlling the voltage follower are performed according to a mode signal. In an RF power amplifier module that transmits frequencies of GSM850, GSM900, DCS1800, PCS1900, and WCDMA1900, it is possible to reduce the number of power amplifiers and, for ramp-up and ramp-down of the GSM standard, to perform high-speed control of an input bias voltage and reduce noise of a transmission power of a wideband WCDMA. |
| US07715810B2 |
System and method for combining stepped drain bias control with digital predistortion for a power amplifier
The present disclosure relates generally to systems and methods for combining stepped drain bias control with digital predistortion for a power amplifier. In one example, the method includes receiving an input associated with a transmit power level of a transmitter in a wireless terminal and selecting a predefined drain bias setting for a power amplifier of the wireless terminal based on the input. A predefined predistortion setting for the power amplifier corresponding to the selected predefined drain bias setting is identified. A drain of the power amplifier is set to the selected predefined drain bias setting, and the identified predefined predistortion setting is applied to a signal prior to directing the signal to the power amplifier. |
| US07715808B2 |
Polar modulating circuit, polar coordinate modulating method, integrated circuit and radio transmission device
This invention intends to provide a polar modulating circuit, a polar modulating method, an integrated circuit and a radio transmission device capable of compensating for a delay difference between paths of a phase signal and an amplitude signal while suppressing an increase in the circuit scale in a polar modulating system. In a delay quantity determining unit 102, delay quantity information relative to the amplitude value of the amplitude signal or transmission level information S1, based on the step response characteristic of a power amplifying unit 105 are previously stored as table data. Thus, by executing delay adjustment using, as a reference signal, the amplitude signal or transmission level information S1, the delay difference between paths of a phase signal and an amplitude signal can be compensated for while suppressing an increase in the circuit scale. |
| US07715804B2 |
Keypad display method and apparatus of portable device
A keypad display method of a portable device includes initializing by partitioning a keypad display area and storing each partition area corresponding to individual gradients; checking whether the operation mode requires a keypad display; displaying a keypad in a specific area of a screen; detecting the gradient of the portable device; selecting the partition area corresponding to the detected gradient; and expanding and displaying the selected partition area. The apparatus includes a gradient sensing unit; a storage unit of expanded partition area information for each gradient; a control unit selecting expanded partition area information corresponding to the gradient; and a display area management unit reconfiguring information to be displayed according to the expanded partition area information. |
| US07715803B2 |
Methods and apparatus for constant-power loading asymmetric antenna configuration
A method and system for constant-power loading for asymmetric antenna configurations. The sounding packet, the sounding bit in HT-SIG field, and the HT-LTF field in the PLCP protocol data unit (PPDU) are used to determine the number of transmit antennas and the number of data streams, wherein if the number of transmission streams is the same as the number of data streams, then a first set of power loading level (fixed uneven power loading) is applied, otherwise a second set of power loading level is applied. Alternatively, one additional bit in the HT-SIG filed of PLCP protocol data unit (PPDU) signaling field is used to signal the set of power loading level used. |
| US07715802B2 |
Frequency synthesizer and multi-band radio apparatus using said frequency synthesizer
There is disclosed a frequency synthesizer having an HF synthesizer for generating a first reference frequency signal having a variable frequency in a high-frequency band as a unit synthesizer, an LF synthesizer for generating a second reference frequency signal in a low-frequency band as another unit synthesizer, and an arithmetic circuit including a mixer for receiving the first and second reference frequency signals, a divider for receiving the second reference frequency signal, a mixer for receiving the first reference frequency signal and an output signal from the divider, a divider for receiving an output signal from the mixer, a divider for receiving an output signal from the mixer and capable of switching a division ratio, and a switch for switching and outputting output signals from the dividers, wherein an output signal of the switch is outputted as a first local signal, and an output signal from the divider is outputted as a second local signal. |
| US07715799B2 |
Self-monitoring radio network
A headset monitoring system includes a plurality of headsets and a base station. Each headset includes a microphone, a speaker, a transceiver, and a memory device for storing an identification code, and the base station includes a transceiver, a microprocessor, a memory device, and a user interface. The base station is configured to send and receive data to and from the headsets and is further configured to identify headsets that are not functioning properly. |
| US07715797B2 |
Mobile communication terminal equipped with speaker phone function and method for removing feedback effect when speaker phone is used
A mobile communication terminal equipped with speaker phone functionality and a method for removing feedback when the speaker phone is in use are disclosed. The mobile communication terminal includes: a first voice input path serving as a default voice input path; a second voice input path serving as an additional voice input path; and a controller for determining whether a speaker phone is in use, wherein the controller selects one of the first and second voice input paths according to whether the speaker phone is in use. |
| US07715794B2 |
Bluetooth fast connection mode for wireless peripheral device
A wireless interface device services communications between a wirelessly enabled host and at least one user input device. The wireless interface device includes a wireless interface unit, a processing unit, an input/output unit, and a power management unit. The wireless interface unit wirelessly interfaces with the wirelessly enabled host using a communication interface protocol. The power management unit couples to the wireless interface unit, the processing unit, and the input/output unit. The wireless interface unit supports paging operations in which the wireless interface device is able to receive a page during a wirelessly enabled host in a page scanning period that corresponds to a duration of the page hopping sequence of the host. |
| US07715787B2 |
Method of cooperatively relaying data in cellular networks for a broadcast multicast services
A method of transmitting subpackets in a mobile communication system using at least one frequency carrier is disclosed. More specifically, the method comprises receiving a first broadcast subpacket from a base station (BS) at a first time slot on a first frequency carrier, and receiving at least one subsequent broadcast subpacket from the BS via at least one relay station (RS) at a second time slot on a second frequency carrier, wherein information of the first broadcast subpacket and the subsequent broadcast subpacket are the same. |
| US07715784B2 |
Automatic selection of the transmission standard in mobile television receivers
In a radio system for transmitting information channels A1, A2, A3 to radio receivers, the information channels A1, A2, A3 are transmitted in parallel over a number of data channels, each using different transmission standards. A radio receiver selects a transmission standard based on the type of its energy supply. |
| US07715782B2 |
Channel mapping for mobile media content transmission
A channel mapping system has a data source containing data indicative of the geographic range of channels broadcast in at least one selected region and a channel determination module that uses data indicative of a location in conjunction with the data source to determine a preferred channel. The preferred channel may be an FM channel. A transmitter is used with a portable media player to broadcast audio data contained on or received by the portable media player over the preferred channel. The media can be received by a corresponding receiver set to the same preferred channel. Adjustments to the channel settings can be determined repeatedly so that, as a preferred channel changes with location, an automated process or a user facilitated process can be used to change the channel settings on each of the transmitter and the receive. A location identification system such as GPS can be used to identify the location. |
| US07715781B2 |
System, method and computer program product for receiving data from a satellite radio network
A system, method and computer program product are disclosed for receiving data from a satellite radio network in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a datagram broadcast via a satellite radio network is received utilizing a receiver. The datagram includes broadcast identifier information that identifies a segment of receivers in the satellite radio network to which the datagram is directed. Utilizing the broadcast identifier information, a determination is made as to whether the recipient receiver is a member of the identified segment of receivers to which the datagram is directed. If the recipient receiver is determined to be a member of the identified segment of receivers to which the datagram is directed, then the datagram is processed. |
| US07715776B2 |
Dual blade cleaning system
A cleaning system for cleaning a moving surface of an image forming device, such as a photoreceptor. The cleaning system includes first and second links each having three pivot connections for pivotally connecting first and second cleaning blades together in mutually exclusive cooperative movement alternating between a common Cleaning Position at a first location and respective Suspended Positions. The cleaning system can include a Doctor Blade arrangement in which the cleaning blades are disposed in a Doctor Blade orientation in the Cleaning Position. The cleaning system can include a Wiper Blade arrangement in which the cleaning blades are disposed in a Wiper Blade orientation in the Cleaning Position. The first and second cleaning blades form similar Blade Holder Angles, Blade Deflection Angles and Working Angles when occupying the Cleaning Position. |
| US07715775B2 |
Image glossing apparatus
The present invention provides a glossing apparatus including first and second heating rotating members which contact each other to form a nip part, an toner image on a recording material being heated in the nip part; a cooling unit which cools the recording material, moved while contacting the first heating rotating member, before the recording material is separated from the first heating rotating member; and a mode performing unit which performs a high-gloss mode and a low-gloss mode, the recording material is conveyed to and heated by the nip part such that the toner image contact the first heating rotating member in the high-gloss mode, the recording material is conveyed to and heated by the nip part such that the toner image contact the second heating rotating member in the low-gloss mode. |
| US07715774B2 |
Image forming apparatus which controls heating width of fixing device
A fixing device includes a fixing section, a sheet-width detector, a heating-width changing mechanism, a mixed feeding detector, and a controller. The fixing section includes at least a fixing member that fixes a toner image on a recording medium upon application of heat thereto. The sheet-width detector detects a width of the recording medium and outputs a sheet-width signal. The heat-width changing mechanism changes a heating width of the fixing member. The mixed feeding detector detects whether or not mixed feeding of a plurality of sheets of the recording medium having different widths is performed during a successive sheet feeding, and outputs a mixed feeding signal. The controller controls the heating-width changing mechanism to control the heating width based on the sheet-width signal and the mixed feeding signal. |
| US07715771B2 |
Structure for discharging papers in a tandem type color image forming machine
