| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US07818577B2 |
Identifying material using a watermark and a signature
A method of identifying material comprises the step of inserting an identifying code into a signal as a watermark, and deriving a signature from the material. The code and signature are stored in a database. The watermarked signal may be distributed and/or transmitted through a network. The signal may be processed in the network. A monitor derives from the received signal, the signature and the code. They are compared with the stored signature and code to check the provenance of the material. |
| US07818574B2 |
System and method for providing dynamically authorized access to functionality present on an integrated circuit chip
A mechanism is provided in which access to the functionality present on an integrated circuit chip is controllable via an encrypted certificate of authority which includes time information indicating allowable periods of operation or allowable duration of operation. The chip includes at least one cryptographic engine and at least one processor. The chip also contains hard coded cryptographic keys including a chip private key, a chip public key and a third party's public key. The chip is also provided with a battery backed up volatile memory which contains information which is used to verify authority for operation. The certificate of authority is also used to control not only the temporal aspects of operation but is also usable to control access to certain functionality that may be present on the chip, such as access to some or all of the cryptographic features provided in conjunction with the presence of the cryptographic engine, such as key size. |
| US07818568B2 |
Multiple user authentication for online console-based gaming
A console-based multi-user authentication process allows multiple users of a game console to be authenticated together in a single request/reply exchange with an authentication entity. The results of which is the possession of a single ticket that can be used to prove authenticity of multiple authentication principals to one or more online services. Also described is a handshake process that can be used to initially establish an authentication account for each game console, in which the account creation server can trust that a genuine game console is making the request. |
| US07818566B2 |
Apparatus and method for sharing a cached security profile in a database environment
An apparatus, system, and method are provided for sharing a cached security profile in a database environment. The apparatus, system, and method include a cache module for caching a security profile accessible to primary tasks and secondary tasks. An identification module is provided that distinguishes between primary tasks authorized to refresh the security profile and secondary tasks. A refresh module cooperates with the cache module and identification module to selectively refresh the security profile in response to a refresh request and expiration of the security profile such that an old version of the security profile is retained for use by secondary tasks until an execution window closes. |
| US07818562B2 |
Method and apparatus for time synchronization in a network data processing system
A method, apparatus, and computer implemented instructions for synchronizing time in a network data processing system. A request for time synchronization is received at a target data processing system. A current target time at the target data processing system is placed in a reply. The reply is sent to the source data processing system. A current source time from when the reply is received at the source data processing system is compared to the current target time to generate a comparison. A synchronization factor is generated using the comparison. |
| US07818560B2 |
System information synchronization in a links-based multi-processor system
Various embodiments described herein include one or more of systems, methods, firmware, and software to synchronize system information between processors during system boot in a links-based multi-processor system. Some embodiments synchronize data block by block through memory rather than piece by piece through registers by allowing a System Bootstrap Processor (“SBSP”) to directly access synchronization data in local memory of each of one or more Application Processors. These and other embodiments are described in greater detail below. |
| US07818559B2 |
Boot negotiation among multiple boot-capable devices
A first device discovers the capabilities of a second device. The first device determines which of the first device and the second device is to execute a controlling boot image based at least in part on the capabilities of the first device and the second device. A first boot image is executed by the first device when the first device is determined to execute the controlling boot image, the second device to be a resource for the first boot image. The first device sends a second boot image stored on the first device to the second device when the second device is determined to execute the controlling boot image, wherein the first device to be a resource for the second boot image. |
| US07818558B2 |
Method and apparatus for EFI BIOS time-slicing at OS runtime
A method and apparatus is described herein for executing firmware tasks during OS runtime. A thread slices execution time among entries in a control structure, such as process control block (PCB), maintained by an OS kernel. An entry in the control structure includes a reference to a firmware task, such as a system management operation, a BIOS task, and/or and EFI task. Based on that entry, the thread allocates an amount of execution time either directly to the firmware task or to a kernel mode driver to perform the firmware task. |
| US07818557B2 |
Method for re-imaging a computer system
The present disclosure relates generally to systems and methods for re-imaging a computer system. In one example, a method is provided for replacing an active system of a computer with a new image. The method may include copying files from the new image into a re-imaging directory on the active system. Processes of the active system that are not needed to keep the active system in a functioning state may be stopped. Files are moved from a top level space of the active system into a temporary directory after stopping the processes, and files from the re-imaging directory are moved into the top level space. The active system is then rebooted. |
| US07818555B2 |
Method and apparatus for changing a configuration of a computing system
Machine-readable media, methods, apparatus and system for caption detection are described. In some embodiments, during a non-quiesce state of a system, a configuration data for a configuration update of a configurable device of the system may be calculated, and it may be determined whether the configuration data is final configuration data or intermediate configuration data, wherein the final configuration data may be used to directly enact the configuration update during a quiesce state of the system, while the intermediate configuration data is used to indirectly enact the configuration update during the quiesce state of the system. Further, during the non-quiesce state of the system, if the configuration data is the intermediate configuration data, then codes associated with the configuration data may be determined, wherein the codes may be used to operate the configuration data to obtain the final configuration data during the quiesce state of the system. |
| US07818550B2 |
Method and apparatus for dynamically fusing instructions at execution time in a processor of an information handling system
One embodiment of a processor includes a fetch stage, decoder stage, execution stage and completion stage. The execution stage includes a primary execution stage for handling low latency instructions and a secondary execution stage for handling higher latency instructions. A detector determines if an instruction is a high latency instruction or a low latency instruction. If the detector also finds that a particular low latency instruction is dependent on, and destructive of, a corresponding high latency instruction, then the secondary execution stage dynamically fuses the execution of the low latency instruction together with the execution of the high latency instruction. Otherwise, the primary execution stage handles the execution of the low latency instruction. |
| US07818548B2 |
Method and software for group data operations
Methods and software are presented for processing data in a programmable processor, involving (a) decoding instructions for execution using an execution unit operable to execute instructions by partitioning data stored in registers in a register file into multiple data elements, the instructions selected from an instruction set that includes group arithmetic instructions and group data handling instructions, (b) in response to decoding different group arithmetic instructions, executing a plurality of different group floating-point and group integer arithmetic operations that each arithmetically operates on multiple data elements stored in registers in the register file to produce a catenated result that is returned to a register in the register file, wherein the catenated result comprises a plurality of individual results, and (c) in response to decoding different group data handling instructions, executing group data handling operations that re-arrange data elements in different ways. |
| US07818544B2 |
Processor livelock recovery by gradual stalling of instruction processing rate during detection of livelock condition
Mechanisms for placing a processor into a gradual slow down mode of operation are provided. The gradual slow down mode of operation comprises a plurality of stages of slow down operation of an issue unit in a processor in which the issuance of instructions is slowed in accordance with a staging scheme. The gradual slow down of the processor allows the processor to break out of livelock conditions. Moreover, since the slow down is gradual, the processor may flexibly avoid various degrees of livelock conditions. The mechanisms of the illustrative embodiments impact the overall processor performance based on the severity of the livelock condition by taking a small performance impact on less severe livelock conditions and only increasing the processor performance impact when the livelock condition is more severe. |
| US07818541B2 |
Data processing architectures
A data processing architecture comprising: an input device for receiving an incoming stream of data packets; and a plurality of processing elements which are operable to process data received thereby; wherein the input device is operable to distribute data packets in whole or in part to the processing elements in dependence upon the data processing bandwidth of the processing elements. |
| US07818539B2 |
System and method for performing efficient conditional vector operations for data parallel architectures involving both input and conditional vector values
A processor implements conditional vector operations in which, for example, an input vector containing multiple operands to be used in conditional operations is divided into two or more output vectors based on a condition vector. Each output vector can then be processed at full processor efficiency without cycles wasted due to branch latency. Data to be processed are divided into two groups based on whether or not they satisfy a given condition by e.g., steering each to one of the two index vectors. Once the data have been segregated in this way, subsequent processing can be performed without conditional operations, processor cycles wasted due to branch latency, incorrect speculation or execution of unnecessary instructions due to predication. Other examples of conditional operations include combining one or more input vectors into a single output vector based on a condition vector, conditional vector switching, conditional vector combining, and conditional vector load balancing. |
| US07818537B2 |
Method and system for dynamically determining hash function values for file transfer integrity validation
A method and system for dynamically determining hash values for file transfer integrity validation. In response to a request for a transfer of a data file between a first computing system and a second computing system, the first computing system loads a first portion of the data file to a buffer. The first computing system determines a first hash function value based on the first portion. The first computing system loads a second portion of the data file portion to the buffer and determines a second hash function value incrementally based on the first and second data file portions. The first and second data file portions are non-overlapping portions of the data file being transferred. |
| US07818534B2 |
Determination of sampling characteristics based on available memory
A portion of data records of a full input data set are imported into memory of a computer system for processing by an executing application. The full input data set includes data records of a dimensionally-modeled fact collection. An amount of the data of the full input set to import is determined based on an amount of available memory of the computer system. The sampling characteristics for sampling the full input data set are determined based on the amount of the data that can be imported and on characteristics of the full input data set and application involved. The full input data set is then sampled and a portion of the records are imported into the memory of the computer system for processing. The sampling characteristics are determined such that analysis as a result of processing by the executing application of the sampled portion of the records imported is representative of the analysis that could otherwise be carried out on the full input data set, with a calculable statistical relevance. |
| US07818532B2 |
Method and system for creating and restoring an image file
An image file format and a method of creating and restoring an image file is provided by the present invention. The image file format includes a plurality of streams such as a control stream, a data stream, a bitmap stream, and a cluster map stream. An audit trail stream, properties stream and fix-up stream may also be provided. The present invention allows the contents of a storage media to be captured and stored as an image file. The image file is used to restore the storage media to a previous state or allows multiple computers to be provided with a common configuration. The plurality of streams further allow the image file to be viewed, edited or otherwise manipulated. |
| US07818528B2 |
System and method for asynchronous clock regeneration
The present invention is a method of asynchronous clock regeneration. The method includes synchronizing a first write pointer and a second write pointer, the first write pointer being an offline write pointer, the second write pointer being an online write pointer. The method further includes swapping at least one bit from the first write pointer with at least one bit of the second write pointer when the bits are static. The method further includes regenerating a DQS (Data Strobe Signal) clock. |
| US07818522B2 |
Apparatus, system, and method for incremental resynchronization in a data storage system
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for performing an incremental resynchronization between two unrelated volumes when a third volume fails. The apparatus, system, and method include initiating registration of changed tracks; keeping track of bytes in flight activities between a local volume and an intermediate volume; recording the changed tracks in bitmaps at the local volume; stopping the recording of the changed tracks; and starting a resynchronization process by sending the changed tracks to a recovery volume. |
| US07818520B2 |
Method of specifying access sequence of a storage device
The present invention is to provide a method of specifying access sequence of a storage device, wherein queues with different priority are created in the storage device for recording access requests from at least one server at the front-end of the storage device to manage the access operation, and are recorded corresponding to the front-end servers and the priority thereof respectively via a priority table. When the front-end server makes an access request, the request will be added to the corresponding queue according to the source front-end server, and each queue will be processed according to the priority thereof. The maximum workload of the access request processed every single time of each queue is set respectively. Thus, the access requests of the queues with higher priority will be processed within a shorter time. |
| US07818517B1 |
Architecture for virtualization of networked storage resources
An architecture for managing a switched storage network consisting of one or more data storage volumes and one or more hosts. The data storage volumes are in a switched storage network. One or more processors provide the switching capability for the switched storage network. The one or more processors are capable of embodying logical constructions of a storage presentation layer and a volume presentation layer. |
| US07818512B2 |
High capacity memory subsystem architecture employing hierarchical tree configuration of memory modules
A high-capacity memory subsystem architecture utilizes multiple memory modules arranged in a hierarchical tree configuration, in which at least some communications from an external source traverse successive levels of the tree to reach memory modules at the lowest level. Preferably, the memory system employs buffered memory chips having dual-mode operation, one of which supports a tree configuration in which data is interleaved and the communications buses operate at reduced bus width and/or reduced bus frequency to match the level of interleaving. |
| US07818511B2 |
Reducing number of rejected snoop requests by extending time to respond to snoop request
A cache, system and method for reducing the number of rejected snoop requests. A “stall/reorder unit” in a cache receives a snoop request from an interconnect. Information, such as the address, of the snoop request is stored in a queue of the stall/reorder unit. The stall/reorder unit forwards the snoop request to a selector which also receives a request from a processor. An arbitration mechanism selects either the snoop request or the request from the processor. If the snoop request is denied by the arbitration mechanism, information, e.g., address, about the snoop request may be maintained in the stall/reorder unit. The request may be later resent to the selector. This process may be repeated up to “n” clock cycles. By providing the snoop request additional opportunities (n clock cycles) to be accepted by the arbitration mechanism, fewer snoop requests may ultimately be denied. |
| US07818509B2 |
Combined response cancellation for load command
A cache coherency technique used in a multi-node symmetric multi-processor system that reduces the number of message phases of a read request from 5 to 4, canceling the combined response phase for read requests in most cases, thereby improving system performance and reducing the overall system power consumption. |
| US07818507B2 |
Methods and apparatus for facilitating coherency management in distributed multi-processor system
Methods and apparatus provide for sending a data command from a first of a plurality of devices to a first address concentrator within a first of a plurality of processing systems; selecting one of the other processing systems, the selected processing system having data addressed by the data command stored therein; sending the data command to a first address concentrator of the selected processing system; and broadcasting the data command from the first address concentrator of the selected processing system to a second address concentrator in each of the processing systems. |
| US07818505B2 |
Method and apparatus for managing a cache memory in a mass-storage system
In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a cache management module for managing a cache memory device, comprising a groups management module adapted to define groups of allocation units in accordance with at least an operative criterion and to create a new group of allocation units whenever it is determined that in accordance with at least the operative criterion none of the one or more existing groups is appropriate to include an allocation unit, and a replacement procedure module adapted to manage the cache in terms of groups of allocation units, rather than in terms of discrete allocation units. |
| US07818499B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for heat management in storage systems
An information system includes a storage system having a controller in communication with a plurality of storage devices. In some embodiments, the storage devices are divided into at least a first group and a second group, with a first temperature sensor sensing a temperature condition for the first group, and a second temperature sensor for sensing a temperature condition for the second group. A heat distribution rule designates the first groups to be high temperature groups and the second groups to be low temperature groups. The heat distribution rule is implemented by designating a higher load of input/output (I/O) operations to the high temperature groups than to the low temperature groups, such as by migrating volumes having high I/O loads to the high temperature groups. In other embodiments, there are multiple storage systems, and each storage system is designated as a high temperature system or a low temperature system. |
| US07818491B2 |
Nonvolatile memory and electronic device for use therewith
A nonvolatile memory may include a count data region provided in a memory region which is counted up according to an updating data and a fiat number of times managing region provided in a memory region which manages the full-counted number of times of the count data region. The nonvolatile memory may include a second number of times managing region which manages the full-counted number of times of the first number of times managing region. The nonvolatile memory is preferably utilized in an electronic device such as a card reader to detect the expiration of service lifetimes of the structural components of the electronic device. |
| US07818486B2 |
Method and apparatus for connecting USB devices to a remote computer
A method and apparatus are provided to enable a plurality of standard USB peripheral devices, utilizing the USB specification, to be distributed at various nodes across a network, wherein communications across the network may take advantage of any pre-existing network connectivity of a standard, non-modified USB host computer. In particular, a reflector function is added in order to reflect data communications towards a pre-existing transceiver. As a result, the host computer establishes a first profile and second profile for data communication purposes, and uses these profiles to communicate across the network using pre-existing data communication components. |
| US07818484B2 |
Multimedia data communication method and system
The present invention provides a multimedia processing system for communicating data among a baseband module, an image sensor module, and at least one display module in a wireless mobile phone. The multimedia processing system further comprises a serial baseband interface, an image sensor interface, and a display interface for transmitting and receiving data, including processing data, image data, and display data, to and from essential components. Certain embodiments of the invention describe the hardware implementations of the serial interface, including a serial peripheral interface and a universal asynchronous receiver and transmitter interface. Other implementations are also possible. Another embodiment of the invention provides a multimedia processing system that comprises a single chip with an embedded image sensor module. Moreover, another embodiment comprises a bypass mechanism to bypass incoming signals to other components directly. For example, to accelerate the image data transfer which has a changeless data structure, a direct bypass can improve the data transfer speed. The present invention also provides a method for communicating among a baseband module, an image sensor module, and at least one display module in a wireless mobile phone. The method comprises the steps of transmitting and receiving data among the mentioned modules and other components via at least one serial interface scheme. |
| US07818479B2 |
Interface apparatus and packet transfer method
A device interface circuit unit transfers a command and data in packet format between the unit and the host. A transport layer is provided with a receive FIFO, a command detection circuit and a send FIFO, and an application layer is provided with a receive task file register and a send task control file register. An available time is generated for each break point of a packet during data transfer in order to receive another command packet from the host. When the command packet is received from the host in the available time during data transfer, the data transfer is suspended and the received command is decoded to execute a process for continuing or canceling the data transfer, after which the data transfer is resumed. |
| US07818478B2 |
Input/Output completion system for a data processing platform
A mechanism is disclosed for performing I/O operations using queue banks within a data processing system that supports multiple processing partitions. A queue bank is a re-useable area of memory allocated for performing I/O operations. All memory locking and address-translation functions are generally performed only once for a queue bank to reduce system overhead. After a queue bank has been used to perform an I/O operation, some processing is performed to make it available for re-use. This processing determines whether the queue bank contains memory that is being removed from a current processing partition. If so, a delay is imposed so that the queue bank is not made available for immediate re-use. This creates a window of time wherein all queue banks that contain the affected memory are inactive, thereby allowing the affected memory to be removed from the partition without halting on-going I/O activity. |
| US07818467B2 |
Method of indentifying devices in mobile and desktop environments
A method of providing connectivity between a mobile device and a desktop computing device: providing the mobile device with software that can be installed in the desktop computing device to provide configuration data to application software operating on the desktop computing device, including device identification data for addressing the mobile device; using the mobile device to detect all desktop computing devices with which the mobile device can communicate; using the mobile device to select one of the desktop computing devices on which the application software is to be installed; transmitting the software from the mobile device to the desktop computing device; and using the desktop computing device to run the software to configure the application software using configuration data such that communications from the desktop computing device to the mobile device using application software are addressed directly to the mobile device from which the software originated. |
| US07818464B2 |
Apparatus and method for capturing serial input data
A serial input processing apparatus provides how to capture serial data without loss of a single bit while command interpretation is being performed in a command decoder at high frequency. Individual bytes of serial bits of a pre-defined sequence are latched and bit streams are temporarily stored with multiple clocks. The temporary store is conducted before transferring byte information to assigned address registers to register the address. The address registration and the data registration are performed by latching all bit streams of the serial input at the leading edges of clocks. While at a high frequency operation (e.g., 1 GHz or 1 ns cycle time), no additional registers are required for storing bit data during command interpretation with enough time margins between the command bit stream interpretation and next bit data stream. |
| US07818462B2 |
Cable interface
A method and apparatus for transmitting a signal to a remote location. The method splits the signal into a multitude of signals that are transmitted down cables. The split signals are collected into a single signal at the receiving end at the remote location. An apparatus for splitting the signals and collecting the split signals is illustrated. |
| US07818461B2 |
Systems and methods for allocating an asset to interconnected devices
Systems and methods for allocating assets to a plurality of devices are presented. In one embodiment, devices may be communicatively connected to one another through a device loop. Each device may be configured for determining a portion of an asset that it will use. A controller may also be communicatively connected to the communication medium and configured for determining a capacity of the asset. The controller may transfer control information to the devices so as to allocate the asset to the devices based on the capacity of that asset. In another embodiment, each of the devices may be communicatively connected directly to the controller rather than to one another. |
| US07818459B2 |
Virtualization of I/O adapter resources
A method and apparatus relates to hardware-to-hardware data transmission in computer systems, and in particular, it relates to method and system for operating I/O adapters attaching either one or more computing devices to an I/O periphery, to a network, or to other computing devices. It is proposed to operate a memory local to the network coupling adapter as a cache memory relative to a system memory associated with the one or more computing devices for storing transmission control information. |
| US07818458B2 |
Clipboard for application sharing
A software application can be shared by multiple users. A system clipboard of a first computing system is synchronized with a system clipboard of a second computing system when the user of the second computing system is in control of the shared software application. Information contained in the system clipboard of the first computing system is copied to a state buffer and associated with the user who copied the information. The information is returned to the system clipboard when the associated user regains control of the software application. |
| US07818456B2 |
Method and system for processing a file attached to an electronic document
A method and system for processing a communication comprising a file attached to an electronic document, the communication having been transmitted from a first link to a second link of a chain of links. The method is performed by a data processing system at the second link. The file is selected and an existing filename of the selected file is determined. The existing filename has a generic filename component denoted as Filename.ext that does not relate to any characteristic of any link in the chain. Referential data is selected from at least one field of the document, encoded according to an encoding rule and at least one lexicographic rule, and merged with Filename.ext to generate a new filename. The referential data includes at least one characteristic of the first link. The file is renamed with the new filename, detached from the document, and stored in the data processing system. |
| US07818455B2 |
Alias management platforms and methods
Systems and methods of managing aliases are disclosed. An alias management system can be configured to offer access to one or more aliases that point to distribution lists, where aliases can be managed as distinct objects relative to distributions lists or addresses. An alias user can submit desirable criteria for content distribution chain that includes properties of a desirable alias. An alias management server can be used to identify distributions lists that satisfy at least some of the desirable criteria. Additionally, an alias can be created that adheres to at least some of the properties or attributes of the desirable alias. Alias users can be permitted to utilize the alias subject to any rules or polices in place. |
| US07818454B2 |
Host migration system
A host migration system having an first server, a second server and a relay server is provided. The first server is currently hosting an internet service having a predetermined domain name. The first server has a first IP address. The second server has a second IP address and the relay server has a third IP address. The first data packet of a request from users is redirected to the first server from the third server and a second data packet of the request is redirected to the second server from the third server. The data packet redirection may occur as an IP address mapped to the domain name is changed from the first IP address to the second IP address via the third IP address. The host migration system may provide substantially minimized downtime and data loss and corruption may be prevented. |
| US07818452B2 |
Distributed virtual system to support managed, network-based services
Methods and systems are provided for allocating network resources of a distributed virtual system to support managed, network-based services. According to one embodiment, a VR-based switch having multiple processing elements is configured for operation at an Internet POP. An NOS is provided on each of the processing elements. Resources of the VR-based switch are segmented between a first and second subscriber by mapping VRs assigned to the first and second subscriber onto appropriate processing elements. Then, a first and second set of customized services are configured, each including two or more of firewalling, virtual private networking, encryption, traffic shaping, routing and network address translation (NAT), to be provided by the VR-based switch. Customized services are configured by allocating appropriate service object groups to the VRs, which can be dynamically distributed by the NOS to customized processors of the processing elements to achieve desired computational support. |
| US07818450B2 |
Method for selecting real-time service data transmission path
The present invention discloses a method for selecting a real-time service data transmission path, comprising establishing an independent bearer control layer comprising more than one bearer network resource manager between a service control layer and a bearer network. The method further comprises: after a source bearer network resource manager which is connected to the service control layer receives a connection request for a real-time service, orderly selecting and determining, from the source bearer network resource manager towards a destination bearer network resource manager, an intra-domain route path for the real-time service in a management domain corresponding to each bearer network resource manager, and an inter-domain route path between adjacent management domains corresponding to adjacent bearer network resource managers. In addition, the present invention discloses six methods for selecting a real-time service data transmission path based on different strategies. The methods according to the present invention can increase success ratio of routing, and can obtain an optimal route in simple and flexible manners, thus can guarantee reasonable allocation of resources. |
| US07818447B1 |
End-to-end broadcast based flow control in a switch fabric
Described is an end-to-end broadcast-based messaging technique used in controlling message flow in a data storage system. Each node stores flow control state information about all the nodes which is used in determining whether to send a data transmission to a receiving node. The flow control state information includes an indicator as to whether each node is receiving incoming data transmissions. If a node is not receiving incoming data transmissions, the flow control state information also includes an associated expiration time. Data transmissions are resumed to a receiving node based on the earlier of a sending node determining that the expiration time has lapsed, or receiving a control message from the receiving node explicitly turning on data transmissions. Each node maintains and updates its local copy of the flow control state information in accordance with control messages sent by each node to turn on and off data transmissions. Each node sends out control messages in accordance with predetermined threshold levels taking into account hardware and/or software resources for message buffering. |
| US07818440B1 |
Digital asset monitoring system and method
A system, method and computer program product are provided for monitoring digital assets communicated over a network. Initially, packets communicated between a first party and a plurality of other parties are passively inspected. Such packets collectively include at least a portion of data associated with a digital asset. Thereafter, based on the inspected packets, at least one aspect associated with the first party and at least one aspect associated with the digital asset are identified. |
| US07818435B1 |
Reverse proxy mechanism for retrieving electronic content associated with a local network
A method and apparatus for processing requests for delivery of electronic content is provided. According to one aspect of the invention, a request for delivery of first electronic content is received, where (1) the request is for delivery of the first electronic content to a destination client that is not on a local network, and (2) the first electronic content includes one or more links that are only resolvable within the local network. In response to the request, the first electronic content is retrieved, and first updated content is generated by modifying the one or more links associated with the first electronic content to include information identifying a server that can be addressed outside the local network. The first updated content is then delivered to the destination client. |
| US07818434B2 |
Mobile server with multiple service connections
A method of communicating between a mobile communications device and a plurality of services that are used by the mobile communications device. The method includes establishing, through a firewall and a wireless network, a first communications session between the mobile communications device and a mobile server located in an enterprise network with which the mobile communications device is associated; and establishing, concurrent with the first communications session at least one further communications session between the mobile server and a service, the at least one further communications session being established by the mobile server as a session proxy for the mobile communications device. |
| US07818433B2 |
System and method for minimizing retry delays in high traffic computer networks
A system, method, and program product is provided that requests, by a first computer system, a new network session with a second computer system. The new network session request occurs after a previous network session between the two systems and the new network session request includes a new sequence number that is different from a previous sequence number that was used during the previous network session. The first computer system receives an acknowledgement from the second computer system that references the previous sequence number instead of the new sequence number. In response to receiving the acknowledgement at the first computer system that references the previous sequence number, the first computer system modifies the new sequence number by setting it to a value that is higher than the previous sequence number, and the first computer system re-requests the new network session using the modified new sequence number. |
| US07818429B2 |
Registering a resource that delegates commit voting
A computer system and storage medium that, in an embodiment, receive an allocation request for a resource and registers the resource as a non-voting participant if the resource desires to delegate commit voting to another resource. The registered resource is then prohibited from participating in an enclosing transactional context and instead is informed when the transaction completes. The resource is enlisted as a voting participant if the resource does not desire to delegate commit voting. In this way, when multiple resources are used in a transaction, a resource may be registered and receive notifications of transaction completion instead of being enlisted and voting on commit decisions. The result of a transaction in which a single resource takes responsibility for a number of other resources is that transaction completion avoids the two-phase commit protocol and the resulting performance degradation. |
| US07818427B2 |
IT automation scripting module and appliance
A method for automating the performance of information technology (IT) tasks within an enterprise comprising a plurality of client devices is described. The method comprises the steps of receiving an input specifying a set of commands to be executed on a client device and generating a script based theron, wherein the script is configured to be executed by an agent on the client device, and receiving an input specifying to which of the plurality of client devices the script should be made available. The script is provided to a client device based on the input by publishing the script to a user portal, and by deploying the script to the client device. |
| US07818426B2 |
Method and system for processing a message by a message provider
A method for processing a message by a message provider that includes receiving, for a topic, a mutual exclusion function from each application instance of a plurality of application instances, receiving the message for the topic, and sending the message to one application instance of the plurality of application instances based on executing each of the mutual exclusion functions, wherein the mutual exclusion functions ensure that the message is sent to a single application instance of the plurality of application instances. |
| US07818422B2 |
Real-time monitoring of a routing server
Calculating the roundtrip delay between first and second computers due to the latency of a routing server. The first computer receives an incoming message from the second computer via the routing server. The incoming message includes incoming time information indicative of processing time at the second computer and outgoing time information indicative of a time when a first outgoing message was sent by the first computer. The first computer calculates an observed roundtrip time indicating the routing server latency for a first outgoing message and the incoming message as a function of a time when the first computer received the incoming message, the outgoing time information, and the incoming time information. |
| US07818418B2 |
Automatic root cause analysis of performance problems using auto-baselining on aggregated performance metrics
Anomalous behavior in a distributed system is automatically detected. Metrics are gathered for transactions, subsystems and/or components of the subsystems. The metrics can identify response times, error counts and/or CPU loads, for instance. Baseline metrics and associated deviation ranges are automatically determined and can be periodically updated. Metrics from specific transactions are compared to the baseline metrics to determine if an anomaly has occurred. A drill down approach can be used so that metrics for a subsystem are not examined unless the metrics for an associated transaction indicate an anomaly. Further, metrics for a component, application which includes one or more components, or process which includes one or more applications, are not examined unless the metrics for an associated subsystem indicate an anomaly. Multiple subsystems can report the metrics to a central manager, which can correlate the metrics to transactions using transaction identifiers or other transaction context data. |
| US07818414B2 |
Access authentication for distributed networks
The present invention provides an account management system and method for use within a computer network that allows for automated provisioning, configuration, and maintenance of the servers and other devices connected to a computer network. This account management system and method make use of a master directory structure which is replicated by way of a directory structure replication hub to multiple remote data centers in the form of multiple copies of a directory structure. The directory structure allows access to various customers, who may access information contained only within that particular customer's account. Authentication information for each of the customers is located within the copies of the directory structures contained at each customer data center, and therefore transmitting authentication information is not required. |
| US07818413B2 |
Authenticating a requestor without providing a key
A system for authenticating a requesting entity in a subnet communications environment includes determining a client identification of a client node associated with the requesting entity, and determining whether the requesting entity associated with the client node is acting in a supervisor capacity. A key to the requesting entity is returned from a resource provider node upon determining that the client identification of the client node indicates that the client node is permitted to access one or more resources of the provider node, and that the client node is acting in a supervisor capacity. |
| US07818411B2 |
Content management application for an interactive environment
The content management application is an intranet application which provides a process for implementing changes to an internet website of a company by providing the company the ability to define and enforce a common style of page layout. The application can be accessed via a desktop browser and multiple users may access the application for multiple reasons at the same time. The application also dynamically generates new page designs and new component design with various people assigned to groups or teams enabling the continuous creation and processing of content. Once the content is created and reviewed, it is then launched onto the company's internet site for viewing by the internet users accessing the company's web page. |
| US07818409B2 |
Dynamic virtual private network system and methods
A system and method for dynamically managing Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) in a manner enabling subscriber access to VPN services on an as needed basis. |
| US07818407B2 |
Systems for distributing data over a computer network and methods for arranging nodes for distribution of data over a computer network
A system and method for preventing reconfiguring a binary tree topology network. The network includes a plurality of nodes, a root node and a first set of nodes, operatively networked together to provide a downtree communication path for data. A first node is docked downtree of, and with a parent node, and uptree of, and with a first and second child node. The first node, and the first and second child node, are each one of the first set of nodes, and the plurality of nodes includes each of the first set of nodes and the parent node. A please stand by message is sent from the first node to the first and second child nodes. The first and second child nodes are inhibited from reporting an issue with the performance of the first node for at least a predetermined period after the please stand by message is received. |
| US07818406B2 |
Enabling remote locale specific operations in multiple locale and user environments
A computer-implemented method of negotiating locale settings among a plurality of users communicating over a communication network can include determining a locale for each of a plurality of remotely located users, identifying at least one locale setting for each of the plurality of users according to the locale of each respective user, wherein the locale setting for each of the plurality of users forms at least one locale setting group, and determining whether each locale setting group is exclusive or non-exclusive. For each locale setting group that is exclusive, a locale setting from the locale setting group can be selected and, for each locale setting group that is non-exclusive, a locale setting union can be generated by taking a union of all locale settings of the locale setting group. The selected locale setting and/or the local setting union can be applied to a message exchanged between the users. |
| US07818405B2 |
Method and system for providing device-initiated software upgrades
A method for providing device-initiated software upgrades in a network comprising a plurality of devices is provided. The method includes identifying in the device an upgrade time window based on a set of predetermined conditions stored in the device and initiating in the device a software upgrade during the upgrade time window. |
| US07818402B1 |
Method and system for expediting peer-to-peer content delivery with improved network utilization
