| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US07975316B2 |
Atomic force microscope and interaction force measurement method using atomic force microscope
A frequency shift Δf obtained by an FM-AFM can be expressed by a simple linear coupling of a ΔfLR derived from a long-range interaction force and a ΔfSR derived from a short-range interaction force. Given this factor, a Δf curve on an atomic defect and a Δf curve on a target atom on the sample surface are each measured for only a relatively short range scale (S1 and S2), and a difference Δf curve of those two curves is obtained (S3). Since the difference Δf curve is derived only from a short-range interaction force, a known conversion operation is applied to this curve obtain an F curve which illustrates the relationship between the force and the distance Z, and then the short-range interaction force on the target atom is obtained from the F curve (S4). Since the range scale in measuring the Δf curve can be narrowed, the measurement time can be shortened, and since the conversion from the Δf curve into F curve is required only once, the computational time can also be shortened. Consequently, in obtaining the short-range interaction force which acts between the atom on the sample surface and the probe, the time required for the Δf curve's measurement and the computational time are shortened, which leads to accuracy improvement and throughput enhancement. |
| US07975315B2 |
Atomic force microscope
There is provided an atomic force microscope (AFM) with increase the speed and sensitivity of detection of the resonant frequency shift in a cantilever. An AFM (1) extracts a reference signal and a phase shift signal from a detection signal from a displacement sensor of the cantilever. The reference signal is restrained from a phase change in accordance with the resonant frequency shift. The phase shift signal has a phase shifted in accordance with the resonant frequency shift. The AFM (1) determines the phase difference of the phase shift signal from the reference signal, as the resonant frequency shift. The AFM (1) may detect the phase difference between a plus-minus inversion point on the reference signal and a corresponding plus-minus inversion point on the phase shift signal. The AFM (1) may adjust phase before phase detection. The phase adjustment may move the detection point for the resonant frequency shift defined on the oscillation waveforms to the plus-minus inversion point. The detection point is set at a position where the cantilever and a sample are closest to each other on the oscillation waveform. |
| US07975312B2 |
Token passing technique for media playback devices
A digital rights management (DRM) system for distribution of digital content such as audio or video uses a token passing scheme to enhance security of the content from unauthorized access and use, including access by unauthorized players. The token is requested from the central content or DRM server by a host device such as a user's computer, using security related information. The token is then passed to a media player associated with the host device, the token being encrypted using a key special to that particular player. Upon receipt of the token, the player transmits back to the server certain related security information confirming receipt of the token and in return receives keys for decryption of the associated digital content. In the absence of proper passing of the token, player access to the content, or further access to other content, is denied. This also allows the player to communicate directly with the server for obtaining the keys. |
| US07975311B2 |
Media device access control mechanism
Invention embodiments are concerned with the problem of controlling access to a media storage device in response to, e.g., employees leaving or changing jobs. More specifically, embodiments provide a method of controlling access to a media storage device storing a plurality of media objects. Thus embodiments of the invention solve the afore-mentioned problem by providing a mechanism for updating the list of recipients based on data received from a user identification system after the media storage device has been dispatched. |
| US07975307B2 |
Securing proprietary functions from scan access
An electronic device as described herein implements a scheme to secure a data mapping function from scan access. The protection scheme can be used as a security measure for proprietary lookup tables, secret constants, digitally implemented algorithms, and the like. The electronic device employs a reconfigurable data mapping arrangement that can be reconfigured for a normal operating mode and a scan testing mode. While in the normal operating mode, a normal data mapping arrangement generates valid output data in accordance with the data mapping function. While in the scanning mode, however, a scanning data mapping arrangement generates invalid but testable output data in accordance with a data masking function that conceals, hides, masks, or obfuscates the data mapping function. Using the data masking function in this manner protects the data mapping function against reverse engineering attacks that attempt to derive the data mapping function from scan testing results. |
| US07975306B2 |
Apparatus and method for monitoring secure software
A computer readable medium includes executable instructions to analyze program instructions for security vulnerabilities. The executable instructions perform a security audit of program instructions. Based upon the security audit, sensors are inserted into the program instructions. The program instructions are executable and the sensors generate a stream of security events. The stream of security events is monitored and security performance results are reported. |
| US07975305B2 |
Method and system for adaptive rule-based content scanners for desktop computers