A tandem type color image forming machine includes a plurality of image forming units, a primary transfer belt, and a paper feed cassette in its image forming machine body. The paper feed cassette is arranged longitudinally in the lateral direction of the belt mechanism or below the belt mechanism. In addition, the machine includes a secondary transfer unit for transferring toner images from the primary transfer belt to a paper fed from the paper feed cassette. The machine also includes a paper feed conveyor passage for guiding paper, a fixing unit downstream of the paper feed conveyor passage, a pair of discharge rollers and a paper discharge passage formed between the fixing unit and the pair of discharge rollers. Further, the machine has a pocket for receiving and storing paper discharged from the pair of discharge rollers. |
| US07715769B2 |
Displacement correction device, displacement correction method, and image forming device
Sensors detect a displacement correction pattern image-formed on a transporting belt. A timing when the sensors execute a detecting operation is preliminary set depending on a tolerance in a layout or a dimension of a portion where the displacement correction pattern is image-formed, detected. Based on the detected timing detected by the sensors, the preliminary set timing is modified. |
| US07715768B2 |
Color image forming device
A color image forming device comprises a plurality of first image support mediums, a scanning exposure unit, a second image support medium, a second-image-support-medium transport unit, a transfer unit, a correction-pattern-image forming unit, a pattern measurement unit, and a control unit. The correction-pattern-image forming unit is configured to reduce the total time for forming a sequence of correction pattern images of color components. |
| US07715758B2 |
Apparatus and method for cleaning residual toner from drums in an image forming apparatus
An apparatus and method for cleaning a plurality of drums in an image forming apparatus includes applying a first bias to each of a plurality of disturbing members, each disturbing member associated with a corresponding drum of a plurality of drums. While performing an image forming operation wherein at least one of the plurality of drums is not use, the bias is changed of a disturbing member corresponding to at least one of the plurality of drums not used in performing the image forming operation from the first bias to a second bias different from the first bias. |
| US07715755B2 |
Image forming apparatus and developing cartridge with deformable handle
A handle for a toner cartridge may include an opening and be constructed of elastically deformable materials. The handle may deform when inside of an image forming device to provide at least some force to press an image carrier against a developer carrier. |
| US07715753B2 |
Image forming apparatus with exposure units
In an image forming apparatus, a plurality of process units each including a photoconductor drum are arranged in tandem; a plurality of exposure units configured to expose the photoconductor drum to light to form an electrostatic latent image thereon are each disposed above and opposite to the corresponding photoconductor drum; an output tray configured to receive an ejected recording sheet on which an image has been formed is disposed above the plurality of exposure units; and an image reader unit configured to read an image of a source document is disposed above the output tray with a predetermined space provided between the image reader unit and the output tray. At least one of the exposure units and at least a part of the output tray are movable together into the predetermined space, whereby the plurality of process units are allowed to be pulled out in a direction of tandem arrangement thereof. |
| US07715752B2 |
Electrophotographic image forming apparatus with image bearing member contacting and being spaced from transfer member transferring a toner image from the member thereonto
An electrophotographic image forming apparatus is usable with a process cartridge having a photosensitive member. The apparatus includes a transfer member contactable to the photosensitive member to transfer a toner image from the photosensitive member thereonto, a tray carrying the cartridge and movable between a contact position where the photosensitive member contacts the transfer member and a spaced position spaced from the transfer member, a supporting member supporting the tray for movement parallel with a tangent line between the photosensitive member and the transfer member between a first position positioning the tray at the contact position and a second position retracted from the first position away from the transfer member in a perpendicular direction perpendicular to the photosensitive-member axial direction and to the tangent line to position the tray at the spaced position; and engageable and engaging portions engageable with each other. The engaging portion regulates movement of the tray. |
| US07715751B2 |
Cleaning apparatus, and transfer unit and image forming apparatus including the same
A transfer unit of an image forming apparatus includes a belt to receive an image developed on a photosensitive medium while rotating in a regular cycle and in contact with an outer circumference of at least one photosensitive medium. A blade arm, which is installed adjacent to the belt, moves to a first position to position a cleaning blade, which is supported by the blade arm, to be in contact with the belt. The cleaning blade is coupled to a pressure unit to bias the cleaning blade towards the belt. |
| US07715747B2 |
Image heating device with cooling air circulation
An image forming apparatus comprising a heating rotating body which heats a toner image while nipping and conveying a recording material bearing the toner image, a fan which cools down the heating rotating body, and a duct adapted in such a manner that air which is blown by the fan so as to cool down the heating rotating body does not pass through a recording material conveying path. |
| US07715745B2 |
Image forming apparatus having remaining toner removing part and method of removing remaining toner therefrom
An image forming apparatus includes a belt to transfer a printing medium, a plurality of support rollers which rotatably supports the belt, a photosensitive medium which has a surface on which a visible toner image is formed by charged toner, a transfer roller which is disposed adjacent to the photosensitive medium with the belt interposed therebetween, a power supplying part which supplies power to the transfer roller so that a surface of the transfer roller has an electrical potential, and a control part which controls the power supplying part to supply a pulse power, which has a middle power of a same polarity as a polarity of the charged toner, to the transfer roller so that the charged toner remaining on the belt after the belt transfers the printing medium past the photosensitive medium is transferred back to the photosensitive medium. |
| US07715743B2 |
Charger with a probe and controller
This is a charging assembly that is useful in marking processes with an electrostatically charged surface. The assembly includes, besides the charger, a controller and an electric field probe. Charge and current flows can be detected by the probe and corrected immediately after detection of flaws by the probe and conveyed to the controller. If flaws in the charger are determined by the probe, corrections are made to the output by a controller; this is done before a final copy or print is made. The term flaws as used means any non-uniform appearing region in the printed image or any otherwise unacceptable defect. The probe is enabled to detect and indicate flaws and the controller which is in communication with the probe takes corrective action on the flaws. The probe used is a novel probe having two sensing elements surrounded by one or more reference electrodes. |
| US07715738B2 |
High power supply to control an abnormal load
A high power supply to control an abnormal load includes a high voltage power processor to amplify a supplied DC power and to output the amplified DC power, a trans/rectifier to transform the DC power to a high voltage power and to rectify the high voltage power, a load detector to compare a load voltage output from a load with a predetermined reference voltage and to output a comparison voltage to detect the abnormal load of the load, and a high voltage controller to supply a chip enable signal to the high voltage power processor to interrupt the high voltage power processor when the comparison voltage output from the load detector is smaller than a predetermined reference value that is set to correspond to a minimum load of the load. |
| US07715735B2 |
Image forming system and control method for the same
An image forming system that has an apparatus that receives recording media from an apparatus upstream from it, executes image formation processing, and conveys the recording media to an apparatus positioned downstream from it. The apparatus controls whether to continue conveyance of recording media, change their discharger, and accept recording media in accordance with condition of its own or the downstream apparatus regardless of the configuration of the entire system. |
| US07715733B2 |
System and method for authenticating a fuser lubricant 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. |
| US07715732B2 |
Bias-control for optical Mach-Zehnder modulators with voltage-induced optical absorption
A bias-control circuit that provides operating point control for a Mach-Zehnder modulator experiencing optical absorption at their interferometric arms. The bias control circuit generates compensation signals that are used to counter the thermally induced index shifts as a result of absorption. In addition, an operating point with desirable transmitter characteristics can also be arbitrarily chosen by over-compensating or under-compensating thermal effects. |
| US07715725B2 |
Lock detector and optical phase-locked loop system
A lock detection apparatus detecting lock of an optical phase-locked loop apparatus including a first phase detector comparing phases of an input light signal and a beat light signal to output a first phase comparison signal, a loop filter forming the first phase comparison signal, and an optical voltage controlled oscillator outputting the beat light signal based on the formed first phase comparison signal. The lock detection apparatus includes: a phase shifter shifting the phase of the beat light signal; and a second phase detector comparing the phases of the input light signal and the phase-shifted beat light signal to output a second phase comparison signal, wherein the phase shifter shifts a quantity of the phase so that the phase comparison signal may not be 0 when the phases of the two light signals compared by the second phase detector synchronize with each other to the beat light signal. |
| US07715720B2 |
Coherent optical detector and coherent communication system and method
An optical device is provided with first and second inputs. A first coupler coupled is coupled to the first input and produces at least a first and second output. A second coupler is coupled to the second input and produces at least a first and second output. A third coupler is coupled to the first output of the first coupler and to the first output of the second coupler. A fourth coupler is coupled to the second output of the first coupler and to the second output of the second coupler. First and second crossing waveguides are provided with an angle selected to minimize crosstalk and losses between the first and second cross waveguides. The first crossing waveguide connects one of the first or second outputs from the first coupler with an input of the fourth coupler. The second crossing waveguide connects one of the first or second outputs from the second coupler with an input of the third coupler. A first phase shifter is coupled to the first and second waveguides. The first and second waveguides connect one of the outputs of the first or second coupler and one of the inputs of the third or fourth couplers. The first, second, third and fourth couplers, the two crossing waveguides and the phase shifter are each formed as part of a single planar chip made of an electro-optical material. |
| US07715715B2 |
Shared optical ring protection in a multi-fiber ring
A communication network comprising first and second communication paths, and nodes coupled therethrough. Each node comprises first and second switches, each having a first terminal coupled to an end of a first communication path, and a second terminal coupled to an end of a second communication path. Third terminals of the first and second switches are coupled together through at least one third communication path. A Wavelength-Division-Multiplexed device of the node is coupled to an external communication node and a fourth terminal of each switch. A node controller responds to an applied input by controlling at least one switch to cause selective coupling of at least one of (a) first and second nodes together via at least one of the paths, and (b) the external communication node and at least one of the first and second nodes via at least one of the paths. |