One embodiment provides a method and a system for expediting content delivery in a peer-to-peer overlay network. A local cache and directory server caches a multiplicity of segments for multi-media content, and maintains a mapping between cacheable content and one or more local partner nodes that transiently stage segments for the cacheable content. The local cache and directory server receives a request identifying requested content, which may or may not be cached or mapped. The cache and directory server determines a match to the requested content in the mapping and sends a list of local partner nodes that transiently stage segments for the requested content based on the match. |
| US07818396B2 |
Aggregating and searching profile data from multiple services
Profile data from multiple networking services can be combined and queried from one networking service. A primary networking service may store user profile data for one or more secondary networking services and the primary networking service. When stored, the data from the multiple networks may be aggregated or merged. The stored data may include user profile data and relationship data for each networking service that a primary networking service has a profile account with. A graph of user-contact relationships existing over the primary networking service and one or more secondary networking services may be constructed and queried against. |
| US07818394B1 |
Social network augmentation of search results methods and apparatus
A method for a computer server includes receiving search criteria from a first user at a remote client, receiving a first identifier associated with the first user, performing a search to determine a plurality of search results including a first and a second search result, determining a first rating from a second user associated with the first search result, determining a first social network indicia from the second user to the first user within a social network, determining a second rating from a third user associated with the second search result, determining a second social network indicia from the third user to the first user within the social network, providing the first search result to the remote client including the first rating and the first social network indicia, and providing the second search result to the remote client including the second rating and the second social network indicia. |
| US07818393B1 |
System and method for outage avoidance
Disclosed are systems and methods for outage avoidance in connecting to a remote system. The systems and methods dynamically adjust the number of requests allowed to attempt to access the remote system, resulting in a more efficient use of resources and an improved user experience. |
| US07818390B2 |
Method for transferring data between terminal apparatuses in a transparent computation system
A method for transferring data between terminal apparatuses in a network at least comprising a server, a first terminal apparatus and a second terminal apparatus, wherein the server has a storage device at least comprising a first and a second disk images; the method comprising: generating a message of data transfer request based on the information on the data to be transferred; transferring the generated message to the second terminal apparatus; receiving the message and transferring the message to the server if the requested data transfer is allowed; and transferring date between the first disk image and the second disk image, in response to the reception of the message. |
| US07818387B1 |
Switch
A combined switch and service processor module for a modular computer system is provided. The combined switch and service processor module comprises a switch portion; a service processor portion; and a data interface for communicating management information to other parts of the modular computer system. Wherein the service processor portion is operable to operate in master/slave relationship with a service processor portion of a further combined switch and service processor module of the modular computer system; and wherein the service processor portion is further operable automatically to synchronise management information with the service processor portion of the further combined switch and service processor via the data interface in accordance with the master/slave relationship. |
| US07818379B1 |
Notification and disposition of multiple concurrent instant messaging sessions involving a single online identity
Notifying a user of multiple concurrent instant messaging sessions includes receiving a first request to establish a first instant messaging session associated with an instant messaging online identity assigned to a user using a first instant messaging controller and establishing the first instant messaging session in response to the first request. A second request is received to establish a second instant messaging session associated with the instant messaging online identity assigned to the user using a second instant messaging controller that differs from the first instant messaging controller. The second instant messaging session is established in response to the second request. A notification is communicated to at least the first instant messaging controller indicating the establishment of the second instant messaging session. |
| US07818377B2 |
Extended message rule architecture
Embodiments provide for extending the architecture of a legacy messaging system that otherwise communicates message rules to a client as rows in a rule table. Due to architectural limitations of some messaging systems, rules larger than a specified size are prevented from being streamed between a server and a client. Example embodiments provides for extended rules that represent a combination of conditions, actions or exceptions to be performed on messages and are created by a client as message objects. Because they are created by a client as message objects, rather than rows on a table, the extended rules are allowed to be streamed between the client and server, thus extending the architecture of a legacy messaging system. The client also sets a property value on the message object created, thereby allowing the server to identify the message object as including the extended rule. The system, however, still supports legacy clients. |
| US07818373B2 |
Notifying co-recipients of others currently replying to communications
A mechanism for notifying co-recipients of a communication that other recipients are currently composing a reply to the received communication is provided. The notification may be provided regardless of which type of communication application is being used to reply to the communication. With this mechanism, attribute information for a communication currently being composed on a client communication device using one of a plurality of different communication types is obtained. The attribute information may include an identifier of a communication type currently being used to compose the communication. A previously distributed communication related to the communication currently being composed is identified and one or more recipients of the previously distributed communication are identified. A notification message is sent to one or more communication devices associated with the one or more recipients of the previously distributed communication. The notification message may identify a communication type currently being used to compose the communication. |
| US07818372B1 |
Web portal framework for open innovation
A system for a project web portal is provided. The system includes a plurality of user interfaces, a storage device, a processor, instructions, and an administrator user interface. When executed by the processor, the instructions provision the project web portal to the plurality of user interfaces, wherein the project web portal comprises a web log portlet, a forum portlet, and a survey portlet. The instructions also store project data in the storage device, wherein the project data comprises a user input received via the web log portlet, a discussion data received via the forum portlet, and an answer data received via the survey portlet. The administrator user interface accesses the project data in the storage device to develop a project. |
| US07818370B2 |
Event server using clustering
An event server receiving input streams of events and producing output streams of events is adapted to be clustered with other event servers. The event server uses configuration data to control the event processing. The event server multicasting updates of the configuration data to the other event servers of the cluster and receiving multicasted configuration updates from one of the other event servers of the cluster. |
| US07818367B2 |
Computer interconnection system
A computerized switching system for coupling a workstation to a remotely located computer. A signal conditioning unit receives keyboard and mouse signals generated by a workstation and generates a data packet which is transmitted to a central crosspoint switch. The packet is routed through a crosspoint switch to another signal conditioning unit located at a remotely located computer. The second signal conditioning unit applies the keyboard and mouse commands to the keyboard and mouse connectors of the computer as if the keyboard and mouse were directly coupled to the remote computer. Video signals produced by the remote computer are transmitted through the crosspoint switch to the workstation. Horizontal and vertical sync signals are encoded on to the video signals to reduce the number of cables that extend between the workstation and the remote computer. The signal conditioning units connected to the workstations include an onscreen programming circuit that produces menus for the user on a video display of the workstation. |
| US07818364B2 |
Method and data processing system for microprocessor communication in a cluster-based multi-processor system
A processor communication register (PCR) contained within a multiprocessor cluster system provides enhanced processor communication. The PCR stores information that is useful in pipelined or parallel multi-processing. Each processor cluster has exclusive rights to store to a sector within the PCR and has continuous access to read its contents. Each processor cluster updates its exclusive sector within the PCR, instantly allowing all of the other processors within the cluster network to see the change within the PCR data, and bypassing the cache subsystem. Efficiency is enhanced within the processor cluster network by providing processor communications to be immediately networked and transferred into all processors without momentarily restricting access to the information or forcing all the processors to be continually contending for the same cache line, and thereby overwhelming the interconnect and memory system with an endless stream of load, store and invalidate commands. |
| US07818363B2 |
Communications system, communications method, network manager, and transfer device
A communications system which allows data transfer not using a terminal ID assigned by an access network but using routing information distinct from the terminal ID is provided. The communications system transmits data including, as a destination address, a second terminal ID, from a first terminal to the second terminal via a plurality of transfer devices. A first transfer device includes a first memory for storing the second terminal ID and routing information for routing the data to a second transfer device, associating them with one another, and a routing processor for adding to the data the routing information for routing the data to the second transfer device associated with the second terminal ID included in the data, and transferring the data to the second transfer device. |
| US07818361B1 |
Method and apparatus for performing two's complement multiplication
Some embodiments provide a novel way of performing a signed multiplication. Each individual bit of a first operand is multiplied by every bit of a second operand to generate partial multiplication results. Each partial result is shiftably added to other partial results except one partial result which is shiftably subtracted. For the partial result that is subtracted, the most significant bit of the second operand is negated and is utilized as carry in of the subtraction operation. The most significant bit of each operand is considered to have a negative sign when generating the partial multiplication results. Also, one of the partial results is appended with the most significant bit of the second operand. Some embodiments utilize a configurable IC that performs subtraction with the same circuitry and at the same cost as addition. The configurable IC also utilizes hybrid interconnect/logic circuits to perform part of the multiplication operation. |
| US07818360B2 |
Processor and method for performing a fast fourier transform and/or an inverse fast fourier transform of a complex input signal
A processor for performing a Fast Fourier Transform and/or an Inverse Fast Fourier Transform of a complex input signal comprises a first stage for passing the input signal to a second stage when a Fast Fourier Transform procedure is to be performed and for swapping the real and imaginary components of the complex input signal before passing the signal to the second stage if an Inverse Fast Fourier Transform procedure is to be performed. The second stage has first and second radix-4 butterfly elements. A third stage is arranged to switch between first and second operating modes, the second operating mode being for processing a complex conjugate symmetrical input signal. A fourth stage has a plurality of processing units, one or more of the processing units comprising a radix-2 pipelined Fast Fourier Transform processor. The first and second radix-4 butterfly elements are arranged to perform a butterfly operation on the complex input signal to generate and deliver one or more components of a processed signal to the fourth stage. The fourth stage is arranged to process the processed signal received from the first stage according to a Fast Fourier Transform processing procedure to produce an output signal. There is also disclosed a method for performing a Fast Fourier Transform and/or Inverse Fast Fourier Transform of a complex input signal. |
| US07818353B2 |
Methods and apparatus for processing a context change request
A method and apparatus for use in a computer system comprising at least two software applications sharing context, wherein a context change may be requested by a user of at least one of the at least two software applications. In response to the user requesting a change from a first context to a second context, at least one business rule is applied to at least a portion of the first context and/or to at least a portion of the second context to obtain at least one result from the application of the business rule. In response to the at least one result, at least one act is performed selected from the group consisting of: denying the request to change from the first context to the second context; requesting the user to provide information relating to the requested change; and requesting the user to affirm information relating to the requested change. |
| US07818348B2 |
Timeline condition support for an abstract database
Embodiments of the invention relate data retrieved from the logical fields of an abstract database using a timeline. The logical fields specified by a database abstraction model are extended to include attributes that specify where data corresponding to a logical field occurs on a timeline. Query results may be displayed by ordering query results as points (for an event) or segments (for a duration) on the timeline. Further, query processing techniques disclosed by the present invention allow users to include temporal operators such as “before”, “after”, “during”, and “within” in an abstract query. Temporal operators provide users with the ability to include temporal relationships in an abstract query, without having to construct a complex conditional expression from more primitive logical operators (e.g., “ands” and “ors”). |
| US07818340B1 |
Computer-implemented method and system for enabling network communication using sponsored chat links
A computer-implemented method and system for enabling network communication using common search queries and sponsored chat links is disclosed. Various embodiments relate to a computer-implemented system and method for receiving a sponsored concept from a sponsoring company, receiving a search query from a user, determining if the sponsored concept and the user search query fit within a match criteria, and establishing a communication link between the sponsoring company and the user if the sponsored concept and the user search query fit within the match criteria. |
| US07818333B2 |
Universal address parsing system and method
A method and system for parsing of input addresses for further automated processing. A relevant locale for an input address is determined. Based on the locale, an applicable parsing tree is provided so that different address formats can be tested against the input address. The parsing tree is generated from a local address format specification that defines permissible formats for the locale. The local address format specification and the local address component rules are provided to a parsing engine to determine one or more potential parsed addresses based on compliance with specifications. The local address component rules specification is applied to the input address to determine one or more branches of the parsing tree for which the input address matches criteria of the component rules specification. Penalties may be assigned to branches of the tree when disfavored matches occur. The various branches can be ranked based on their penalties to determine the best matches to be provided to the geocoding system. |
| US07818326B2 |
System and method for word indexing in a capture system and querying thereof
Searching of objects captured by a capture system can be improved by eliminating irrelevant objects from a query. In one embodiment, the present invention includes receiving such a query for objects captured by a capture system, the query including at least one search term. This search term is then hashed to a term bit position using a hash function. Then objects can be eliminated if, in a word index associated with the object, the term bit position is not set. |
| US07818323B2 |
Discovering topical structures of databases
A system and method for automatically discovering topical structures of databases includes a model builder adapted to compute various kinds of representations for the database based on schema information and data values of the database. A plurality of base clusterers is also provided, one for each representation. Each base clusterer is adapted to perform, for the representation, preliminary topical clustering of tables within the database to produce a plurality of clusters, such that each of the clusters corresponds to a set of tables on the same topic. A meta-clusterer aggregates results of the clusterers into a final clustering, such that the final clustering comprises a plurality of the clusters. A representative finder identifies representative tables from the clusters in the final clustering. The representative finder identifies at least one representative table for each of the clusters in the final clustering. The representative finder also arranges the representative tables by topic as a topical directory and outputs the topical directory. |
| US07818318B2 |
Method and system for data classification in the presence of a temporal non-stationarity
A method and system for determining a feature of a particular pattern are provided. In particular, data records are received, and predetermined patterns that are associated with at least some of the data records are obtained. Using the system and method, particular information is extracted from at least a subset of the received data records, the particular information being indicative of the particular pattern in at least some of the data records. Then, it is determined whether the particular pattern is an unexpected pattern based on the obtained predetermined patterns. In addition, it is possible to classify and reduce data and/or parameters provided in the data records. First, the data records are received. Then, the data records which have at least one particular pattern are classified using a Multivariate Adaptive Regression Splines technique. Thereafter, the data and/or parameters of the classified data records are shrunk using a Stein's Estimator Rule technique. |
| US07818316B2 |
Variable density query engine
Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to search engines and provide a novel and non-obvious method, system and computer program product for a variable density query engine. In an embodiment of the invention, a search engine data processing system can be provided. The system can include a content index, and a variable density search engine coupled to the content index. The variable density search engine can include program code enabled to vary a density of entries in a result set according to a varying size of the result set. In this regard, in one aspect of the embodiment, the density can range from a title for each entry in the result set to a full textual description for each entry in the result set to an audiovisual element for each entry in the result set. |
| US07818315B2 |
Re-ranking search results based on query log
A system(s) and/or method(s) that facilitate improving the relevance of search results through utilization of a query log. The relevance of the search results for a target query can be judged based on one or more queries in the log that are related to the target query temporally and/or lexically. The diversity of the top-ranked search results can be increased and/or decreased based on an iterative re-ranking process of the search result set. |
| US07818312B2 |
Methods and apparatus for assessing web page decay
A signal-bearing medium is disclosed that includes operations including establishing a link threshold, wherein a web page will be assessed as lacking currency if a percentage of hyperlinks contained in the web page that link to an active page is less than the link threshold, accessing a web page containing hyperlinks, and testing the hyperlinks. Testing includes: selecting a hyperlink; and monitoring a number of redirects encountered by following the selected hyperlink until a final web page is reached or a failure occurs, and assessing the selected hyperlink as linking to a dead web page if a redirect limit is exceeded, the redirect limit greater than one, wherein exceeding the redirect limit causes occurrence of a failure. The operations also include calculating a percentage of hyperlinks that return active web pages, and comparing the percentage of hyperlinks that return active web pages with the link threshold. |
| US07818304B2 |
Conditional text manipulation
A document generation system for generating a customised document using content elements selected by rules operating on input information, the content elements comprising conditional and unconditional text is provided. The system provides means to generate a program structure, containing information about the space characters to be inserted between the conditional and unconditional text in the generated document. The program structure is evaluated to determine the positions of the space characters. The program structure may be an XML structure. |
| US07818302B2 |
System and method for performing file system checks on an active file system
A system and method for performing File System checKing (FSCK) allows a file system to be accessed while the file system is being checked for consistency in the background. In the event that a file is accessed prior to having been checked for consistency by the background FSCK process, the background FSCK process is interrupted, and an in-context FSCK is performed on the accessed file. In addition, an in-context FSCK method and system is described which uses a snapshot block bitmap, FSCK block bitmap and FS block bitmap to check block consistency in the context of handling a block access to handle consistency and corruption issues as part of the file access. |
| US07818299B1 |
System and method for determining changes in two snapshots and for transmitting changes to a destination snapshot
A method for backing up a computer file system is disclosed. A first snapshot of the file system is generated at a first time, the first snapshot having first pointers to data blocks of the file system at the first time. A network adapter receives storage operations to write new data to the file system. A second snapshot of the file system is generated at a second time, the second snapshot having second pointers to data blocks of the file system at the second time, the data blocks at the second time including the new data. The first pointers to the second pointers are compared. In response to the second pointers differing from the first pointers, data of the file system which have been changed between the first snapshot and the second snapshot are copied to a backup copy of the file system. |
| US07818296B2 |
Computer architecture and method of operation for multi-computer distributed processing with synchronization
The present invention discloses a modified computer architecture (50, 71, 72) which enables an applications program (50) to be run simultaneously on a plurality of computers (M1, . . . Mn). Shared memory at each computer is updated with amendments and/or overwrites so that all memory read requests are satisfied locally. During initial program loading (75), or similar, instructions which result in the application program (50) acquiring (or releasing) a lock on a particular asset (50A, 50X-50Y) (synchronization) are identified. Additional instructions are inserted (162, 163) to result in a modified synchronization routine with which all computers are updated. |
| US07818294B2 |
Apparatus, system, and method for implementing an IMS SOAP gateway
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for implementing an Information Management System (IMS) simple object access protocol (SOAP) gateway. The gateway extracts an identifier from a SOAP-based web service request received from a web service client and selects a correlation mapping based on the extracted identifier. The gateway builds a modified web service request, updated with parameters from the correlation mapping. The added parameters allow the gateway to direct the web service request to a specific IMS Connect software product instance, a specific IMS software product instance, a specific IMS application instance, and a specific datastore. The gateway also returns a web service response containing response values related to the original request to the SOAP enabled web service client. |
| US07818291B2 |
Data object access system and method using dedicated task object
A task management system for providing a graphically displayable worklist having one or more rows of work items, one or more of the work items each representing one or more data rows to be worked from one or more application data tables that are not a task object table of the task management system, the task management system comprising a task database having at least one task object, a first dedicated task object in said task database, said first dedicated task object having a second metadata associated therewith for graphically displaying information related to said first dedicated task object, a first view object having a first set of instructions for determining a first plurality of data rows of the one or more application data tables and a second set of instructions for creating a first association between each data row of said first plurality of data rows and said first dedicated task object, and a display generator for using said second metadata in initiating generation of display data representing a display image presenting a worklist, said worklist having a first one or more rows of application data table work items, each of said first one or more rows of application data table work items representing at least one data row of said first plurality of data rows. |
| US07818290B2 |
System to associate a demographic to a user of an electronic system
This invention includes a system for the association of a user of an electronic system with a demographic, wherein a data characteristic of the user is accessed and compared to a wide population probability distribution reference indicative of a demographic associated with the data characteristic, and making a determination of a probability that the user is up to the demographic based on the comparing. Systems may include a method for selecting a more probable data characteristic upon which to associate a user with a demographic, and a data processing apparatus configured with one or more wide population probability distribution references for use on any one of a number of electronic systems. |
| US07818287B2 |
Storage management system and method and program
Disclosed is a storage management system including at least one client, a first server having a primary storage, a second server having a secondary storage, and an intermediate device logically arranged between the client and the first and second servers. The primary storage includes a stub file in which there is recorded the position information of the real file migrated from the primary storage to the secondary storage. The intermediate device exercises control so that, when a file access request of the primary storage of a first server, issued by the client, is received by the intermediate device, the intermediate device receives the file access request and, if the file to be accessed is a stub file, and the access request necessitates accessing to the real file, the intermediate device accesses the real file of the secondary storage using the information of the stub file to return a response. |
| US07818286B2 |
Computer-implemented dimension engine
A computer-implemented dimension engine that automatically identifies the market segments represented in user-specified input data. The dimension engine creates new dimension variables based on those segments that most accurately predict the outcomes of a target variable. A data store is used to store the input data. A decision tree processing module determines a subset of the dimension variables to split the input data. The splitting of the dimension variables predicts the target variable. A multi-dimension viewer generates a report using the determined dimension variables subset and the splitting of the dimension variables. |
| US07818284B1 |
Method and apparatus for providing cross-benefits via a central authority
A controller is in communication with a plurality of vendors that are servicing customers, as well as with a plurality of “subsidizing” vendors seeking access to those customers. The controller receives from a first vendor an indication of one or more items that a customer is to purchase. In response, the controller transmits, on behalf of a subsidizing vendor, an indication of an offer for a subsidy such as a reduction in the customer's purchase price. If the customer accepts the offer, the controller provides an amount of funds from the subsidizing vendor to the first vendor. The controller may also retain a portion of the amount as payment. The controller also facilitates a transaction between the customer and the subsidizing vendor. For example, the customer may be required to sign up for a service (e.g. credit card account service) that is provided by the subsidizing vendor. By having the controller manage such a system by acting between subsidizing vendors and vendors that are servicing customers, a vendor need only communicate with the controller, rather than a plurality of other vendors. |
| US07818283B1 |
Service assurance automation access diagnostics
A business process automation system architecture is used to isolate problems in a virtual private network access network. Codified rules and a rules based program are used to determine all equipment from a customer premises equipment to a VPN core access point equipment on a VPN access path and that is associated with a failure. The codified rules also govern the gathering of information on the equipment including determining whether the equipment supports automated diagnostics and the communication protocols used. Extended PING testing is done on the equipment and a status of the extended PING test, link status, line protocol status, and existing loop status is determined. Further testing is automatically run based on the codified rules and the status. The failure is then isolated to the CPE, a local exchange carrier, or a network provider. |
| US07818281B2 |
Computer software for visualizing recombination events in a group of individuals from recombination breakpoints and assignments in high density SNP genotyping data by generating a color-coded view for each individual chromosome and a whole genome view for the group
A computer system for visualizing recombination events in a group of individuals is provided. According to one aspect of the invention, high-density SNP genotype data is obtained from related individuals in a family. A pedigree is created, haplotypes are reconstructed and likely recombination breakpoints are identified with the use of publicly available computer programs. A software tool is then used facilitate the visualization of the recombination events in the family. |
| US07818277B2 |
Methods and apparatus for business rules authoring and operation employing a customizable vocabulary
In one embodiment, a method comprises creating at least one individualized language resource, creating at least one individualized language rule referencing at least one of said individualized language resource, and transforming said at least one individualized language rule into computer executable format. |
| US07818269B2 |
Computer postage and mailing tracking labels
The present invention provides special purpose label arrangement sets for use with computer-based postage systems to facilitate mailing tracking, sheets of such label arrangement sets, and methods for printing such label arrangement sets. |
| US07818264B2 |
Track data encryption
A method for using a secondary PAN is disclosed. The method includes providing a secondary PAN associated with a primary PAN, where the secondary PAN has at least one end portion that is the same as the primary PAN, but has a middle portion of that is different than the primary PAN. |
| US07818263B2 |
Technique for effectively generating multi-dimensional symbols representing postal information
In a mailing system for franking a postage indicium serving as a proof of postage, postal data including the postage needs to be communicated through such an indicium. Illustratively, the postal data is categorized into (a) invariable postal data, e.g, a device ID identifying the mailing system, which is unaffected by a franking transaction, and (b) variable postal data, e.g., the postage, which may change from one franking transaction to another. To avoid latency of the franking operation, the invariable postal data is preset for initial printing of the postage indicium, and the variable postal data is determined and set for printing in real time. In printing the postage indicium, the invariable postal data and the variable postal data are presented in that order in one or more symbols. |
| US07818259B2 |
Prepaid licensing system and method
A prepaid licensing method permits the prepaid licensing of software on a machine in a secure manner. The method includes storing information for licensing at least one prepaid use of software on a machine. The information, which can be in the form of a software option, includes unique and unchangeable information identifying the machine, and information for measuring a number of uses of the software on the machine. The method includes locally granting a license for the number of prepaid uses of the software on the machine, based upon the stored information. |
| US07818252B2 |
Enforcement of network service level agreements
A service level agreement may be imposed by a service provider that may include, e.g., a volume limitation and a bandwidth limitation. One or more limitations of the service level agreement may be enforced or modified in response to a triggering event. For example, a bandwidth limitation on a network subscriber may be enforced or modified based on how much data is consumed by the subscriber. |
| US07818251B2 |
Web-based payment system and method
A payment processing method comprises receiving at a host computer system payment information from a client computer, wherein the payment information relates to a payment from a consumer. The method further comprises verifying at least a portion of the payment information and storing at least a portion of the payment information in a database. The method further comprises transmitting a first electronic file comprising at least a portion of the payment information to a financial institution, thereby initiating processing of the payment and transmitting a second electronic file comprises at least a portion of the payment information to a client computing system. The method also comprises responding to a request for historical information by transmitting to a user computer system a third electronic file comprising at least a portion of the payment information. |
| US07818245B2 |
Electronic endorsement of check images
A system and method for applying an endorsement to an electronic image of a bank check. A system is described that includes: an imaging system for generating an endorsement image representing an action taken relative to processing the bank check; a halftone system for converting the endorsement image into a digitally halftoned endorsement image; and a positioning system for placing the digitally halftoned endorsement image onto the electronic image of the bank check. |
| US07818244B1 |
Tree on paths method and system for modeling securities
A system for implementing a tree on paths method for generating a recombining interest rate tree from previously generated paths. The inventive method is a tree on paths method whereby a tree is created from previously generated paths. The tree on paths method uses Monte Carlo simulations to generate paths and uses a recombining algorithm to obtain a computationally efficient tree from the generated paths. |
| US07818235B2 |
Apparatus, method and system for determining credit derivative indices and estimating credit derivative credit curves, and a credit calculator for valuing credit derivatives based on the credit curves
An apparatus, method and system for determining an estimate of at least one numerical attribute of at least one entity of a population when the population is changing and there are a limited number of observations on the attribute for the entities, in which a conditional index is determined to track how a value of the attribute changes from one time to another for an entity that is a member of the population at both times, and an unconditional index is determined representing an average level of the attribute for the entities of the population. |
| US07818234B1 |
System and method for assigning ratings to mutual funds and other investment funds based on the value of various future and option securities
The present invention is a system and method for assigning ratings on mutual funds and other investment funds based on values of financial futures for sectors corresponding to the funds. The method combines information on the historical rates of return and variability in the rates of return of the funds with the expected range of future returns for various asset classes as determined by the pricing of futures. The rating for the funds incorporates the range of expected future returns, the variability of past returns, and the level of risk. |
| US07818229B2 |
Method for future payment transactions
A method for the online modification, submission and approval processing of a future payment request to afford a user the ability to renegotiate established loan agreement debt terms in which network communications are established between a user, such as a debtor, and a server is presented. The method comprises receiving information, at the server, regarding the loan agreement debt terms, presenting received information to a debtor, providing an interactive environment enabling a debtor to modify existing terms, submitting modified terms, processing data from the available information using a rules based engine, and processing a future payment request based on at least one decision made by the rules based engine. While online, the user/debtor may engage in revising a rejected future payment request in an attempt to reach a satisfactory renegotiation of debt terms. |
| US07818226B2 |
Method, system and program product supporting insurance-funded end-of-lifetime activities for a facility
An insurance policy funds end-of-lifetime activities for a non-human facility at an end of a lifetime of the facility with a policy benefit whose amount is based upon growth of a premium. |
| US07818225B2 |
Financial instrument and related business method
A financial instrument of an entity and a related business method. The financial instrument includes: a conventional investment instrument; a penalty feature added to the conventional investment instrument; and a dividend feature added to the conventional investment instrument. The penalty feature is characterized by a penalty assessed against a holder of at least one share of the financial instrument who sells the at least one share on a date of sale that precedes an extinguish date associated with the financial instrument. The dividend feature is characterized by a dividend adapted to be distributed, on a date subsequent to the date of sale, to all Holders of Record of the financial instrument on the date of sale. The dividend is derived from the penalty. The financial instrument is adapted to be acquired by a plurality of investors. |
| US07818223B1 |
Statement notification system
Disclosed herein are methods and systems for preparing customer billing statements. In one embodiment, a method for preparing customer billing statements includes acts of retrieving information for a customer from a customer database; retrieving a set of notification rules; identifying a notification rule that applies to the information for the customer; linking the identified notification rule with a charge description; and generating a billing statement for the customer, where the billing statement includes the charge description. |
| US07818220B2 |
Management method for sourced inventory
A collaborative inventory management method for managing material inventory sourced by a customer from a plurality of suppliers includes: designating at least one supplier as a steady supplier to the customer; designating at least one second supplier as a lead supplier to the customer; allocating a supply split between the steady supplier and the lead supplier for supplying material to customer over a period of time; providing customer inventory level data (I) and usage forecast data (U) from the customer to the lead supplier; providing a customer shipment schedule to the steady supplier; providing an order create (OC) and ship notice (SN) from the steady supplier to the customer; transforming the (OC) and (SN) to contain selective quantity and date of shipment data (Q/D); sending Q/D data to the lead supplier; and planning by the lead supplier of shipments to manage (I) responsive to actual usage by the customer and shipment of material from the steady supplier to customer and in accordance with the supply split. |
| US07818216B2 |
Transaction system with centralized data storage and authentication
A centralized transaction system including a server communicating with client workstations and remote devices. The system includes a server communicating with a terminal, a remote device, and a workstation. Both customers and vendors access the server through a workstation to set up and maintain information on the server and to access historical information relating to transactions. The system is suitable for both on-line transactions and brick-and-mortar store transactions, including convenience transactions. A customer possesses an identification code that is presented to a vendor for a transaction. The vendor sends the identification code to a server, which sends an authentication code to a remote device in possession of the customer. The customer causes the authentication code to be sent to the server, which authenticates the customer for the transaction. The server applies deals previously saved by the customer and the transaction is completed with the server providing previously saved payment information. |
| US07818210B2 |
Method for playing Keno with increased player interest
A novel Keno game is disclosed in which additional bonus numbers are randomly chosen and displayed in addition to twenty numbers randomly picked for game play. When there are a first predetermined number of matches between the additional bonus numbers and the random twenty numbers the player is awarded a bonus, and the type is bonus is identified by a selection made by the player. The type of bonus is printed out on a bonus ticket that is dispensed to the player. In a subsequent round of Keno game play a player is prompted to insert certain types of bonus ticket if there is a second predetermined number of matches between the additional bonus numbers and the twenty random numbers the player is prompted to insert into the Keno game machine types of bonus tickets that they hold. When the player inserts a bonus ticket it is read and retained and a subsequent round of Keno game play is modified according to the type of bonus identified. |
| US07818206B2 |
System and method for profiling different users having a common computer identifier
A system and method profiles different users having a common terminal identifier in communication system. The system comprises a user activity data analyzer for extracting profile data from user terminal activity data, a user identifier for determining whether the profile data corresponds to a profile data history associated with the user terminal, and a user profile generator for generating a profile data history from the profile data for another user to be associated with the terminal in response to the profile data not corresponding to the profile data history associated with the user terminal. The user activity data analyzer extracts site addresses, URLs, click event data, metadata and other user activity from a session log to compile information useful for assessing a user's interests. This extracted profile data may then be compared to a profile history previously generated and associated with the terminal identifier. A low level of correspondence between the extracted profile data and the profile history associated with the terminal identifier indicates that a different user is generating the user activity data. The user profile generator then builds a profile history from the extracted profile data and associates it with the terminal identifier. The profile histories are provided different user identifiers. Upon subsequent detection of the terminal identifier, the profile data extracted from the user activity is compared to both profile histories to determine which user is navigating the site. Once sufficient profile data has been extracted to determine which profile history corresponds to the extracted data, advertising content that corresponds to the identified user may be selected and included in the content requested by the current user. |
| US07818202B1 |
Verticalized automated customer acquisition
Customer acquisition by a marketer includes determining one or more attributes of a target audience, identifying one or more subscriptions comprising a predetermined number of individuals having the attributes, requesting from each of the individuals permission to send one or more offers, receiving one or more acceptances from at least one of the individuals responsive to the requesting, and sending the one or more offers to individuals from whom acceptances were received. |
| US07818201B2 |
Lead referral system
A system for processing lead referrals is capable of assigning leads by product line, language and/or availability of the representative. The system is also capable of high lead referral throughput using steps such as filtering repeat visitors to a company from new leads, non-corporate leads from corporate leads, and avoiding requests for information to external databases during black-out times, such as set by registrars. |
| US07818200B2 |
Method and system for providing a trust-based reputation service for virtual organization formation
A method and system for a source participant assessing trustworthiness of a destination participant through one or more neighboring participants in a collaborative environment. The method comprises modeling all of the participants as network nodes and relationships between the participants as network paths and identifying a set of the network nodes and the network paths representing the neighboring participants that connects the network node of the source participant to the network node of the destination participant. Each of the network nodes of the neighboring participants as identified has a trust rating with best result, the trust rating is a relative measurement of feedback ratings. The trust rating of a first one of the network nodes of the neighboring participants as identified is computed with the feedback ratings between the first one of the network nodes and others of the network nodes directly connected to the first one of the network nodes. In addition, the trust rating between the first one and a second one of the network nodes is the relative measurement of the feedback ratings of the first one provided for the second one of the network nodes in comparison to the feedback ratings of the first one provided to others of the network nodes, the second one and the others of the network nodes are directly connected to the first one of the network nodes. |