A security system for scanning content within a computer, including a network interface, housed within a computer, for receiving content from the Internet on its destination to an Internet application running on the computer, a database of rules corresponding to computer exploits, stored within the computer, a rule-based content scanner that communicates with said database of rules, for scanning content to recognize the presence of potential exploits therewithin, a network traffic probe, operatively coupled to the network interface and to the rule-based content scanner, for selectively diverting content from its intended destination to the rule-based content scanner, and a rule update manager that communicates with said database of rules, for updating said database of rules periodically to incorporate new rules that are made available. A method and a computer readable storage medium are also described and claimed. |
| US07975298B1 |
System, method and computer program product for remote rootkit detection
A security system may detect a rootkit by detecting a filesystem configuration of the first system and comparing the filesystem configuration to a known valid filesystem configuration of a second system. The known valid filesystem configuration may be the filesystem configuration of a protected second system, or may be stored in a protected area of the second system. The first and second system may be part of a single device. The filesystem configuration of the first system and the known valid filesystem configuration are compared and differences are analyzed to determine if they are indicative of a rootkit. If a rootkit is detected, some embodiments may provide tools to clean, delete, or quarantine the rootkit. The second system may be provided by a security provider. |
| US07975292B2 |
Secure password reset for application
A method of controlling access to an interaction context of an application, including receiving login requests pertaining to an access account, each login request including a login password to be matched against an access password associated with the access account. A database includes at least one account record including a password state field indicating whether the access password is a temporary password or a permanent password and a security hold field indicating whether a security hold has been placed on the access account by an administrator. Access is denied upon receipt of a login request when the login password fails to match the access password. Access is denied upon receipt of a login request when the login password matches the access password, the password state field indicates that the access password is a permanent password, and the security hold field indicates that there is a security hold on the access account. Access is granted upon receipt of a login request when the login password matches the access password, the password state field indicates that the access password is a permanent password, and the security hold field indicates that there is no security hold on the access account. The method includes granting access which is limited to permitting changing of the access password and prompting a change of the access password upon receipt of a login request when the login password matches the access password and the access password is a temporary password. |
| US07975286B1 |
Method and apparatus for evaluating assets for compliance to a security policy
A method and apparatus for evaluating one or more assets for compliance to at least one network security policy are disclosed. For example, the method receives a request for evaluating at least one asset for compliance to at least one security policy. The method then performs an evaluation of compliance on the at least one asset to determine compliance of the at least one asset to the at least one security policy. The method then records a result of the evaluation of compliance into a database. Finally, the method tracks the at least one asset that has been deemed to be non-compliant to the at least one security policy over a period of time. |
| US07975284B2 |
Image capturing system, image capturing apparatus, and image capturing method
An image capturing apparatus is configured so that optimal one of usable position detecting sensors is selected. Specifically, among a plurality of position detecting sensors usable by the image capturing apparatus, e.g., a GPS, a direction sensor, an acceleration sensor, and a velocity sensor, the GPS detects position information at a position where GPS signals can be received, whereas another of the sensors detects position information at a position where GPS signals cannot be received, in accordance with an environment where an image is captured. The position information detected by the optimal sensor is added to an image captured by a camera in a specified form and is displayed or stored. |
| US07975280B2 |
Method and apparatus for performing impulse authorizations within a video on demand environment
A conditional access control apparatus for inserting descrambling messages and impulse authorizations to enable requesting subscribers to utilize requested scrambled content. The apparatus includes a content and asset storage module for storing content and assets, and a pre-encryption module for encrypting content to be stored in said content device. A transport processor inserts stored content into a forward application transport channel (FATC), and a controller interacts with a requesting subscriber and inserts into the FATC descrambling messages and impulse authorizations enabling the requesting subscriber to utilize requested scrambled content. |
| US07975275B2 |
Object lens actuator and disc drive using the same