| US07715713B1 |
Method and apparatus for providing multiple optical channel protection switching mechanisms in optical rings
A technique for allocating protection-switching mechanisms operates on a per wavelength basis. This allows a designer of an optical network to select a particular protection switching mechanism for a given traffic type, which is usually specific to a particular wavelength in an optical network. For another traffic type, the designer can allocate a different protection switching mechanism, thereby providing optimal protection switching for each traffic type. |
| US07715712B2 |
System and method for implementing dynamic scheduling of data in a non-blocking all-optical switching network
A non-blocking optical matrix core switching method that includes maintaining a schedule for routing data through an optical matrix core and receiving and analyzing reports from peripheral devices. The method determines whether the schedule is adequate for the current data traffic patterns and if the schedule is not adequate a new schedule is implemented. The new schedule is then transferred to the peripheral devices for implementation and the new schedule is transferred to the optical matrix core scheduler. Implementation of the new schedule as the schedule on the peripheral devices and the optical matrix core scheduler is then performed. |
| US07715711B2 |
Wavelength selective switch design configurations for mesh light-trails
In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, wavelength selective switch (WSS) design configurations for mesh light-trails are provided. In a particular embodiment, a node included in an optical network comprises a first light access unit operable to add or drop local traffic and a first WSS assembly communicatively coupled to the first light access unit and comprising at least four WSSs, at least two input ports, and at least four output ports, the four WSSs configured to direct any input traffic in any wavelength received at one of the input ports to the first light access unit and/or to any of the output ports. |
| US07715709B2 |
Optical switch and network system including the same
The optical switch, having a plurality of ports capable of switching optical signal routes in a network in the form of light, includes a detection means for detecting information in regard to the transmission condition of an optical signal passing through each port; and a control means for exchanging the transmission condition information between each switch and controlling the ports, so as to select one route from among a plurality of routes transmitting the optical signal based on the difference of transmission condition information between the relevant switches. The transmission condition information is the power of the optical signal. When the difference between each switch exists, or when at least one switch intervenes in the middle of the transmission route, by selecting a transmission route which minimizes accumulated differences among the switches, configuring a tree structure conventionally performed through manual operation can be set automatically in an optical network system. |
| US07715708B2 |
Method of detecting position of printing medium performed in printing apparatus
An optical sensor is transported to a position above a marker on a tray, where it irradiates the marker and measures the reflected light so as to obtain a reference value. A threshold value is determined based on the reference value. The optical sensor is transported above the tray, while emitting light and measuring reflected light. The measured amount is compared with the threshold value. A marker position is identified based on the comparison and the threshold value. A start print position is based on the marker position. |
| US07715704B2 |
Auto-focusing camera
An auto-focusing camera includes a lens mount (10), a lens unit (31) and a motor. The lens unit includes a lens barrel (310) and a lens (312) received in the lens barrel. Tabs (34) and blocks (36) respectively extend outwardly from upper and lower end portions of the lens barrel. Each of the tabs forms an aslant guiding surface (342), which is declined outwardly along a top-to-bottom direction. The motor includes a magnet (32) which is forced to move over the guiding surfaces to be securely sandwiched between the tabs and the blocks. Upper and lower yokes (23a, 23b) are respectively arranged at the upper and lower sides of the magnet. Upper and lower coils (25a, 25b) respectively wind around the two yokes for establishing magnetic fields which interact with the magnetic field of the permanent magnet to drive the lens unit into movement. |
| US07715700B2 |
Method, device, and bag for warming infusion liquid
An infusion fluid warming apparatus for warming an infusion fluid to a predetermined temperature prior to supply of the infusion fluid into a living body through an infusion fluid tube. The apparatus includes: (a) a tube holding device detachably holding the infusion tube; and (b) a heat accumulator member generating a latent heat in phase change thereof from liquid phase to solid phase. The heat accumulator member is disposed in the tube holding device, so as to warm the infusion fluid passing through the infusion fluid tube that is held by the tube holding device, by the latent heat generated in the phase change from the liquid phase to the solid phase. Also, disclosed is an infusion fluid warming method. |
| US07715699B2 |
Electrically addressable liquid dispenser
An electrically actuated liquid dispenser, an electrically addressable liquid dispenser and an electronic device are described. |
| US07715694B2 |
Apparatus and method of reproducing audio/video data and additional data associated with the audio/video data
A method for reproducing data recorded on an interactive recording medium in conjunction with associated auxiliary data is disclosed. An interactive recording medium reproducing apparatus reproduces A/V data recorded on an interactive recording medium such as an interactive DVD in conjunction with contents data provided by a contents providing server using navigation information for the contents data also provided by the contents providing server, thereby allowing synchronized reproduction of data from different sources. |
| US07715693B2 |
Control apparatus and control method
A control apparatus for controlling an event in accordance with the playback of playback data includes a playback processor performing playback processing on the playback data, an acquisition unit acquiring playback section information associated with the playback data to specify a target playback section of the playback data, an end time point specifying unit specifying an end time point of the event in relation to the playback data on the basis of the playback section information, a time period specifying unit specifying a time period from the start to the end of the event, a start time point specifying unit specifying a start time point of the event on the basis of the end time point and the time period, and a controller controlling the event to be started at the start time point of the event by monitoring a playback status of the playback data. |
| US07715692B2 |
Still picture information recording medium and method and apparatus for reproducing still picture information therefrom
A technique is provided for reproducing information from a recording medium, on which there are recorded a plurality of picture information sets; presentation time values, each associated with a corresponding one of the picture information sets; picture information record marks, each of which is associated with a corresponding one of the presentation time values; clip information specifying what position on the recording medium is associated with each of the presentation time values; and reproducing order specifying information which specifies in what order the picture information sets are to be reproduced. Picture information is reproduced through the steps of detecting the presentation time value of a picture information set to be retrieved from the corresponding picture information record mark; using said clip information to detect the recording position on the recording medium which corresponds to the detected presentation time value; and reproducing picture information from the detected recording position. |
| US07715691B2 |
Image service providing apparatus and recording medium
A video image file constituted by video data and attendant data formed by an image pickup device is input to an image service providing apparatus. Image services such as image distribution, medium recording, and printing are described in the attendant data. In the image service providing apparatus, an image service type is specified by a service selecting device on the basis of the attendant data, and a service switching device is switched to output the video data to any one of a distribution device, a recording device, an image forming device, and a video editing device. Therefore, any one of distribution, recording, image formation, and image editing of the video image file can be easily executed. |
| US07715689B2 |
Broadcast receiver and system for performing copy prohibition and timed recording
A receiving system and a receiving device are provided for receiving and processing broadcast digital and analog signals such as video and audio programs. The system and device are capable of determining whether a received program is subject to copy prohibition. If the program is subject to copy prohibition, the system prevents copying of the program. The system and device are capable of performing timed recording of received programs, including checking the status of the device and/or the recording medium to determine whether timed recording is permitted. Timed recording may be permitted if a selected broadcast receiving device is a registered device. |
| US07715688B2 |
Broadcast receiver and recording method
A broadcast receiver is provided which can prevent recording of uncopyable contents without failing to record copyable contents. A copy information detecting unit (4) detects copy control information attached to contents. A discriminating unit (5) discriminates the copyability or uncopyability. The contents recorded in a user-unreadable recording unit (6) is transferred to a user-readable recording unit (7) only if copyable. |
| US07715687B2 |
System and method of recording and recording apparatus
A recording system having a plurality of recording apparatuses connected to a network. The apparatuses can select a channel for receiving a broadcast signal and record reservations for recording a program broadcast through a broadcasting channel at a predetermined time of day. One of the apparatuses, denoted as a reservation-receiving recording apparatus, receives recording reservation information from a user and detects if there is any overlapping programs in time using received recording reservation information and prexisting recording reservation information stored in memory. The reservation-receiving recording apparatus sends to the network a recording reservation request including overlapping recording reservation information, if it detects broadcasting time period overlaps, wherein the overlapping recording reservation information causes the overlapping program to be recorded by another recording apparatus connected to the network instead. |
| US07715686B2 |
Imaging apparatus
An imaging apparatus including a first recording apparatus (optical disk drive) for recording information on a removable/loadable recording medium and a second recording apparatus (HDD) for recording information on a recording medium incorporated therein, in which the first recording apparatus is provided with a lid portion to be opened/closed for removing/loading a recording medium and a lid opening/closing mechanism for opening/closing the lid portion and opening operation of the lid portion by the lid opening/closing mechanism is inhibited while the second recording apparatus is in an access state. |
| US07715685B2 |
Recording media maintenance support
The handling of large amounts of data on storing media shall be simplified. Therefore, a method for maintaining a storage media by generating, editing or reading log data related to the content and usage of a data item stored or to be stored on a storage medium is provided. Data items are deleted or recommendations for deletion are provided on the basis of the log data from the storage medium. Thus, the user is relieved from the unpleasant and time-consuming task of deleting data items from recording media. |