| US07818199B2 |
Polling system and method presenting a received free reply as a answer option to a subsequent respondent
Polling method that encourages freely opinionated replies and makes for extensive collection of diverse replies. Free reply processing module 9 assigns an option ID to a free reply contained in reply data and associates this free reply with a survey ID and question ID and stores the same in a survey form database 41. A survey form creation module 6 creates a survey form page based on data in the survey form database 41 using HTML or the like and stores this on a Web server 3. The Web server 3 sends the stored survey form page to a respondent terminal 2. |
| US07818198B2 |
Autonomic time management calendar system
A method, system, and computer program product for autonomically managing a meeting calendar. An Autonomic Meeting Scheduling (AMS) utility detects a set of pre-scheduling data. The AMS utility generates an optimal meeting schedule based upon the set of pre-scheduling data. A meeting invitation is communicated to at least one meeting invitee. The AMS utility detects an invitation reply data from a meeting invitee. Based upon the pre-scheduling data and the invitation reply data, the AMS utility generates and outputs one of at least a meeting probability value (MPV) and a MPV curve. The MPV is a measure of how probable a scheduled meeting will occur. Moreover, a meeting owner may enable the AMS utility to determine whether the MPV has reached a threshold to execute a scheduling decision (i.e., retain a scheduled meeting, reschedule a meeting, or cancel/extinguish a scheduled meeting). |
| US07818196B2 |
Real time estimation of rolling averages of cumulative data
The present invention is directed to techniques for determining a value of a cumulative datum during a selected time interval. The disclosed method and system for collecting contact center data includes a plurality of agent and work item queues and a workflow server for distributing work items to available agents; and an event processor, that, for a selected a base time interval for accumulating a cumulative datum, determines a the rolling window that is at least one of equal and greater than the base interval and being an integer multiple of the base interval, and, when the rolling window partly spans a prior base interval, the processor can determine a rolling average for the cumulative datum over the width of the rolling window and, when the roiling window partly spans a prior base interval, the processor can estimate a value for the cumulative datum in the partly spanned prior base interval. |
| US07818195B2 |
Method, system and program product for reporting a call level view of a customer interaction with a contact center
A method and program product for reporting a call level view of a customer interaction with a contact center is provided. The method includes pulling data relating to a customer interaction from multiple source systems, parsing the data that is pulled and applying business rules thereto. The method further includes chronologically reassembling in a data warehouse the parsed data, summarizing the data that is reassembled and generating one or more reports from the summarized data. In an embodiment, the pulling step further includes collecting the data from the multiple source systems and storing the collected data in the data warehouse. In an embodiment, the parsing step includes parsing the data using a parsing engine. Further, the generating step includes analyzing the summarized data for ascertaining any relationships, patterns and associations in order to facilitate decisions that promote business development and optimize performance of the contact center. |
| US07818194B2 |
Method and system for posting ideas to a reconfigurable website
A method for automatically reconfiguring a webpage is provided. The web page may include a plurality of sections, and each section may include at least one aspect related to a particular topic, such as customer support and an option for casting a vote for a topic posted. A vote may be received vote for at least one of the plurality of sections. A Total Qualitative Management Criterion (TQMC) may be determined for each section of the website. An increasing function of time may be applied to newer votes to enable relative weightings of older votes to diminish over time without requiring computing a decaying time function to determine weightings for each vote. The webpage may be reconfigured based on ranking the sections according to the TQMC for each section. |
| US07818175B2 |
System and method for report level confidence
A system and method is disclosed for Report Confidence Modeling (RCM) including automatic adaptive classification of ASR output documents to determine the most efficient document edit workflow to convert dictation into finished output. The RCM according to the present invention may include a mechanism to predict recognition accuracy of a document generated by an ASR engine. Predicted accuracy of the document allows an ASR application to sort recognized documents based on their estimated accuracy or quality and route them appropriately for further processing, editing and/or formatting. |
| US07818170B2 |
Method and apparatus for distributed voice searching
A method for distributed voice searching may include receiving a search query from a user of the mobile communication device, generating a lattice of coarse linguistic representations from speech parts in the search query, extracting query features from the generated lattice of coarse linguistic representations, generating coarse search feature vectors based on the extracted query features, performing a coarse search using the generated coarse search feature vectors and transmitting the generated coarse search feature vectors to a remote voice search processing unit, receiving remote resultant web indices from the remote voice search processing unit, generating a lattice of fine linguistic representations from speech parts in the search query, generating fine search feature vectors from the lattice of fine linguistic representations, performing a fine search using the coarse search results, the remote resultant web indices and the generated fine search feature vectors, and displaying the fine search results to the user. |
| US07818168B1 |
Method of measuring degree of enhancement to voice signal
A method of measuring the degree of enhancement made to a voice signal by receiving the voice signal, identifying formant regions in the voice signal, computing stationarity for each identified formant region, enhancing the voice signal, identifying formant regions in the enhanced voice signal that correspond to those identified in the received voice signal, computing stationarity for each formant region identified in the enhanced voice signal, comparing corresponding stationarity results for the received and enhanced voice signals, and calculating at least one user-definable statistic of the comparison results as the degree of enhancement made to the received voice signal. |
| US07818161B2 |
Apparatus and method for UART emulation
An information processing apparatus includes: a processor configured to run an operating system; a reconfiguration module configured to rewrite a capability pointer of a PCI device configuration to set a controller compatible of controlling a non-UART device to be incompatible; a virtualization module configured to virtualize one or more UARTs; and a recognition module configured to cause the operating system to recognize the UARTs virtualized by the virtualization module by altering hardware information. |
| US07818158B2 |
Method for symbolic simulation of circuits having non-digital node voltages
In a computer simulation of an analog device in a digital circuit, a piece-wise linear lookup table is used to determine the channel resistance of the transistors in the analog device, allowing the node voltages to take on non-digital values. The piece-wise linear lookup table contains a set of channel resistances corresponding respectively to gate-to-source voltages. The program uses multi-terminal binary decision graphs (MTBDDs) to represent non-digital resistances, capacitances and voltages in the circuit as a function of symbolic inputs. The program can analyze circuits containing more than two voltage sources by modeling voltage sources with voltage dividers between the maximum and minimum voltages in the circuit. |
| US07818156B2 |
Corrosion assessment method and system
A method includes assessing corrosion in a refinery operation having a piping network. Assessing can include identifying in a petroleum sample a presence and an amount of a species determined to be potentially corrosive to corrodible equipment in a refinery. A corrosion risk presented by the presence, the amount, and the boiling point of the species is determined. And, the corrosion risk is evaluated in view of piping network information. A system for implementing the method is provided, also. |
| US07818149B2 |
Transient response of a distributed RLC interconnect based on direct pole extraction
A computer system for simulating performance of transmission lines, such as on-chip interconnects. The simulation uses direct extraction of poles, in contrast to conventional methods using poles obtained by a truncated transfer function. Using the directly extracted poles, far end response characteristic(s) can be determined to thereby aid in design of circuits using transmission lines. The far end response characteristic(s) that may be determined based on the directly extracted poles include, but are not necessarily limited to, frequency dependent effects, step response, ramp response, delay, 50% delay, rise time, 10% to 90% rise time, overshoot and normalized overshoot. A CAE tool designer and/or CAE tool user may decide how many pole pairs to directly extract to achieve a desired balance between computation resources required and resulting precision in the determination of far end response characteristic(s). |
| US07818145B2 |
Detecting an error in a prediction of resource usage of an application in a virtual environment
Described herein is a method for detecting an error in a prediction of resource usage of an application running in a virtual environment, comprising: providing a plurality of benchmark sets, executing the plurality of benchmark sets in a native hardware system in which the application natively resides, executing the plurality of benchmark sets in the virtual environment, collecting first traces of first resource utilization metrics in the native hardware system based on the execution of each of the plurality of benchmark sets in the native hardware system, collecting second traces of second resource utilization metrics in the virtual environment based on the execution of each of the plurality of benchmark sets in the virtual environment, generating at least one initial prediction model that maps the first traces of first resource utilization metrics to the second traces of second resource utilization metrics, computing a plurality of mean squared errors (MSE's) based on the at least one initial prediction model, each of the MSE's is further based on and associated with the collected first and second traces for a different one of the plurality of benchmark sets, and determining whether to use the initial prediction model to predict a resource usage of the application running in the virtual environment based on the plurality of MSEs. |
| US07818140B2 |
System for estimating a vehicle mass
A vehicle mass estimation system for use in a vehicle, such as a truck, including a transmission is provided. A processor may be operable to receive a signal relating to a mass of at least a portion of the vehicle. The processor may be further operable to estimate a vehicle mass based, at least in part, on the signal. The processor may be further operable to select a desired gear ratio for engagement in a transmission based, at least in part, on the estimated vehicle mass. |
| US07818138B2 |
Position detecting device and position detecting method
The present invention relates to a position detecting device capable of canceling an error due to looseness in a vertical direction and of eliminating variation in temperature characteristics by calculating a ratio between output voltages of a plurality of Hall elements. Assuming that the Hall voltage Vhe1 of a Hall element becomes A·K·Bhe1 (A is the amplification factor of a preamplifier, K is a constant, and Bhe1 is the magnetic flux density the Hall element receives), then a PI regulator automatically adjusts the bias point of the PI output by feedback control in such a manner that A·K·Bhe1+Vref=AGND (=0) holds. The Hall voltage Vhe2 of the Hall element after amplification becomes A·K·Bhe2. Since K=−Vref/A·Bhe1, the Hall voltage Vhe2 of the Hall element is given by −Vref·Bhe2/Bhe1. |
| US07818137B2 |
Characterization circuit for fast determination of device capacitance variation
A test circuit for fast determination of device capacitance variation statistics provides a mechanism for determining process variation and parameter statistics using low computing power and readily available test equipment. A test array having individually selectable devices is stimulated under computer control to select each of the devices sequentially. A test output from the array provides a current or voltage that dependent on a particular device parameter. The sequential selection of the devices produces a voltage or current waveform, characteristics of which are measured using a digital multi-meter that is interfaced to the computer. The rms value of the current or voltage at the test output is an indication of the standard deviation of the parameter variation and the DC value of the current or voltage is an indication of the mean value of the parameter. |
| US07818124B2 |
Method of operating a navigation system using images
A method of operating a navigation system determines a route between an origin and a destination and provides a photographic image showing a geographic area through which the route passes. The photographic image is obtained from a geographic database, and the photographic image shows the geographic area from a land-based viewpoint. The method overlays a route highlight on the photographic image identifying a path to be traveled. The route highlight extends along the path for a distance visible in the photographic image. |
| US07818122B2 |
Navigation device, method and program
A navigation device, method, and program provides output information on service facilities that exist on a road such as an expressway. A display provides a map in a general road display mode that includes facilities such as general roads, family restaurants, and convenience stores, and also can display a highway mode. The highway mode can be a predetermined expressway display mode which displays expressways and facilities on the expressways, and combines a single map focusing mainly on expressways so that the expressways can be easily recognized along with vehicle moving images. A searching and outputting portion searches for a predetermined number of facility information items of a desired type of element facility from the road map data in accordance with a provided predetermined operation, and outputs the information items when the present location is in the expressway display mode, and an element facility exists ahead on the expressway. |
| US07818120B2 |
Route-planning interactive navigation system and method
Provided is a system and method for route planning and evaluation. The system includes a host object location device operable to provide the location of a host object over the passage of time. A sensor is also provided, operable to sense objects and data from an environment proximate to the host object. A computer is operatively coupled to the location device, the sensor device, a chart library and a display. The computer includes a route generator operable to generate a predicted route of at least one sensed object. The route generator is also operable to generate a planned route of the host object. The planned and predicted routes are displayed to an operator upon the display. In response to a predicted proximate convergence of the host object and at least one sensed object, the convergence signaled to the operator. The planned position of the host object and the predicted position of each sensed object are displayed as an animation to evaluate the planned route, for any time following the present time, the operator permitted to stop the animation and scroll the animation forward and backwards. |
| US07818119B2 |
Electronic apparatus and navigation image display method
According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus comprises a storage module, a location measuring module, a communication module, and a navigation image generating module. The storage module stores image data corresponding to respective symbols, and data of simplified diagram templates in each of which positions are set on an image showing a shape of a road, symbols being placed at the respective positions. The location measuring module measures a current location. The communication module transmits the current location to an external communication apparatus and receives navigation information on a navigation point corresponding to the current location, the navigation information including a simplified diagram template identification number, symbol identification numbers, and position specification numbers. The navigation image generating module generates the navigation image by reading the simplified diagram template and the image data of the symbols, and placing the image data at positions on the simplified diagram template. |
| US07818116B1 |
Presenting a travel route in a ground-based vehicle
Techniques are provided for displaying a map for a route in a ground-based vehicle. The map includes a variable road network map showing finer detail for geographic features near the route and less detail for geographic features farther from the route. The map is displayed based on the travel direction of the ground-based vehicle. |
| US07818113B2 |
Valve timing control apparatus and valve timing control arrangement
A valve timing control apparatus for a valve timing adjustment mechanism that adjusts timing of opening and closing an intake or exhaust valve of an engine includes an output-side rotor, a cam-side rotor, a hydraulic pump, a control device, a control valve, a storage device. The control device outputs a signal associated with rotation of one of the rotors relative to the other one. The control valve controls the speed of the rotation. The storage device prestores standard data indicating a predetermined relation between a dead zone width and a parameter correlated with the dead zone width for each hydraulic oil temperature. A value of the parameter of the adjustment mechanism during a hold state is learned by changing the signal. The control device computes the signal based on the value learned, the standard data, and hydraulic oil temperature. |
| US07818112B2 |
Homogeneous charge compression ignition engine
An HCCI engine operated in HCCI and SI combustion modes. The engine includes an external EGR apparatus for performing external EGR. A control unit executes combustion control by specifying either one of HCCI and SI combustion ranges based on the driving state of the engine and a combustion range map for specifying the combustion range in accordance with the driving state. The map includes the HCCI and SI combustion ranges and a switch preparation combustion range, which is included in the SI combustion range and extends along a boundary between the SI combustion range and the HCCI combustion range. The control unit lowers the temperature in the combustion chamber when the switch preparation combustion range is specified by reducing the amount of internal EGR or performing the external EGR. |
| US07818111B2 |
Motor control apparatus and motor control method
This motor control apparatus is provided with: a reduced energy calculation device that calculates a reduced energy that is produced when a drive mode of a hybrid vehicle is shifted from a drive mode driven by a motor to a drive mode driven by an internal combustion engine and if the phase of the motor is changed from the present phase to the arbitrary required phase; a displacement energy calculation device that calculates a displacement energy that is produced when the present phase is changed to the arbitrary required phase; and a phase change permission device that compares the reduced energy and the displacement energy, and permits changing from the present phase to the required phase when it is determined that the reduced energy is greater than the displacement energy. |
| US07818109B2 |
Methods and apparatus for securing an active vehicle seat
A method for operating an active vehicle seat in a vehicle includes detecting a triggering event related to a security threat to the active vehicle seat. An operation of the active vehicle seat is disabled in response to the detected triggering event. The operation of the active vehicle seat is enabled by providing authentication of an authorized user. |
| US07818108B2 |
System of automatic control of maneuver of motor crafts, related method, and craft provided with the system
The present invention concerns a system of automatic control of manoeuvre of motor crafts that allows, in a reliable and efficient way, to simplify piloting of multi-motor crafts, particularly in manoeuvres within restricted spaces such as for instance, but not exclusively, during phases of mooring, anchoring, or refuelling. In particular, the system automatically compensates the effects of currents, wind and other possible external disturbances upon the craft motion, performing the required movement or maintaining the position and the bow orientation set by the pilot. The present invention further concerns the related method of automatic control of manoeuvre, the processes of calibrating the system, the apparatuses and instruments apt to perform the method, and the motor crafts provided with such a system. |
| US07818104B2 |
Monitoring apparatus and method
A comparator compares the total intake air amount accumulated by an accumulator with a reference value obtained via a selector. If the total intake air amount is smaller than the reference value, the CSS control is determined as being abnormal and a CSS-abnormality signal is output. If the number of times an atmospheric pressure learning value has been updated is equal to or larger than a threshold that is set large enough to determine that the accuracy of the calculated atmospheric pressure learning value is sufficiently high, a reference value is output from a characteristic storage to the comparator. Conversely, if the number of times the atmospheric pressure learning value has been updated is smaller than the threshold, an initial reference value is output from an initial reference value storage to the comparator. |
| US07818099B2 |
System and method for alerting a user of an aircraft of a possible entrance into a selected airspace
A system and method for an aircraft alerts a user of the aircraft of a possible entrance into a selected airspace. A flight path of an aircraft and locations of a plurality of selected airspaces are stored on at least one storage medium. A processor is in operable communication with the at least one storage device and configured to compare the flight path of the aircraft to the locations of the plurality of selected airspaces and provide an alert signal if the flight path calls for the aircraft to operate within a pre-selected distance of at least one of the plurality of selected airspaces. |
| US07818095B2 |
Water heater monitor/diagnostic display apparatus
A water heater is provided with monitor/diagnostic display apparatus that selectively provides a user with visual or other type of indicia of the remaining hot water availability of, the recovery time for, and the overall efficiency of the water heater. The apparatus includes a monitoring unit that may be mounted on the water heater, and a display unit that may be mounted either on the water heater or remotely therefrom. |
| US07818088B2 |
System and method for tracking inventory
An RFID enabled paper roll includes a tubular core, a paper stock wound around the core, and a radio frequency integrated circuit electrically coupled to an antenna and positioned on the core. A system for reading a radio frequency integrated circuit positioned on an item of inventory in a warehouse comprises a material handling device and an RFID reader coupled to the material handling device. The material handling device has at least member for use in transporting an item of inventory. The reader is configured to read the radio frequency integrated circuit associated with the item of inventory when the item is in proximity to the material handling device. |
| US07818082B2 |
Method and apparatus for planning a manufacturing schedule using an adaptive learning process
An apparatus and method for a production planning system using a process of adaptive learning is disclosed. A production planning system receives, production objects wherein each production object has at least one attribute. In one embodiment, the production objects include information relating to product to be manufactured. After receipt of production objects, multiple preference scores according to the attributes of the production objects are calculated. In one embodiment, each preference score represents desirability of transition from manufacturing a first object to a second object. The system subsequently identifies a suggested production plan which includes a sequence order of two or more objects in response to the preference scores. In one embodiment, the planning preferences are updated or modified by an adaptive learning system in response to adjustments of the suggested production plant by a planner. |
| US07818081B2 |
Method for optimizing a manufacturing process having a plurality of interconnected discreet operating stations
A process to control product throughput in a multi-station manufacturing system is disclosed. The process comprises the steps of: providing the manufacturing system as a plurality of discrete operating stations; separating the plurality of pathways into a plurality of independent pathways; identifying a first constraining throughput capacity corresponding to each of the plurality of independent pathways; adjusting a target rate of each of the discrete operating stations in each of the plurality of independent pathways according to the corresponding first constraining throughput capacity; reconstituting the plurality of independent pathways into an interconnected pathway comprising the discrete operating stations; reforming the plurality of pathways for the object of manufacture to pass from the first operating station to the distal operating station; combining the target rate of each of the discrete operating stations of the interconnected pathways; and, adjusting product throughput according to the combined target rates. |
| US07818079B2 |
Equalization based on digital signal processing in downsampled domains
This invention relates to a device, a method, a software application program, a software application program product and an audio device for processing a digital signal, wherein the digital signal is separated and downsampled into at least two downsampled subband signals, wherein at least one of the at least two downsampled subband signals is equalized, and wherein the at least two downsampled subband signals are upsampled and combined into a digital output signal. |
| US07818077B2 |
Encoding spatial data in a multi-channel sound file for an object in a virtual environment
A method for recording and playing back spatial sound data associated with an object in a scene of a virtual environment from the perspective of a character controlled by a user. Different types of spatial sound data can be encoded for different types of objects, e.g., fast moving, directional, slow moving and stationary objects. Based on at least the position, distance, and direction of the object in regard to the character, at least two channels of an audio file can be recorded with spatial sound data for subsequent playback in the virtual environment. |
| US07818076B2 |
Method and apparatus for multi-system remote surgical navigation from a single control center
A system and method are provided for performing remote surgical navigation in multiple systems from a single control center, where there are at least two remote navigation systems in separate procedure rooms having respective control computers. The system includes a Control Center separate from each procedure room that has a set of displays and interface input devices. A switch may also be included for connecting the Control Center to the set of displays, interface input devices, and remote navigation systems. A method is provided for performing multiple simultaneous remote medical procedures that includes displaying information transmitted from a remote navigation system to the Control Center, and accepting user input from a remote navigation system. The method provides for establishing an encryption key with the remote system, converting the user input to a script data and encrypting the data. The transmitted script command is then transmitted to the remote navigation system. |
| US07818072B2 |
Press control system and press simulator
A press control system includes at least one sensor for registering current states of at least one component of a press and at least one regulating and control device for generating actuating signals for actuating the at least one component of the press. A press simulator is integrated into the press control system for training purposes and/or diagnostic purposes on the press. |
| US07818071B2 |
Method for controlling and/or optimizing production of oil and/or gas wells and facilities
This invention discloses a system for controlling and optimizing production operations oil and/or gas production wells and facilities, which are equipped with sensors that generate raw reservoir, production and/or production equipment performance data. This system collects raw data processes it in a central data center to produce component data and system performance data. |
| US07818067B2 |
Cryptographic authentication for telemetry with an implantable medical device
Integrity of a wirelessly telemetered message communicated between an implantable medical device and an external programmer is authenticated by encoding the message. The message is encrypted based on a random number or time stamp and a secret key. The message is authenticated by encryption and decryption or by executing a hash function. |
| US07818064B2 |
Fitting of brightness in a visual prosthesis
The invention is a method of automatically adjusting an electrode array to the neural characteristics of an individual patient. The perceptual response to electrical neural stimulation varies from patient to patient and the response to electrical neural stimulation varies from patient to patient and the relationship between current and perceived brightness is often non-linear. It is necessary to determine this relationship to fit the prosthesis settings for each patient. It is advantageous to map the perceptual responses to stimuli. The method of mapping of the present invention is to provide a plurality of stimuli that vary in current, voltage, pulse duration, frequency, or some other dimension; measuring and recording the response to those stimuli; deriving a formula or equation describing the map from the individual points; storing the formula; and using that formula to map future stimulation. |
| US07818059B2 |
Atrial capture management in minimal ventricular pacing system and method
Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for an implantable medical device comprising means for selecting between an atrial chamber reset (ACR) test and an atrioventricular conduction (AVC) test to provide atrial capture management and means for switching between an atrial-based pacing mode and a dual chamber pacing mode based on detecting relatively reliable atrioventricular conduction. |
| US07818058B2 |
Automated ECG lead impedance measurement integrated into ECG gating circuitry
The present invention relates to a system and method for determining the impedance of an electrode at the electrode-body interface. The electrode-body impedance of one of the electrodes may be calculated using the voltage difference between that electrode and a plurality of other electrodes, and the voltage and impedance of an alternating current generator in communication with the electrodes. |
| US07818055B2 |
Method of identifying strategies for treatment or prevention of ventricular fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia
The present invention relates to evaluating the effect of physiological conditions on the occurrence of ventricular fibrillation, identifying strategies for treatment or prevention of ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia, and evaluating a subject for induction of ventricular fibrillation from a condition of ventricular tachycardia. |
| US07818052B2 |
Methods and systems for automatically identifying whether a neural recording signal includes a neural response signal
Methods of automatically identifying whether a neural recording signal includes a neural response signal include fitting an artifact model to a neural recording signal to produce a fitted artifact model signal, determining a strength-of-response metric that describes a distance of the neural recording signal from the fitted artifact model signal, and identifying the neural recording signal as including a neural response signal if the strength-of-response metric is above a pre-determined threshold. Corresponding systems are also described. |
| US07818050B2 |
Passive phonography heart monitor
A fetal heart monitor device includes a channel to receive a first signal representative of acoustic energy principally from a maternal heartbeat and a second signal representative of acoustic energy including a fetal heart beat. The device includes a computing device including a processor, a memory operatively coupled to the processor and non-volatile storage operatively coupled to the processor, the non-volatile storage storing a computer program including instructions to cause the processor to process the first and second electrical signals into an electrical signal representative of the acoustic energy emitted by the fetal heart. |
| US07818040B2 |
Deflectable medical therapy delivery device having common lumen profile
A method of locating a target site for delivering a therapy to a patient that includes advancing a delivery device having a steerable portion and a deflectable tip having a tapered portion to an area along a first site. A contrast media is delivered through a thru lumen and outward from a distal end of the delivery device in fluid communication with the thru lumen to position the contrast media along the first site and the delivery device is further advanced toward the first site and within the first site, or the delivery device is further advanced toward the first site and within the first site without the contrast. The contrast media is then delivered from the distal end of the delivery device within the first site to locate the target site. |
| US07818039B2 |
Suction stabilized epicardial ablation devices
A suction assisted ablation device having a support surface, suction elements disposed adjacent the support surface, at least one electrode and at least one suction conduit is provided. The device may further include fluid openings, which allow fluid to irrigate target tissue and aid in ablation. A method for ablating tissue using suction is also provided. |
| US07818038B2 |
Handheld electronic apparatus with multiple operational configurations
A handheld electronic apparatus with multiple operational configurations is provided. The handheld electronic apparatus includes a first body, a second body, a straight track, and a curved track. The second body overlaps the first body. The straight track is sandwiched in between the first body and the second body. The first body permits a translational motion relative to the second body along with the straight track so as to shift between a first operational configuration and a second operational configuration. The curved track connected to the straight track is sandwiched in between the first body and the second body. The first body permits a rotational movement relative to the second body along with the curved track so as to shift between the second operational configuration and a third operational configuration. |
| US07818024B2 |
Network selection methods and apparatus with home network prioritization after network signal recovery or power-on
In one illustrative example involving automatic network selection, a mobile station selects and operates with a non-home communication network. The mobile station then experiences an out-of-coverage condition with the non-home network (or a power down condition) but subsequently regains signal coverage (or is powered back on) in response, the mobile station scans to identify a plurality of communication networks in its coverage area. If a home network is identified as being available, the mobile station selects and operates with the home network. Otherwise, if the previous non-home network (e.g. the RPLMN) is identified as being available, the mobile station continues operation with the previous non-home network. |
| US07818023B2 |
Power allocation scheme
Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate and effectuate power allocation schemes that reuse power allocation patterns amongst different carriers for sectors in the same cell and uses different power allocation patterns between cells. The frequency reuse scheme generates power allocation patterns, selects one of the generated power allocation patterns for use among at least two carriers of at least two sectors in a cell, and employs a second disparate power allocation pattern for use between at two cells. |
| US07818021B2 |
Wireless communication terminal and control method thereof
In a PC card communication terminal that operates supplied with power from a host device, problems such as malfunctions due to a supply voltage drop at the time of high transmission output are prevented from occurring. A baseband processor (1106) selects a transmission-power upper-limit measurement mode when a PC card terminal (1103) is to be controlled for the first time. A supply voltage drop is measured by a voltage measurement circuit (1114) while a load value of a load circuit (1112) is being changed. The load value of the load circuit (1112) when the supply voltage decreases to a permissible lowest supply voltage is obtained. Using a conversion table stored in a memory (1107), the load value is converted into a transmission output and is set as a transmission-output upper limit. In a normal communication mode, a maximum transmission output is restricted based on this transmission-output upper limit. |
| US07818019B2 |
Method and apparatus for optimized assignment of Abis transmission resources based on dynamic statistical time division multiplexing
The present invention relates to technique for optimized assignment of Abis transmission resources based on dynamic statistical time division multiplexing, the method comprising the steps of: assigning a set of 64 k TS's to GPRS/EGPRS services on an Abis link, the set of 64 k TS's shared among all BTS's connected to the Abis interface; a PCU assigning sufficient Abis transmission resources to a TRX based on the load thereof if the TRX has EGPRS services; a BSC interconnecting Abis transmission resources and BSC-PCU transmission resources and informing a BTS that said Abis transmission resources have been assigned to a TRE mapped to the TRX; the PCU reassigning bandwidth of the Abis transmission resources based on changes in the load of the TRX; in each TRX, all RTS's statistical-time-division-multiplexing all transmission resources of the TRX based on flow in different periods for different RTS's. The present invention will achieve dynamic sharing of Abis transmission resources on a RTS layer so as to optimize using of Abis transmission resources, reduce waste and decrease operating cost. |
| US07818016B2 |
Method and system for providing a location-based alert service in wireless communication environment
Disclosed is a method and a system for providing a location-based alert service in a wireless communication environment, wherein, in a case where a specific user is located in a certain zone using a mobile communication terminal and a mobile communication network, the number of location inquiries is minimized using a moving distance ratio, a moving direction and a Minimum Bounding Rectangle (MBR) in providing the a location-based alert service for informing that the specific user is located in a certain zone. |
| US07818015B2 |
Method of determining optimal cell configuration based upon determined device location
A configuration device for configuring a wireless device within a wireless cell can include a receiving unit configured to receive a request message from a wireless device within a wireless cell. In addition, the configuration device can include a first processing unit configured to determine location information of the wireless device, and a second processing unit configured to determine a communication capacity of the wireless device, and to estimate a communication requirement based on the request message. Furthermore, the configuration device can have a transmitting unit configured to transmit optimal information to the wireless device with respect to the request message. |
| US07818014B2 |
Wireless communication system, access point and wireless station composing the wireless communication system, and communication load balancing method for access point
To reduce load on an access point even if a large number of wireless stations are located very close to the access point. An access point detects a communication load value (S1 and S2) and reports it to wireless stations (S3). The access point waits for a predetermined time after the transmission of the communication load value (5) and detects a communication load value again (S6 and S7). The access point determines whether the first communication load value is larger than a predetermined value K (S4) and whether the second communication load value is larger than K (S8). If the first and second communication load values are larger than K, the access point outputs a warning output command instructing the wireless stations to output a warning prompting their users to move away from their current locations (S9). |
| US07818013B2 |
Downlink channel parameters determination for a multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) system
Embodiments of methods and apparatus for providing downlink channel parameters determination for downlink channels associated with a multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) system are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed. |
| US07818010B2 |
Methods and apparatus for allocating resources in a distributed environment
Methods and apparatus are provided for allocating resources in a distributed environment. The disclosed resource allocation techniques make resource allocation decisions when resources become available. A resource becomes available when the resource completes its previous work or becomes activated. Once it is determined that a resource has become available, the available resource is assigned to an appropriate request. The requests may be stored, for example, in a queue of requests. The available resource may be assigned to an appropriate request based on one or more predefined criteria, such as to service a request associated with a service class having the “greatest need.” The resources may be, for example, a plurality of call agents that are associated with a call center. |
| US07818009B2 |
Cellular channel allocation scheme with multi-user detection
In a spectrum allocation method in a cellular communication system, a cell pattern is divided into clusters each containing a plurality of adjacent cells. A pool of forward and return link bearers is allocated to each cluster and may be shared among cells within the cluster. Bearers are reused between blusters having a sufficiently high mutual isolation. Preferably, the same time slot in a return link bearer is allocated to multiple users within the cluster. The receiver of the shared return link bearer uses multi-user detection techniques to separately decode the signals from each user sharing a time slot, using the spatial diversity of the individual cells. |
| US07818006B2 |
Handover execution and communication resumption in wireless access system
Handover execution and communication resumption in a wireless access system is provided. Performing a handover includes communicating with a serving base station through a first communication link and receiving from the serving base station, handover information associated with at least one candidate target base station. The method also includes transmitting handover indicator to the serving base station indicating a handover operation to a selected target base station and performing a ranging procedure with the selected target base station to establish a second communication link with the selected target base station while maintaining the first communication link with the serving base station. The method also includes being released from the serving base station in response to a handover complete status message from the selected target base station to the serving base station, or resuming normal communication with the serving base station if the handover fails with the selected target base station. |
| US07818004B2 |
Mobile network device multi-link optimizations
Methods and apparatus for performing optimizations for a mobile network device such as a Mobile Node or Mobile Router supporting multiple links to a Home Agent (or Correspondent Node in a Mobile IPv6 environment) are disclosed. During the registration process, link characteristics are transmitted in the registration request. From the link characteristics, it is possible to determine whether the mobile network device has roamed from a high to a low bandwidth link, or vice versa. A first set of optimizations may be performed when the mobile network device has roamed from a high to a low bandwidth link, while a second set of optimizations may be performed when the mobile network device has roamed from a low to a high bandwidth link. Some optimizations may be performed during the establishment of a TCP session, while others may be performed during or upon completion of the Mobile IP registration process. |
| US07818001B2 |
Fine grain downlink active set control
An active set of base stations may be controlled based on whether data is unavailable at base stations within the active set. The base station may transmit an indicator indicating whether data is unavailable at the base station and/or a mobile station may monitor a channel characteristic of at least a portion of a channel between the base station and the mobile station. |
| US07817999B2 |
Method and system for implementing roam restriction
A method for implementing roam restriction and a system thereof are disclosed in the present invention, by setting up a list of areas where the terminal is allowed to roam. The method includes: the terminal sends a wireless service request to the mobile switching center on the wireless communication network side, wherein the request carries the information of at least one cell currently activated by this terminal; the mobile switching center determines whether there is a cell among the at least one cell currently activated by this terminal, whose cell information is included in the list of areas where the terminal is allowed to roam, if yes, executes current wireless service for this terminal; otherwise, rejects to execute current wireless service for this terminal. With this method, when the number of the cells is increased or changed, there is no need to modify the relationship between the associated IMSI/MIN and the cells or modify the IMSI/MIN of the terminals one by one under the circumstance of migration. Furthermore, since the information of all cells currently activated by the terminal is obtained by the wireless communication network side, when the terminal is located in an overlapped area covered by two cells, this method for implementing roam restriction on the terminal can still be used. |
| US07817998B1 |
Frame/packet-based calibration for wireless transceivers
A packet-based wireless transceiver that transmits and receives data packets comprises a receiver including a mixer that converts signal frequencies and a baseband circuit that communicates with the mixer and that includes an amplifier. A receiver voltage offset calibration circuit adjusts a receiver voltage offset at the baseband circuit at times synchronized with the data packets and includes a calibration signal generator that outputs calibration signals to first and second inputs of the baseband circuit and a calibration adjustment circuit that communicates with the calibration signal generator and that adjusts the calibration signal to reduce the voltage offset based on an output of the amplifier. |