| US07715681B2 |
Rear latch arrangement for sliding drawer
A cable management panel including a chassis, a drawer, and a rear latch arrangement. The rear latch arrangement including a latch having a free tab end. The free tab end engaging the front edge of a top wall of the chassis to prevent inadvertent closing movement of the drawer relative to the chassis. |
| US07715680B2 |
Cable management drawer with access panel
A cable management panel including a sliding drawer. The drawer including a bottom tray that pivots to provide access to cable management devices mounted on the tray. The drawer including a connection arrangement that locks the tray in both of a non-pivoted position and a pivoted position. |
| US07715674B2 |
Optical fiber and waveguide
An optical fiber in which the macro-bending loss is lowered while an MFD is maintained large, and a waveguide including the optical fiber. The optical fiber includes a core region doped with an impurity; a first cladding region formed as a layer around the core region and including holes as microstructures; and a second cladding region formed as a layer around the first cladding region and made of a homogeneous material. A relative refractive-index difference Δ1 between the core region and the second cladding region is equal to or higher than 0.01% and lower than 0.3%. A total cross-sectional area of the holes in the first cladding region with respect to a total cross-sectional area of the core region, the first cladding region, and the second cladding region is equal to or smaller than 20%. A waveguide is formed using the optical fiber. |
| US07715673B2 |
Imaging system
An imaging system including a multi-mode fiber and a gradient index (GRIN) lens. The invention also relates to a system including a multi-mode fiber, such as a double-clad photonic crystal fiber, for transmitting an excitation signal to a sample for the purpose of imaging, and a scanning mechanism, which preferably includes a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) mirror, for reflecting the excitation signal in varying directions in order to scan the sample. |
| US07715670B2 |
Lensed bidirectional, co-located laser/detector
A bidirectional fiber-optic transceiver with lower optical loss than previous beam-splitters or fiber couplers and a method of implementing the same. Preferably, the transceivers can operate in both directions using a single-wavelength of electromagnetic radiation. |
| US07715664B1 |
High power optical isolator
A high power optical isolator is able to transfer excess heat to a heat sink, reduce the effect of scattered and reflected light, and be coupled to standard thin optical fibers. |
| US07715663B2 |
Integrated optical latch
Techniques are disclosed for optical switching and data control, without the interaction of electronic switching speeds. In one example embodiment, a common cavity optical latch is provided that that can hold an optical state for an extended period of time, and the operation of which is controlled optically. Optical phase control allows optical modal switching to be employed between two common optical cavities, using incident optical signals and the way in which the cavities manipulate the phase within them to lock in one or the other configuration, thereby forming an optical latch. The optical latch is implemented in an integrated fashion, such as in a CMOS environment. |
| US07715662B2 |
Method of generating interface surface having rotationally symmetric coded data
A method of generating an interface surface is provided in which machine-readable coded data is generated to be arranged in accordance with a layout having n-fold rotational symmetry about a center of rotation, where n is at least two, the layout including n identical sub-layouts rotated 1/n revolutions apart about the center of rotation, each sub-layout defining the position of data elements, and including rotation-indicating data that distinguishes that sub-layout from at least one other sub-layout, and the coded data is printed onto a surface to generate an interface surface. |
| US07715658B2 |
Apparatus and method for super-resolution enhancement processing
Provided is an apparatus and method for super-resolution enhancement processing. The apparatus includes a low-resolution image capturing unit, a patch pair generating unit, a patch pair database, and a high-resolution image reconstructing unit. The low-resolution image capturing unit captures a low-resolution image. The patch pair generating unit divides each of a plurality of high-resolution images into patches and generates a plurality of patch pairs composed of medium-frequency patches and high-frequency patches for the patches. The patch pair database stores the plurality of patch pairs generated by the patch pair generating unit. The high-resolution image reconstructing unit divides the low-resolution image into patches, searches in the patch pair database for a patch pair including a medium-frequency patch that is similar to that of the low-resolution image, and generates a reconstructed high-resolution image by inserting a high-frequency patch included in the found patch pair into a corresponding patch of the low-resolution image. |
| US07715657B2 |
Method, device and program for detecting perceptual features of a larger image and incorporating information of the detected perceptual features into a smaller preview image
Systems and methods for perceptual image preview are described. In one aspect, a naïve preview image is generated by downsampling a larger image. Perceptual features of the larger image are then detected. Information associated with the detected perceptual features is then incorporated into the naïve preview image to create a perceptual preview image. Since the perceptual preview image incorporates information associated with the detected perceptual features, a viewer of the perceptual preview image will be more likely to detect the presence or absence of such perceptual features in the larger image. |
| US07715654B2 |
System and method for fast multimodal registration by least squares
A method for multimodal image registration includes providing a pair of images acquired from differing imaging modalities, defining an intensity correction function that corrects the intensities of a first image in terms of the intensities of the second image, defining a registration transformation function that registers the second image with the first image, wherein said intensity correction function and transformation function are functions of a plurality of parameters, obtaining corrections to the plurality of parameters by minimizing an energy functional of a square difference of the intensity corrected first image and the registration transformed second image, and updating the intensity correction function and the registration transformation function based on the corrected plurality of parameters. |
| US07715652B1 |
Method and/or apparatus for detecting homogeneity of blocks in an image processing system
An apparatus comprising a first circuit and a second circuit. The first circuit may be configured to (i) receive an image data stream comprising a plurality of frames each having a plurality of regions, (ii) select a particular region to be marked as being homogeneous or not homogeneous, and (iii) determine whether a group of neighboring regions to the selected region are qualified or not qualified. The second circuit may be configured to mark the selected region as being homogeneous when one or more of the adjacent regions are (i) qualified and (ii) previously marked as being homogeneous. |
| US07715650B2 |
Method and apparatus for digital processing of images
A method and apparatus for processing defects in a digital image include defining a defect map, having defect and non-defect entries, as a defect bounded by an expanded defect region and an outer analysis region of a different defect map values. By choosing suitable values and performing a bitwise logical OR operation on the entries the processing of the defect map is made more efficient. |
| US07715649B2 |
Generation and adjustment of a luminance correction curve to prevent saturation of the image during contrast enhancement
A luminance conversion function calculating circuit calculates a luminance conversion function in order that a specific image contained in an image represented by image data to be processed will be made to have a desired brightness. Saturation of the specific image in a case where the applied image data has been subjected to a luminance correction based upon the calculated luminance conversion function is calculated and upper-limit saturation is calculated based upon an input value from the user. If the saturation of the specific image after the luminance correction thereof exceeds the upper-limit saturation, then a target dynamic range revising circuit narrows the range width of a target dynamic range that stipulates the luminance conversion function. The luminance conversion function is revised in a luminance conversion function revising circuit so as to have the narrowed range width. |
| US07715648B2 |
Apparatus and method for compensating compression blocking artifacts based on gray value comparisons of adjacent blocks
An apparatus and method for compensating images in a display device is disclosed. Distortion ratios of image blocks are calculated based on a gray value difference between each of a plurality of pairs of pixels in the image blocks that face each other at a boundary between the image blocks. Compensation parameters are set based on the calculated block distortion ratios. Distortion compensation values of the image blocks are calculated based on the gray value difference and the set compensation parameters. The image blocks are then compensated according to the calculated distortion compensation values. |
| US07715647B2 |
Data processing apparatus, image processing apparatus, and methods and programs for processing image data
A data processing apparatus capable of performing processing in units of block data by using processing results of other block data in a short time is provided, wherein a deblocking filter performs horizontal filtering processing and vertical filtering processing on first block data and second block data obtained by dividing restructured picture data into two in parallel by adjusting their dependency relation. |
| US07715643B2 |
Image processing apparatus and method, and image pickup apparatus
An image processing device for processing images of background images and moving objects. A region specifying unit specifies a mixed region made up of a mixture of a foreground object component and a background object component, and a non-mixed region made up of one or the other of a foreground object component and a background object component, and outputs region information corresponding to the specifying results. A foreground/background separation unit separates the input image into foreground component images and background component images, corresponding to the region information. A separated image processing unit processes the foreground component images and background component images individually, corresponding to the results of separation. |
| US07715642B1 |
Bitmap image compressing
An image (e.g., a sprite) having at least three textures is compressed by generating a map which represents boundaries separating regions in the image, and generating pointers that associate each of the regions with one of the textures. The resulting data structure may be used in decompressing the image. |
| US07715635B1 |
Identifying similarly formed paragraphs in scanned images
A system and method for identifying and/or categorizing similarly formed paragraphs in a digital image is set forth. An exemplary system includes a processor and a memory. The memory stores executable components which when direct the system to perform the following: obtain at least one page image of reflowable textual content and identify at least one paragraph of textual content. Thereafter, for each identified paragraph, a plurality of paragraph metrics regarding the identified paragraph is determined. Based on the paragraph metrics, similarly formed paragraphs are clustered. |
| US07715623B2 |
Diffusion distance for histogram comparison