| US07817996B2 |
Method and system for adaptive modification of cell boundary
A method and system for reducing interference in a cellular radio communications network. At least one parameter affecting user terminals within a cell is adjusted such that the cell boundary is modified, such that interference in the network is reduced. In alternative embodiments the at least one parameter is adjusted adaptively. |
| US07817993B2 |
System and method for copying ring back tone transfer sound
Disclosed is a method for setting up a substituted ring back tone (RBT) provided from a predetermined communication provider, and more particularly, a method and system for recognizing a first substituted RBT of a first subscriber and setting up the first substituted RBT as a substituted RBT of a second subscriber, between subscribers of different communication providers. According to the present invention, it is possible to easily copy a substituted RBT from another user's substituted RBT and set up the same as a user's own substituted RBT. In this instance, the substituted RBT is provided according to a request for a call setup of a mobile terminal. Also, it is possible to set up a substituted RBT of a subscriber of a different communication provider as a user's substituted RBT, while not receiving predetermined information from the communication provider. |
| US07817991B2 |
Dynamic interconnection of mobile devices
A method and apparatus for connecting two wireless devices to share information is disclosed. To connect the wireless devices the users communicate to each other a desire to connect their devices. Following this communication the users electronically identify each device, initiate and propose the connection. Once the connection has been made the users are able to share information across the devices. Alternative embodiments provide the user with expedited methods to identify the wireless device, identify the information to share, or provide additional security in forming the connection. |
| US07817987B2 |
Apparatus and method for handling messaging service message adaptation
A method and apparatus for handling messaging service message adaptation. An original message is received from an originating communication device, the original message based on a wireless communication message protocol, the original message being of a first message type. The original message is modified according to preferences of a message recipient communication device to generate a second message of a second message type. The second message is sent to the message recipient communication device. The original message is sent to an alternate message recipient based on the original message being modified. |
| US07817985B2 |
Electronic transaction service in a mobile communication network
A mobile communication terminal wirelessly coupled to at least one mobile communication network comprising a memory for storing user payment information; a first modem for communicating over a first mobile communication network to provide the user payment information to the memory; a second modem for a communicating over a second mobile communication network to read the user payment information from the memory, when performing an electronic transaction over the second mobile communication network; and a transmitter for transmitting the user payment information in a wireless data format, wherein power applied to the first modem is changed from a first state to a second state after providing the user payment information to the memory. |
| US07817982B1 |
System for identifying non-impacted and potentially disaster impacted people and communicating with them to gather impacted status
The present invention provides methods and systems for determining the status and/or extent of damage caused by a disaster. More specifically, a disaster status system (DSS) is used to create a backup communication network, in the event that the primary communication network has been damaged, to locate and/or contact users that may be in or around a disaster-affected area. |
| US07817976B2 |
System and method for inverting automatic frequency control
A method includes a foreground process and a background process. In the foreground process, an input signal is processed using a first reference signal to generate an output. A first frequency control signal is generated from the output. A frequency of the first reference signal is controlled based on the first frequency control signal. In the background process, a foreground processed signal is received from the foreground process. The foreground processed signal is processed using a second reference signal. A second frequency control signal is generated from the foreground processed signal. A frequency of the second reference signal is controlled based on the second frequency control signal so that the background processing step removes effects of the foreground controlling step. |
| US07817973B1 |
Method and apparatus of Doherty-type power amplifier subsystem for wireless communications systems
Method and apparatus for high-efficiency radio frequency (RF) power amplification. A method high-efficiency RF power amplification comprises receiving control and power signals, sampling power output of a main stage amplifier, comparing sampled amplifier output power with output power requirement information, reconfiguring bias of the cascaded amplifiers based on power adjustment information, coupling the output of a main stage power amplifier to a load mismatch protection circuit. An electronic apparatus for a Doherty-type high-efficiency RF power amplifying subsystem comprising a power interface circuit coupled to a bias network control circuit, an output power sampling circuit, the comparator comparing signal representing amplifier output power with the power control signal, the bias network control circuit adapts bias condition of the amplifier block, a load mismatch protection circuit provides well-controlled load, thereby the amplifier block amplifies RF input signal transmitted to the subsystem output. |
| US07817972B2 |
Method and arrangement for mutual information based power control
In a method for power control in a telecommunication system, the transmit power is adjusted based on at least the mutual information expression or a representation thereof. According to one aspect the transmit power for a coming slot is controlled based on the previously received slots, wherein an estimated quality is compared to a determined quality target based on the mutual information expression. |
| US07817970B2 |
Transmitting/receiving device having a polar modulator with variable predistortion
The transmitting/receiving device has a polar modulator with a variable predistorter (11, 12) and an amplifier (8) which can be modulated, a reception path (25) which can be operated both during conventional reception and for the purposes of adjustment of the predistorter (11, 12) in order to determine a measurement signal (35) which is dependent on the output signal from the amplifier (8), and a coupling path for coupling of the reception path (25) to the output from the amplifier (8). A control and evaluation means (34, 36) is additionally provided for adjustment of the predistorter (11, 12). |
| US07817969B2 |
Limiting audible noise introduction through FM antenna tuning
An FM receiver including an FM antenna that receives continuous wavelength signals, where the FM receiver is coupled to the FM antenna and operable to alter a center frequency of a gain profile of the FM antenna. The FM receiver includes a low noise amplifier module that is coupled to amplify the continuous wavelength signal to produce an amplified RF signal therefrom. A down conversion module is coupled to mix the amplified RF signal with a local oscillation to produce an information signal. A filter module is coupled to filter the information signal to produce a filtered information signal. A demodulation module is coupled to capture audio information from the filtered information signal. A signal monitoring module is coupled to monitor the FM signal quality of a received continuous wavelength signal. The signal monitoring module produces a signal quality indication therefrom. An antenna control module produces a signal value based upon the signal quality indication, wherein the signal value operates to alter the center frequency of a gain profile of the FM antenna. |
| US07817968B2 |
Transmitter and receiver circuit
A transmitter and receiver circuit includes antennas for receiving high-frequency signals; a local oscillator for generating local oscillation signals; mixers connected to respective antennas for converting the frequency of the high-frequency signals from corresponding antennas in response to the high-frequency signals input from the local oscillator; and a switch for inputting the local oscillation signals generated by the local oscillator into a selected one of the mixers so that receiving channels are switched by the switch. |
| US07817966B2 |
Switching device with reduced intermodulation distortion
According to one exemplary embodiment, a switching device with phase selection terminals to select between at least two phase shifting modes to reduce intermodulation distortion in the switching device includes a first phase selection terminal to select a first phase shifting mode of the switching device by enabling a first phase shifter in a first phase shifting switching branch coupled to an input of the switching device. The switching device further includes a second phase selection terminal to select a second phase shifting mode of the switching device by enabling a second phase shifting switching branch coupled to the switching device input. The intermodulation distortion in the switching device is reduced by selecting one of the first and second phase shifting modes. The switching device may further include a number of FETs coupled in series between an output of the switching device and the first and second phase shifting switching branches. |
| US07817964B2 |
Method and system for assessing wireless communication quality in a communications network
Methods and systems are presented for assessing wireless communication quality in a communications network, in which a network application broadcasts reporting criteria to base stations in the network that requests reporting of RF signal strength from powered RF devices, and the base stations send messages to RF devices to request the RF devices to RF quality information according to the reporting criteria. The base station sends reported RF quality information to the network application, which processes the reported information to provide an assessment of RF network quality for all or a subset of the RF coverage areas served by the network. |
| US07817962B2 |
Polar transmitter amplifier with variable output power
Various embodiments are disclosed relating to wireless systems, and also relating to transmitter amplifiers, such as, for example, polar transmitter amplifiers with variable output power. According to an example embodiment, a circuit is provided including a plurality of selectable amplifier cells. Each amplifier cell may receive a phase or frequency modulated signal and an amplitude modulated signal. Each amplifier cell may output a signal based upon a combination of the received amplitude modulated signal and the received phase or frequency modulated signal if the amplifier cell is selected. The circuit may provide a variable output current or output power based upon the selection of one or more of the amplifier cells. |
| US07817961B2 |
Beacon transmission in short-range wireless communication systems
The invention relates to a method for broadcasting beacon frames in a short-range wireless ad-hoc network including a plurality of wireless terminals. In order to improve the efficiency of the ad-hoc network in terms of power consumption, the terminal that defines the beacon interval for the network starts as a beacon broadcaster and introduces an identifier list in at least some of the beacon frames broadcast in the network. The identifier list, which includes identifiers of the wireless terminals belonging to the network, is utilized if another wireless terminal is to be selected as the beacon broadcaster. |
| US07817960B2 |
Wireless audio sharing
A system and method are disclosed for wireless sharing of audio sounds among a plurality of users with access to a dedicated, shared signal. A user of the present invention can communicate his or her audio sounds to other users, who can receive the audio sounds wirelessly and choose to rebroadcast them. As such, an audio sound sharing network can be readily established at any time and place among participants in the network. |
| US07817957B2 |
Double feed sensing device, double feed determining method and image forming apparatus
The invention provides a double feed sensing device capable of sensing double feed of paper sent out for the first time. The double feed sensing device includes a thickness sensing unit for sensing thickness of cut paper conveyed, a rigidity sensing unit for sensing bending rigidity of the conveyed paper, and a double feed determining unit for comparing a value of the thickness of the paper sensed by the thickness sensing unit and a value of the bending rigidity of the paper sensed by the rigidity sensing unit with threshold values of thickness and rigidity of the paper set based on values of thickness and bending rigidity of one sheet of the paper and values of thickness and bending rigidity of stacked sheets of the paper, so as to determine whether the paper is double-fed or not. |
| US07817956B2 |
Cleaning blade for use in image-forming apparatus
A cleaning blade which is brought into contact with a peripheral surface of a photoreceptor drum of an image-forming apparatus to remove toner which remains on the peripheral surface of the photoreceptor drum. In a dynamic state in which the cleaning blade contacts the photoreceptor drum with a load of 2 to 60 N and a face pressure of 1.3 to 66.7 MPa being applied thereto when the photoreceptor drum is rotating, the cleaning blade contacts the peripheral surface of the photoreceptor drum in a contact width (nip width) of 3 to 10 μm. The cleaning blade has a two-layer construction composed of a matrix layer and an edge layer. |
| US07817955B2 |
Image forming apparatus for securing good cleaning performance without cleaning blade abrasion
An image forming apparatus including an image bearing member to bear a latent electrostatic image, a charging member to charge a surface of the image bearing member, an irradiation member to irradiate the image bearing member to write the latent electrostatic image, a development member to develop the latent electrostatic image with a toner to form a visualized image, a transfer device to transfer the visualized image directly or via an intermediate transfer body to a recording medium, a fixing device to fix the transferred image transferred on the recording medium and a cleaning device to remove residual toner remaining on the image bearing member. In the image forming apparatus, the cleaning device includes an elastic member having a blade forming a front end which is in contact with the image bearing member at a pressure of from 2 to 6 MPa and the toner is granulated in an aqueous phase and contains a laminar inorganic mineral having ions between layers at least part of which is modified by an organic ion and an average of a form factor SF-1 of the toner is from 130 to 160. |
| US07817950B2 |
Apparatuses useful for printing and methods of stripping media from surfaces in apparatuses useful for printing
Apparatuses useful for printing and methods for stripping media from surfaces in apparatuses useful for printing are disclosed. An apparatus useful for printing including a first member including a first outer surface; a second member including a second outer surface; a belt including an inner surface and an outer surface; a first nip formed by contact between the inner surface of the belt and the second outer surface and contact between the outer surface of the belt and the first outer surface; and a stripping mechanism including a stripping member disposed internal to the belt. The stripping member is positionable relative to the first nip to vary a pressure applied by the outer surface of the belt against the first outer surface downstream from the first nip. The media are stripped from the outer surface of the belt after exiting from the first nip. |
| US07817946B2 |
Developing device, image developing method, image forming apparatus, image forming method, and process cartridge
The present invention provides a developing device that allows for maintaining the conveyance amount of a toner within a certain definite range. A developing device 12 of the present invention is provided with a toner conveying unit 13 configured to convey a first toner and a controlling member 15 configured to control the thickness of a toner layer formed with the first toner conveyed by the toner conveying unit 13, wherein a second toner provided with a charged amount per unit mass that differs from a charged amount per unit mass of the first toner is applied over the surface of the controlling member 15. |
| US07817944B2 |
Powder-delivering device for toner cartridge
A powder-delivering device includes a tapered shell received in a toner cartridge near an outlet of the toner cartridge. The tapered shell has a transection area becoming smaller gradually toward the outlet of the toner cartridge. The tapered shell has an outer surface having at least one projection or at least one recess. The projection of the tapered shell has a spiral or linear shape. The projection has an end, which is remote from the outlet of the toner cartridge, stopped against an inner wall of the toner cartridge. Thus, the powder-delivering device of the invention has simple structure and low product costs. |
| US07817940B2 |
Image forming apparatus having tension-providing mechanism for belt
To enable not only releasing pressurization by a pressurization mechanism for pressurizing a belt thereby preventing a deformation therein but also easily and securely releasing the pressurization mechanism held in the pressure release state, thereby facilitating the installation operation of an apparatus. A pressurization mechanism for pressurizing a belt is in a released state prior to the use of the main body of the apparatus. Prior to the initial use of the main body, the pressurization of the pressurizing mechanism for the belt is exerted in linkage with a user operation of placing a recording material in a feed tray. |
| US07817939B2 |
Image heating device
When removing a sheet that is undesirably attached to a pressure belt as a result of a jam, if the sheet is pulled in the width direction of the pressure belt, the pressure belt may undesirably move in the width direction. This will make it difficult to perform a subsequent jam recovery operation properly.In order to solve this problem, a belt gripping roller can be brought into pressure contact with the pressure belt in the event of a jam, so as to prevent the pressure belt from being moved accidentally in the width direction while the jam is being cleared. |
| US07817938B2 |
Developer cartridge and image forming apparatus with shaft misalignment accomodation
A developer cartridge includes a developer roller, a receiving unit for receiving a driving force, a transmitting unit for transmitting the driving force from the receiving unit to the developer roller, and a transferring unit for transferring the drive force from the receiving unit to the transmitting unit. The transferring unit is connected with both the receiving unit and the transmitting unit. A relative position of the receiving unit and the transmitting unit is movable while the transferring unit is connected to both the receiving unit and the transmitting unit. |
| US07817933B2 |
Cleaning method for compensating for environmental conditions and blade age in a cleaning subsystem
A method for controlling blade interference in a single blade or multi-blade xerographic cleaner based on a look-up table for environmental conditions and blade age. Temperature and humidity sensors and a blade age counter are used to provide information to a controller, which adjusts the blade interference through a stepper motor based on the preloaded table. This allows lower blade load in most conditions over life, compared to the known method of setting the initial load high enough to cover these stress factors at worse case levels. The look-up table is empirically determined for a give blade material and xerographic system, e.g., photoreceptor, toner, etc. It takes into account the variation in blade load itself as a function of the environment and blade age. |
| US07817928B2 |
Image forming apparatus and image forming method
An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, an intermediate transferring body and a contact type secondary transferring member transferring an image from the intermediate transferring body to a recording medium. The apparatus forms an image with respective developers for multiple colors and uses a predefined adjustment pattern to make density adjustment and position adjustment of respective color images. After execution of the density adjustment and/or the position adjustment, a stain prevention pattern is formed with a yellow developer to cover an area where the adjustment pattern is attached to the secondary transferring member. |
| US07817926B2 |
Image forming apparatus and optional sheet feeding device
An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming apparatus main body including an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet, a detachable main body sheet feeding tray that holds the sheet and a sheet feeding unit that feeds the sheet from the main body sheet feeding tray toward the image forming unit; an optional sheet feeding device that is capable of being added on a lower side of the main body sheet feeding tray and feeds the sheet toward the image forming unit, the optional sheet feeding device having a first detector that detects whether or not the main body sheet feeding tray is attached to a proper position; and a controller that controls operations of the image forming apparatus main body and the optional sheet feeding device based on a detection result of the first detector. |
| US07817924B2 |
Rate adjustable differential phase shift key (DPSK) modulation
In a fixed delay optical communication system, rate adjustable differential phase shift key (DPSK) techniques eliminate the need for multiple comparing modules, each corresponding to a different data rate. Setting alternative data rates at integer multiples of the fundamental data rate of the optical communication system allows the system to process the respective integer number of symbols per period of the system, wherein the period of the system is the inverse of the fundamental data rate. Pulse carving techniques may be used to set the duty cycle of clock levels associated with a clock signal. The clock levels may be combined with respective symbols to provide optical symbols having a duty cycle less than 100%. |
| US07817920B2 |
Short-distance communication method and apparatus using visible light
Disclosed is a short-distance communication method and an apparatus using visible light. The apparatus scans ambient light, measures optical power of visible light, among visible light included in the ambient light, having a wavelength corresponding to a transmission wavelength used for the visible light communication, compares a minimum transmission optical power of transmitted light, a real transmission optical power, and the measured optical power of the ambient light, selects a transmission wavelength of the transmitted light on which noises caused by the ambient light have little effect, and performs the visible light communication using the visible light of the selected transmission wavelength. |
| US07817919B1 |
Method for transmission of data packets by means of an optical burst switching network and network nodes for an optical burst switching network
There is described a transmission in a burst switching network, whereby data packets are collected to form a burst which is provided with a header. A loop-free common control channel is provided in the optical burst switching network to which all network nodes have access. Headers are transmitted by the loop-free control channel such that a header is distributed virtually in parallel to all network nodes and processed virtually in parallel in the network nodes. |
| US07817917B1 |
System and method for monitoring telecommunications equipment
The present invention provides a system and method for monitoring and providing settings to nodes in a telecommunications fiber network. The method and system reviews alarm and threshold settings of nodes and in the network. If the alarm and threshold settings a node are not within set standards, the standard alarm and threshold settings may be provided to the nodes. The method and system of the invention also calculates span loss between nodes in a telecommunications fiber network and the amplification levels of nodes in the network. |
| US07817916B2 |
Camera module
A camera module includes a substrate, an image sensor, a shell, and at least two lens modules. The image sensor comprises at least two image sensor portions connecting with each other via a connecting portion. The at least two image sensor portions are mounted on the substrate. The connecting portion is separated from the substrate. The shell is mounted on the substrate and has a chamber for receiving the image sensor. The lens modules are each mounted in the shell corresponding to the image sensor portions. The lens module captures and transmits images to the image sensor portion of the image sensor. |
| US07817915B2 |
Image taking system
In an image taking system, when a running image is to be taken by the use of a self-timer or an automatic image taking system, exposure conditions and a focusing position are determined according to result of detection of the predetermined objective body at least once between the time when instruction to take a running image is done and the time when the running image is actually taken. |
| US07817914B2 |
Camera configurable for autonomous operation
The present disclosure relates to an image capture device and a technique for capturing an image. The technique includes selecting at least one subject displayed on an image capture device as an image trigger condition and entering a threshold level corresponding to the at least one image trigger condition. The technique further provides monitoring a signal from at least one sensor detecting the at least one image trigger condition and obtaining at least one digital image upon detecting the sensed image trigger condition meeting the threshold level. |
| US07817911B2 |
Photographic method and apparatus
A photographic method for slow synchro-flash photography conducted by firing a flash at a slow shutter speed, comprising the steps of: starting exposure with a focusing lens placed at an arbitrary position, and moving the focusing lens to such a position as to focus on a main subject, just before the flash is fired. |
| US07817907B2 |
Water heating vessel
A tank for retaining and heating water is defined by tank walls, including a bottom wall portion comprised of stainless steel. The tank has a water inlet and a water outlet for dispensing hot water. An aluminum intermediate plate is brazed to the lower surface of the bottom wall portion. A heating element secured within a heat conductive sheath, is brazed to the intermediate plate. A baffle is positioned within the walls of the tank, dividing the tank into an upper water reservoir and a lower preheating chamber, the baffle having at least one open portion defined therethrough. |
| US07817904B2 |
Information recording method, information recording medium, and information reproducing method, wherein information is stored on a data recording portion and a management information recording portion
With this invention, at least one of a video file containing video information, a still picture file containing still picture information, and an audio file containing audio information and a management file having management information on a control method of reproducing the information in the file are recorded on an information storage medium. This realizes a data structure that causes the recording and deleting places on the information storage medium to correspond spuriously to places on a single tape, such as a VTR tape. Use of the data structure provides users with an easy-to-use interface. |
| US07817902B2 |
Apparatus and method of generating video-reproducing clock signal from 480p signal
An apparatus and a method of generating a video-reproducing clock signal from a 480p signal. The apparatus generates a video-reproducing clock signal from a 480p signal that includes a vertical synchronization signal, horizontal synchronization signals, and copy guard signals. The apparatus includes a coast signal generating unit and a clock signal generating unit. The coast signal generating unit generates a plurality of coast signals with pulse widths, each of which covers the different number of copy guard signals on the basis of the present copy guard signal in one frame signal of the 480p signal. The clock signal generating unit generates horizontal synchronization signals at the same period as that of the horizontal synchronization signals generated in a previous frame, while the corresponding coast signal is being generated. |
| US07817899B2 |
Moving picture decoding apparatus using replacement image data
A moving picture decoding apparatus is provided which reduces the deterioration in image quality due to errors by a concealment processing for decoded image data, thereby improving the image quality of decoded images, without causing high deterioration in image quality resulting from the concealment processing. The moving picture decoding apparatus includes a decoder for decoding an input stream for each macroblock and generating decoded image data, a transmission error detector for detecting a transmission error in the input stream, and a stream error detector for detecting a stream error in the input stream. When the transmission error is detected, the moving picture decoding apparatus conceals the decoded image data in macroblock units and when the stream error is detected, the moving picture decoding apparatus conceals the decoded image data in video packet units. |
| US07817895B2 |
Modular optical wall box enclosure
A modular fiber optic enclosure for enclosing optical fiber connections that includes a base housing module with a plurality of sides having a front end portion and a back end portion and a base disposed at the back end portion, wherein the base and the sides define an interior region. The modular fiber optic enclosure also includes a termination module that is pivotally engaged to the front end portion of one of the sides of the base housing module and selectively moveable between an open position and a closed position. The modular fiber optic enclosure further includes a cover that is pivotally engaged with the termination module and selectively moveable between an open position and a closed position. |
| US07817893B2 |
Polarization drift eliminating fiber wrap design and method
A fiber wrap and a method of rotating the fiber wrap without twisting a data cable are disclosed. The fiber wrap includes a sun gear, a sun cylinder coupled to the sun gear, a planetary gear in contact with the sun gear, a planetary cylinder coupled to the planetary gear, an outer housing in contact with the planetary gear, and a data cable coupled to the sun cylinder, the planetary cylinder, and the outer housing. The maximum bend radius of the data cable is determined by the equation: 2 πΔ D G D c λ wherein λ is optical wavelength and Δ D G D = 0.5 C s ( r R 2 ) 2 Δ L c - 0.5 C s ( r R 1 ) 2 Δ L c wherein Cs is the stress-optics coefficient, c is the speed of light, R1 is the bend radius at the end of the wrap motion, R2 is the bend radius at the start of the wrap motion, r is the radii of the sun cylinder and the planetary cylinder, and Δ L = 10 360 2 π R 2 . |
| US07817892B2 |
Bend insensitive fiber optic drop cable for in-home use
A bend insensitive fiber optic cable includes a singlemode fiber, a buffer layer surrounding the fiber wherein a thickest component of the buffer layer has an elastic modulus greater than 515 MPa (75,000 psi), and a jacket surrounding the buffer layer, wherein the jacket has a thickness of at least 1.2 mm. In one preferred embodiment, the buffer layer includes a nylon 12 resin with a nominal elastic modulus of approximately 218,000 psi. In this embodiment, an inner thin component of the buffer layer is made of an ethylene/ethyl acrylate resin so as to facilitate stripping of the buffer layer away from the fiber. |
| US07817886B2 |
Optical waveguide for touch panel and touch panel using the same
An optical waveguide for a touch panel which eliminates the need for alignment between the optical waveguide and a lens device, and a touch panel using the same. An end portion of a light-emitting core for emitting light beams and an end portion of a light-receiving core for receiving emitted light beams are formed as first and third lens portions so as to protrude from edge portions of an over cladding layer and to be exposed to outside air. The first and third lens portions have lens surfaces which bulge outwardly. The over cladding layer includes second and fourth lens portions formed as extensions of the over cladding layer and corresponding to the first and third lens portions, with the second and fourth lens portions spaced apart from the lens surfaces of the first and third lens portions. The second and fourth lens portions have lens surfaces which bulge outwardly. |
| US07817882B2 |
Etched-facet semiconductor optical component with integrated end-coupled waveguide and methods of fabrication and use thereof
An optical apparatus comprises: a semiconductor substrate; a semiconductor optical device integrally formed on the substrate and having an off-normal device end face; and a low-index planar optical waveguide integrally formed on the semiconductor substrate at the device end face. The device and waveguide are non-collinear, and the waveguide is end-coupled at its proximal end to the optical device by refraction at the device end face. The apparatus further includes a reflective coating between the waveguide and substrate, an etched end face curved in the horizontal dimension, or an etched end face with a lower portion that protrudes beneath a proximal portion of the waveguide. |
| US07817881B2 |
Circuit architecture for electro-optic modulation based on free carrier dispersion effect and the waveguide capacitor structures for such modulator circuitry using CMOS or Bi-CMOS process
New circuit architecture for electro-optic modulator based on free-carrier dispersion effect is invented, in which the waveguide capacitor of the modulator is embed in the circuits and physically layout together with transistors, the switching of the modulator occurs in transistors, and as the result, the electro-optical modulation occurs in the waveguide capacitor. The invented modulator is not one physical device, it is actually a circuit. Several circuit design techniques are imported, leading to several new modulator circuits that have very high operation speed and very small power consumption. Several new waveguide capacitor structures are also invented that allow high efficient modulator circuits to be built. |
| US07817879B2 |
Optical waveguide device
An optical waveguide device including a dielectric substrate and a folded waveguide formed on the substrate, including a first waveguide and a second waveguide, one part of the first waveguide being connected to one end of the second waveguide at a first coupling portion, the other end of the second waveguide connected to another part of the first waveguide at a second coupling portion, the first waveguide being straight or curved with a radius of curvature larger than or equal to a first curvature radius, and the second waveguide being straight or curved with a radius of curvature smaller than the first curvature radius. An outer groove is formed on the substrate along an outer peripheral of the folded waveguide, an input-side inner groove is formed on the substrate near a first coupling portion, and an output-side inner groove is formed on the substrate near a second coupling portion. |
| US07817876B2 |
Method of noisy signal analysis and apparatus thereof
A noisy signal analysis in which a threshold value is set to evaluate the presentation of the display device. The analysis can produce the range of noise level of the image for measuring the distortion block of image caused by the display devices. Furthermore, the apparatus includes a step function generator for producing step functions, a transforming unit for changing threshold value in step functions, and a display for showing the image corresponding to both the high value and low value. |
| US07817873B2 |
Enhancing contrast of video data while preserving sharpness
A method of enhancing the contrast of image or video data may include applying a contrast increasing transfer function to a reference image to generate an enhanced image. A transformation may be applied to the reference image to generate reference high frequency components and may also be applied to the enhanced image to generate enhanced high frequency components. For a pixel in the reference image, whether a corresponding enhanced high frequency component has a higher energy than a corresponding reference high frequency component may be determined. The method may also include replacing the pixel in the reference image with a corresponding pixel in the reference image if the corresponding enhanced high frequency component has a higher energy than the corresponding reference high frequency component. |
| US07817871B2 |
Scaling of raster images without blurring of edges
Edges are detected in a raster image and generate parametric curves from the detected edges. The parametric curves are used to render a scaled version of the raster image. Some embodiments may allow edge locations within a raster image to retain a satisfactory level of sharpness when the raster image is scaled to a larger size. |
| US07817870B2 |
Method and apparatus for image processing with color constancy
Fractal decompression and the Retinex algorithm are combined to produce a color constancy method. By using this approach, color constancy and image compression can be achieved simultaneously. |
| US07817866B2 |
Processing multiview video
Decoding a multiview video signal comprises receiving a bitstream comprising the multiview video signal encoded according to dependency relationships between respective views, and view-dependency information representing the dependency relationships in a two-dimensional data structure; extracting the two-dimensional data structure and determining the dependency relationships from the extracted data structure; and decoding the multiview video signal according to the determined dependency relationships. |
| US07817865B2 |
Processing multiview video
Decoding a video signal comprises receiving a bitstream comprising the video signal encoded according to a first profile that represents a selection from a set of profiles that includes multiple profiles for single view video signals and at least one profile for a multiview video signal, and profile information that identifies the first profile. The profile information is extracted from the bitstream. The video signal is decoded according to the determined profile. |
| US07817862B2 |
Method and apparatus for retrieving pattern, and computer product
A pattern retrieving unit includes an acquiring unit that acquires a representative pattern image; a setting unit that sets a use condition of a type of shape feature of the representative pattern image; a receiving unit that receives a query pattern image used as a query; a determining unit that determines the type of shape feature of the representative pattern image to be the type of shape feature of the query pattern image, based on the use condition; a retrieving unit that retrieves a pattern image identical or similar to the query pattern image, using determined type of shape feature; and an output unit configured to output a result of retrieval by the retrieving unit. |
| US07817859B2 |
Method and system for identifying objects in an image
Methods and apparatus for identifying objects in an image include processing the image with a gradient operator to produce a gradient magnitude and direction for each pixel. A number of different gradient directions in a portion of the processed image is determined. The portion of the processed image is identified as an object if the number of different gradient directions exceeds a threshold number of gradient directions. The determination of the gradient directions can be simplified by employing a lookup table. |
| US07817854B2 |
Method and apparatus for identifying the rotation angle and bounding rectangle of a digitized form
Methods and apparatus for determining the skew angle of a digitized form scanned at an angle to the original page are described. The method determines a rotation angle and a boundary rectangle of best fit. Sections of the digital image in the form of thin strips are examined for the boundary between the page and the region of the scanned image beyond the original page. The Hough transform is employed to determined candidate edge line segments for the page from the sets of perimeter points. These line segments are then combined to select the best rectangle enclosing the page, from which the skew angle is determined. The algorithm also determines a rotated bounding box enclosing the page. An innovation of the invention is the use of fuzzy logic, whereby several candidates for perimeter points, candidate edges, and bounding rectangles are determined in each step of the computation with associated confidence values and the final skew angle is selected by choosing the bounding rectangle with the highest confidence values. |
| US07817853B2 |
Image converting method and image converting apparatus
An image converting method includes the steps of: converting each pixel of an input image into 2-dimensional conversion chromaticity coordinate values which are obtained by projecting conversion chromaticity coordinate values obtained by converting each of said pixels by using parameters for converting in chromaticity coordinates onto a unit plane, and obtaining parameter values in which a barycenter of a color region including the 2-dimensional conversion chromaticity coordinate values are set to ⅓; and converting the input image by the obtained parameter values. |
| US07817852B2 |
Color noise reduction image processing apparatus
An image processing apparatus obtains image data, and extracts a subject pixel (to be subjected to color noise reduction processing) and nearby pixels which are a predetermined distance away from the subject pixel and which are not adjacent to the subject pixel. The image processing apparatus multiplies values of the extracted pixels with predetermined coefficients, and which averages the values of the extracted pixels that have been multiplied by the predetermined coefficients. |
| US07817851B2 |
Color fidelity metric
Various embodiments employ methods and techniques to determine if color reproduction by a device produces or may potentially produce objectionable or unacceptable color-related phenomena. The methods and techniques, in at least some embodiments, can analyze trends in color reproduction to detect artifacts that may indicate objectionable or unacceptable color-related phenomena. |
| US07817845B2 |
Multi-frequency image processing for inspecting parts having complex geometric shapes
A method for detecting small cracks and other anomalies on parts having complex geometries is disclosed. The method includes eddy current inspection incorporating collection of data from multi-frequency eddy current signals. Phase analysis is used to combine the multi-frequency data to enhance the signal to noise ratio of the raw inspection image. The image is then reprocessed using a spatiotemporal filter to correlate with the frequency components of the eddy current flaw signal to separate signals associated with cracks and other flaws at edges that would ordinarily be hidden by edge effect signals. |
| US07817841B2 |
Time-lapse cell cycle analysis of unstained nuclei
The present invention provides a cell imaging technique for automatically tracking the progression of a cell through the cell cycle over time through segmentation of a volume of two-dimensional time-lapse images. The technique allows long-term tracking of the cell cycle progression of an individual cell or multiple cells. Further, the invention provides a unique display of cell cycle progression, allowing an end user to easily determine changes to cell cycle progression for a cell of interest. |
| US07817840B2 |
Predicting hepatotoxicity using cell based assays
Cell based assays are used to assess the hepatotoxicity of a stimulus. Imaging technologies are used to analyze the effects of a stimulus on hepatocytes. Image analysis may characterize the stimulus on the basis of whether it is hepatotoxic, and if so what type of pathology is exhibited; e.g., apoptosis, necrosis, cholestasis, and/or steatosis. |
| US07817837B2 |
Image processing device and method
An image processing device according to the present invention which includes image creating means for creating each of a smoothened image and a sharpened image with respect to at least a part of image data, and mixed image creating means for mixing the smoothened image and the sharpened image created by the image creating means to create a mixed image, including: analysis quantity calculating means for calculating an analysis quantity on plural pixel values in each matrix that surrounds each pixel of the image data and has any matrix size; control means for controlling the mixing ratio between the smoothened image and the sharpened image in the mixed image creating means in accordance with the analysis quantity calculated by the analysis quantity calculating means; and display means for displaying the mixed image that is controlled by the control means and output from the mixed image generating means. |
| US07817832B2 |
Method for operating an X-ray diagnostic device for the generation of high-resolution images
The invention relates to a method for operating an X-ray diagnostic device with an X-ray source and an X-ray image detector with a sequence of images of low resolution single pictures with systems of coordinates that are different from each other being created, a harmonization of systems of coordinates of images being carried out, and finally a high resolution image being calculated from the images. |
| US07817828B2 |
Image processor for medical treatment support
An image for treatment region considered as already completed treatment in the course of medical treatment is acquired. Time up to completion of the whole scope of intended treatment regions is estimated on the basis of the already completed treatment region. |
| US07817822B2 |
Bi-directional tracking using trajectory segment analysis
The present video tracking technique outputs a Maximum A Posterior (MAP) solution for a target object based on two object templates obtained from a start and an end keyframe of a whole state sequence. The technique first minimizes the whole state space of the sequence by generating a sparse set of local two-dimensional modes in each frame of the sequence. The two-dimensional modes are converted into three-dimensional points within a three-dimensional volume. The three-dimensional points are clustered using a spectral clustering technique where each cluster corresponds to a possible trajectory segment of the target object. If there is occlusion in the sequence, occlusion segments are generated so that an optimal trajectory of the target object can be obtained. |
| US07817817B2 |
Method for concealing data in curves of an image
A method of concealing data in images imperceptibly alters curves therein, such as through adding a value representing the data to be hidden to each of a number of B-spline control points representing the original curve. The altered control points characterize the imperceptibly altered curve, which replaces the original curve in the image. The altered control points may be later extracted from the image and compared with the original control points to determine the hidden value. Prudent selection of the values altering the control points as well as an iterative alignment-minimization algorithm in the detection process provides protection against numerous techniques for preventing the hidden values from being recovered. |
| US07817816B2 |
Embedded interaction code enabled surface type identification
At least one image captured from a printed document and at least one image captured from a display surface other than a printed document are processed. A surface-type-identification module accepts as input both types of images and identifies, for a particular image, the type of surface from which the image was captured. A display-surface-preprocessing module preprocesses the at least one embedded-interaction-code image captured from a display surface other than a printed document. A printed-document-preprocessing module preprocesses the at least one embedded-interaction-code images captured from a printed document. An embedded-interaction-code-processing module outputs location information for at least one of the at least one image captured from a printed document and the at least one image captured from a display surface other than a printed document. |