A new measure to compare histogram-based descriptors, a diffusion distance, is disclosed. The difference between two histograms is defined to be a temperature field. The relationship between histogram similarity and diffusion process is discussed and it is shown how the diffusion handles deformation as well as quantization effects. As a result, the diffusion distance is derived as the sum of dissimilarities over scales. Being a cross-bin histogram distance, the diffusion distance is robust to deformation, lighting change and noise in histogram-based local descriptors. In addition, it enjoys linear computational complexity which significantly improves previously proposed cross-bin distances with quadratic complexity or higher The proposed approach is tested on both shape recognition and interest point matching tasks using several multi-dimensional histogram-based descriptors including shape context, SIFT and spin images. In all experiments, the diffusion distance performs excellently in both accuracy and efficiency in comparison with other state-of-the-art distance measures. In particular, it performs as accurate as the Earth Mover's Distance with a much greater efficiency. |
| US07715618B2 |
Image file creating apparatus and image file reproducing apparatus
A controller (101) designates the method of integrating viewpoint images. An image integrator (102) creates an integrated image by placing individual viewpoint images in appropriate positions. A 3D image control information creator (103) creates 3D image control information by formatting the placement mode of individual viewpoint images and various 3-dimensional image characteristics. An encoder (104) encodes integrated image data. A multiplexer (105) multiplexes the coded data and the 3D image control information and outputs them. A filename deciding unit (106) decides the name of a file when multiplexed data is recorded as a file. A storage directory deciding unit (107) decides the directory in which a file to be recorded is stored. A file creator (108) records a file with the decided filename under the decided storage directory. Thus, the distinction between 3-dimensional display image data and 2-dimensional image data can be clarified. |
| US07715614B2 |
Method and device for producing component data
A method of producing component data for use with an electronic component mounting apparatus includes imaging a component whose component data is to be produced and displaying a component image on a display, the component image on the display having an outline having at least one side edge with two corners, inputting the corners as reference points so that a first reference line passing the reference points is produced, producing second and third reference lines passing the reference points respectively so as to be perpendicular to the first reference line, inputting a point on another side edge of the outline of the component image and producing a fourth reference line passing the point on the side edge so as to be parallel to the first reference line, and producing component data by measuring a size of the component image outline on the basis of the first to fourth reference lines. |
| US07715613B2 |
UV counterfeit currency detector
An ultraviolet (UV) detector for detecting and verifying the authenticity of documents placed therein and exposed to UV light and white light backlighting. The UV detector includes a detector housing, and a viewing chamber having a viewing mirror mounted therein for viewing documents. The detector housing also includes a document insertion slot for inserting documents into the viewing chamber adjacent to the viewing mirror. The detector housing further includes an LED holder for holding one or more LED'S to provide a source of UV light in the viewing chamber which is transmitted to the viewing mirror and to the documents for identifying UV activated features on the documents. Additionally, the detector housing includes an LED and translucent member disposed therein for providing diffuse visible white light for identifying watermarks on the documents. A user looks into the viewing chamber for viewing the UV activated features and watermarks on the documents. |
| US07715612B2 |
Discriminating apparatus
In a discriminating apparatus, a substrate portion of printed matter is irradiated with a light beam emitted from a light source, and the intensity of the light beam reflected from the substrate is detected by a photodetector. The discrimination as to whether the printed matter is the original or a reproduction is performed by a discriminating unit based on the contrast value in the intensity of the reflected light detected by the photodetector. Thus, the discriminating apparatus discriminates whether the printed matter is the original or a reproduction at high speed and also permits lowering the possibility of an erroneous discrimination. |
| US07715610B2 |
Method and apparatus for processing signals in testing currency items
A method of testing a document comprises deriving a plurality of measurements from the document at a resolution R and processing the measurements to derive values at a different resolution. |
| US07715608B2 |
System and method for 3D visualization of lung perfusion or density and statistical analysis thereof
A system and method for 3D visualization of a pair of lungs are provided. The method comprises: segmenting image data of the pair of lungs and lung parenchyma; generating a 3D map as a function of the segmented image data; and rendering the 3D map as a color-coded semi-transparent 3D volume, wherein an opaque region highlights an area of interest. |
| US07715599B2 |
Image processing apparatus and method, and program
An image processing apparatus includes a first extraction section extracting first feature quantities from image data of an image of a subject captured in a first period; a first estimation section estimating a first average value of the first feature quantities on the basis of second feature quantities extracted from image data of an image of a registered subject captured in a second period and third feature quantities extracted from image data of an image of the registered subject captured in a third period; a second estimation section estimating a first distribution width indicating the width of dispersion of the first feature quantities with respect to the first average value on the basis of the second and third feature quantities; and a determination section determining whether or not the first feature quantities are within a predetermined range based on the first average value and the first distribution width. |
| US07715597B2 |
Method and component for image recognition
A method and system for image recognition in a collection of digital images includes training image classifiers and retrieving a sub-set of images from the collection. For each image in the collection, any regions within the image that correspond to a face are identified. For each face region and any associated peripheral region, feature vectors are determined for each of the image classifiers. The feature vectors are stored in association with data relating to the associated face region. At least one reference region including a face to be recognized is/are selected from an image. At least one classifier on which said retrieval is to be based is/are selected from the image classifiers. A respective feature vector for each selected classifier is determined for the reference region. The sub-set of images is retrieved from within the image collection in accordance with the distance between the feature vectors determined for the reference region and the feature vectors for face regions of the image collection. |
| US07715594B2 |
Method of iris recognition using cumulative-sum-based change point analysis and apparatus using the same
A method of iris recognition using a cumulative-sum-based change point analysis and an apparatus using the same are disclosed. The method includes: transforming an iris image to a polar coordinated image having n×m pixel size and dividing the polar coordinated image into at least one cell; grouping the divided iris images into at least one of first groups having a predetermined number of cells, and at least one of second groups each having more cells than the first group has; performing a cumulative-sum-based change point analysis using a predetermined characteristic pattern value of each cell as a representative value; and generating a pattern vector by assigning a predetermined value to a cell having the change point and assigning a different value to other cells. |
| US07715592B1 |
Analysis of video signal quality
Two video signals, typically an original signal and a degraded version of the same signal, are analyzed firstly to identify perceptually relevant boundaries of elements forming video images depicted therein. These boundaries are then compared to determine the extent to which the properties of the boundaries defined in one image are preserved in the other, to generate an output indicative of the perceptual difference between the first and second signals. The boundaries may be defined by edges, color, luminance or texture contrasts, disparities between frames in a moving or stereoscopic image, or other means. The presence, absence, difference in clarity or difference in means of definition of the boundaries is indicative of the perceptual importance of the differences between the signals, and therefore of the extent to which any degradation of the signal will be perceived by the human viewer of the resulting degraded image. The results may also be weighted according to the perceptual importance of the image depicted—for example the features which identify a human face, and in particular those responsible for visual speech cues. |
| US07715591B2 |
High-performance sensor fusion architecture
A vision-based system for automatically detecting the type of object within a specified area, such as the type of occupant within a vehicle is presented. The type of occupant can then be used to determine whether an airbag deployment system should be enabled or not. The system extracts different features, including wavelet features and/or a disparity map from images captured by image sensors. These features are then processed by classification algorithms to produce class confidences for various occupant types. The occupant class confidences are fused and processed to determine occupant type. In a preferred embodiment, image features from image edges, wavelet features, and disparity are used. Various classification algorithms may be implemented to classify the object. Use of the disparity map and/or wavelet features provides greater computational efficiency. |
| US07715589B2 |
Occluding contour detection and storage for digital photography
Described are techniques used in occluding contour detection. Cues obtained from a static image are combined with cues obtained based on motion disparity of objects in the image to determine occluding image contours. Two images of a same scene are obtained. Local pixel-wise flow fields are obtained using the Lucas-Kanade technique. A warped image is determined using the second image and the flow field. A disparity map is determined by comparing the warped image to the original first image. Static image cues are obtained from the original image using the Berkeley technique. The static image cues are combined with the motion disparity cues indicated by the disparity map producing a product image map. Occluding contours are determined by processing the product image map with the JetStream tracking technique. The occluding contours may be used with the original image for subsequent processing. |
| US07715588B2 |
Two level cross-correlation based system for watermarking continuous digital media
A two level cross-correlation based system for watermarking continuous digital media at the system application level. It is a post-compression process for watermarking where no a priori knowledge of the underlying compression algorithm is required. Per each compressed media frame, a current unique digital signature is generated based on the data from the current compressed frame plus the digital signature that has been previously generated. The signature thus generated is then used in conjunction with the next compressed frame to generate the next unique digital signature. All digital signatures are correlated according to the above process until a “reset” signal is issued. A new chain of correlated digital signatures is produced by the system with a pre-determined initial signature. |
| US07715572B2 |
Custom-fit hearing device kit and method of use
A kit for preparing a custom-fit ear protection molding is provided having a first container containing a compliant material and a second container containing a hardening agent such that when the compliant material and the hardening agent are combined and kneaded, a resulting compound is formed which may be inserted into the ear of a user and allowed to cure. A method of affecting the hearing of a user is provided. A method of selling a hearing-protection kit is also provided along with a method of manufacturing the disclosed kit. |