| US07817812B2 |
Compact audio reproduction system with large perceived acoustic size and image
A compact audio reproduction system for two input signals includes at least four loudspeakers disposed at the vertices of a quadrilateral not more than two feet on any side and such that no two loudspeakers are located at a distance from one another which is less than one-fourth the greatest distance between any two loudspeakers. The two input signals are connected to alternate speakers such that no two loudspeakers at adjacent vertices of the quadrilateral produce the same signal such that a listener at an arbitrary location perceives a sound source larger than the quadrilateral and significant stereo image. The signals received by two loudspeakers located at adjacent vertices may receive signals which are equalized separately from the signals received by the other loudspeakers for the purpose of reducing comb filtering and improving the tolerance of the device to placement near walls and other obstructions. Two loudspeakers may be delayed by a time corresponding to a sound distance at least equal to the shortest distance between two loudspeakers and not greater than the longest distance between two loudspeakers, for the purpose of reducing comb filtering and improving the perception of large sound source size and stereo imaging for listeners at arbitrary locations. |
| US07817806B2 |
Sound pickup method and apparatus, sound pickup and reproduction method, and sound reproduction apparatus
A sound is picked up using a plurality of microphones that are arranged so that respective directivity axes of the microphones differ from each other or so that they function as a plurality of microphones having directivities in different directions by performing a calculation on sound signals output from the plurality of microphones. Rotation of the plurality of microphones is detected, and the sound signals output from the plurality of microphones are processed according to the detected rotation so that a change in orientation of each of the microphones is canceled. The processed output sound signals are output to a reproduction side. |
| US07817804B2 |
Acoustic measuring system for locating noise sources
This system has a plurality of microphones oriented in several directions and mounted in a support so that each one is flush with or disposed on a rigid surface, the various microphones being connected to a signal processing device that processes the signals coming from the microphones to provide a noise source hologram, namely a distribution of the acoustic pressures or intensities at various points on a given surface. |
| US07817803B2 |
Methods and devices for hearing damage notification and intervention
At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to a method of monitoring hearing health comprising: measuring a first acoustic sound pressure level due to an ambient audio signal; measuring a second acoustic sound pressure level due to an emitted audio signal from a speaker; calculating a total sound pressure level dosage, where the total sound pressure level dosage is calculated using the first acoustic sound pressure level and a first time span, and the second acoustic sound pressure level and a second time span associated, where the first time span is the time associated with the measured first acoustic sound pressure level and second time span is the time associated with the measured second acoustic sound pressure level; and sending a notification signal when total sound pressure level dosage is greater than a threshold value. |
| US07817801B2 |
Method and apparatus for embedding data within the vertical blanking interval of video transmissions
The present invention teaches methods, systems and articles of manufacture for embedding information within the vertical blanking interval (VBI) of a video signal. Such embedded data may be operative for the control of a set-top-box receiver, VCR, DVD player/recorder, computer or television, or may contain software which may be installed on a receiver unit. Embedded data may include electronic signatures which identify the source of a video signal and may be used as a copy-protection message. The information is inserted into closed caption (CC1) bandwidth. The term CC1 bandwidth refers to the capacity for insertion of closed caption data within Channel 1 of the Line-21 (VBI) of the video program. The CC1 band is especially suited for use in embedding data both because CC1 data is invisible to content viewers and because the United States and other nations require CC1 content to be transmitted with all publicly distributed video content. |
| US07817800B2 |
Cryptographic key split binder for use with tagged data elements
A cryptographic key split binder includes key split generators that generate cryptographic key splits from seed data and a key split randomizer for randomizing cryptographic key splits to produce a cryptographic key, and a process for forming cryptographic keys. Key split generators can include a random split generator for generating a random key split based on reference data, a token split generator for generating a token key split based on label data, a console split generator for generating a console key split based on maintenance data or a biometric split generator for generating a biometric key split based on biometric data. Any key split can further be based on static data, which can be updated. Label data can be read from a storage medium, and can include user authorization data. A cryptographic key can be, for example, a stream of symbols, at least one symbol block, or a key matrix. |
| US07817798B2 |
Compact beamforming microphone assembly
A compact low cost beamforming microphone assembly for a desk telephone is described. The assembly includes a microphone carrier array having a top surface and having faces arrayed about an exterior surface, each to receive a microphone. Each microphone is mounted in a microphone boot and inserted into a microphone carrier. The carrier array fits into a housing having a cover allowing sound to reach the microphones. |
| US07817795B2 |
Systems and methods for data synchronization in a customer center
Systems and methods for performing agent data synchronization in a customer center having a plurality of agents. In this regard, a representative method comprises: storing agent data on a customer center network; sending the agent data to a plurality of workforce applications that are coupled to the customer center network, at least one workforce application including agent data; and updating the agent data of the plurality of workforce applications according to the received agent data such that synchronization of the agent data is maintained among the plurality of the workforce applications. |
| US07817791B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing fraud detection using hot or cold originating attributes
An approach provides fraud detection in support of data communication services. A list of single-event attributes (e.g., hot or cold attributes) is generated and includes a network address of an end user host originating a data call or a calling party identification (e.g., Automatic Number Identification (ANI) or an originating Calling Line Identification (CLI)) for network access, wherein entries of the list specify values of the hot attributes. An attribute value associated with the data call is compared with the entries. A fraud alert is generated if the attribute value matches one of the entries. |
| US07817788B2 |
Content distribution system and method
A content distribution system is described. The content distribution system includes a show account database and a plurality of credit cards stored in the show account database. The content distribution system also has a linking module associating a viewer entering the call-in number with a credit card number in the show account database. The system has a charge module that charges a credit card account corresponding to the credit card number associated with a viewer entering the call-in number. The system also has an interactive recognition system that provides a qualifying question for the viewer to answer before a call of the viewer is connected to a studio. |
| US07817776B2 |
Cargo scanning system
The inspection methods and systems of the present invention are mobile, rapidly deployable, and capable of scanning a wide variety of receptacles cost-effectively and accurately on uneven surfaces. The present invention is directed toward a portable inspection system for generating an image representation of target objects using a radiation source, comprising a mobile vehicle, a detector array physically attached to a movable boom having a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end is physically attached to the vehicle. The invention also comprises at least one source of radiation. The radiation source is fixedly attached to the distal end of the boom, wherein the image is generated by introducing the target objects in between the radiation source and the detector array, exposing the objects to radiation, and detecting radiation. |
| US07817772B2 |
Method for determining presence distributions with local three-dimensional resolution for a substance in a vascular system and corresponding facilities
A computer receives a volume data set describing a vascular system with local three-dimensional resolution and a temporal sequence of groups of x-ray images. An acquisition time is assigned to each group of x-ray images comprising at least one x-ray image. Each x-ray image shows an actual presence distribution with local two-dimensional resolution for a substance in the vascular system, as defined at the respective acquisition time. The computer uses an initial presence distribution with local three-dimensional resolution for the substance, as defined for a start time, to determine further presence distributions with local three-dimensional resolution for the substance automatically for determination times by iterative resolution of fluid dynamics movement equations, which are per se location-independent. It automatically corrects the further presence distributions, if their respective determination time corresponds to one of the acquisition times, based on the temporally corresponding group of x-ray images. |
| US07817768B2 |
PLL frequency generator
A PLL frequency generator is disclosed for generating an output signal with a settable target frequency, comprising a) a voltage-controlled oscillator for generating the output signal, b) a switchable frequency divider, which is connected to the voltage-controlled oscillator and is designed to derive from the output signal a frequency-divided signal whose instantaneous frequency depends on a value of an adjustable divisor, c) a switchable delay unit, which is connected to the frequency divider and is designed to generate a delayed signal in that the frequency-divided signal is delayed by delay times that depend on a control word, and d) a controller connected to the switchable delay unit controller and designed to determine the control words. According to the invention, the controller has a sigma-delta modulator and is designed to determine the control words depending on at least one signal provided by the sigma-delta modulator. |
| US07817765B2 |
Digital transmission apparatus and methods
PCR jitter is improved when writing an input stream TS having a packet with a PCR in a memory 10 and reading it at a high speed. An oscillator 44 oscillates a local clock signal having a frequency of a reference clock for the input TS and a counter 46 counts the local clock signal. When a PCR detection section 38 detects the PCR in the input TS, a latch circuit 42 latches a counted value of the counter and a PCR exchange section 40 exchanges the original PCR with a result of subtracting the latched count value from the PCR of the input TS. |
| US07817764B2 |
System and method for utilizing a phase interpolator to support a data transmission procedure
A system and method for effectively supporting a data transmission procedure includes a phase interpolator with a modular array of unit phase interpolators that each receives a respective input clock signal that is phase-shifted with respect to other input clock signals received by the remaining unit phase interpolators. The unit phase interpolators responsively generate corresponding UPI output signals that are summed together to produce a receiver clock signal. The phase interpolator receives a phase control word that includes a UPI selection segment and a UPI output-control segment. The phase interpolator utilizes the UPI selection segment to selectively activate pairs of the unit phase interpolators. The phase interpolator also utilizes the UPI output-control segment for controlling the UPI output signals to thereby adjust phase characteristics of the receiver clock signal. |
| US07817761B2 |
Test techniques for a delay-locked loop receiver interface
An integrated circuit includes a variable delay circuit configured to generate at least one delayed clock signal based on a first clock signal and a first control signal. The integrated circuit includes a control circuit configured to generate a count value based on a second input signal and a second control signal. The first clock signal is a first version of the at least one delayed clock signal. At least one of the second input signal and the second control signal is a second version of the at least one delayed clock signal and the count value is indicative of a frequency characteristic of the at least one delayed clock signal. The integrated circuit is configured to monotonically vary the first control signal over a range of values and the count value is determined for individual values of the control signal. |
| US07817758B2 |
Apparatus and method for clock synchronization
Techniques for synchronizing clocks are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a pair of dividing coefficients a1 and a2 is obtained from a ratio of a theoretical frequency fs1 of the first source signal to a theoretical frequency fs_local of a desired local clock signal. A least common multiple expressed as T_c is obtained from the theoretical periods T1 and T2 of the first source signal and the second source signal. A relative error expressed as k is calculated from the first and second source clock signals in a period of T_c. The first source clock signal is then divided into a first local clock signal with a period equal to T1*a1 and a second local clock signal with a period equals to T1*a2 according to the dividing coefficients a1 and a2, respectively. The clock number m of the first local clock signal and the clock number n of the second local clock signal in the period of T_c are calculated according to the relative error k and the dividing coefficients a1 and a2. The m clocks of the first local clock signal is mixed with the n clocks of the second local clock signal as m+n clocks of the desired local clock signal with the period of T_c. Thus, the local clock signal obtained as such is synchronized with both of the first and second source clock signals. |
| US07817753B2 |
Reception quality estimating apparatus, wireless communication system, and reception quality estimating method
A reception quality estimating apparatus, a wireless communication system and a reception quality estimating method wherein the communication qualities in a case where different communication schemes are used to have communication can be artificially estimated without switching the communication schemes to be used for the communication. A wireless communication apparatus (100) comprises a reception processing part (110), an artificially decoded error estimating part (120), and an upper-order layer processing part (130). An orthogonal vector data sequence (152), which is generated by a demodulating part (111) from a received signal (150), for each symbol in the current modulation scheme is used to artificially generate a likelihood metric value (155) obtained in a case of using a second communication scheme, which has a larger number of modulation multi-values than the current communication scheme, to perform a signal point arrangement. An artificially decoding part (122) then uses the likelihood metric value (155) to perform an artificial error correction decoding process, a result of which (156) is then subjected to an error detecting process. |
| US07817751B2 |
Digital multimedia broadcasting receiver having improved reception capability and channel estimation method of the same
A DMB (digital multimedia broadcasting) receiver is provided, including: an equalizing unit compensating for distortion in CDM (code division multiplexing) channel signals in DMB based on a tap factor; and a channel estimation unit comparing version information contained in individual CDM channel control data in a pilot channel signal in DMB with version information contained in individual CDM channel control data in a previous pilot channel signal, and, if the version information match each other, using the CDM channel control data as a channel estimation sequence to perform a channel estimation process in a segment having no pilot symbol, and updating the tap factor of the equalizing unit according to a result of the channel estimation. |
| US07817747B2 |
Precise delay alignment between amplitude and phase/frequency modulation paths in a digital polar transmitter
A novel apparatus for and method of delay alignment between amplitude and phase/frequency modulation paths in a digital polar transmitter. The invention provides a fully digital delay alignment mechanism where better than nanosecond alignment is achieved by accounting for processing delays in the digital circuit modules of the transmitter and by the use of programmable delay elements spread across several clock domains. Tapped delay lines compensate for propagation and settling delays in analog elements such as the DCO, dividers, quad switch, buffers, level shifters and digital pre-power amplifier (DPA). A signal correlative mechanism is provided whereby data from the amplitude and phase/frequency modulation paths to be matched is first interpolated and then cross-correlated to achieve accuracy better than the clock domain of comparison. Within the ADPLL portion of the transmitter, precise alignment of reference and direct point injection points in the ADPLL is provded using multiple clock domains, tapped delay lines and clock adjustment circuits. |
| US07817741B2 |
MIMO wireless data communication system, MIMO wireless data communication method and MIMO wireless data communication apparatus
In a MIMO wireless communication system, the transformation process synthesizes the eigenmodes having a large singular value (i.e. a high effective SNR) and the eigenmodes having a small singular value (i.e. a low effective SNR). Thereby, the former eigenmodes are converted into modes having suppressed effective SNR which do not require a large number of levels of modulation, and the latter eigenmodes are converted into modes having increased effective SNR instead. In a MIMO wireless communication system for eigenmode transmission, a large communication capacity is realized without increasing the number of levels of modulation even in a communication environment capable of achieving a high SNR. |
| US07817740B2 |
Method and system for minimum mean squared error soft interference cancellation (MMSE-SIC) based suboptimal maximum likelihood (ML) detection for multiple input multiple output (MIMO) wireless system
Various aspects of a method for minimum mean square error soft interference cancellation (MMSE-SIC) based sub-optimal maximum likelihood (ML) detection for a multiple input multiple output (MIMO) wireless system may comprise selecting at least one constellation point in a constellation map based on at least one of a plurality of received symbols. A number of the at least one constellation point may be less than or equal to a number of previously selected constellation points in a previous constellation map. At least one of the plurality of received symbols may be decoded based on the selected at least one constellation point. |
| US07817739B2 |
Method for reducing feedback information overhead in precoded MIMO-OFDM systems
An improved method for reducing an amount of precoding feedback information in a multi-carrier Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) communication system using precoding is disclosed. At the receiving end, the method jointly selects, while considering transmission quality for each relevant combination of sub-bands and matrices, a limited number of P codebook indices and a limited number of K′ sub-bands to be included in a subset ω (m1, . . . , mK′) of a set Ω of allowed sub-bands. K′ is here set to a value K′ |
| US07817735B2 |
Device and method of performing channel estimation for OFDM-based wireless communication system
A device and method of performing channel estimation for an OFDM-based wireless communication system performs a Least Square interpolation with a statistical channel profile consideration on pilot channel estimates to derive data channel estimates at data subcarrier locations. |
| US07817729B2 |
Method and apparatus for multicarrier communication
A multicarrier communication method and a multicarrier communication apparatus used for the method for adjusting the arrangement in code block units according to the actual reception state of the multicarrier signal, when arranging code blocks generated through error correcting coding processing not only in the time axis direction but also in the frequency axis direction in order to improve an error correction rate of a multicarrier signal. |
| US07817728B2 |
Method for demodulating UWB pulse sequences encoded according to an on-off keying modulation scheme
The present invention relates to a method for transmitting data in the form of at least one pulse sequence Tsgk (for k=1 to K). The method according to the invention includes at least one symbol decoding step in the course of which at least one modulation value Pwk representative of an amount of power carried by each pulse sequence Tsgk is computed and compared to at least one predetermined threshold value Thvk, which will be computed beforehand by equating a first and a second probability density function representing a likelihood for the transmitted signal to carry a first symbol and a likelihood for the transmitted signal to carry a second symbol, respectively. The method according to the invention enables to limit the processing time and power needed for performing the demodulation of a power-modulated UWB signal. |
| US07817718B2 |
Macroblock level adaptive frame/field coding for digital video content
A method and system of encoding and decoding digital video content. The digital video content comprises a stream of pictures which can each be intra, predicted, or bi-predicted pictures. Each of the pictures comprises macroblocks that can be further divided into smaller blocks. The method entails encoding and decoding each of the smaller blocks in each picture in said stream of pictures in either frame mode or in field mode. |
| US07817716B2 |
Method and/or apparatus for analyzing the content of a surveillance image
An apparatus comprising an input circuit, a content analyzer, a storage circuit and an output circuit. The input circuit may be configured to generate a first intermediate signal from a plurality of input video signals. The content analyzer circuit may be configured to present one or more flags in response to the intermediate signal. The storage circuit may be configured to (i) store and organize the first intermediate signal into a plurality of sequences each related to one of the input video signals and (ii) generate a second intermediate signal from the sequences. The output circuit may be configured to generate an output video signal in response to the second intermediate signal. The output circuit may be configured to embed tracking information into the output video signal in response to the one or more flags. |
| US07817712B2 |
System and method for independently adjusting multiple compensations applied to a signal
In one embodiment of the present invention, a method for adjusting a signal includes applying a plurality of compensation for distortion to a signal to generate an output signal. The method also includes, using a clock signal, sampling the output signal to generate a plurality of data values and boundary values, each value comprising either a high value or a low value based on the sampling of the output signal. The method also includes detecting a transition in value between two successive data values and determining a sampled boundary value between the two successive data values. The method further includes based at least on the high or low values of the boundary value and a plurality of data values before or after the boundary value, independently adjusting each compensation applied to the signal. |
| US07817710B2 |
Mobile communication terminal
There is disclosed a mobile communication terminal equipped with a multipath interference canceller for canceling multipath interference, comprising number-of-samples controlling unit for controlling a number of samples to be sampled from a received signal, channel matrix generating unit for generating a channel matrix on the basis of sample data of samples as many as the number controlled by the number-of-samples controlling means and, interference canceling emit for canceling multipath interference on the basis of the channel matrix generated by the channel matrix generating unit. |
| US07817707B2 |
Apparatus and method for generating ranging pseudo noise code
Disclosed is an apparatus for generating a ranging pseudo noise (PN) code used in a base station of a portable internet system of an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing access scheme, wherein a ranging pseudo noise mask value is generated using a cell ID number, and then the generated ranging pseudo noise mask value is stored in a memory. A final ranging PN code is generated using the stored ranging PN mask value and a status of a pseudo random binary sequence for generating a ranging PN code. With such a structure, the maximal 256-numbered ranging PN code values can be obtained simultaneously with each 144 bit-length. |
| US07817706B2 |
Method and apparatus to perform reactive jamming while simultaneously avoiding friendly pseudo-random frequency hopping communications
Method and Apparatus to Perform Reactive Jamming While Simultaneously Avoiding Friendly Pseudo-Random Frequency Hopping Communications is disclosed. The system provides an enhancement to surgical reactive jammers that combines near-real-time jamming capability with the additional feature of allowing tactical communications. The jammer includes a synchronization subsystem that synchronizes jammer lockout frequencies with those frequencies being hopped to by units that are members of a friendly communications network. The synchronization subsystem is coordinated with, and therefore tied to the time-synchronized cryptography of the friendly communications net. As a result, the jammer will be aware, on a real-time basis, which frequency the friendly communications network will next be hopping to. The jammer's awareness of these future frequencies will allow those frequencies to be “locked out” of the jammer's transmission band dynamically. |
| US07817705B2 |
Laser light source device, optical information recording device, and optical information reproducing device
The hologram recording technology expected to realize ultrahigh-density information recording is one of the post Blu-ray Disc technology. When we think about developing a drive based on this technology and suitable for consumer electronics, it is considered most desirable from the viewpoint of upward compatibility to solve the problem of the BD-compatibility. The problem in sharing the laser light source between the hologram recording device and the current optical disc device, however, is that the hologram recording requires a high-coherent, single-mode light beam, while the current optical discs requires a low-coherent, multi-mode light beam. In point of the coherence of the light source, the above two cases require the light beams of the characteristics opposite to each other, and this presents an important task.For the purpose of solving the above-mentioned problem, the present invention is to adopt the variable wavelength type laser light source device composed of a semiconductor laser and a diffraction grating, wherein a polarization direction converter and a polarized beam splitter are placed in the optical path between the above semiconductor laser and the above diffraction grating. |
| US07817697B1 |
Laser diode pumped solid-state dye laser and method for operating same
A method for generating a laser output signal includes the steps of: generating an optical pump signal that is a sequence optical pulses each having a duration of about nτf, where τf represents a flourescence lifetime of a laser dye and 3≦n≦25; directing the optical pump signal into an optical resonant cavity having a laser dye gain element that contains the laser dye for transforming the optical pump signal into an excited optical signal; resonating the excited optical signal in the optical resonant cavity; and emitting a portion of the excited optical signal from the optical resonant cavity. |
| US07817691B2 |
Light emitting device
It is enabled to provide that a light emitting device have an electron blocking layer (106) positioned between tunnel junctions (107, 108) and an active layer (104). The electron blocking layer (106) has an energy of conduction band edge higher than that of the active layer (605), and is composed of a material containing substantially no aluminum. It suppresses leakage of electrons from an n-type layer through a p-layer to an n-type layer. It is also enabled to provide that a light emitting device is capable of preventing the electron blocking layer (106) from being oxidized in the process of manufacturing by using a layer containing no aluminum for the electron blocking layer (106). |
| US07817688B2 |
Phase and polarization controlled beam combining devices and methods
A controller, such as a programmable logic controller, may manipulate a phase and/or polarization module to alter and/or control the phase and polarization of input beams. Utilizing active phase and polarization control can enable the combination of any arbitrary number of input beams into a single, combined beam. Utilizing active phase and polarization control can also enable the combination of input beams having arbitrary power levels. |
| US07817685B2 |
Methods and systems for generating pulse trains for material processing
Systems and methods generate laser pulse trains for material processing. In one embodiment, stable laser pulse trains at high repetition rates are generated from a continuous wave (CW) or quasi-CW laser beams. One or more laser pulses in the laser pulse train may be shaped to control energy delivered to a target material. In another embodiment, multiple laser beams are distributed to multiple processing heads from a single laser pulse, CW laser beam, or quasi-CW laser beam. In one such embodiment, a single optical deflector distributes multiple laser beams among respective processing heads. |
| US07817677B2 |
Method and apparatus for processing packetized data in a wireless communication system
Adaptive De-Jitter Buffer for Voice over IP (VoIP) for packet switch communications. The de-jitter buffer methods and apparatus presented avoid playback of underflows while balancing end-to-end delay. In one example, the de-jitter buffer is recalculated at the beginning of each talkspurt. In another example, talkspurt packets are compressed upon receipt of all remaining packets. |
| US07817675B2 |
Emergency call handling in contention-based wireless local-area networks
An apparatus and methods for handling emergency message frames (e.g., “911” call frames, etc.) sent by a station in a wireless local-area network are disclosed. The illustrative embodiment increases the probability with which an emergency message frame is accorded the singularly highest quality-of-service by modifying one or more IEEE 802.11e parameters (e.g., back-off contention window length, Arbitration Inter-Frame Space [AIFS], etc.) for a station or access point that transmits an emergency message frame. |
| US07817674B2 |
Output clock adjustment for a digital I/O between physical layer device and media access controller
Output clock adjustment for a digital I/O between physical layer devices and media access controller. A method is disclosed for transferring data received on the input of a physical layer device from a transmission medium to an output associated with the physical layer device and to a media independent layer, the transferred data associated with transferred timing information from the physical layer device to the media independent layer. A receive clock is generated and then the data transitions in the received data are synchronized to at least one edge of the receive clock to provide synchronized receive data. The synchronized received data is then transmitted to the media independent layer. The generated receive clock is delayed by a predetermined clock delay to provide a delayed receive clock, and wherein the data transitions in the synchronized receive data is positioned relative to the rising edge of the delayed receive clock at a predetermined position therein following the rising edge thereof. The delayed receive clock transmitting with the transmitted synchronized receive data. |
| US07817673B2 |
Clock synchronisation over a packet network
A method of synchronising first and second clocks coupled respectively to ingress and egress interfaces 6,7 of a packet network 1, the method comprising calculating a minimum packet Transit Time over the network 1 in each of successive time intervals, and varying the frequency of the second clock so as to track variations in the minimum packet Transit Time. |
| US07817672B2 |
Method and device for providing programs to multiple end user devices
A device and a method for providing programs to multiple end user devices. The method includes: providing to multiple end user devices, via an edge device, at least one type of media stream out of unicast media stream and a multicast media stream; wherein the at least one type of media stream convey a group of programs; receiving a request from a first end user device to view a first program that belongs to the group of programs; and selectively switching, in response to bandwidth constraints imposed on a communication path coupled to the edge device, a type of a media stream that conveys the first program to a second end user device. |
| US07817669B2 |
Method and apparatus for supporting RLC re-segmentation
A method and apparatus for radio link control (RLC) re-segmentation are disclosed. An original RLC protocol data unit (PDU) is generated from at least one RLC service data unit (SDU). The RLC PDU size is within a flexible maximum RLC PDU size. The original RLC PDU is stored in a retransmission buffer. If transmission of the original RLC PDU fails and the original RLC PDU size is larger than an updated maximum RLC PDU size, the original RLC PDU is segmented to segmented RLC PDUs. If transmission of one of the segmented RLC PDUs fails, the original RLC PDU may be re-segmented to smaller size RLC PDUs, or the segmented RLC PDU may be sub-segmented. Alternatively, the failed RLC PDU may be processes as an RLC SDU to generate encapsulating RLC PDUs for carrying the RLC PDU. Alternatively, an RLC SDU corresponding to the failed RLC PDU may be re-segmented. |
| US07817668B2 |
Communication terminal device and communications method
A communication terminal device includes: a path information manager unit for managing TCP control information related to each of the plurality of paths; a transmission segment manager unit for storing segments generated by dividing data to be transmitted to the receiving terminal device; and a segment transmitter unit for extracting the segment from the transmission segment manager unit and transmitting the extracted segment to the receiving terminal device. The transmission segment manager unit makes a reservation for transmission of the segment based on the TCP control information, by storing the segment in association with a path used for the transmission of the segment, and the segment transmitter unit extracts the segment from the transmission segment manager unit and transmits the extracted segment to the receiving terminal device along the path associated with the segment. |
| US07817667B2 |
Method, apparatus and computer program to dynamically adjust segmentation at a protocol layer, such as at the medium access control (MAC) layer
In one exemplary aspect thereof the invention provides a method that operates to receive information through at least one input of a protocol layer packet segmentation unit and to dynamically vary packet segment size in accordance with the received information prior to transmission to a receiver. The information received through the at least one input may include information related to channel quality for a channel through which packet data are transmitted to the receiver. The information received through the at least one input may also be or may include information received from at least one of a higher protocol layer or a lower protocol layer. |
| US07817663B2 |
Method and apparatus for generating packet data to support multiple services in a wireless packet data communication system
A packet data generating method and apparatus for supporting multiple services in a wireless packet data communication system where an MS transmits two or more traffics to a BS on one of a reverse PDCH, a reverse FCH, and a reverse DCCH. To generate a PDU using non-signaling traffic and/or signaling traffic for one of the reverse physical channels, a multiplex option is determined during service negotiations between the MS and the BS. The multiplex option defines a traffic format having a header and a payload including traffic data, and the header includes a service reference identifier field, a length indicator field indicating the presence or absence of a length field, and the length field indicating the length of the traffic data. A PDU is generated by formatting a reverse traffic to have a header and a payload according to the determined multiplex option. |
| US07817662B2 |
System and method for interfacing with a management system
Systems and methods that interface with a management system are provided. In one embodiment, a system and a method may provide a command protocol and format for communication between a network interface card (NIC) and a management device such as, for example, an intelligent management device (IMD). An interface may be adapted to allow the management device to merge its traffic with that of the NIC to provide a fully integrated management solution. The fully integrated management solution may be implemented, for example, without additional network connections. |
| US07817655B1 |
Determining sizes of FIFO buffers between functional blocks in an electronic circuit
Approaches for sizing first-in-first-out (FIFO) buffers for pipelining functions of a circuit. Functions of the circuit are performed on an input data set, with respective FIFO buffers for buffering data elements between coupled pairs of the functional blocks. While performing the functions of the circuit, a respective current number of elements added to a FIFO buffer since a previous element was removed from the FIFO buffer is counted for each FIFO buffer, and then compared to a respective saved number. The respective current number is saved as a new respective saved number in response to the respective current number being greater than the respective saved number, and the respective current number is reset after the comparing of the respective current number to the respective saved number. Respective sizes for the FIFO buffers are determined as a function of the respective saved numbers and then the sizes are stored. |
| US07817654B2 |
Test device and a test method
A test device and a test method, the test device comprising a bus controller for the transmission and reception of bus messages, the bus controller having a message memory for offering transmission data for bus messages, the message memory having a memory capacity for a bus message sequence with bus messages to be transmitted within a single transmission cycle or a transmission cycle sequence. The test device includes an intermediate memory for the storage of transmission data for bus messages with a larger storage capacity than the message memory. The test device furthermore comprises a transmission preparing means for reading transmission data from the intermediate memory and for writing, in advance of reading of the bus controller, to the message memory of the bus controller so that the bus message sequence is expanded by additional bus messages which are transmitted by the bus controller within the transmission cycle or the transmission cycle sequence on the motor vehicle bus. |
| US07817647B2 |
Flower-petal resolutions for PNRP
The claimed process and system provides a resolution process for a multi-level cache resolution protocol that involves a lookup procedure whereby the initiating node contacts each intermediate node directly using a communication link separate from any previous intermediate node. The resolution process may involve caching information from each contacted intermediate node during the resolution process to request leads on the target node in the form of a list of closer nodes known to the intermediary node. |
| US07817636B2 |
Obtaining information on forwarding decisions for a packet flow
In one embodiment, an apparatus comprises one or more forwarding logic components and logic coupled to a plurality of network interfaces. The logic is operable to: receive address information that identifies a packet flow; generate a synthetic packet based on the address information; provide the synthetic packet to the one or more forwarding logic components; retrieve forwarding information that indicates one or more forwarding decisions for the synthetic packet made by the one or more forwarding logic components; and report the forwarding information. Each of the one or more forwarding logic components is operable to make a forwarding decision for the synthetic packet as part of processing packets in the packet flow, and to store, as part of the forwarding information, data indicating the forwarding decision for the synthetic packet that is made by that forwarding logic component. |
| US07817631B1 |
Network transfer protocol
Systems, methods and computer program products facilitate communication on a network by transmitting a communication on the network from a first node to a second node, the communication including a first segment and a second segment. The first segment consists essentially of a destination port and a data length of the communication, and the second segment includes a payload and at least one of a connection ID, a sequence number, and an opcode. A responsive communication is then received from the second node, the responsive communication acknowledging receipt of the communication transmitted from the first node. |
| US07817630B2 |
Method, communications node, and memory for dynamic dictionary updating and optimization for compression and decompression of messages
A method, communications node, and memory for updating and respectively storing a dynamic dictionary for use in text-based protocol message compression/decompression. A message is received by the compression/decompression module from a local client module or from another's node, and the compression/decompression module determines if sequences from the received message match sequences from a dictionary, then determines if any matching sequences are successive in the message. If so, the compression module concatenates the matching successive sequences from the message and copies the resulting combined expression into a dynamic dictionary, thus creating a longer expression to be used in subsequent message compression and decompression. The compression module uses real traffic messages and creates longer string expressions. In one variant, the matching sequences comprise one or more string expressions constituted of one or more data bytes and the invention first detects message's individual expressions matching individual expressions from the dictionary. |
| US07817629B2 |
Methods and apparatus for performing network operations on packets of data in response to content of particular user-specified protocol header fields
A network device comprises a plurality of lookup tables and a processor. Each of the plurality of lookup tables comprises a plurality of table inputs that are associated with a plurality of processor instructions. The processor is operative to perform a network operation on a packet of data comprising a plurality of protocol header fields at least in part by performing one or more lookup cycles. A lookup cycle comprises the addressing of one of the plurality of lookup tables with one of the plurality of table inputs and the performing of the processor instruction associated with that table input. At least one of the plurality of processor instructions in the plurality of lookup tables comprises an instruction directing that the content of one of the plurality of protocol header fields be read and that one of the plurality of lookup tables be addressed with that content as the table input. |
| US07817628B2 |
Method and apparatus for header compression with transmission of context information dependent upon media characteristic
A compressor (25) serves to compress headers of media packets and sends context information to a decompressor (60) for use by the decompressor in decompressing compressed headers (26) of the media packets. With regard to a flow (56) of the media packets from the compressor (25) to the decompressor (60), the compressor (60) controls inclusion of the context information in the flow in accordance with a media characteristic of the media packets. For example, in an illustrative, non-limiting illustration, a context transmission controller (46) of the compressor controls timing of generation of packets which include the context information in accordance with the media characteristic of the media packets. In one mode of operation, the predetermined characteristic which causes inclusion of the context information is media codec access information included in a payload of a packet. Upon detection of the media codec access information, the compressor includes static parameters for a compression context in the context information. In another mode of operation, the predetermined characteristic can be a type of media frame included in a payload of a packet whose header is to be compressed, e.g., an independently encoded media frame, wherein the detection of the independently encoded media frame prompts inclusion of dynamic parameters for the compression context. |
| US07817626B2 |
Storage subsystem
Deadlock is avoided in a grid storage system having superior scalability. Provided is a storage subsystem connected to a host computer for receiving a write or read access from the host computer. This storage subsystem includes a plurality of modules respectively having a storage resource, a switch for connecting the plurality of modules, a controller for controlling the transfer of a packet based on the write or read access from the host computer to a target module among the plurality of modules via the switch, and a memory storing a transfer rule of the packet. The controller controls the transfer of the packet based on the transfer rule. |
| US07817625B2 |
Method of transmitting data in a communication system
A method of transmitting a first signal from a first terminal to a second terminal via a communication network including: receiving at the first terminal a second signal from the second terminal; outputting the second signal from an output device associated with the first terminal and determining information relating to a characteristic of the second signal. A processing resource of the second terminal used to transmit the second signal is estimated, wherein the estimation is based on the information relating to the characteristic of the second signal. A characteristic of the first signal is adjusted in dependence on the estimated processing resource of the second terminal used to transmit the second signal and the first signal is transmitted to the second terminal. |
| US07817622B2 |
Unlicensed mobile access optimization
In a method for mobile access of a mobile device for a system providing cellular and non-cellular mobile access, the system comprises a serving node, a packet gateway node and the mobile device. The method comprises the steps of negotiating a direct tunneling connection between the mobile device and the packet gateway node by the serving node, wherein the direct tunneling connection is only dedicated to packet switched traffic of the mobile device using the non-cellular mobile access, and establishing the direct tunneling connection between the mobile device and the packet gateway node by the mobile device. |
| US07817617B2 |
Request routing mechanism for distributed multi-participant service application servers in an internet protocol multimedia subsystem network
A multi-participant service creator Application Server embeds routing information within a service identifier provided to enable invitation of users to a multi-participant service such as conference calling or push-to-talk communication. A multi-participant service routing function associated with the Serving Call Session Control Function receiving a request to join the multi-participant service checks the embedded routing information and ensures that the join request is routed to the service creator Application Server. |
| US07817616B2 |
Time synchronization method in wireless sensor network
A time synchronization method in a wireless sensor network, has an upper node that provides back-off scheduling to lower nodes in the wireless sensor network of a hierarchical structure. Each of the lower nodes synchronizes time according to the back-off scheduling based on its local clock. The time synchronous method also allows the number of packets required for synchronization in the wireless sensor network to sharply decrease, and the life time of the network to increase. Additionally, the time synchronous method provides a response packet from a lower node in response to a synchronization packet from an upper node, which is used as a synchronization start packet for secondary lower nodes, so that synchronization in the entire network is rapidly processed. |
| US07817615B1 |
Cross-network quality-of-service verification
What is disclosed is a system and method wherein a wireless access system configured to receive a data packet with a first quality-of-service indicator value from a wireless device over a wireless link, provide a first level of service to the wireless device over the wireless link based on the first quality-of-service indicator, and transfer the data packet with the first quality-of-service indicator. The communication system includes a core packet network configured to receive the data packet with the first quality-of-service indicator and determine if the first quality-of-service indicator is consistent with a quality-of-service policy for the wireless device. The core packet network is configured, if the first quality-of-service indicator is not consistent with the quality-of-service policy for the wireless device, to determine a second quality-of-service indicator consistent with the quality-of-service policy for the wireless device, and transfer the data packet with the second quality-of-service indicator. The wireless access system is configured to receive the data packet with the second quality-of-service indicator, and provide a second level of service to the wireless device over the wireless link based on the second quality-of-service indicator. |
| US07817614B2 |
Method and apparatus for setting, transmitting and receiving data for virtual carrier sensing in wireless network communication
Methods and apparatuses for setting, transmitting, and receiving virtual carrier sensing information in wireless network communications are provided. A receiving station in a wireless communications network receives a frame transmitted according to various modulation schemes and extracts information concerning virtual carrier sensing from a portion of the frame modulated using a basic modulation scheme, so that virtual carrier sensing is achieved using the extracted virtual carrier sensing information. |
| US07817607B1 |
Private mobile IP connection in a shared-pool environment
Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for providing a private mobile IP connection in a shared-pool environment are provided. Embodiments include authenticating a mobile subscriber at a common router or home agent and establishing a communication protocol which is configured to link the authenticated subscriber to a private network such that only communications originating from the private network or passing through the private network are communicated to the subscriber. Utilizing embodiments hereof, mobile subscribers can access a private network through a common router or home agent knowing that stateless attacks will be blocked while still benefiting from the efficiencies of utilizing a shared-pool environment. |
| US07817605B2 |
Method of transmitting control signals for uplink transmission in communication systems
In a method of transmitting control signals for uplink transmission of packet data, a control channel carrying control signal data that is shared by a plurality of users is transmitted in the downlink to the users. The shared control channel includes fields identifiable by, or specified for, different ones of the users, so that each field includes control signal data for a specified user for uplink transmission of packet data. The specified user decodes a corresponding field of the shared control channel to interpret the control signal data, and may transmit packet data in the uplink in accordance with the decoded control signal data. |
| US07817604B2 |
Shared control channel detection strategies
A detection strategy is selected for use in detecting a shared control channel that is transmitted on a physical channel in a communication system. This involves using a previously selected detection strategy to detect the shared control channel. The power of the detected shared control channel is measured. At least two correlation results are generated by correlating the measured power with each of at least two parameters that are associated with one or more other physical channels used in the communication system. Based on the at least two correlation results, a detection strategy is selected for upcoming use in detecting the shared control channel. |
| US07817603B2 |
Method and apparatus for multi-antenna signal transmission in RF long-distance wireless BS
The invention relates to a method for transmitting a plurality of antenna signals in a wireless Base Transceiver Station (BTS) using Remote Radio Head (RRH) technology and the corresponding system. The method includes the steps of: transmitting signals over the transmit channel using Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH)/Optical Transmission Network (OTN), multiplexing the plurality of antenna signals adopting the manners of time division multiplex or GFP frame-level multiplex; forming the multiplexed antenna signal stream and in-band control signaling stream into Generic Framing Procedure (GFP) frame; or forming the plurality of antenna signals and the plurality of respective control signals on the in-band control signaling channel into a plurality of respective GFP frames in parallel; and further mapping the GFP frames to STM-N/OTM-n frames, therefore multiplexing the plurality of antenna signals and the in-band control signaling stream to realize the SDH/OTN-based transmission. According to the invention, in the circumstance of using a plurality of antennas for transmitting signals, the strict time and phase relations between various antenna signals can be ensured, and also system complexity can be simplified, the transmission delays from various antenna signals to CBTS are totally the same. |
| US07817602B2 |
Transmission method in a wireless telecommunication system including at least a base station intended to communicate with terminals
The present invention concerns a transmission method in a wireless telecommunication system including at least a base station intended to communicate with terminals over bidirectional communication channels, each channel supporting frames being divided into downlink sub frames and uplink sub frames, each downlink sub frame including a number of symbols intended to be transmitted to at least two terminals, wherein the transfer of at least one supplementary symbol between the base station and at least one terminal that can receive or transmit the at least one supplementary symbol during the time delay is enabled. At least part of each symbol comprised in the sub frame are transferred according to a first transmission power coefficients and at least at least one supplementary symbol is transferred according to second transmission power coefficients. |
| US07817597B2 |
Transmission rate control method, mobile station, radio base station, and radio network controller
A transmission rate control method for controlling transmission rate of layer-2 control information, including: notifying, at a radio network controller, a correspondence of a transmission data block size of the layer-2 control information to a transmission power ratio between an enhanced dedicated physical data channel and a dedicated physical control channel on the layer-2 control information, to a mobile station; determining, at the mobile station, a transmission power ratio of the layer-2 control information to be transmitted based on the correspondence; and transmitting, at the mobile station, the layer-2 control information using the determined transmission power ratio. |
| US07817595B2 |
Communication system, user device thereof and synchronization method thereof
A communication system, user device thereof, and a synchronization method thereof are provided. The communication system includes a user device and a wireless network. A ciphering configuration information is transmitted to a user device. The user device and wireless network re-establishing the radio link control (RLC) entity of logical link. The user device changes to the new ciphering configuration immediately following the re-establishment of RLC entity according to the received ciphering configuration information and the wireless network changes to the new ciphering configuration. |
| US07817592B2 |
Method of operating a TDD/virtual FDD hierarchical cellular telecommunication system
A cellular communication system and method supporting both a time division duplexing (TDD) scheme and a frequency division duplexing (FDD) scheme. The apparatus includes a plurality of mobile stations, at least three first fixed stations communicate with the mobile station based on the FDD scheme, the first fixed station defining respective macro cells that are contiguous and form a virtual cell, and a cluster including at least one second fixed station communicating with the mobile stations based on the TDD scheme, the second fixed station defining a micro cell in the virtual cell. |
| US07817588B2 |
Wireless data service apparatus and method in broadcast mobile communication system
A system for broadcasting wireless data service in a mobile communication system includes sending a request call for a wireless data service from a mobile terminal to a mobile switching center, identifying whether the terminal is registered in the mobile switching center, transmitting authentication code information indicating that the terminal is registered in the base transceiver station, and releasing the corresponding call in the terminal receiving the authentication code information and receiving the wireless service data. The authentication code information may include a Walsh code and a long code necessary for allowing the terminal to reconstitute the data. Through this case information, the system can broadcast wireless service data throughout an entire region and be assured that only mobile terminals storing compatible code information will be able to access the data. |
| US07817587B2 |
Personal information management using content with embedded personal information manager data
Some embodiments of the present invention provide methods of operating an electronic device, such as a wireless communications terminal, a personal digital assistant and/or a media player, having a personal information manager, such as a scheduling application and/or a contact management application. Data is received at the electronic device, the received data including audio and/or visual content and associated personal information manager data. The personal information manager is controlled responsive to the personal information manager data. |
| US07817584B2 |
Method and system for managing simultaneous electronic communications
A first communication channel is established between a first entity and at least one second entity and a second communication channel is established between the first entity and at least one third entity over the network. Then, data associated with the first and second communication channels are recorded. Next, first, second, and third entities are dynamically monitored to identify if first, second, or third entities is in an active or inactive state, and based upon such monitoring, recorded data are either synchronously rendering to entities in an active state or asynchronously rendered to entities in an inactive state upon the entities in the inactive state transitioning from an inactive state to an active state. |
| US07817573B2 |
Communication processor and method of performing communications with communication devices
Embodiments disclose communication processors, processing devices, and methods of performing communications with communication devices. A communication processor, adapted to perform communications with a plurality of communication devices each of which is provided with identifying information, has an instruction transmitter configured to transmit an instruction designating a first segment number indicative of a total number of communication segments to be used to perform communications with the communication devices, a collision number identifier configured to identify a collision number indicative of how many of the communication segments detect a collision between the communication devices when the communications are performed with the communication devices under a condition that each of the communication devices is allocated to one of the communication segments, a segment number identifier configured to identify a second segment number, and a segment number updater configured to update the first segment number with the second segment number. |
| US07817571B2 |
Automatic discovery of blocking access-list ID and match statements in a network
In one embodiment, a method can include: (i) receiving an incoming probe packet in a network device; (ii) de-encapsulating the incoming probe packet to provide a packet content portion and a drop result portion; (iii) testing the packet content portion against a local access control list (ACL) to determine a local drop result; and (iv) inserting the local drop result and encapsulating an outgoing probe packet. |
| US07817570B1 |
Method and apparatus for providing automated diagnostics of networks using multiple virtual circuits
A method and system for providing automated diagnostics of networks using multiple virtual circuits are disclosed. For example, the method receives a ticket indicating a problem. The method then determines if the problem is associated with a configuration mismatch and determines if the problem is associated with at least one physical channel supporting a plurality of virtual circuits. The method then verifies status of each of the plurality of virtual circuits if the problem is not associated with the configuration mismatch or the at least one physical channel. The method then reports a result of verifying the status of each of the plurality of virtual circuits. |
| US07817567B2 |
Troubleshooting a specific voice over internet protocol (VOIP) telephone call transmitted over a communications network
Network analyzers (NAs) monitor respectively corresponding communication lines through which Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) data streams are transmitted. A network troubleshooting center (NTC) communicates with the NAs to provide quality of service statistics for data streams transmitted through the communication lines and associated with a respective telephone call. |
| US07817565B2 |
Method of data integrity control in an AFDX network
A data integrity checking system in a frame-switched on-board network, including at least first and second asynchronous transmitter terminals, with the second transmitter terminal being in charge of monitoring the first transmitter terminal, and at least first and second receiving terminals, with the second receiving terminal being in charge of monitoring the first receiving terminal. The system includes a first multicast virtual link connecting the first transmitter terminal to the receiving terminals, a second virtual link connecting the first receiving terminal to the second transmitter terminal, the second virtual link not passing through any of the switches that are common to the branches of the first virtual link, a third virtual link connecting the second transmitter to the first receiving terminal in order to transmit thereto the result of an integrity check on the data received by the first receiving terminal. |
| US07817563B1 |
Adaptive data stream sampling
A facility for transmitting data items in a data stream is described. The facility compares the rate at which data items in the data stream are being generated to a threshold rate. When the rate at which data items in the data stream are being generated is no greater than the threshold rate, the facility transmits all of the data items in the data stream to a destination. When the rate at which data items in the data stream are being generated is greater than the threshold rate, the facility transmits only a randomly selected proper subset of the data items in the stream to the destination, such that data items are transmitted to the destination at a rate approximately equal to the threshold rate. |
| US07817561B2 |
Demand-based distribution of internet protocol forwarding information within a router
Systems and methods are described that reduce the amount of forwarding table state on components within routers. This is performed by having a router line card generate a prefix-request message to its central processor which contains a full routing table. Line cards only populate their forwarding tables for packets needed to transmit. By being only concerned with information of packets that are traversing each line card, the amount of required memory and processing required may be reduced for a complete forwarding table. |
| US07817557B2 |
Method and system for buffering audio/video data
Systems and methods are described for transmitting audio and video messages between network terminals over a network. A communication link is established between a first network terminal and a second network terminal, and audio data and video data is transmitted concurrently over the link. During communication, the first network terminal acquires data representing the performance of the first network terminal and data representing the performance of the network. Based on negotiation between the first network terminal and the second network terminal and received performance data the at least one buffering parameter is determined and, if the parameter is within a predetermined range, the buffering parameter of the first network terminal is modified. |
| US07817553B2 |
Local area network services in a cable modem network
A network device has a network interface to allow the device to send and receive traffic across a network. The device also has a cable connection to allow the device to exchange data with at least one other device across a cable network. The device has a processor to receive traffic having a network identifier through the network interface and determine if the network identifier is associated with a virtual private network. If the network identifier is associated with a virtual private network, the device then routes the traffic to an appropriate receiving entity through the cable connection if the network identifier is associated with a local are network. |
| US07817543B2 |
Regulating data-burst transfer
The invention discloses methods and apparatus for regulating the transfer of data bursts across a data network comprising electronic edge nodes interconnected by fast-switching optical core nodes. To facilitate switching at an electronic edge node, data bursts are organized into data segments of equal size. A data segment may include null data in addition to information bits. The null data are removed at the output of an edge node and the information data is collated into bursts, each carrying only information bits in addition to a header necessary for downstream processing. To ensure loss-free transfer of bursts from the edge to the core, burst transfer permits are generated at controllers of the optical core and sent to respective edge nodes based on flow-rate-allocation requests. Null-padding is not visible outside the edge nodes and only the information content is subject to transfer rate regulation to ensure high efficiency and high service quality. |
| US07817541B2 |
Method and system of providing redundancy in a network device
Systems and methods for redundancy in a network device are disclosed. An exemplary device comprises: a controller residing on a data forwarding element (DFE), the DFE performing data forwarding operations; and a first and a second control processor. Each of the control processors has either an active role or a standby role with respect to the DFE controller. The active-role control processor communicates with the DFE to configure the DFE forwarding operations and receives at least some communications from the DFE controller over a virtual channel. The DFE controller directs traffic on the virtual channel that is destined for the active-role control processor to either the first or the second control processor based on which of the control processors currently has the active role. |
| US07817538B2 |
Fault-tolerant Ethernet network
Fault-tolerant Ethernet is provided through the use of special interfaces providing duplicate ports that may be alternatively enabled with the same network address. A switching between the ports, corrects for single faults in a two-way redundant system without time-consuming reconfiguration of other end devices or the need for complex middleware in the end devices. |
| US07817534B2 |
Method and apparatus for interrupting a transmission of a multicast signal
A method and apparatus for interrupting a transmission of a multicast signal includes a common channel selector (106) coupled to a receiver (102) to receive common channel information (116) therefrom. A repetition value calculator (108) receives measurement occasion information (118) from the common channel selector (106) to calculate a repetition factor (120). A system frame number comparator (110) determines if a channel measurement occasion (128) should be performed based on the repetition factor (120), a common identifier (124) and a largest common channel transmission time interval (122). The method and apparatus further includes a measurement occasion generator (112) coupled to the system frame number comparator (110), wherein if a measurement occasion is to be performed, a measurement occasion command signal (126) is provided to the measurement occasion generator (112) and the measurement occasion generator generates the channel measurement occasion (128). |
| US07817533B2 |
Device and method for performing channel estimation for OFDM-based signals with variable pilot subcarrier spacing
A device and method for performing channel estimation for an OFDM-based wireless communication system modifies pilot subcarrier spacing to use a set of interpolation coefficients associated with a different pilot subcarrier spacing. |
| US07817528B2 |
Optical disk medium and optical disk apparatus
The length of a format modulation area in an address segment is limited to be 25% of the address-segment length or less, and the position of the format modulation area is selectable two possible positions. Subsequently, where a CLV optical-disk medium is used, wobble modulation areas in adjacent recording tracks do not overlap each other in the radius direction. |
| US07817524B2 |
Optical head device with multiple diffracting planes, and an optical information apparatus, computer, video recording/reproducing apparatus, video reproducing apparatus, server, and car navigation system including the same
An optical head device 100 of the invention performs at least one of recording and reproducing of information for a plurality of types of optical recording mediums 7. A light source 1 emits a plurality of kinds of light having mutually different wavelengths. The positions for emitting the plurality of kinds of light from the light source are mutually deviated. A center C1 of first light 2a is matched with a pattern center C3 of a first diffracting plane 3a. A center C2 of second light 2b is matched with a pattern center C4 of a second diffracting plane 3b. The optical head apparatus 100 provided with the light source in which two or more light emitting elements are mounted in one module can perform stable tracking control. |
| US07817519B2 |
Write-once read-many information recording medium, information recording method, information reproduction method, information recording apparatus, and information reproduction apparatus
A write-once read-many information recording medium is provided, which is capable of easily searching for a latest DDS and a latest defect list. At least one disc management working area is sequentially allocated in a predetermined direction on the write-once read-many information recording medium of the present invention. The latest defect list and the latest DDS are provided in a recorded disc management working area neighboring a border between the recorded disc management working area and an unrecorded disc management working area, where the latest defect list precedes the latest DDS in the predetermined direction. |
| US07817516B2 |
Detection method for tilt of optical pickup head
A method is used for detecting a tilt of an optical pickup head. The method includes the steps of: capturing a plurality of images; converting the images to bitmap images; superposing the bitmap images together to form an superimposed bitmap image; setting a two-dimensional coordinating system of the superimposed bitmap image; determining coordinates of a first static spot, a second static spot, and dynamic spot; calculating a first distance between the first static spot and the dynamic spot, and a second distance between the second static spot and the dynamic spot based on the coordinates to determine a maximum distance; and comparing the maximum distance with a first standard distance to attain a conclusion whether the tilt is in an acceptable range. |
| US07817508B2 |
Optical disk unit, control method for optical disk unit, and computer readable storage medium
An optical disk unit, for reading signals stored on an optical disk medium, is provided with an optical pickup 23 selectively irradiating light of one wavelength, from several mutually different wavelengths, to an optical disk medium by means of a single objective lens and outputting signals based on light reflected by the optical disk medium, a drive section for causing relative movement of the objective lens of the optical pickup with respect to a surface of the optical disk medium, wherein a peak level of a fake signal generated in the received light signal based on surface reflection at the optical disk surface while the objective lens is being moved relative to the optical disk medium surface by the drive section is detected, and the received light signal is compared with a threshold value that is set based on the detected peak level, to detect reflected light of a data storage layer. |
| US07817506B2 |
Method of transferring data with respect to an optical information storage medium having different track pitches
An optical information storage medium includes a lead-in area, a lead-out area, and a user data area between the lead-in and lead-out areas and in which user data is recorded. Pits are formed in the lead-in area, the user data area, and the lead-out area, and a track pitch in all or a portion of the lead-in area is different from a track pitch in the remaining area of the optical information storage medium. |
| US07817500B2 |
Shock-activated switch device
A shock-activated switch device comprises a piezoelectric buzzer having a body for receiving a mechanical shock and a terminal for outputting an electrical output signal when the body receives a mechanical shock, and an output circuit connected to the terminal for converting the output signal into a logic signal for controlling an electronic circuit to execute a specific programmable function, such as alarm snooze. |
| US07817498B1 |
Medical apparatus having elapsed time indicated and method of use
The time measuring and indication device is an invention that automatically measures and indicates elapsed time and is adapted to be connected to an IV or like medical apparatus. The device measures time by means of measuring the flow of a fluid having a known fluid flow rate. Prior to actuation, the device displays a first indicia such as the word “GOOD”, and after actuation and a predetermined lapse of time, the device displays a second indicia such as the word “EXPIRED”. The device further includes a means to halt or stop the time measuring function and to permanently display the elapsed period of time once the time measuring function is stopped. The time measuring and indication device further includes a means to prevent use of an apparatus such as an IV or like medical apparatus to which the device is attached, without activating the time measuring function of the device. |
| US07817495B2 |
Jointly interpolating and deghosting seismic data
A technique includes representing actual measurements of a seismic wavefield as combinations of an upgoing component of the seismic wavefield and ghost operators. Interpolated and deghosted components of the seismic wavefield are jointly determined based at least in part on the actual measurements and the representation. |
| US07817494B2 |
Integrated circuit memory devices having internal command generators therein that support extended command sets using independent and dependent commands
Integrated circuit memory devices include an internal command generator and a memory control circuit responsive to an internal command generated by the internal command generator. The internal command generator is configured to generate an internal command in response to a combination of an independent command and at least one dependent command received in sequence by the memory device. For example, the internal command generator may be configured to require the independent command to follow the at least one dependent command in the sequence when generating the internal command from the combination of the independent and dependent commands. Alternatively, the internal command generator may be configured to require the independent command to precede the at least one dependent command in the sequence before generating the internal command from the combination of the independent and dependent commands. These independent and dependent commands may be received by the memory device as respective multi-bit external command signals. |
| US07817492B2 |
Memory device using SRAM circuit
A one read/two write SRAM circuit of which memory cell size is small, and high-speed operation is possible. The SRAM circuit includes first and second flip-flop circuits which are connected in parallel to a common write word line; a first write control circuit which is connected to said first flip-flop circuit, is conducted by a write control signal supplied to said write word line, and supplies a first write signal to said first flip-flop circuit; and a second write control circuit which is connected to said second flip-flop circuit, is conducted by a write control signal supplied to said write word line, and supplies a second write signal to said second flip-flop circuit. |
| US07817491B2 |
Bank control device and semiconductor device including the same
A semiconductor memory device includes a plurality of banks a plurality of banks stacked in a column direction, a global data line corresponding to the plurality of banks and a common global data line driving unit for multiplexing data on a plurality of local data lines corresponding to each of the banks to transmit the multiplexed result to the global data line. |
| US07817490B1 |
Low-power operation of static memory in a read-only mode
A static random access memory (SRAM) operable that is biased at lower power supply voltages in a read-only mode than in a read/write mode. The SRAM can be embedded within a large-scale integrated circuit, for example in combination with a microprocessor and associated circuitry. Upon system control circuitry determining that an SRAM array can be operated in a read-only mode, for example that a large number of read operations are likely to be performed prior to writing to the SRAM array, the power supply voltages applied to the SRAM array are reduced. The array power supply voltage and periphery power supply voltage can be at separate voltages and separately reduced from the read/write mode to the read-only mode. The read-only mode can be readily used for instruction cache memories, and for local instruction memories associated with an embedded microcontroller. |
| US07817487B2 |
Motherboard with voltage regulator for supporting DDR2 memory modules and DDR3 memory modules
An exemplary motherboard includes a driving module, a first slot module arranged for mounting a first type of memory and connected to the driving module via a first channel, a second slot module arranged for mounting a second type of memory and connected to the driving module via a second channel, and a voltage regulator electronically connected to the first slot module and the second slot module. The first memory and the second memory are alternatively mounted on the motherboard, the voltage regulator detects which type memory is currently mounted on the motherboard and outputs voltages suitable for the type of the memory mounted on the motherboard accordingly. |
| US07817486B2 |
Semiconductor storage device
A bit line potential monitor circuit is provided in a bit line, and a step-down circuit of the bit line is controlled base on information from the monitor circuit. As a result, the bit line is easily stepped down to an optimal potential level in accordance with a potential and a load capacity thereof without being affected by variability in devices or operation conditions. |
| US07817474B2 |
Method for programming and erasing an array of NMOS EEPROM cells that minimizes bit disturbances and voltage withstand requirements for the memory array and supporting circuits
A method for programming and erasing an array of NMOS electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM) cells that minimizes bit disturbances and high voltage requirements for the memory array cells and supporting circuits. In addition, the array of N-channel memory cells may be separated into independently programmable memory segments by creating multiple, electrically isolated P-wells upon which the memory segments are fabricated. The multiple, electrically isolated P-wells may be created, for example, by p-n junction isolation or dielectric isolation. |
| US07817466B2 |
Semiconductor array including a matrix of cells and a method of making a semiconductor array having a matrix of cells
A semiconductor array includes a matrix of cells, the matrix being arranged in rows and columns of cells, and a plurality of control lines. Each cell is coupled to a number of control lines allowing to select and read/write said cell. At least one of said control lines is coupled to cells of a plurality of columns and of at least two rows of the matrix. |
| US07817465B2 |
Phase change random access memory
A phase change random access (PRAM) memory may include a memory cell array having a plurality of phase change memory cells, and a data read circuit including a compensation unit and a sense amplifier, the compensation unit configured to provide a sensing node with a compensation current to compensate for a decrease in a level of the sensing node caused by a current flowing through one of the plurality of phase change memory cells, and the sense amplifier configured to compare a level of the sensing node with a reference level and output a result of the comparison. |
| US07817464B2 |
Phase change memory cell employing a GeBiTe layer as a phase change material layer, phase change memory device including the same, electronic system including the same and method of fabricating the same
A phase change memory cell includes an interlayer insulating layer formed on a semiconductor substrate, and a first electrode and a second electrode disposed in the interlayer insulating layer. A phase change material layer is disposed between the first and second electrodes. The phase change material layer may be an undoped GeBiTe layer, a doped GeBiTe layer containing an impurity or a doped GeTe layer containing an impurity. The undoped GeBiTe layer has a composition ratio within a range surrounded by four points (A1(Ge21.43, Bi16.67, Te61.9), A2(Ge44.51, Bi0.35, Te55.14), A3(Ge59.33, Bi0.5, Te40.17) and A4(Ge38.71, Bi16.13, Te45.16)) represented by coordinates on a triangular composition diagram having vertices of germanium (Ge), bismuth (Bi) and tellurium (Te). The doped GeBiTe layer contains an impurity and has a composition ratio within a range surrounded by four points (D1(Ge10, Bi20, Te70), D2(Ge30, Bi0, Te70), D3(Ge70, Bi0, Te30) and D4(Ge50, Bi20, Te30)) represented by coordinates on the triangular composition diagram. |
| US07817463B2 |
System and method to fabricate magnetic random access memory
A system and method to fabricate magnetic random access memory is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, a method of aligning a magnetic film during deposition is disclosed. The method includes applying a first magnetic field along a first direction in a region in which a substrate resides during a deposition of a first magnetic material onto the substrate. The method further includes applying a second magnetic field along a second direction in the region during the deposition of the first magnetic material onto the substrate. |
| US07817461B2 |
Data storage device using magnetic domain wall movement and method of operating the same
Provided are a data storage device using a magnetic domain wall movement and a method of operating the data storage device. The data storage device includes a magnetic layer including a plurality of magnetic domains, first and second ferromagnetic pinned layers formed on lower and upper surfaces of the magnetic layer, respectively, and having opposite magnetization directions, first and second insulating spacers interposed between the first and second ferromagnetic pinned layers and the magnetic layer, respectively, and an energy supplying unit applying energy to the magnetic layer for a magnetic domain wall movement. |
| US07817457B2 |
Non-volatile memory device
According to one embodiment, a nonvolatile memory device includes: a memory cell array including memory cells each having a variable resistance element for nonvolatilely storing data identified by an electrically rewritable resistance value; a first data latch storing write and erase data to be written on a given group of memory cells of the memory cell array for a write and erase operation; and a second data latch storing reference data for performing a compensation operation of the given group to compensate write and erase disturbance accompanied by the write or erase operation. |
| US07817456B2 |
Program lock circuit for a mask programmable anti-fuse memory array
A program lock circuit for inhibiting programming of memory cells. A memory array can have both mask programmable and one-time programmable memory cells connected to the wordlines and the bitlines. Since the one-time programmable memory cells are convertible into mask programmable memory cells through mask programming, such as diffusion mask programming or contact/via mask programming, these mask programmed cells are still electrically programmable, thereby destroying the originally stored data. The programming lock circuit inhibits programming of the mask programmed cells by detecting an activated wordline during a programming operation, and then immediately disabling or decoupling the high voltage supply that is provided to the wordline drivers. Mask programmed transistor elements coupled to each wordline detect the wordline voltage and disable the high voltage supply. A mask programmable master lock device can be provided to inhibit all the rows in the memory array from being programmed. |
| US07817454B2 |
Variable resistance memory with lattice array using enclosing transistors
A variable resistance memory array, programming a variable resistance memory element and methods of forming the array. A variable resistance memory array is formed with a plurality of word line transistors surrounding each phase change memory element. To program a selected variable resistance memory element, all of the bitlines are grounded or biased at the same voltage. A top electrode select line that is in contact with the selected variable resistance memory element is selected. The word line having the word line transistors surrounding the selected variable resistance memory element are turned on to supply programming current to the element. Current flows from the selected top electrode select line through the variable resistance memory element into the common source/drain region of the surrounding word line transistors, across the transistors to the nearest bitline contacts. The word lines are patterned in various lattice configurations. |
| US07817453B2 |
Thermal foldback for linear fluorescent lamp ballasts
A ballast circuit that facilitates providing thermal protection for a fluorescent lamp includes a coupling transformer that couples an inverter circuit to a control circuit. First and second transformer windings in the inverter circuit, and a third transformer winding in the control circuit, are wound around a common ferrite core. The ferrite core has a Curie temperature that approximates a maximum allowable threshold temperature for the lamp. When the temperature of the ballast approaches the Curie temperature of the ferrite core, its permeability, and thus inductance, drops dramatically, causing an increase in operating frequency in the inverter circuit. This increased operating frequency causes a capacitor in the control circuit to charge to a threshold voltage, at which power to the inverter circuit is reduced. The lamp then dims without turning off until the temperature is reduced to an acceptable level. |
| US07817447B2 |
Accurate voltage regulation of a primary-side regulation power supply in continuous conduction mode operation
A power converter operates in continuous conduction mode and outputs a regulated output voltage. A feedback-derived signal is used to regulate the output voltage. The feedback-derived signal is sampled at multiple time points during an OFF cycle of a power switch. A current-sense signal is also sampled at one or more time points during an ON cycle of the power switch. The current-sense signal is indicative of an output inductor current of the power converter. A calibrated feedback-derived voltage is then generated based on the multiple voltage samples of the feedback-derived signal and the one or more voltage samples of the current-sense signal. The calibrated feedback-derived voltage is less sensitive to an output inductor current loop resistance than the original voltage samples of the feedback-derived signal. The calibrated feedback-derived voltage also compensates for the nonlinearity of a diode of the output inductor current loop. |
| US07817444B2 |
Detachable cable manager
A cable manager for arranging a plurality of electronic data cables in fixed positions for presentation to corresponding connection positions of an electronic communications connector block, including a plurality of cable guides for securing sections of the cables in spaced apart positions so that they converge at a common location remote from the cable manager. |
| US07817439B2 |
System and apparatus for power distribution for a semiconductor device
Systems, methods and apparatuses for low noise power distribution networks for use with semiconductor devices are disclosed. Embodiments of these systems and methods provide a power distribution network comprising a set of individual power distribution networks, each of the individual power distribution networks operable to provide power to a corresponding functional block of the semiconductor device. These individual power distribution networks may be coupled through capacitors between the power supplies or grounds of each individual power distribution network, such that the individual power distribution networks are coupled in a manner operable to pass AC current between them. |
| US07817434B2 |
Method and apparatus for improving thermal energy dissipation in a direct-chip-attach coupling configuration of an integrated circuit and a circuit board
A method and apparatus for improving the thermal conductivity of a circuit board (CB) assembly comprising an integrated circuit (IC) die mounted on a CB. A high thermal conductivity device is attached on a first end to a surface of the die. When the die is mounted on the CB, a void formed in the CB receives a second end of the HTC device, and the second end of the HTC device comes into contact with a portion of the CB. During operation of the die, heat produced by the die is dissipated through the HTC device and into the CB. |
| US07817433B2 |
Mounting device
A mounting device includes a chassis, a transfer card electronically connected to a motherboard, and a mounting bracket assembly. The mounting bracket assembly includes a clamping member and a fastening member. The clamping member clamping a first end of the transfer card and restricting movement of the transfer card in a first direction. The fastening member fastening an opposite second end of the transfer card to restrict movement of the transfer card in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. |
| US07817428B2 |
Enclosure with integrated heat wick
An electrical enclosure system for transferring heat from a closed environment, includes an electrical device having a heat-generating part, and a polymer-based ventless housing for protecting the electrical device from environmental contaminants. The ventless housing fully encloses the electrical device and includes a base layer forming an impact-resistant portion of the ventless housing. The base layer includes one or more open areas in close proximity to the heat-generating part. The ventless housing further includes an integrated thermally conductive layer that forms a heat-flow path for conducting heat away from the heat-generating part towards an exterior environment. The integrated thermally conductive layer is molded around the base layer such that portions of the integrated thermally conductive layer cover the open areas of the base layer. |
| US07817427B2 |
Fastener and heat sink assembly having the same
A fastener includes a fastener post, a sleeve, a nut and an elastic element. The fastener post includes a shaft, a tapered portion and a threaded portion. The sleeve includes a smooth portion and a clamp portion having a number of resilient strips. The nut is threaded onto the threaded portion. The elastic element is disposed around the sleeve and compressed between the nut and an ear of a heat sink to generate a resilient force. The resilient force moves the tapered portion of the fastener post into the sleeve such that the strips of the clamp portion of the sleeve are tilted outwardly to tightly abut against a bottom of a printed circuit board on which the heat sink is mounted. |
| US07817425B2 |
Dissipating apparatus for integrated circuit chip and display module including the same
A heat dissipating apparatus for an IC chip, having a structure capable of effectively dissipating heat created by an IC chip to the outside, and a display module including the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, the display module includes a panel that forms an image, a chassis disposed at the rear of the panel to support the panel, at least one IC chip that emits heat mounted on at least one circuit board installed at the rear of the chassis, and a heat dissipating apparatus that dissipates heat emitted by the IC chip to the outside. The heat dissipating apparatus is attached to contact the IC chip, and has a heat conducting chip contact plate, and a heat conducting heat discharging plate formed in one piece with a plurality of mutually proximal joining portions joined to the chip contact plate, and a plurality of heat dissipating portions bent to protrude outward from the joining portions to connect the joining portions. |
| US07817424B2 |
Heat sink assembly including a heat pipe and a duct
A heat sink assembly includes an air duct, a heat sink and a fan. The air duct defines an air guiding channel therein. The heat sink is configured to contact a heat source to dissipate heat from a heat source. The heat sink includes a plurality of heat pipes. The heat sink is placed on one side of the air guiding channel, and the heat pipes contacts the air duct to transmit heat to the air duct. The fan is placed on the other side of the air guiding channel to communicate with the heat sink via the air duct. The fan forces air to flow through the air guiding channel to the heat sink to dissipate heat on the air duct and the heat sink. |
| US07817423B2 |
Peltier-assisted liquid-cooled computer enclosure
Disclosed is a design for a computer enclosure. Heat is passed from the heat-generating components directly to a non-conductive liquid coolant. Some of the heat is expelled directly to the environment via a heatsink “chimney”, and some is expelled with the help of a thermoelectric heat pump. |
| US07817417B2 |
Flexible airflow baffle for an electronic system