| US07715567B2 |
Noise reduction in a stereo receiver
A method of denoise a stereo signal comprising a stereo sum signal and a stereo difference signal, performs a frequency selective stereo to mono blending based on the masking effect of the human auditory system. Therefore, a stereo signal noise reducer, comprising a first filter bank (1) to split the stereo difference signal (l−r) into a plurality of subbands, respective first multipliers (CO, . . . , CN) to weight each of the subbands of the stereo difference signal with a respective corresponding control signal (CO, . . . , CN), and a first adder (3) to sum all weighted subbands of the stereo difference signal (l−r) to build a frequency selective weighted stereo difference signal (diff), within which a number and width of the subbands obtained via the first filter bank (1) are choosen according to the properties of the human auditory system, further comprises a weighting factor determination unit which determines a respective control signal (CO, . . . , CN) frequency selective based on the masking effect of the human auditory system. |
| US07715566B2 |
Apparatus and method of automatically compensating a difference between audio signals of an analog broadcast and a digital broadcast
An apparatus and a method of automatically compensating a difference between audio signals of an analog broadcast and a digital broadcast depending on a difference of a modulation degree of an analog audio signal and a digital audio signal. The apparatus includes an analog demodulating unit to demodulate an analog audio signal of a tuned analog broadcast channel, a digital demodulating unit to demodulate a digital audio signal of a tuned digital broadcast channel, a switching unit to receive the audio signals from the analog demodulating unit and the digital demodulating unit and to selectively output the received audio signals, an audio amplifying unit to amplify the audio signals output from the switching unit at a predetermined amplification degree, and a central processing unit to control the switching unit to output the audio signal of the digital demodulating unit and to control an amplification degree of the audio amplifying unit as the digital broadcast channel is tuned by a user, to allow the output audio signal of the digital broadcast channel to have the same magnitude as when the corresponding analog broadcast channel is tuned. |
| US07715565B2 |
Information-centric security
A system for encrypting a data encryption key includes a key encryption key generator configured to receive a public portion of a label, the label including an asymmetric key pair of the public portion and a private portion, the key encryption key generator being further configured to process the public portion of the label to obtain a key encryption key, and a data encryption key encoder configured to receive the key encryption key from the key encryption key generator and to receive a data encryption key from a random number generator, the encoder being further configured to encrypt the data encryption key using the key encryption key to produce an encrypted data encryption key and to provide the encrypted data encryption key to an encryption device. |
| US07715564B2 |
License information conversion apparatus
Each of at least two terminal apparatuses uses content data in accordance with license information which is generated by a content distribution system to which it subscribes. A conversion apparatus includes a working area for storing license information which is compatible with one of the terminal apparatuses, and a central processing section for converting the license information stored in the working area into license information which is compatible with the other terminal apparatus. Thus, there is provided a conversion apparatus which can convert one's own license information so as to be passable to others. |
| US07715561B2 |
System for protecting personal information of a customer when receiving on-line services from a service provider
Disclosed is an information protection system of an on-line service provider connected with customers' telephones through a telephone network for protecting important personal information of the customers from being leaked by tapping the customers' telephone lines, which includes an IVR system for collecting the customers' information-input patterns based on the customers' information-input signals received from the telephones and transmitting colored signals similar to the customers' information-input signals through the telephone network to the customers' telephone lines, and a control device for generating respective the colored signals similar to the customers' information-input signals based on the customers' information-input patterns, the colored signals being delivered to the IVR system. The IVR system transmits the colored signal to the customer's telephone line to scramble the customer's personal information being inputted. An echo canceller is provided to recover the customers' personal information from the scrambled information. An information-input pattern analyzer is provided to analyze the information-input pattern data to determine the customers' respective mean information-input patterns. |
| US07715560B2 |
Systems and methods for hiding a data group
A system is provided for hiding a data group in a wireless communication device, in which a predetermined data group is hidden according to a hiding request. The system for hiding a data group comprises an encryption module for receiving the hiding request and the predetermined groups in a memory in the wireless communication device and an access module. Next, the encryption module establishes mechanism for hiding a data group to hide the predetermined data group. The access module performs the mechanism for hiding a data group and decrypts a secret code encrypted by the encryption module when data in the predetermined data group is to be read. |
| US07715554B1 |
Prime number determining method
A method for determining, for use in ciphers, all of the prime numbers within the large numeric series: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, . . . , n, the method including steps of setting n′=┌n/6┌; establishing the small numeric series, 6(1)−1, 6(1)+1, 6(2)−1, 6(2)+1, 6(3)−1, 6(3)+1, . . . 6(n′)−1, 6(n′)+1, each member of the small numeric series being initially unlabeled, the small numeric series consisting of a “−1” subseries and a “+1” subseries; while β−((β+1)/6) is less than n′, repeating sub-steps of First, setting β to equal the least unlabeled member of the “−1” subseries, labeling that member as “prime”, labeling as “non-prime” every βth member thereafter of the “−1” subseries, labeling as “non-prime” the (β−((β+1)/6))th member of the “+1” subseries, labeling as “non-prime” every βth member thereafter of the “+1” subseries, and Second, setting β to equal the least unlabeled member of the “+1” subseries, labeling that member as “prime”, labeling as “non-prime” every βth member thereafter of the “+1” subseries, labeling as “non-prime” the (β−((β−1)/6))th member of the “−1” subseries, and labeling as “non-prime” every βth member thereafter of the “−1” subseries; and labeling as “prime” each unlabeled member of the small numeric series. |
| US07715547B2 |
Voice XML network gateway
A system (10) for controlling telecommunications calls includes a voice XML network gateway (12) including a voice interpreter module (20) and a call center server module (28) association with a telecommunications switch (58). The voice interpreter module (20) receives voice telecommunications signals, and the call center server module (28) receives call center telecommunications data signals. Interpreting circuitry (22, 24) interprets the voice telecommunications signals using the voice interpreter module in association speech recognition application (s) (16). Call center service providing (18) means provides call center service in response to the call center telecommunications data signals in association with call center application program(s). Control circuitry (26) associated with the telecommunications network server (12) controls the interpreting circuitry (20) and the call center providing means (28) in response to the flow of telecommunications calls from the telecommunications switch (58) according to the capabilities of the at least one speech recognition application (16) and the at least one call center application program (18). |
| US07715544B1 |
Method and apparatus for selective call waiting treatment
Processes for providing a selective call waiting feature within a communications network entail accepting options for a selective call waiting feature into a database and, then, linking the options to at least one account. The selective call waiting feature can be activated. The processes continue by linking the activated selective call waiting feature to operation of the communication network to implement each network end users' options. The activated selective call waiting feature is then applied to incoming calls. |
| US07715541B2 |
Methods, systems, and computer program products for using a personal conference to privately establish and control media connections with a telephony device
Methods, systems, and computer program products for using a personal conference to privately establish and control media connections with a telephony device are disclosed. According to one method, a media connection is established between a first user and a personal conference instance. The first user is connected to the personal conference instance via a telephony device, such as a PSTN phone. A plurality of second media connections is established between a plurality of second users and the personal conference instance in a manner that conceals existence of the personal conference instance to at least one of the second users. Media packets from the second users are mixed and sent to the first user. Media packets from the first user are sent to the second users. The first user dynamically controls at least one aspect of the personal conference call instance. |
| US07715537B2 |
Metering in packet-based telephony networks
One embodiment of the present invention facilitates efficient metering in a packet network environment by providing a single metering message, which contains sufficient information to provide the complete call tariff model for a particular call. The media gateway receiving the message can analyze the information provided in the message to determine how to provide metering pulses for all phases of the call, as well as any one-time charges, such as setup and add-on charges. Another embodiment of the invention provides a way for handling fractional pulse counts in an efficient manner. Yet another embodiment facilitates the handling of situations where charge intervals do not divide evenly into the phase duration of the phase associated with the call. In still another embodiment, the amount of information necessary to deliver the parameters of the call tariff model is minimized to reduce the overhead necessary for facilitating the metering process. |
| US07715535B2 |
Method and apparatus for line selection in a communication device
The present invention includes embodiments of an apparatus and method for selecting a line from two or more lines on a communication device. The communication device comprises a display module, an input module, a line selection module, and a communication module for making a call over a network to a target recipient. The method comprises the steps of storing line selection information; monitoring the input module for initiation of a call to the target recipient; upon detecting the initiation of the call, selecting a line from the at least two lines in the line selection module, the selected line is dependent on said line selection information; and making the call to the target recipient on the selected line. |
| US07715534B2 |
Telephone outlet for implementing a local area network over telephone lines and a local area network using such outlets
A network for transporting power and multiplexed data and digital telephone signals. The network includes at least three nodes and first and second wiring segments in a building for carrying the multiplexed data and digital telephone signals, and at least one of the segments is configured to additionally carry a power signal. A power consuming component is connected to the at least one wiring segment and is powered by the power signal carried by that segment. Each wiring segment connects a different pair of the nodes together to form, with nodes nodes, a packet based bi-directional communication link. One of the nodes contains communication link composed of a repeater, a bridge, or a router connectable to a data unit. At least one of the nodes is connected to a remote data unit external to the building for coupling the remote data unit to at least one of said communication links. |