A baffle manages airflow through optionally mounted electronic components by using flexible members formed to extend to empty connectors and flex away from the connectors to accommodate electronic components mounted to the connectors. |
| US07817398B1 |
Surge arrestor mounting system
A surge-protection system for vertically supporting a plurality of surge-arrestor modules is provided. Initially, the system includes the following elements: the plurality of surge-arrestor modules, which function to regulate surges between telecommunication devices; and a mounting-frame assembly inter-disposed between a wall and each of the plurality of surge-arrestor modules. The plurality of surge-arrestor modules includes a housing with sidewalls and in substantially parallel-spaced relation, and a front panel and a rear panel, wherein the panels span between the first sidewall and the second sidewall. Additionally, the surge-arrestor modules include signal port(s) integrated within the sidewalls, socket(s) integrated within the rear panel, and a circuit board internally disposed within the housing that creates a signal path between the signal port(s). The mounting-frame assembly includes grounding connector(s) that outwardly extend and are adapted to insert within the socket(s), respectively, of each surge-arrestor module thereby vertically supporting each module in frictional engagement. |
| US07817397B2 |
Energy conditioner with tied through electrodes
The application discloses energy conditioners that include A, B, and G master electrodes in which the A and B electrodes include main body electrodes with conductive paths that cross inside the energy conditioner and which has A and B tabs at one end of the main body electrodes conductively tied together and A and B tabs at another end of the main body electrodes conductively tied together, and the application also discloses novel assemblies of mounting, contacting, integrating those energy conditioners with conductive connection structures. |
| US07817394B2 |
Systems, apparatus and methods capable of shelf management
A method according to one embodiment may include discovering, by software, at least one variable from at least one component populated on a shelf system. The method may also include performing, by the software, at least one shelf management function based on at least one variable. Of course, many alternatives, variations, and modifications are possible without departing from this embodiment. |
| US07817388B2 |
Latch-up protection circuit for LCD driver IC
A latch-up protection circuit for LCD driver is provided. The latch-up protection circuit for LCD driver comprises an NMOS, a switch and a capacitor. The NMOS comprises a drain electrically connected to a ground; a source electrically connected to a negative voltage source; and a gate. The switch is electrically connected to the gate to receive a control signal, wherein the switch switches between a positive voltage source and the negative voltage source according to the control signal; and the capacitor is electrically connected to the positive voltage source and the gate. |
| US07817387B2 |
MIGFET circuit with ESD protection
An electrostatic discharge (ESD) protected circuit is coupled to a power supply voltage rail and includes a multiple independent gate field effect transistor (MIGFET), a pre-driver, and a hot gate bias circuit. The MIGFET has a source/drain path coupled between an output pad and the power supply voltage rail and has a first gate terminal and a second gate terminal. The pre-driver circuit has an output. The hot gate bias circuit is coupled to the first gate terminal of the MIGFET, and the output of the pre-driver circuit is coupled to the second gate terminal of the MIGFET. The hot gate bias circuit is configured to apply a bias voltage to the first gate terminal of the MIGFET during an ESD event that increases the breakdown voltage of the MIGFET so as to better withstand the ESD event. |
| US07817386B2 |
ESD protection circuit for IC with separated power domains
An ESD protection circuit suitable for applying in an integrated circuit with separated power domains is provided. The circuit includes a P-type MOSFET coupled between a first circuit in a first power domain and a second circuit in a second power domain. A source terminal of the P-type MOSFET is coupled to a connection node for connecting the first circuit and the second circuit. A gate terminal of the P-type MOSFET is coupled to a positive power line of the second power domain. A drain terminal of the P-type MOSFET is coupled to a negative power line of the second power domain. A body terminal of the P-type MOSFET is also coupled to the connection node. |
| US07817384B2 |
Control and protection methodologies for a motor control module
A motor control module designed to control operation of a plurality of different motors in a plurality of different tools a power tool uses an electronic clutch in the module in conjunction with a mechanical clutch in the tool to protect the tool against an overload event. The module is adapted to implement methods to provide aural and/or tactile feedback to a tool user as a warning of an impending or current fault condition in the tool. The module can prevent power from inadvertently turning on either after an overload event has cleared with the tool plugged in and its power switch on, or after plugging in the tool within the power switch on. The control module is adapted to provide torque control for the power tool, to estimate tool motor temperature and to inform a tool user when a servicing need in the tool is required. |
| US07817380B2 |
Ramp arrangement for a disk drive and method
A digital storage apparatus includes a housing defining a housing interior and defining a ramp support surface. A disk is supported for rotation in the housing. A head gimbal assembly is supported for use in pivotally accessing the disk in performing one or more data accesses and for moving to an unloaded position from an access position. A ramp arrangement receives the head gimbal assembly in the unloaded position. The ramp arrangement includes at least three feet for sliding engagement with the ramp support surface for use in at least partially establishing an operational position of the ramp arrangement. In one aspect, the housing defines a first surface and a second surface, which are in a transverse relationship with respect to one another. The ramp arrangement engages the first surface and the second surface for establishing an operational position of the ramp arrangement in the housing interior. |
| US07817377B2 |
Original disk fabrication method, magnetic recording medium manufacturing method and magnetic recording medium
It is made possible to fabricate a bit-patterned magnetic recording medium having a high recording density and making favorable address deciphering possible. An original disk fabrication method for irradiating a photosensitive resin film with an electron beam to draw a pattern, the method includes: irradiating the electron beam by using a plurality of blanking signals every rotation of a stage per bit unit, when drawing the pattern in a part corresponding to an address part on a photosensitive resin film. |
| US07817376B2 |
Thin-film magnetic head having magnetic layer with non-magnetic portion
Provided is a thin-film magnetic head capable of suppressing ATE while ensuring sufficient controllability of the magnetic pole width and sufficient write field intensity. The head includes an electromagnetic coil element comprising: upper and lower magnetic layers; a write gap layer; and a write coil layer, the lower magnetic layer comprising: a lower yoke layer, a non-magnetic portion formed on an end portion on the ABS side of the lower yoke layer and extending to a head end surface on the ABS side; and a lower magnetic pole layer, an upper surface of the lower magnetic pole layer being in contact with the write gap layer, and an end surface in the head end surface of the lower magnetic pole layer having a shape whose width along a track width direction is defined by a predetermined magnetic pole width. |
| US07817374B2 |
Thin film device with lead conductor film of increased surface area
The present invention relates to a thin-film device including a thin-film element and a lead conductor film. The thin-film element and the lead conductor film are embedded in an insulating film. The lead conductor film has a terminal area at one end thereof, is connected to the thin-film element at the other end thereof, and between the one end and the other end, has an increased surface area portion whose volume is partially occupied by an insulating material to increase surface area. As a result, there is provided a high frequency thin-film device capable of reducing loss and heat generation due to skin effect, particularly a thin-film magnetic head. |
| US07817371B2 |
Active compensation of flying height in magnetic disk drives
Magnetic disk drives and associated methods are described for performing an active flying height compensation process for a slider of a magnetic disk drive. For the flying height compensation process, a control system in the disk drive detects a reduction in flying height of a slider in the disk drive. The control system then calculates a compensation heating power to apply to one or more heating elements that are fabricated in the slider to compensate for the reduction in flying height. The control system then applies the compensation heating power to the heating element(s) in the slider to alter the ABS (i.e., generate a protrusion) and increase the flying height of the slider. |
| US07817368B1 |
Asymmetry correction in read signal
Systems and techniques relating to interpreting signals on a channel having an asymmetrical signal amplitude response can include generating multiple asymmetry matrices that model asymmetry in a received analog signal, including an effect of asymmetry spreading in a read channel; comparing the multiple asymmetry matrices; and selecting indicators of asymmetry from the matrices based on the comparing. Systems and techniques can include saving in memory an indication of the selected indicators of asymmetry. |
| US07817367B2 |
Apparatus, signal-processing circuit and device for magnetic recording system
To effectively suppress a signal in a low frequency region in which the medium noise and the signal distortion are concentrated, and in order to effectively utilize a detected component of the reproduced signal in the low frequency region, a target of partial response equalization to the perpendicularly recorded/reproduced signal is set so that the low-frequency component around the direct current is suppressed to a regulated quantity for both the effective suppression and the effective utilization. Accordingly, a maximum-likelihood decoding process is carried out through the target of partial response equalization. Reliability of data detection is made higher and a signal-to-noise ratio is improved, so that the noise from the recording medium can be reduced more and it is possible to provide a high-density magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus. |
| US07817362B2 |
Inspection apparatus and inspection method of magnetic disk or magnetic head
An inspection apparatus and method are disclosed for inspecting a magnetic disk or a magnetic head. A first reference signal generating source generates reference signals of a controllable oscillating frequency, and a signal switching means selects either a reference signal or test data reproduced by the magnetic head. Factors such as offsets and gain differentials among signal distribution paths, phase shifts of sampling clocks supplied to a plurality of AID converters, and frequency-dependence of the transfer function and phase response of signal paths are identified so that errors due to these factors can be detected. Based on the detected values of these factors and errors, reference signals are utilized to compensate test data errors. |
| US07817360B2 |
Lens module
A lens module includes a lens, a barrel, a holder and a driving mechanism. The barrel is configured for receiving the lens. The holder is configured for receiving the barrel therein. The driving mechanism includes a first lever and a first piezoelectric device. The first lever includes a fixed end and a moving end and a connecting portion interconnected between the fixed end and the moving end. The fixed end of the first lever is pivotedly mounted in the holder. The moving end of the first lever is configured for driving the barrel to move. The first piezoelectric device is arranged between the connecting portion and the holder. The first piezoelectric device is extendable and contractible along an optical axis of the lens so as to control movement of the barrel along the optical axis relative to the holder. |
| US07817359B2 |
Lens module and camera module utilizing the same
A lens module includes a barrel defining a first through hole, two or more lenses received in the first through hole of the barrel including at least one movable lens, and at least one driving device moving the movable lens. The driving device includes a fixed portion, a movable portion, hydraulic fluid, and an adjustment pole. The fixed portion is secured on the inner surface of the barrel and defines a trough with an opening facing along the axis of the lens module. The movable portion has a first end and an opposite second end, the first end inserted into the trough and sealing the space between the first end and the bottom wall of the trough, and the second end secured to a movable lens. The hydraulic fluid fills the space. The adjustment pole is inserted into the trough from a second through hole running through the barrel and a wall of the trough adjacent to the barrel, and is movable in the second through hole. |
| US07817358B2 |
Lens actuator
A lens actuator includes a lens barrel for accommodating the lens, a coil wrapped around the lens barrel, four magnetic sheets, a bracket, a first resilient plate and a second resilient plate respectively connected between the bracket and the lens barrel to hold the lens barrel on the bracket. The bracket includes a hollow cubic frame body, an accommodating room extending through the top side and the bottom side of the frame body, four mounting holes in communication with the accommodating room respectively defined in the four side faces of the frame body, and a beveled edge formed on an edge of an opening of each mounting hole on the outside of the frame body. The four magnetic sheets are respectively mounted in the four mounting holes. The bracket and the lens barrel are held between the first resilient plate and the second resilient plate. |
| US07817357B2 |
Display device
The present invention provides a display device having a large-area display region which is capable of performing an image display of high quality by making, even when two display panels abut on each other, an abutting portion becomes inconspicuous. Two optical path changing lenses LPL1, LPE2 are arranged in a state that respective optical path changing lenses LPL1, LPE2 have respective one sides thereof abutted on each other above an abutting portion BE of two display panels PNL1, PNL2. The abutted ends form a straight-line shape on the abutting portion BE. The first optical path changing lens LPL1 and the second optical path changing lens LPL2 have a lens shape such that the lenses change a optical path of an optical image at a portion remote from the abutting portion BE in the viewing point VP direction and, at the same time, an optical image of a non-display region BW including a picture frame where a shield frame SHD is present from a boundary of the abutting portion BE in the direction orthogonal to the abutting portion BE within a display screen is contracted and focused on the viewing point VP in the upward direction orthogonal to a display screen in a boundary of the abutting portion BE. |
| US07817356B2 |
Imaging lens, and imaging apparatus and mobile terminal apparatus using the same
An imaging lens comprises a first lens (L1), a second lens (L2), a third lens (L3), and a fourth lens (L4), which are arranged in ascending sequence, starting from the lens nearest to the object. The first lens (L1) has a double-convex shape and positive refractive power. The second lens (L2) has a double-concave shape and negative refractive power. The third lens (L3) has a meniscus shape with its convex surface facing an image plane, and has positive refractive power. The fourth lens (L4) has a meniscus shape with its convex surface facing the object. A chromatic aberration occurred in the first lens (L1) is corrected by the second lens (L2). A chromatic aberration occurred in the third lens (L3) is corrected by the fourth lens (L4). |
| US07817353B2 |
Zoom lens barrel assembly
Embodiments of a zoom lens barrel assembly for an imaging apparatus are provided. The zoom lens barrel has a simple structure and allows efficient space utilization in order to realize a compact size, which is currently required for a mobile imaging apparatus. The zoom lens barrel assembly can stably endure external impacts, provide more precise zoom operations, and stably operate for a long time without a malfunction of a zoom motor, which acts as a drive source. The zoom lens barrel assembly can increase the rotation gain of a driving source and improve space utilization inside a basic skeletal structure of a frame by modifying the structure of a gear train, which cooperatively connects the driving source and a rotary cam member. |
| US07817351B2 |
Zoom lens system
A zoom lens system includes, in order from the object side, a negative first lens group, a positive second lens group; and a positive third lens group. The first lens group includes, in order from the object side to the image side, a negative first lens and a positive second lens. The second lens group includes, in order from the object side to the image side, a positive third lens, a negative fourth lens, and a negative fifth lens. The zoom lens system satisfies certain conditions related to the configuration of the lens and lens groups of the zoom lens system in order to provide a compact zoom lens having excellent correction of aberrations. |
| US07817350B2 |
Zoom lens system, imaging device and camera
An object of the present invention is to provide: a zoom lens system that has a high resolution, high capability of compensating curvature of field, a high zoom ratio of, for example, 3 or greater, a reduced weight, and a reduced overall optical length at the time of non-use; and an imaging device and a camera that employ this zoom lens system so as to have a reduced thickness and excellent portability as well as high performance. The zoom lens system forms an optical image of an object with variable magnification and, in order from the object side to the image side, comprises: a first lens unit having negative optical power; a second lens unit that has positive optical power and that contains a bi-convex lens element composed of a resin material and serving as the most image side lens element; and a third lens unit having positive optical power. Then, the lens units move respectively along the optical axis in such a manner that intervals between the individual lens units should vary so that the variable magnification is achieved. Further, the condition |(R2mi1+R2mi2)/(R2mi1−R2mi2)|<1.0 (R2mi1 is a radius of curvature on the object side of the most image side lens element of the second lens unit, while R2mi2 is a radius of curvature on the image side of the most image side lens element of the second lens unit) is satisfied. The imaging device and the camera employ this zoom lens system. |
| US07817349B2 |
Zoom lens and imaging apparatus
A zoom lens is provided and includes: in order from an object side thereof, a first group having a positive refractive power; a second group having a negative refractive power; a stop; a third group having a negative refractive power, the third group including at least two positive lenses and at least two negative lenses; and a fourth group having a positive refractive power. Power variation from a wide angle end to a telephoto end of the zoom lens is performed by moving the second group to an image side along an optical axis thereof, while the first group and the third group are fixed, and correction of an image plane caused by the power variation and focusing is performed by moving the fourth group along the optical axis. |
| US07817346B2 |
Zoom lens and image capture apparatus
A zoom lens includes, in an order from an object side, a first lens group having positive refractive power; a second lens group having negative refractive power; a third lens group having positive refractive power; and a fourth lens group having positive refractive power, and in which, during power variation from a wide-angle end to a telephoto end, a distance between the first lens group and the second lens group increases, a distance between the second lens group and the third lens group decreases, and a distance between the third lens group and the fourth lens group decreases, and the zoom lens includes at least one cemented-triplet lens block having negative refractive power, in the fourth lens group. |
| US07817344B2 |
Systems and methods for micromachined cylindrical lenses
Systems and methods are operable to focus light. An exemplary embodiment has a MEMS substrate, a first cylindrical lens having a first cylindrical surface, and a second cylindrical lens having a second cylindrical surface that is oriented perpendicular to the first cylindrical surface. Light passing through the first and second cylindrical lenses is focused. |
| US07817343B2 |
Electrowetting lens
An electrowetting lens which can move its optical axis using a multiple electrode structure includes: a substrate; a dielectric barrier wall formed on the substrate; polar and non-polar solutions fluidly contained inside the dielectric barrier wall; first and second lower electrodes inserted through lower portions of the dielectric barrier wall in contact with the polar solution, the first and second lower electrodes facing each other; and first and second multiple electrodes respectively disposed in mutually facing first and second legs defining the dielectric barrier wall, each of the first and second multiple electrodes being divided into a plurality of vertically arranged electrode cells. |
| US07817339B2 |
Display panel for 3-dimensional display device and 3-dimensional display device comprising the same
A display panel for a 3-dimensional display device is provided. The display panel includes a plurality of unit pixels arranged in a matrix form having a row and column with each unit pixel including a plurality of sub-pixels. Further, the plurality of unit pixels form each of a plurality of pixels alternately arranged with each other for a viewer's left eye and pixels for the viewer's right eye. In addition, at least one unit pixel has a different arrangement of sub-pixels than another unit pixel. |
| US07817336B2 |
Telescopic tube
A telescopic tube includes an upper section tube and a lower section tube that are provided coaxially with each other. A plurality of connecting rods is provided between the upper and lower section tubes in parallel to the axis of the tube. Via the connecting rods, the upper section tube or the lower section tube can slide telescopically in the axial direction of the tube, thereby extending or retracting the tube. |
| US07817335B2 |
Microscope apparatus
A microscope apparatus including a light source device, a storage table, and a setting controller is provided. The light source device includes a light intensity adjuster which changes light intensity of an illumination light of plural different wavelength regions selectively extracted from light emitted from a light source, and thereby emitting the illumination light including light of the plural different wavelength regions in such a manner that a light intensity ratio of light of one wavelength region to light of another wavelength region is variable. The storage table stores therein set values of the light intensity adjuster for each of combination patterns of the wavelength regions of the illumination light emitted from the light source device. The setting controller makes the light source device change a setting of the light intensity adjuster based on the set value stored in the storage table according to wavelength designation information which designates a combination pattern of the wavelength regions. |
| US07817334B2 |
Wavelength conversion element, light source device, image display device, and monitor device
A wavelength conversion element includes a second harmonic wave generating element provided with an entrance surface and an emission surface, a function of converting an incident fundamental wave into a second harmonic wave with a different wavelength and emitting the second harmonic wave, and a cyclic polarization inversion structure configured so as to be able to match a phase of the second harmonic wave in a pseudo manner, and a first wavelength dispersive optical element disposed on the entrance surface side of the second harmonic wave generating element, having a first diffraction surface for diffracting an incident light beam with a diffraction angle increasing in accordance with a wavelength of an incident light beam to disperse the incident light beam by the wavelength of the incident light beam, and for emitting the light beam dispersed in the first diffraction surface towards the second harmonic wave generating element. |
| US07817333B2 |
Modulator with improved sensitivity and life time
An electro-optic modulator assembly includes a sensor layer made from an electro-optic modulator material that comprises liquid crystal droplets encapsulated within a polymer matrix. The sensor layer material comprises an interfacial agent, for example a defoaming agent, in an amount sufficient to lower an intrinsic operating voltage at which the sensor layer transmits light. The defoaming agent can comprise from about 1 to about 10 percent by weight of the electro-optic modulator material, and the defoaming agent may comprise a reactive component to react with the polymer matrix, for example at least one of a siloxane with a reactive end group, a reactive fluorinated polymer or a non-ionic block copolymer to react with the polymer matrix. The assembly can also include a hard coating layer to protect the sensor layer. |
| US07817327B2 |
Vehicle glazing
A vehicular glazing comprising two panes of glazing material spaced apart from one another, an electrically conductive coating provided on a surface of the glazing, and an electrical device mounted with respect to the electrically conductive coating, and having a solar control function. The solar control function may result from the presence of a solar control coating or at least one pane of glazing material being body-tinted. The glazing may be a laminate or a double glazing unit and it may also include a functional layer, such as a liquid crystal film. |
| US07817318B2 |
Oscillating system and optical deflector
Disclosed is an oscillating system arranged so that a gravity center of a movable member and a torsional axis of a resilient support are easily registered with each other to prevent deformation of the movable member due to its dead weight or deviation of deformation from symmetrical deformation, wherein the oscillating system includes a substrate 301, a movable member 302 with hard magnetic members 310 and 311, resilient supports 304 and 305 for supporting the movable member for torsional vibration about a torsional axis 312 with respect to the substrate, and a magnetic field producing device for driving the movable member relative to the substrate, wherein the movable member 302 has recesses 306 and 307, and wherein the hard magnetic members are fixed while their end portions are aligned with end faces 308 and 309 corresponding to the recesses. |
| US07817312B2 |
Image acquiring device having an optical signal transmission medium
An image acquiring device includes a scanning module, an optical signal transmission medium and a mainboard module. In the scanning module having a rechargeable battery, a scanning unit scans a document to obtain an electrical document signal, a first signal converter is connected to the scanning unit and converts the electrical document signal into an optical document signal, and a first signal transmitting unit is connected to the first signal converter and receives and outputs the optical document signal. The optical signal transmission medium is connected to the first signal transmitting unit. On a mainboard of the mainboard module, a second signal input/output unit is connected to the optical signal transmission medium and receives the optical document signal, and a second signal converter is connected to the second signal input/output unit and converts the optical document signal into the electrical document signal. |
| US07817309B2 |
Double filter fax cover page
An approach is provided wherein a banner page is detected and modified to insert information appropriate for a fax cover page. According to one embodiment, a user submits a document to the OS printing sub-system with a banner page option enabled. The banner page is processed by a fax cover filter which detects the banner page and modifies the banner page to include fax cover page information. The banner page and the document are then rendered to a specified document format by the printing subsystem and faxed, for example by a MFP. |
| US07817308B2 |
Image forming apparatus, control method for image forming apparatus and storage medium storing control program
The image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording sheet based on an input image signal includes a halftone processor that applies a halftone process to an input image signal with a predetermined halftone processing period, and an add-on processor that attaches, to the image signal subjected to the halftone process, an add-on signal with an add-on period which is determined according to the halftone process period. The invention enables to suppress an image deterioration and to improve detection accuracy of the add-on signal. |
| US07817302B2 |
Optimizing raster operation functions during print job processing
Methods for processing print jobs in rendering devices include modifying a raster operation function to have fewer variables than originally specified by the print job. Processing may also include executing the modified function and determining how many variables the function originally includes and whether such is one or more. Preferably, the modifying of the function includes determining whether a variable of the function has a black or white identity, such as a black or white ink or a black or white image, stencil or character. It may also include determining whether a destination variable remains unaltered in a to-be-painted area. Printers having stored computer executable instructions for performing the steps are also disclosed as are host devices that may direct or control the printer to perform the same. |
| US07817301B2 |
Data receiving-processing apparatus
Information relating to print contents is presented to the user in an easily understandable manner. A demultiplexer separates picture data, speech data and other data from received data. Such data include EPG data, data broadcast data, print contents data and supplementary information on the print contents data. A data stream process unit decodes the supplementary information on the print contents data and the print contents data. An image construction unit constructs an image signal of an image frame, providing a list display of transmission schedule and supplementary information of the print contents. The image signal is supplied through a display controller to an image display unit and displayed as an image. |
| US07817300B2 |
Advance decoding of images for printing
In the conventional printing application, it is impossible to easily overview which image is printed in which page, so that there is a drawback that a user is required to perform the printing while imagining printing result. An idea for more quickly providing the printing result at the same time when the printing is performed by simple operation has not been sufficiently made. In order to solve the problems, a printing apparatus includes decoding means for, before an instruction is given, decoding the image to be printed in at least a first sheet with the layout selected by layout selecting means among images selected by image selecting means and printing controlling means for effecting the printing of image data decoded by the decoding means, and a printing method includes steps to be executed in the printing apparatus. |
| US07817298B2 |
Image processing apparatus and method for faster starting of an image processing apparatus using priority functions
An image processing apparatus having a plurality of functions and allowing the functions to be available by starting programs for the corresponding functions includes a processor executing the programs; a main memory used by the processor to execute the programs; a first storage unit storing a program capable of being executed by the processor without being transferred to the main memory; a second storage unit storing at least one program for a corresponding one of the functions, wherein the at least one program stored in the second storage unit can be executed by the processor by being transferred to the main memory; a selection unit selecting any one of the functions; and a control unit controlling a selected program corresponding to the function selected by the selection unit, from among the at least one program stored in the second storage unit, to be stored in the first storage unit. |
| US07817294B2 |
Data processing apparatus, print setting processing method, storing medium storing computer-readable program therein, and program
A data processing apparatus has an input unit to input settings which are used for a print process, a recognizing unit to execute a printer driver and recognize a conflict of the settings inputted to the input unit, and a notifying unit to notify an application of a reason of occurrence of the conflict recognized by the recognizing unit. |
| US07817293B2 |
Trace and debug tool for high speed printer systems
A printer system stores a trace of a printer job in storage that is either local or accessible to the printer system. A remotely implemented tool accesses the stored printer job trace. The tool includes a graphical interface that displays the printer commands in the printer job trace in a human readable format. The commands may be displayed in a first window of the interface. In one embodiment, the interface includes a second window where details of a command selected or highlighted in the first window are displayed. The tool may be implemented as a secure web browser that requires password verification to access the printer job trace. The tool may include the ability to replace confidential print data with generic or non-confidential data. The tool might further be able to display text that is embedded in a printer job trace command in ASCII and EBCDIC format. |
| US07817288B2 |
Device and method for measuring profiles of electron beam and laser beam
A device for measuring profiles of an electron beam and a laser beam is provided with a profile measuring device 30 for measuring cross-section profiles of the beams in the vicinity of a collision position where an electron beam 1 and a laser beam 3 are brought into frontal collision, and a moving device 40 for continuously moving the profile measuring device in a predetermined direction which substantially coincides with the axial directions of the beams. Furthermore, based on the cross-section profiles measured by the profile measuring device, the position of the profile measuring device in the predetermined direction, and the oscillation timings of the beams, temporal changes in three-dimensional profiles of the electron beam and the laser beam are created by a profile creating device 50. |
| US07817283B2 |
Determining electric field characteristics of laser pulses
Various systems and methods for analysis of optical pulses are provided. In one embodiment, an optical system is provided having an optical axis. The optical system includes a two-dimensional diffraction grating positioned along the optical axis, and a spectral filter positioned along the optical axis after the two-dimensional diffraction grating. The spectral filter is angularly offset about a vertical transverse angle associated with the optical system. The diffraction grating is angularly offset about the optical axis relative to the spectral filter, and an optical capture device positioned after the spectral filter. |
| US07817280B2 |
Method and system for device identification
Disclosed are a method and system for performing device identification and a medical device susceptible to identification using interference patterns for performing device identification. A source signal may be directed from an energy source towards the surface of a device for reflection therefrom. An interference pattern may be detected from the surface of the device, such as by a sensor. A determination as to whether a match exists between the representation of the interference pattern and a stored representation of an interference pattern may be performed. If a match exists, the device may be identified based on the stored representation of the interference pattern. Otherwise, a representation of the interference pattern may be stored and a unique identifier may be assigned to the stored representation of the interference pattern. |
| US07817278B2 |
Surface plasmon resonance sensor apparatus having multiple dielectric layers
A surface plasmon resonance (SPR) spectrometer sensor apparatus for measuring a property of an analyte substance that can be adsorbed on a surface by directing a beam of incident radiation on the apparatus at an incident angle relative thereto, receiving a beam of reflected radiation off the apparatus, and measuring dips in reflected radiation as a function of incident angle or wavelength, the dips being indicative of resonances in the apparatus. The SPR spectrometer comprises a conductive layer having a first side which receives incident radiation, and having a second side opposite to the first side; and a dielectric stack having first and second sides opposite to each other, the first side being in contact with the conductive layer, the second side for receiving an analyte sample to be disposed thereon. The dielectric stack includes a plurality of dielectric layers having respective thicknesses and indices of refraction, each successive one of the plurality of dielectric layers having an index of refraction which is alternatingly higher than, and lower than, the indices of refraction of adjacent ones of the plurality of dielectric layers. The plurality of dielectric layers including a first dielectric layer at the first side of the dielectric stack, and a last dielectric layer at the second side of the dielectric stack, the last dielectric layer having a boundary surface for contacting the received analyte sample, and having an index of refraction so as to achieve total internal reflection (TIR) at the boundary surface. |
| US07817273B2 |
Two-dimensional spectral imaging system
Systems, including methods, apparatus, and algorithms, for spectrally imaging a two-dimensional array of samples are disclosed. In one such system, a method of sample analysis includes directing light from a two-dimensional array of examination sites onto a detection area such that dispersed light of known spectral composition from each site falls on the detection area. The method further includes assigning a corresponding two-dimensional array of regions of the detection area for detecting spectra from the examination sites based, at least in part, on the known spectral composition. The method also includes placing samples into the two dimensional array of examination sites and obtaining spectral data for each sample based on the detection area. |
| US07817271B2 |
Confocal microscope and method for detecting by means of a confocal microscope
The invention relates to a confocal microscope which illuminates a sample (15) by means of at least one light source. A detection light beam (17) is emitted from the sample (15). The detection light beam (17) is spectrally split up in a spatial manner by the dispersive element (20) and subsequently formed on a photosensor chip (19) by means of a detection optical system (22). At least one expanding optical system (23) is arranged in front of the dispersive element (20) in the direction of the detection light beam (17). The expanding optical system (23) is embodied in such a manner that the numerical aperture of the detection optical system (22) is independent from the numerical aperture of the detection light beam (17) on the detection apertured diaphragm (18). |
| US07817268B2 |
Alignment system for spectroscopic analysis
The present invention provides a spectroscopic system as well as a method of autonomous tuning of a spectroscopic system and a corresponding computer program product. By detecting the position of return radiation in a transverse plane of an aperture of a spectroscopic analysis unit, a control signal can be generated that allows to drive servo driven translation or tilting stages of optical components. In this way a transverse misalignment of a spectroscopic system can be effectively detected. Generally, a plurality of different detection schemes are realizable allowing for an autonomous tuning of the spectroscopic system and for autonomous elimination of misalignment of a spectroscopic system. |
| US07817265B2 |
Alignment mark and defect inspection method
A defect inspection method is disclosed. A first type defect inspection system is used to perform a first defect inspection by aligning to an alignment mark on a wafer as a reference point for the first defect inspection. A fabrication process is performed on the wafer thereafter, and a second defect inspection is performed by using a second type defect inspection system to align the alignment mark on the wafer as the reference point for the second defect inspection. |
| US07817260B2 |
Beam delivery system for laser dark-field illumination in a catadioptric optical system
A method and apparatus for inspecting a specimen are provided. The apparatus comprises a primary illumination source, a catadioptric objective exhibiting central obscuration that directs light energy received from the primary illumination source at a substantially normal angle toward the specimen, and an optical device, such as a prism or reflective surface, positioned within the central obscuration resulting from the catadioptric objective for receiving further illumination from a secondary illumination source and diverting the further illumination to the specimen. The method comprises illuminating a surface of the specimen at a variety of angles using a primary illumination source, illuminating the surface using a secondary illumination source, the illuminating by the secondary illumination source occurring at a substantially normal angle of incidence; and imaging all reflected, scattered, and diffracted light energy received from the surface onto a detector. |
| US07817258B2 |
Measuring modal content of multi-moded fibers
The output modal content of optical fibers that contain more than one spatial mode may be analyzed and quantified by measuring interference between co-propagating modes in the optical fiber. By spatially resolving the interference, an image of the spatial beat pattern between two modes may be constructed, thereby providing information about the modes supported by the optical fiber. |
| US07817255B2 |
Apparatus with a combination of a point light source and a single lens
An apparatus with a combination of a point light source and a single lens is provided. The present apparatus includes a point light source, a photodetector and a lens. The lens is placed in the same side of the point light source and the photodetector in order that the light emitting from the point light source is focused onto a target area of an object through the lens. The reflected light from the target area is focused onto the photodetector through the lens. The present apparatus can qualitatively and quantitatively monitor a content of a specific component of a tested solution. The geometric relationship of the point light source, the photodetector and the single lens can improve a measuring resolution of the present apparatus. |
| US07817251B2 |
Supporting apparatus, exposure apparatus, and device manufacturing method
A supporting apparatus supports a movable element by a bearing. The apparatus has a moment reducing unit that exerts a force on a portion of the movable element, which is different from a portion supported by the bearing. The moment reducing unit reduces a moment that acts on the movable element when the portion of the movable element, which is supported by the bearing, changes as the movable element moves. This stabilizes the attitude of the movable element. |
| US07817250B2 |
Microlithographic projection exposure apparatus
The disclosure relates to a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus, as well as related components and methods. In some embodiments, a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus includes an illumination system and a projection objective, where the illumination system can illuminate an object plane of the projection objective and the projection objective can produce the image of the object plane on an image plane. A polarization-dependent transmission can be produced in the illumination system such that, for at least one polarization distribution in respect of the light impinging on the object plane, a non-homogeneous intensity distribution in the object plane is obtained. The non-homogeneous intensity distribution can afford a homogeneous intensity distribution in the image plane by virtue of polarization-dependent transmission properties of the projection objective. |
| US07817247B2 |
Lithographic apparatus, excimer laser and device manufacturing method
A CD-pitch dependency for a lithographic pattern printing process is related to the spectral intensity distribution of radiation used for projecting the pattern. A CD-pitch dependency can vary from one system to another. This can result in an iso-dense bias mismatch between systems. The invention addresses this problem by providing a lithographic apparatus including an illumination system for providing a projection beam of radiation, a projection system for projecting a patterned beam onto a target portion of a substrate, and a substrate table for holding the substrate, with a controller to provide an adjustment of the spectral distribution of radiant intensity of the projection beam. The adjustment of the spectral intensity distribution is based on data relating to an iso dense bias, and comprises a broadening of the spectral bandwidth or a change of shape of the spectral intensity distribution. |
| US07817246B2 |
Optical apparatus
An optical apparatus is disclosed that has a convex mirror and a concave mirror with an aperture, wherein, in use, radiation from a radiation emitter passes through the aperture and is incident upon the convex mirror before being incident upon the concave mirror, the optical apparatus arranged to form the radiation into a radiation beam, wherein the concave mirror is translatable towards and away from the convex mirror or the convex mirror is translatable towards and away from the concave mirror, to adjust divergence of the radiation beam. |
| US07817243B2 |
Vibration isolation system
A vibration isolation system isolates a body from its surroundings with respect to vibrations. The vibration isolation system includes active isolator devices that isolate and damp the body in unstable directions. However, such active isolators may exert damping forces not only in the unstable direction, but simultaneously in other stable directions due to mechanical coupling of the stable and unstable directions. As a result the damping and isolation in the other stable directions may be deteriorated due to the active isolation and damping. Employing modal decoupling, i.e. decomposing any vibration into independent directions, and isolating and damping in the independent directions, enables compensation of any vibration in an unstable direction without influencing the isolation and damping performance in any other, possibly stable, direction. |
| US07817240B2 |
Thin film transistor array substrate having particular pixel electrode and patterned upper electrode
A thin film transistor array substrate including a substrate, scan lines, data lines, thin film transistors, pixel electrodes, common lines and a patterned upper electrode is provided. The scan lines and the data lines are disposed over the substrate to define pixel areas. Each thin film transistor is disposed within one of the pixel areas and is driven by one of the scan lines and data lines. Each pixel electrode is disposed within one of the pixel areas and is electrically connected to one of the thin film transistors. Common lines are disposed over the substrate such that a portion area of each pixel electrode is located above one of the common lines. The pattern upper electrode includes sub-upper electrodes disposed between the pixel electrode and the common line. The sub-upper electrodes are electrically connected to the pixel electrodes for coupling with the common lines to form a storage capacitor. |
| US07817239B2 |
Liquid crystal display panel and manufacturing method thereof