| US07715533B2 |
Brokering of information acquisition by devices in a wireless network
A mobile telephone of an advertiser broadcasts an advertisement over a wireless short range piconet link to a mobile telephone of a consumer. The advertisement is broadcast with a predetermined set of classification tags. The consumer phone has a filter set to accept only certain advertisements. When an advertisement of interest is received by the consumer phone it requests further details automatically via the piconet link and the advertiser phone provides the further details automatically via the piconet link. The consumer phone replies to the advertisement by sending a reply message to a broker device that changes (i.e., modifies or augments the reply message text) and communicates the changed reply message to the advertiser. |
| US07715532B2 |
Automated passcode recovery in an interactive voice response system
The preferred embodiments of the present invention include providing automated passcode recovery in an interactive voice response system by providing to a caller an automated passcode recovery question and processing a caller answer to the automated passcode recovery question to authenticate the caller. |
| US07715531B1 |
Charting audible choices
In one embodiment, a system and method for charting audible choices comprises determining if an option is offered; selecting the option if the option is offered; and saving a result, wherein the result is associated with the selected option. |
| US07715523B2 |
System and apparatus for rapid stereotactic breast biopsy analysis
A stereotactic breast biopsy apparatus and system that may comprise an x-ray source, a digital imaging receptor, and a biopsy specimen cassette, wherein the x-ray source is provided with a means for displacing the beam axis of the x-ray source from a working biopsy corridor beam axis to permit an unobstructed illumination of the biopsy specimen and thereby produce biopsy x-ray images directly in the procedure room for immediate analysis. Some examples of the benefits may be, but are not limited to, a more rapid analysis of biopsy specimen digital images, post-processing image capability, and decreased procedure time and diminution of patient bleeding complications and needle discomfort. |
| US07715522B2 |
X-ray CT apparatus
An X-ray CT apparatus inputs information with respect to a target tissue of the object to be discriminated in the tomographic image and inputs an index with respect to correctness of the discrimination, and determines scanning conditions for discriminating the target tissue based on the index. |
| US07715518B2 |
Method, use and device concerning cladding tubes for nuclear fuel and a fuel assembly for a nuclear boiling water reactor
The invention concerns a method of producing a cladding tube for nuclear fuel for a nuclear boiling water reactor. According to the method, a tube is formed which comprises an outer cylindrical component (10) mainly containing zirconium and an inner cylindrical component (20) metallurgically bonded to the outer component (10), wherein also the inner component (20) at least mainly contains zirconium. The inner component (20) has a lower recrystallization temperature than the outer component (10). The cladding tube is final annealed at a temperature and during a time such that the inner component (20) substantially completely recrystallizes and such that the outer component (10) partly recrystallizes but to a lower extent than the inner component (20). The invention also concerns a cladding tube, a fuel assembly for a boiling water reactor as well as the use of a cladding tube. |
| US07715516B2 |
Method of delivering a tool into a submerged bore
A method for delivery of a tool into a submerged bore includes controlling the movement of a tool delivery device in the pool by operating at least one propulsion drive located on the tool delivery device. The tool delivery device is coupled to an inlet to the bore and a tool is inserted from the tool delivery device through the inlet and into the bore. |
| US07715515B2 |
Method and apparatus for reducing non-montonic regions in a digitally controlled oscillator
The control word input to a Digitally Controlled Oscillator (DCO) is modified to reduce non-monotonic regions in the output response of the DCO. The DCO may be included in a Phase-Locked Loop (PLL) circuit for generating an output signal that locks onto either the phase or frequency of a reference signal input. By modifying the control word input to the DCO to avoid non-monotonic regions in the DCO output response, PLL phase noise is reduced. In one embodiment, the control word is modified by reordering or skipping control word values input to the DCO that correspond to non-monotonic regions in the output response of the DCO circuit. |
| US07715505B2 |
Adaptive synchronization enhancement technique for serial modulated waveforms
Methods and apparatus for synchronization (SYNC) detection of a received serial offset quadrature pulse shaped waveform modulated by a symbol SYNC sequence are provided. The waveform is serially demodulated into a serial baseband signal and correlated in parallel with segments of the symbol SYNC sequence. Correlation strength estimates of each of the correlated output signals are computed and used to adjust a SYNC threshold level. The correlation strength estimates or the correlated output signals are combined and a peak is determined in the resulting signal. The peak in the resulting signal is compared to the SYNC threshold level to detect synchronization. |
| US07715504B2 |
Receiving apparatus and transmitting apparatus
A partial bit demodulation section demodulates partial bits among a plurality of bits that form one symbol of each modulated signal using a detection method different from likelihood detection. Signal point reduction sections reduce the number of candidate signal points using demodulated partial bits. A likelihood detection section obtains received digital signals by performing likelihood detection based on the Euclidian distances between the reduced candidate signal points and a reception point. Only some bits which are unlikely to be erroneous are found by the partial bit demodulation section, and other bits can be found by the likelihood detection section, enabling bit error rate performances to be effectively improved with a comparatively small computational complexity. |
| US07715503B2 |
Parallel concatenated code with soft-in soft-out interactive turbo decoder
A method for parallel concatenated (Turbo) encoding and decoding. Turbo encoders receive a sequence of input data tuples and encode them. The input sequence may correspond to a sequence of an original data source, or to an already coded data sequence such as provided by a Reed-Solomon encoder. A turbo encoder generally comprises two or more encoders separated by one or more interleavers. The input data tuples may be interleaved using a modulo scheme in which the interleaving is according to some method (such as block or random interleaving) with the added stipulation that the input tuples may be interleaved only to interleaved positions having the same modulo-N (where N is an integer) as they have in the input data sequence. If all the input tuples are encoded by all encoders then output tuples can be chosen sequentially from the encoders and no tuples will be missed. If the input tuples comprise multiple bits, the bits may be interleaved independently to interleaved positions having the same modulo-N and the same bit position. This may improve the robustness of the code. A first encoder may have no interleaver or all encoders may have interleavers, whether the input tuple bits are interleaved independently or not. Modulo type interleaving also allows decoding in parallel. |
| US07715501B2 |
Partial response receiver
A receive circuit for receiving a signal transmitted via an electric signal conductor. A first sampling circuit generates a first sample value that indicates whether the signal exceeds a first threshold level, and a second sampling circuit generates a second sample value that indicates whether the signal exceeds a second threshold level. A first select circuit receives the first and second sample values from the first and second sampling circuits and selects, according to a previously generated sample value, either the first sample value or the second sample value to be output as a selected sample value. |
| US07715497B2 |
Radio transmitter apparatus, radio receiver apparatus, and wireless communication system
A wireless communication system capable of obtaining diversity gain without fail even when the distribution of the reception qualities is large. In a radio transmitter apparatus (100) of the wireless communication system, a repetition/constellation pattern ratio deciding part (113) adjusts the number of constellations to be used by a modulating part (102) and also adjusts the number of replicas of a repetition part (103) in such a manner that the product of the number of constellation patterns to be used by the modulating part (102), that is, the number of outbound symbols to be generated and the number of outbound symbols as replicated by the repetition part (103) becomes equal to the number of outbound symbols generated from a single transmission data notified from a control information extracting part (112). |
| US07715496B2 |
Channel state determination method and channel state generator in receiver
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide a receiver, a generator, an error-averager, and a determiner and methods for the same. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, cyclical characteristics of a signal may be used to obtain an improved signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Exemplary embodiments of the generator may generate a signal output from an equalizer and may transmit the signal to a decoder, which may calculate a metric. The signal may be proportional to the reliability of a symbol. |
| US07715495B2 |
Communication system, transmitter, receiver, transmitting method, receiving method, and program
A transmitter 131 in a communication system 101 receives data to be transferred, performs STBC coding thereon to acquire two signals, performs an OFDM transmission process on the signals which are radio-transmitted to from antennas 141, 142 having polarization polarities orthogonal to each other. A receiver 151 radio-receives the signals using antennas 161, 162 having polarization polarities orthogonal to each other, and performs STBC decoding on two signals acquired by performing an OFDM reception process on the received signals, respectively, thereby acquiring the transferred data. The inclinations of the antenna 141 and the antenna 161 are equal to the inclinations of the antenna 142 and the antenna 162, and are typically 45 degrees. |
| US07715493B2 |
Digital transmitter and methods of generating radio-frequency signals using time-domain outphasing
Embodiments of a multicarrier transmitter and method of generating an RF signal for transmission are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed. In some embodiments, a multicarrier transmitter generates RF signals for transmission using non-linear switching power amplifiers to amplify outphased switching waveforms allowing the multicarrier transmitter to operate more efficiently than some conventional multicarrier transmitters. |
| US07715492B2 |
Transmitter and transmission method
A transmitter includes a time/frequency-domain converter that converts a time-domain data signal to a frequency-domain data signal of a fixed number; a subcarrier allocator that allocates the obtained frequency-domain data signal to any of subcarriers, the number of which exceeds the fixed number, the subcarriers being allocated in a predetermined transmission frequency band; and a controller that controls the subcarrier allocator to allocate signals other than the data signal to subcarriers in an idle band to which the data signal is not allocated. By this, without the need for a plurality of time/frequency-domain conversion circuits with a large size, such as DFTs, frequency utilization efficiency (data transmission efficiency) is improved. |
| US07715490B2 |
Spectral emission shaping sigma delta modulator for wireless applications