An LCD panel including a first substrate, a second substrate, a black matrix, a liquid crystal (LC) layer, first photo spacers and second photo spacers is provided. The first and the second substrates are substantially parallel. The LC layer is disposed between the first and the second substrates. The black matrix disposed on the first substrate surrounds display regions and defines a non-display region. The first photo spacers contact the second substrate and are disposed on the black matrix. The second photo spacers are disposed on the black matrix. Channels are formed between the second photo spacers, such that LC molecules of the LC layer flow between the display regions through the channels. The width of the channels between any two of the adjacent second photo spacers substantially ranges from 2˜10 μm. The dimension of the first photo spacers is substantially greater than that of the second photo spacers. |
| US07817233B2 |
OCB-mode liquid-crystal display device
In an embodiment of the invention for an OCB (Optically Compensated Bend)-mode liquid-crystal display (LCD) device, retardation and/or a predetermined voltage range, from which a voltage applied to pixels in a viewing area is selected, is set for the each pixel or for the pixels in each region of the viewing area such that: the luminance on each pixel monotonously increases or decreases with increase of voltage in the predetermined voltage range; the luminance in central portion of the viewing area becomes minimum at black displaying. |
| US07817231B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and method of fabricating same
A liquid crystal display device is provided that comprises a gate line; a first insulating film on the gate line; a data line crossing the gate line to define a pixel region, the pixel region having a transmissive area and a reflective area; a thin film transistor connected to the gate line and the data line; a pixel electrode formed in the pixel region; a second insulating film on the thin film transistor; a storage capacitor including a storage upper electrode overlapping the gate line; a transmission hole exposing at least a portion of the pixel electrode, and a reflective electrode formed in the reflective area of the pixel region, the reflective electrode connecting the pixel electrode with thin film transistor and the storage upper electrode, wherein the gate line and the pixel electrode include a first transparent conductive layer. |
| US07817228B2 |
Manufacturing method of an LCD comprising a mold and a mask
A manufacturing method of an LCD comprises forming an insulating substrate; forming a gate line extending in a horizontal direction and a data line insulatively crossing the gate line to define a pixel area on the insulating substrate; forming a TFT disposed at an intersection of the gate line and the data line and comprising a drain electrode; forming an organic passivation layer on the TFT; forming a drain contact hole exposing the drain electrode and forming an embossing pattern in the organic passivation layer by disposing and pressurizing a mold having an intaglio pattern corresponding to the pixel area and a projection corresponding to the drain electrode on the organic passivation layer; and forming a pixel electrode connected to the drain electrode through the drain contact hole. |
| US07817226B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device comprises: a first substrate having a first polarization layer on a light incident side; a second substrate having a second polarization layer on a light outgoing side; a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first and the second substrates; a first birefringent film disposed between the first and the second polarization layers; a second birefringent film disposed between the first birefringent film and the second polarization layer; and wherein the liquid crystal layer has a property that a refractive index anisotropy is induced in it by an electric field applied between the pixel electrodes and the common electrode; wherein in-plane retarded phase axes of the first and the second birefringent films form an angle of from 88 degrees to 92 degrees with the first polarization layer; wherein the first birefringent films have Nz coefficients greater than 0.5 and smaller than 0.5, respectively. |
| US07817223B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
The present invention provides a display device of high brightness which can eliminate brightness irregularities on a display surface while preventing the degradation of display quality attributed to an undesired electric field generated at the time of performing inverter driving of the cold cathode fluorescent lamps of a backlight. In a liquid crystal display device, a plurality of cold cathode fluorescent lamps of a backlight unit is arranged along a short axis of the display device. The cold cathode fluorescent lamp has a high-voltage electrode thereof connected to an inverter circuit and a ground electrode thereof connected to a ground. Further, the plurality of cold cathode fluorescent lamps arranged along the short axis have electrodes thereof arranged alternately between the high-voltage electrode and the ground electrode. |
| US07817222B2 |
Display device
A display device includes a display panel, a first printed circuit board, a first flexible printed wiring board connected to the display panel and the first printed circuit board, a second printed circuit board, a second flexible printed wiring board connected to the first printed circuit board and the second printed circuit board, and a frame member on which the first printed circuit board and the second printed circuit board are mounted. The display device also includes a film shaped member which overlaps a surface of the first printed circuit board which faces the frame member and projects from an end portion of the first printed circuit board toward the second printed circuit board along the second flexible printed wiring board. |
| US07817216B2 |
Flat panel display and method for fabricating the same
A flat panel display, having an anti-electrostatic configuration, comprising a plurality of gate lines and data lines formed on an insulating substrate having an emission region and a pad portion, an anti-electrostatic wire initially coupling the gate lines, and an anti-electrostatic circuit coupled to a data line. The anti-electrostatic wire between a gate line and an adjacent gate line is subsequently cut by an opening for cutting the anti-electrostatic wire to electrically isolate the respective gate lines. |
| US07817209B2 |
Video signal processing device and video signal processing method
A buffer delays an input luminance signal by a 1-frame period. A screen unit motion detection section determines whether an image indicated by the input luminance signal is a moving image or a static image by a screen unit, and outputs a gradual determination result from the static image to the moving image. A subtracter outputs a differential signal obtained by subtracting the input luminance signal from the luminance signal delayed by the 1-frame period. A pixel unit motion detector detects motion of a pixel unit and outputs a detection result by using a plurality of level values within a predetermined range. A limiter limits the differential signal in accordance with the determination result of the screen unit motion detector. An adder adds an output signal of the multiplier and the input luminance signal together. |
| US07817208B1 |
Signal processing apparatus and methods
A unified system of programming communication. The system encompasses the prior art (television, radio, broadcast hardcopy, computer communications, etc.) and new user specific mass media. Within the unified system, parallel processing computer systems, each having an input (e.g., 77) controlling a plurality of computers (e.g., 205), generate and output user information at receiver stations. Under broadcast control, local computers (73, 205), combine user information selectively into prior art communications to exhibit personalized mass media programming at video monitors (202), speakers (263), printers (221), etc. At intermediate transmission stations (e.g., cable television stations), signals in network broadcasts and from local inputs (74, 77, 97, 98) cause control processors (71) and computers (73) to selectively automate connection and operation of receivers (53), recorder/players (76), computers (73), generators (82), strippers (81), etc. At receiver stations, signals in received transmissions and from local inputs (225, 218, 22) cause control processors (200) and computers (205) to automate connection and operation of converters (201), tuners (215), decryptors (224), recorder/players (217), computers (205), furnaces (206), etc. Processors (71, 200) meter and monitor availability and usage of programming. |
| US07817206B2 |
Determining a final exposure setting automatically for a solid state camera without a separate light metering circuit
An embodiment of the invention is a method of generating a final exposure setting, including, (a) selecting one of a number of predetermined exposure settings as a current exposure setting for a solid state camera having a camera imager, (b) generating a captured scene by the camera imager using the current exposure setting, (c) selecting according to an automated search methodology another one of the exposure settings to be the current setting in response to the captured scene being underexposed or overexposed, and, (d) repeating (b) and (c) until the captured scene is neither underexposed or overexposed. |
| US07817204B2 |
Optical device module and method for fabricating the same
A solid-state image sensor includes a first image sensing device, a first flexible substrate connected to the first image sensing device, a second solid-state image sensing device, and a second flexible substrate connected to the second solid-state image sensing device. The solid-state image sensing devices are disposed adjacently to each other such that light receiving surfaces are perpendicular to each other. The second solid-state image sensing device directly receives incident light. However, the first solid-state image sensing device receives the incident light reflected by a mirror. Electronic components are mounted on the two flexible substrates. The first flexible substrate is bent at two bending positions to face the second flexible substrate and electrically connected thereto. |
| US07817199B2 |
Photoelectric conversion apparatus, control method thereof, imaging apparatus, and imaging system
Each pixel has a photoelectric conversion unit configured to convert light into electrical charges and to store the electrical charges, an amplifying unit configured to amplify a signal based on the electrical charges stored in the photoelectric conversion unit and to output the signal to an output line, and a reset unit configured to reset a input part of the amplifying unit. A clip unit, which is configured to limit an electric voltage of the output line, includes an amplifying circuitry for amplifying a signal based on the electric voltage of the output line and an MOS transistor for limiting the electric voltage of the output line based on the difference in electric potential between the gate and source. The clip unit controls the electric potential of the gate of the MOS transistor by the amplifying circuitry. |
| US07817195B2 |
Apparatus and method for automatic conversion to digital zoom mode
An apparatus and method of automatic conversion to a digital zoom mode allow a digital zoom to be executed by automatically converting from a high-resolution mode that does not support a digital zoom to a highest resolution mode supporting the digital zoom when a digital zoom key is pushed. The apparatus includes a key pad having a digital zoom key, a video processing unit for processing video data from the camera unit to determine a resolution and execute a digital zoom function, and a control unit for controlling the video processing unit to convert a resolution mode that does not support the digital zoom function to a highest resolution mode among resolution modes supporting the digital zoom function and execute the digital zoom function when the digital zoom key is pressed in the resolution mode that does not support the digital zoom function. |
| US07817193B2 |
Image pickup apparatus and image pickup method to display or record images picked up at high rate in real time
An image pickup apparatus includes an image pickup device generating image signals of picked up images; a converting unit converting the image signals generated by the image pickup device to digital image signals; a memory storing the image signals obtained by the converting unit; and a memory control unit controlling writing the image signals in the memory and reading the image signals from the memory. The memory control unit assigns bands of the memory in order to simultaneously perform writing image signals in the memory and reading the image signals from the memory for displaying picked up images and/or reading the image signals from the memory for recording picked up images at different frame rates. |
| US07817192B2 |
Image-taking apparatus capable of saving image data files in folder on recording medium
An image-taking apparatus preferable for saving image data in folders as desired by a user for each scene or date of image-taking is disclosed. The image-taking apparatus of the present invention comprises an image processing circuit which creates image data files based on output from an image-pickup device, and a filing system which saves created image data files in a folder created on a recording medium with a different file number assigned to each image data file and performs a numbering process in which it assigns file numbers sequentially from an initial number. The filing system creates a new folder on the recording medium in accordance with operation of an operating member by a user and starts the numbering process on image data files to be saved in the new folder from the initial number. |
| US07817186B2 |
Camera and image processing method for synthesizing plural images forming one image group to generate a synthesized image
A camera includes an image taking system for taking plural images to be synthesized into a first image for recording use, and an image generator for generating a second image for display use by image-processing a specific image among the plural images. |
| US07817184B1 |
Methods and apparatus to test receivers
Methods of testing receiver video fidelity are disclosed. One example method includes producing a video test signal; coupling the video test signal into an input of the receiver, wherein the video test signal is configured to cause a decoder to output a step function signal upon processing the video test signal; coupling the step function signal to a display rate converter; and measuring signal characteristics of signals provided at a receiver output. |
| US07817183B2 |
Detection device to be installed on a road for detecting environmental conditions and monitoring and controlling traffic
A system with a multifunctional integrated visual sensor using a CMOS or CCD technology matrix having a sensitive area divided into Sub-areas dedicated to a series of specific functions. |
| US07817173B2 |
Adjustable display for a data processing apparatus
A data processing apparatus is described comprising: a body having a surface defining a first plane, the body comprising a first group of control elements and a second group of control elements for entering data and performing control operations; a display having a display area defining a second plane, the display coupled to the data processing apparatus at a pivot point and rotatable around the pivot point from a first position to a second position, wherein the display is viewable in both the first position and the second position and wherein both the first and second groups of control elements are exposed when the display is in the second position, and wherein only the second group of control elements are exposed when the display is in the first position, wherein the first plane and the second plane are substantially parallel when the display is in the first position, and wherein the first plane and the second plane are not parallel when the display is in the second position. |
| US07817167B2 |
Method and apparatus for processing information
An information processing method of adjusting the position/orientation of a virtual object combined with a physical object includes steps of: acquiring position information of a virtual index defined on the virtual object; informing a user of the position of the virtual index; acquiring position information of a physical index on the physical object corresponding to the virtual index based on the position information of a pointing unit operated by the user; and defining position/orientation information of the virtual object based on the position information of the virtual index and the position information of the physical index. |
| US07817164B2 |
Image editing device and method thereof
Systems and methods for adding to or deleting from an attention region in a medical image using a drawn curved line depending on the positions of the end points of the line using computer processing and user interface. |
| US07817161B2 |
Texture synthesis using dimensionality-reduced appearance space
A dimensionality-reduced appearance space system and method that transforms an exemplar image from a traditional three-dimensional space of pixel colors to a low-dimensional Euclidean space of appearance vectors. The transformation of an exemplar is a preprocessing step, and the transformed exemplar becomes the starting point for high-quality texture synthesis. The exemplar transformation begins by computing a high-dimensional appearance vector using one or a combination of several attribute channels. These attribute channels provide additional information to further distinguish exemplar pixels from each other. These attribute channels includes spatial pixel neighborhoods, feature distance, and radiance transfer information. Dimensionality reduction is applied to the resulting high-dimensional appearance vector to generate the transformed exemplar in low-dimensional Euclidean appearance space. Because much of the information contained in the high-dimensional appearance vector is redundant or coherent, dimensionality reduction can be applied to drastically reduce the dimensionality of the appearance vector with little loss of information. |
| US07817156B2 |
Image transfer using drawing command hooking
A hook processing module 400 hooks and preempts a specific drawing command issued by an application program 122, and draws an image in an image data storage area 106b within the RAM 106 according to the acquired drawing command. VNC server 130 acquires the image from the image data storage area 106b, and transfers the acquired image to a projector via a network. |
| US07817152B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and image processing program
A image processing apparatus has a first data generation unit which generates triangular data by making straight line contours and curved contours triangles by analyzing the straight line contours and the curved contours with respect to vector format graphic data, a second data generation unit which generates stencil data from the triangular data, and a third data generation unit which generates raster format graphic data with reference to the stencil data. |
| US07817148B2 |
Voltage generating system
A voltage generating system has a first voltage generating device for generating a plurality of voltages between a maximum voltage and a minimum voltage as a first set of voltages, and a second voltage generating device for generating a plurality of voltages between the maximum voltage and the minimum voltage as a second set of voltages, the second set of voltages being different from the first set of voltages. The first voltage generating device generates the maximum voltage, and supplies the first set of voltages and the maximum voltage to the second voltage generating device. The second voltage generating device generates the minimum voltage, and supplies the second set of voltages and the minimum voltage to the first voltage generating device. The first and second voltage generating devices each select a voltage from the first and second sets of voltages, and output the selected voltage. |
| US07817145B2 |
Method and system for performing scrolling by movement of a pointing object in a curvilinear path on a touchpad
A method of moving an object in a generally circular manner on the surface of a touchpad and causing a list to be scrolled as long as the object is moving, wherein a method is provided for activating a scrolling function, wherein a method is provided for determining what direction scrolling should occur based upon a direction of movement when scrolling is engaged, and wherein the direction of scrolling is only changed by an abrupt change in direction of the object. |
| US07817144B2 |
Information input display apparatus, information processing method and computer program
An information input display apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes: an information display unit formed with a flexible material; an information input unit provided at a back of the information display unit and including keys onto which input of data is performed with a pressing-down process involving a deformation of the information display unit; and a control unit adapted to perform control processing of display information supplied to the information display unit, and key setting processing such that a key of the information input unit at a position corresponding to a data input portion contained in the display information is set as an information input key corresponding to the displayed data input portion. |
| US07817139B2 |
Membrane switch, keyboard, and electronic apparatus having keyboard
According to one embodiment, a membrane switch includes an insulating sheet provided with a first sheet portion having a first contact, a second sheet portion having a second contact, and a fold-back portion having a fold line. The fold-back portion has a conductor pattern which crosses the fold line. A gap in which the conductor pattern is to be situated is defined inside the fold-back portion by folding the fold-back portion of the insulating sheet along the fold line so that the first contact and the second contact face each other. The gap is filled with an adhesive having electrical insulating properties and water-repellent properties. The adhesive covers the conductor pattern. |
| US07817137B2 |
Computer mouse with a sliding cover
A computer mouse includes a sliding cover and a control platform. The sliding cover is disposed on the top surface of the computer mouse, and the control platform is disposed under the sliding cover. Several control keys are provided on the control platform. Two rails are provided on the sliding cover and two grooves are provided on the computer mouse so that the sliding cover may be slid downwards. When the sliding cover is slid downwards, the control keys may be automatically activated. When the sliding cover is closed, the computer mouse looks like a regular computer mouse; when the sliding cover is opened, the control keys may be automatically activated and a user may access the control keys. |
| US07817133B2 |
Electrophoretic display panel
The electrophoretic display panel (1) for displaying a picture and a subsequent picture has drive means (100) which are able to control for each pixel (2) the potential difference to have a picture value to provide the pixels (2) with a respective picture appearance being either extreme or intermediate, subsequently to have an inter-picture value to provide the pixels (2) with a respective inter-picture appearance, and subsequently to have a subsequent picture value. For the display panel (1) to be able to provide the pixels (2) with the inter-picture appearances which are in general relatively little visible, the drive means (100) are able to control for each pixel (2) an estimate potential difference as the inter-picture value to provide the pixels (2) with a respective estimate picture appearance as the inter-picture appearance. |
| US07817122B2 |
Driving method of in-plane-switching mode LCD
A method of driving an IPS mode LCD includes applying a common voltage to a common electrode of the LCD panel, the LCD panel including a liquid crystal (LC) cell and driving the LC cell to express light at a predetermined brightness level associated with a predetermined data signal voltage applied to a pixel electrode, the driving including applying a compensation voltage to the LC cell prior to applying the predetermined data signal voltage, wherein a voltage difference between a previously applied data signal voltage and the compensation voltage is greater than a voltage difference between a previously applied data signal voltage and the predetermined data signal voltage. |
| US07817121B2 |
Active matrix electroluminescent display devices, and their manufacture
Physical barriers (210) are present between neighbouring pixels (200) on a circuit substrate (100) of an active-matrix electroluminescent display device, particularly with LEDs (25) of organic semiconductor materials. The invention forms these barriers (210) with metal or other electrically-conductive material (240) that serves as an interconnection between a first circuit element (21, 4, 5, 6, 140, 150, 160, T1, T2, Tm, Tg, Ch) of the circuit substrate and a second circuit element (400, 400s, 23), for example, a sensor (400s) of a sensor array supported over the pixel array. The conductive barrier material (240) is insulated (40) at the sides of the barriers adjacent to the LEDs and has an un-insulated top connection area (240t) at which the second circuit element is connected to the conductive barrier material (240). |
| US07817117B2 |
Semiconductor device, display device, and electronic device
A pixel includes a load, a transistor which controls a current supplied to the load, a storage capacitor, and first to fourth switches. By inputting a potential in accordance with a video signal into the pixel after the threshold voltage of the transistor is held in the storage capacitor, and holding a voltage of the sum of the threshold voltage and the potential, variations of a current value caused by variations of threshold voltage of a transistor can be suppressed. Consequently, a predetermined current can be supplied to the load such as a light-emitting element. Further, by changing the potential of a power supply line, a display device with a high duty ratio can be provided. |
| US07817115B2 |
Image display apparatus
An image display apparatus includes a plurality of display devices, a member arranged in the vicinity of the display devices, and a driving circuit to which an image signal corresponding to a quantity of light emitted from the light emitting region is inputted and which outputs a drive signal for driving the display devices. The driving circuit includes a correction circuit for correcting the image signal, with the drive circuit outputting the drive signal according to the corrected image signal. When the plurality of display devices is driven in accordance with the drive signal, a quantity of light emitted from a predetermined light emitting region correlating to a predetermined display device in the plurality of display devices is influenced by driving an adjacent display device and by the member. In a case where a first image signal as the image signal is inputted to the driving circuit within a first frame period, and a second image signal as the image signal is inputted to the driving circuit within a second frame period other than the first frame period, and the driving circuit outputs the drive signal corresponding to the second image signal, the correction circuit obtains a correction value to compensate for the influence caused by driving the plurality of display devices according to the drive signal corresponding to the first image signal, based on the first image signal, and the correction circuit corrects the second image signal based on the correction value and the second image signal. |
| US07817114B2 |
Driver with driving current interruption
A display apparatus includes a plurality of pixel circuits, wherein each of the pixel circuits comprises a light emitting element, a drive transistor for supplying the light emitting element with a current, as a driving current, of a quantity corresponding to a potential between a gate and a source of the drive transistor, a first switch for controlling a flow of the current supplied to the light emitting element, a second switch for switching between a first state of setting the potential between the gate and the source of the drive transistor and a second state of holding the potential between the gate and the source of the drive transistor, and a circuit for supplying the first switch with a signal for switching a state of controlling the flowing of the current of the driving current. In addition, a circuit supplies the second switch with a signal for switching the second switch between the first and second states, and a circuit sets the potential between the gate and the source of the driving transistor at a potential to flow the driving current so as to set the light emitting element at a low level driving state, at a time of starting a power source or a waiting state of the power source, and under a state that the first switch suppresses the flowing of the driving current and the second switch is at the first state. |
| US07817113B2 |
Method for driving a gas electric discharge device
A method for driving a plasma display panel having at least first electrodes and second electrodes which cause discharge in cells is provided. The method includes applying a first pulse and a second pulse to the second electrode in an address preparation period. The method also includes applying a scan pulse to the second pulse to the second electrode in an address period. The method includes the first pulse having a voltage changing with time in a positive direction and the second pulse having a voltage changing with time in a negative direction and the scan pulse having a negative voltage which is lower than the attained voltage of the second pulse. |
| US07817112B2 |
Method of driving plasma display panel and apparatus thereof
Disclosed is a method of driving a plasma display panel and apparatus thereof enabling to minimize power consumption for driving the plasma display panel. 1. The present invention includes the steps of generating a reset discharge by supplying ramp waves so as to equalize cells in the plasma display panel in a reset period, supplying selected specific ones of the cells with a scan voltage pulse swinging between a lowest voltage levels of the reset discharge and a data pulse of a voltage level lowered as much as a negative voltage level of the scan voltage pulse, generating an address discharge by the scan voltage pulse and data pulse applied to the selected cells in an address period, and maintaining the address discharge for a sustain period. |
| US07817109B2 |
Plasma display apparatus
A plasma display panel includes discharges cells that are driven based on unit frames, each of which are partitioned into a plurality of sub-fields. When random noise is present in a unit frame, the number of sub-fields is reduced, to thereby mitigate the effects of the noise. |
| US07817108B2 |
Plasma display having electrodes provided at the scan lines
A plasma display for causing a stable discharge at all lines and eliminating a side abnormal discharge is disclosed. In the plasma display, a width of at least one of electrodes at a first scan line selected firstly of scan lines is different from a width of electrodes provided at other scan lines excluding the first scan line. |
| US07817103B2 |
Dual-band multi-pitch parasitic half-wave (MPPH) antenna
A dual band multi-pitch helical antenna (101) includes a first section (201) positioned adjacent to the feed point having a widely spaced pitch. A second section (203) is attached to the first section (201) having a narrowly spaced pitch. A third section (205) is attached to the second section (203) having a widely spaced pitch, while a fourth section (207) is attached to the third section (205) having a narrowly spaced pitch. The antenna further includes a parasitic element (213a/213b) that is positioned adjacent to each of the first section (201), second section (203), third section (205), and fourth section (207) for enhancing broad-band antenna performance. A matching network (216) is connected between an antenna feed point and the first section (201) for matching the dual band multi-pitch helical antenna to a predetermined feed point impedance such that the antenna is resonant in at least two frequency bands. |
| US07817101B2 |
Dual polarized multifilar antenna
Various embodiments are described of an antenna including a common ground plane, a first set of N approximately resonant elements with a length I2 and a second set of M approximately resonant elements with a length I1. The first set of N approximately resonant elements are wound to form a first helix with an initial diameter d2 and a height h2. The second set of M approximately resonant elements are wound in the opposite direction to the first set of N approximately resonant elements to form a second helix. The second helix is centrally disposed within the first helix, and d1 is less than d2 and h1 is greater than h2. |
| US07817096B2 |
Cellular antenna and systems and methods therefor
Multi-array antennas providing dual electrical azimuth beam steering, combined mechanical and electrical azimuth steering, independent mechanical column steering and dual mechanical steering. Systems incorporating such antennas and methods of controlling them are also provided. |
| US07817091B2 |
Single input multiple output (SIMO) ranging and positioning systems
A method estimates a delay in a time of arrival (TOA) of a transmitted signal by receiving the transmitted signal at multiple antennas via corresponding channels. Each received signal is correlated with the transmitted signal to obtain estimated channel coefficients and an estimated TOA. A variance of noise is also obtained for each received signal. A weight is determined for each received signal by dividing the channel coefficients by the variance of the noise. The weights are summed, and each weight is multiplied by the estimated TOA to produce a weighted estimated TOA, which are also summed. The summed weighted estimated TOA are divided by the summed weights to determine a final TOA estimate with respect to the transmitted signal. |
| US07817090B2 |
Apparatus for transmitting positioning signal, positioning system including the apparatus, and system for transmitting positioning signal
An apparatus that can transmit a signal enabling higher accuracy of calculating positional information is provided. A transmitting apparatus transmitting a positioning signal includes an oven controller crystal oscillator (OCXO) having a thermostatic oven that keeps the temperature of a quartz resonator constant and oscillates such that variation in output frequency caused by the ambient temperature change is minimized, a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) outputting a signal modulated in accordance with the signal from OCXO, multipliers, a code generator outputting code patterns for respectively identifying each of artificial satellites on which the transmitting apparatus is mounted to multiplier, a memory storing a navigation message, a transmitting portion, and an antenna. |
| US07817087B2 |
Method and apparatus for relative navigation using reflected GPS signals
A method and system to passively navigate an orbiting moving body towards an orbiting target using reflected GPS signals. A pair of antennas is employed to receive both direct signals from a plurality of GPS satellites and a second antenna to receive GPS signals reflected off an orbiting target. The direct and reflected signals are processed and compared to determine the relative distance and position of the orbiting moving body relative to the orbiting target. |
| US07817085B2 |
Position privacy in an electronic device
A privacy enhancement device for electronic device such as a cellular telephone. The privacy enhancement device may include a jammer which may produces false information, e.g. false information indicative of pseudo ranges. In addition, the navigation information used on the position detecting device may be locally stored versions of dynamically changing information. The navigation operation may be carried out using a Web service. |
| US07817083B2 |
Adaptive moving target indicator (MTI) clutter rejection filter for radar systems
Apparatus for providing moving target indicator (MTI) filtering in the presence of clutter for a radar receiver employing digital pulse compression to provide at an output a compressed digital pulse for application to the input of a MTI digital filter, including a digital adaptive filter of the same weight as the MTI filter and operative to receive the compressed pulse to provide at outputs of the filter a set of weighted filter coefficients, wherein the weighted coefficients are applied to the MTI filter during a predetermined clutter mode. |
| US07817082B2 |
Multi frequency spectral imaging radar system and method of target classification
Techniques to image life forms through obstructions and at long standoff ranges employ a radar system that simultaneously transmits a plurality of RF pulse trains having different transmission frequencies and receives returns of the RF pulse trains reflected from a life form target. The returns are processed to generate digital radar data associated with the transmission frequency of each RF pulse train. The digital radar data is segmented and averaged to generate a Doppler spectrum response associated with the transmission frequency of each RF pulse train. Target classification is performed using the Doppler spectrum responses to extract biometric data describing the life form target. |
| US07817080B2 |
Ranging and communication multifunction system
A ranging and communication multifunction system including a transmission unit and a receiving unit, and integrates two functions of ranging and communication in which the transmission unit includes a transmission circuit, a carrier wave modification device, and a transmission antenna. The receiving unit includes a receiving circuit, a wave detector, a low noise amplifier, and a receiving antenna, and a data modulation performed in the transmission circuit uses a PPM system. Thus, the receiving circuit provides a ranging circuit and a communication separately, so that the demodulation processing of ranging and communication can be performed in parallel. |
| US07817079B1 |
System and method for collection of global AIS and radar track information
Methods and apparatuses are described that enable the automatic collection of maritime vessel location information within a global or regional framework by using a minimum network of vessels outfitted with non-intrusive AIS data collection systems. The network of vessels may comprise standard ships operating within their normal commercial or private tasks. By utilizing these non-specially tasked vessels and augmenting the received AIS reports with onboard radar/navigation information, accurate global or regional tracking information can be generated at a centralized location without incurring large costs. |
| US07817078B2 |
Systems and methods for supplemental weather information presentation on a display
An embodiment of the supplemental weather display system presents supplemental weather information on a display in a craft. An exemplary embodiment receives the supplemental weather information from a remote source, determines a location of the supplemental weather information relative to the craft, receives weather information from an on-board radar system, and integrates the supplemental weather information with the weather information received from the on-board radar system. |
| US07817077B2 |
Differential comparator, and pipeline type A/D converter equipped with the same
In some examples, a differential comparator includes a differential amplifier configured to output differential output signals, a first switch portion configured to input the differential output signals from the differential amplifier and output the differential output signals from output terminals while alternatively changing over the output terminals, a latch portion configured to update and latch the differential output signals from the output terminals of the first switch portion, and a second switch portion configured to input output signals from the latch portion and output the latched output signals. The first switch portion and the second switch portion are changed over complementarily so that the differential output signals from the differential amplifier are always outputted from the same first and second output terminals of the second switch portion respectively. |
| US07817074B2 |
D/A converter
A D/A converter (100) includes a delta-sigma modulation circuit (102) including a quantizer (105) that receives a digital signal to quantize it based on a quantization reference value, a local D/A conversion circuit (107) for converting an output from the delta-sigma modulating circuit to an analog signal to be outputted, and a control circuit (109) for correcting the quantization reference value of the quantizer. The quantization reference value is established for each of a plurality of discrete output values that the quantizer may output. The control circuit (109) corrects the quantization reference value to cancel any distortion that would occur in a circuit, following the delta-sigma modulation circuit (102) and including the local D/A conversion circuit (107). |
| US07817061B2 |
Telemetry transmitter optimization using time domain reflectometry
A method for enhancing downhole telemetry performance comprising enhancing a signal in order to offset signal-to-noise ratio reduction with increasing measured depth, wherein the signal is modified at specified measured depths which are inferred from acoustic wave velocity determination. |
| US07817059B2 |
Apparatus for producing an electric signal provided with luminous means characterizing said signal
The invention relates to a device supplying an electrical signal for which a characteristic, for example, the voltage is adjustable. The device has a connector at one end of a cable to supply this signal to another electrical device. This connector comprises a transmission means of a light signal for which a visible characteristic depends upon the electrical signal produced. One improvement consists in the light signal coming from a source of white light that is colour modulated by filters. These filters are mechanically integrated into a mobile part belonging to the adjustment means of the signal supplied. The invention also relates to a system comprising the device supplying the signal and the device to be connected, the latter device features a mark identifying the light signal compatible with the electrical signal to receive. |
| US07817057B2 |
Wrist strap monitor remote alarm panel display
The present invention provides a remote alarm panel display for monitoring wrist-strap cords used by an operator to install components during the manufacturing of hard disk drives in order to provide grounding to the operator as the operator handles electrically sensitive components and also to provide mobility to the operator within the assembly floor. In one embodiment, the remote alarm panel display comprises a plurality of alarm indicators which are activated when a corresponding wrist strap is disconnected from a wrist strap monitoring device connected to the remote alarm panel display. In one embodiment the alarm indicators are light emitting diodes. |
| US07817056B2 |
Device and method for differentiating between a person and an object on a motor vehicle seat using multiple sensors
A device and a method for differentiating between a person sitting on the seat surface of a vehicle seat and an object such as, for example, a child seat. The device has a cushion provided with weight sensors which are distributed over the seat surface in a plane manner, first weight sensors being arranged in a central region and second weight sensors being arranged on the edge of the seat surface. At least one central weight sensor is differentiated from a plurality of second weight sensors on the edge of the seat surface in that it always emits a comparatively low sensor signal when subjected to the same weight load. |
| US07817055B1 |
Boat power isolator adapter
A galvanic ground isolator adapter protects against galvanic corrosion on a boat when a boat power system is connected to a shore power system. A ground isolation assembly in the ground connection between the two system grounds prevents current from passing between the two system grounds when the voltage difference between the two is low. When the voltage difference exceeds a preset value, the ground connection is established. The adapter is entirely contained within a rigid housing with a male plug at one end and a female socket at the other end. In this form it can be simply connected to a power cord that is normally used in connecting the shore and boat power systems. It may be provided with a locking mechanism that prevents it being removed once it is attached. It may be supplied with a sonic alarm to indicate when current is flowing in the ground connection. |
| US07817054B2 |
Method of controlling operations and electronic device implementing the same
An electronic device having several alarm functions checks to see if a first alarm type can be executed at a preset time, and if not, executes a second alarm type. The alarm types may be playing a received broadcast, playing a stored multimedia file, sounding a tone, or vibrating. If playing a received broadcast is selected as the first alarm type and playing an MP3 file is selected as the second alarm type, and when at the preset time, the broadcast cannot be received, then the MP3 file will be played. |
| US07817053B2 |
Rechargeable electric tool
A rechargeable electric tool includes a warning device which monitors a voltage of a power source battery and indicates a warning by means of an LED or a buzzer when the power source voltage is reduced to be equal to or lower than a reference voltage. The tool is configured such that, even when the warning is indicated, a control to interrupt a power supply to a motor is not performed, thereby enabling a usual operation in response to an activating operation on a trigger switch. |
| US07817052B2 |
Printed circuit adapted to detecting accidental heating
The invention relates to a printed circuit (10) comprising a support (12) that is insulating under normal conditions of operation of the printed circuit (10). The printed circuit (1) carries at least one component (14) that is capable of accidentally causing undesirable heating of a sensitive zone (Z) of the support (12). For this purpose, the printed circuit (10) further includes a detector for detecting heating of the sensitive zone (Z). The detector comprises a device (26) that are sensitive to the increase in the conductivity of the support (12) with temperature. |
| US07817042B2 |
RFID tag management and operation
In an example embodiment, an apparatus such as an RFID tag, is configured to operate in a first mode that allows the tag to associate with the network and receive configuration data and to operate in a second mode wherein the apparatus is not associated with the network. The apparatus sends announcement packets while in the second mode in accordance with the configuration data received while in the first mode of operation. |
| US07817038B2 |
Object detection framework for set of related objects
An object detection framework enables the definition of a set of related physical objects, and provides a corresponding ability to detect when one or more of the objects disassociates from the set. Object relationships within a set can be defined, and disassociation is detected when one or more of the object relationships no longer holds true, such as when one of the objects is no longer within a threshold proximity of the other objects of the set. Then, one or more responses, such as an alert, are automatically initiated in response to the disassociation. In various non-limiting implementations of the framework, each object of a related set is provisioned with the ability to any one or more of emit, detect and/or transmit detection information, process and/or store detection information, or initiate response(s) to detection information. |
| US07817035B2 |
System and method for effectively determining a physical location of a remote control device
A system and method for effectively determining a current physical location of a remote control device includes a television device that is configured to receive television control information over an RC-TV communications link. The remote control device transmits the device control information over the RC-device communications link for controlling various functions of the television device. In situations in which the current physical location of the remote control device is unknown, a system user may initiate a location search procedure with a search trigger event to locate the remote control device. The remote control device then generates one or more location indicators in response to the search trigger event to thereby facilitate determining the current physical location of the remote control device. |