A novel sigma delta amplitude modulator having a noise transfer function adapted to shift quantization noise outside at least one frequency band of interest. In one embodiment, the sigma delta amplitude modulator includes a programmable order low pass stage. In a second embodiment, the sigma delta amplitude modulator incorporates comb filtering wherein each comb filter comprises a plurality of fingers to permit greater programmability in the frequency location of notches. A polar transmitter incorporating the sigma delta amplitude modulator is presented that shapes the spectral emissions of the digitally-controlled power amplifier such that they are significantly and sufficiently attenuated in one or more desired frequency bands. |
| US07715487B2 |
Wireless apparatus employing multi-level QAM and method for estimating threshold value
An wireless terminal includes a demodulating unit which comprises an FV (fading vector) estimating unit for receiving a CPICH spread/demodulated signal to output an FV signal with a reduced noise ratio; a phase synchronization unit for multiplying a PDSCH spread/demodulated signal with a complex conjugate of the FV signal to correct the phase offset of the PDSCH I and Q signals to send the resulting PDSCH I and Q signals to a multi-level QAM amplitude synchronization detection unit and to an amplitude demodulating unit; a first-quadrant transformation unit for collecting the second to fourth quadrant signals of the phase-synchronized PDSCH I and Q signals; and a threshold value detecting unit for calculating a multi-level QAM threshold value from the first quadrant signals and the FV signals to send the threshold signal to an amplitude demodulating unit. The amplitude demodulating unit effects amplitude demodulation to output multi-level QAM demodulated signals. The threshold value detecting unit previously assumes a plural number of probabilities as to which of the levels received data belongs to and, using a plural number of the data, raises the precision of the assumed data. The threshold value is estimated, using the frequencies and differences of the respective levels, from the assumed plural threshold values. |
| US07715486B2 |
Method and device for estimating the transfer function of the transmission channel for a COFDM demodulator
A method of COFDM demodulation of successive symbols, each symbol comprising data carriers and pilots. The method includes, for each symbol, the determination of estimates of the transfer function of the channel for the symbol carriers, including the steps of determining, for first carriers such that, for the frequency positions of the considered carriers, symbols different from the symbol include pilots, a first estimate based on second estimates obtained for pilots having the frequency of the carrier; and determining, for second carriers, a third estimate based on the first estimates. For at least one first carrier, the first estimate is further determined based on at least the third estimate determined for a carrier of a symbol received before the symbol at the same frequency as the carrier. |
| US07715485B1 |
MIMO communication using interference cancellation and unequal transmit power distribution
Communication of data over a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) channel includes allocating transmission power unequally to the different data streams. The transmission power allocation is performed without regard to a state of a changing channel response of the MIMO channel. A relatively low complexity interference cancelling receiver can therefore decode the data streams. |
| US07715482B2 |
System and method for generating pseudo MPEG information from digital video information
A system and method are used to generate pseudo MPEG information from digital video information received at a digital video input. An artificial time stamp module is used to generated the pseudo MPEG information from associating an artificial time stamp with the digital video information. This pseudo MPEG information is received, for example, at an MPEG signal processor in a set-top box. The MPEG signal processor decodes the pseudo MPEG information and outputs the decoded MPEG information under control of the artificial time stamps. |
| US07715481B2 |
System and method for allocation of resources for processing video
System and method for efficient allocation of resources for processing video. According to an embodiment, the present invention provides a method for processing video. The method includes providing a system for processing video. The system is characterized by a known quantity of processing power. The method also includes providing a video file, which is characterized by a plurality of properties. The plurality of properties includes a file type, resolution, bit rate, frame rate, video quality, etc. The video type is associated with a first compression method. The method further includes determining the video type and the first compression method. Additionally, the method includes determining a first usage for the video file. For example, the first usage being associated with the video type. The method further includes decoding the video. Additionally, the method includes determining a residual processing power, which associated with the first usage. The method also includes providing a first plurality of processing modules. |
| US07715478B2 |
Moving picture coding method and moving picture decoding method
A moving picture coding apparatus (10a) according to the present invention includes a level analyzer (100a) that decides the maximum number of intra frame pixels which can be coded (Nfpx) and the maximum number of storage pixels which can be stored in a picture memory of a decoding apparatus (Nspx) on the basis of a level identifier (Lst) indicating a coding level that is designated by the user, thereby judging whether coding of an input image is possible or not and calculating the maximum number of reference pictures (Nrpn) as the number of reference candidate pictures which can be referred to at inter picture prediction coding, on the basis of the maximum number of intra frame pixels (Nfpx) and the input image size (the number of vertical pixels (Nhpx) and the number of horizontal pixels (Nwpx)). A decoding apparatus to which a bit stream from the moving picture coding apparatus (10a) is supplied can always decode the bit stream satisfactorily, and perform inter picture prediction decoding corresponding to the inter picture prediction coding on the coding end. Consequently, memory areas of a coding apparatus and a decoding apparatus that are adapted to a coding method in which there is no restraint on the capacity of the memory area can be designed. |
| US07715476B2 |
System, method and article of manufacture for tracking a head of a camera-generated image of a person
A system, method and article of manufacture are provided for tracking a head portion of a person image in video images. Upon receiving video images, a first head tracking operation is executed for generating a first confidence value. Such first confidence value is representative of a confidence that a head portion of a person image in the video images is correctly located. Also executed is a second head tracking operation for generating a second confidence value representative of a confidence that the head portion of the person image in the video images is correctly located. The first confidence value and the second confidence value are then outputted. Subsequently, the depiction of the head portion of the person image in the video images is based on the first confidence value and the second confidence value. |
| US07715472B2 |
Equalizer architecture for data communication
An update algorithm for equalizer coefficients in a communications system using phase correction symbols. Instead of using a traditional all symbols slicer update algorithm, the equalizer is updated during phase correction symbols for optimal performance in low signal-to-noise ratio conditions. In lower signal-to-noise ratio conditions, the equalizer uses a phase correction circuit to compensate for distortion caused by a communication channel when a demodulated data stream contains an unknown phase offsets resulting from a fast dynamic distortion. More specifically, the phase correction circuit uses a phase correction signal to correct for the unknown phase offsets in a demodulated data stream in lower signal-to-noise ratio conditions. The equalizer then corrects for distortion caused by the communication channel based upon the phase corrected demodulated data stream. |
| US07715466B1 |
Interference cancellation system and method for wireless antenna configuration
Presently disclosed is a method for reducing interference in a wireless distributed antenna systems. In an embodiment, interference is reduced by selectively placing a first wireless remote unit in a reduced signal interference mode. A controller sends a signal, such as a reverse link power-down signal, to the first remote unit after detecting less than a threshold incoming signal strength at the first remote unit. In an alternative embodiment, the controller requests that a given remote unit switch to the reduced signal interference mode when the controller is receiving signals from a mobile station through at least two different remote units. |
| US07715465B2 |
Correlation method to adaptively operate in time varying phase and correlator thereof
Disclosed is a correlation method to adaptively operate in a time varying phase and a correlator thereof. A correlation method according to the present invention includes performing the first correlation according to a certain reference value and a certain reference interval for correlation of a received signal; calculating an average variation of the received signal through the result of performing the first correlation; deciding a new reference value for the second correlation through the average variation; performing the second correlation according to the new reference value and the reference interval; and selecting the maximum value among the result of performing the second correlation. Accordingly, plural references are decided considering variation of a response signal between tags and also separate plural references are decided considering bit variation of a response signal in the same tag, so that a digital signal can be ideally demodulated in the environment where signal phase variation occurs. |
| US07715463B2 |
Simple and robust digital code tracking loop for wireless communication systems
A simple and robust CTL is used for time tracking of multipath components of a spread spectrum signal transmitted over a wireless multipath fading channel. A digital code-tracking loop includes the implementations of despreading early and late data samples by use of a pseudonoise sequence, an error signal output generated by the despreading, and adjustment for a plurality of on-time, early and late samples, a data rate of a control signal provided as a fractional proportion of a data rate of error signals. |
| US07715462B2 |
Variable spreading factor-orthogonal frequency and code division multiplexing (VSF-OFCDM) system, a receiver for use therein and a method of processing received signals in such a system
A variable spreading factor-orthogonal frequency and code division multiplexing (VSF-OFCDM) system and receiver for use therein has a sequence extension remover for removing a predetermined number of chips from the received signal to form a modified signal, and a first converter for converting the modified signal from a serial sequence to a parallel sequence. A despreader is coupled to the first converter for despreading the parallel sequence to derive a group of symbols. An orthogonal transform block, such as a Fast Fourier Transform block is coupled to the despreader to transform the symbols from the time domain to the frequency domain. An equalizer block is coupled to the transform block for equalizing the transformed signal to reduce channel distortion. A deinterleaver block is coupled to the equalizer block to form a deinterleaved signal. The deinterleaved signal is then converted from a parallel sequence to a serial sequence. |
| US07715461B2 |
High data rate CDMA wireless communication system using variable sized channel codes
Method and apparatus for high rate code-division multiple access wireless communication is described. Each of a channel encoded data is modulated by an associated code having a small number of pseudo-noise spreading chips per orthogonal waveform period, thus producing a set of streams of modulated symbols. Each of the set of streams of modulated symbols is then gain adjusted, and combined to yield two streams of combined symbols. The combination is the set of streams is carried out to reduce a peak-to-average ratio of the transmission. The resulting two combined symbol streams are modulated by a complex multiplier using a user long code and a pseudorandom spreading code (PN code) and upconverted for transmission. |