The present invention has an object to provide an object lens actuator that reduces the amplitude of vibration of an object lens related to a torsional vibration of a lens holder and to enable a disc drive using the same to record information on a disc at high speeds. The above object has been achieved by placing the thickest one of the four walls, which are in an envelope of two opening portions provided in the lens holder and which are perpendicular to a flat plate between the two opening portions, in a position which is opposite to the object lens with respect to the center line between a first support member and a second support member which resiliently support the lens holder therebetween and which is opposite to the object lens with respect to the flat plate. |
| US07975274B2 |
Optical disc loading apparatus of optical disc player capable of loading discs of different sizes
A disc loading apparatus of an optical disc player includes components of a loading mechanism interacting with each other and steadily performing multiple functions such that reliability of loading/unloading of an optical disc enhanced and the number of components is reduced. The disc loading apparatus includes a main frame having a loading motor loading optical discs of different sizes to a chucking position, a base plate, a guide lever guiding the optical discs to the chucking position, a locking lever selectively locking/releasing the guide lever according to the disc loading position, a slider reciprocating in the loading/unloading directions of the optical disc and selectively receiving a driving force of the loading motor according to the traveling positions, and a connector rotating and translating to move in association with the guide lever, the slider, and the locking lever. The connector transfers the movement of the guide lever to the slider. |
| US07975272B2 |
Thread queuing method and apparatus
In some embodiments, a method includes receiving a request to generate a thread and supplying a request to a queue in response at least to the received request. The method may further include fetching a plurality of instructions in response at least in part to the request supplied to the queue and executing at least one of the plurality of instructions. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a storage medium having stored therein instructions that when executed by a machine result in the method. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes circuitry to receive a request to generate a thread and to queue a request to generate a thread in response at least to the received request. In some embodiments, a system includes circuitry to receive a request to generate a thread and to queue a request to generate a thread in response at least to the received request, and a memory unit to store at least one instruction for the thread. |
| US07975270B2 |
Facilitating allocation of resources in a heterogeneous computing environment
Allocation of resources in a heterogeneous computing environment is facilitated. A resource manager of the heterogeneous computing environment obtains information that describes which nodes of the heterogeneous computing environment are capable of supporting additional operating systems and platforms over and above their native operating systems and platforms. This information is then used by the resource manager in allocating resources to satisfy a particular job. |
| US07975265B2 |
System and method for providing installation support to a user
A system and method are disclosed for providing installation support to a user of a computer system. A method incorporating teachings of the present disclosure may include launching an installation tool in connection with installation of a peripheral driver. The tool may have capabilities that include, for example, capturing an install status at a plurality of predefined points in an install routine. During installation, an error may be detected at one of the predefined points and a diagnostic routine may be launched in response. The method may also include considering an accounting of the captured install states and using this information to help generate an action script crafted to resolve the detected install error. |
| US07975264B2 |
Deploying patches in batch mode to fix errors in pre-installed software
In an embodiment of the present invention, a patch tool receives multiple patches, with each patch designed to fix a corresponding subset of a set of errors in a system. The patch tool determines a subset of patches, which together fix all of the set of errors, and deploys only the subset of patches in the system. The patches may be received over a period of time and the subset of patches are determined and deployed in a batch mode. |
| US07975261B2 |
Task transition chart display method and display apparatus
Aiming at enabling an analysis of relationship between a task transition and performance information such as mis-caching in a multiprocessor system and clearly identifying a relationship between a degree of parallelism and the task transition of the system processing, trace information and performance information corresponding to the trace information are obtained from memory, and the task transition state and performance information based on the trace information are displayed by superimposing on the transition chart. A degree of parallelism corresponding to an operation state of a plurality of processors is calculated on the basis of the trace information, and the degree of parallelism is displayed by being temporally synchronized with the task transition chart. |
| US07975257B2 |
Iterative static and dynamic software analysis
Static and dynamic code analyses are seamlessly, iteratively performed. A software analysis tool integrates the results of dynamic and static analysis and iteratively utilizes results from a previous analysis, or analyses, to augment a current analysis. During a debugging process, information collected at runtime is integrated with static code analysis results. This information is generated and stored as part of the results of the testing and debugging processes. The stored information is subsequently utilized to provide improved analysis results. The software analysis tool eliminates the need for software developers to separately perform static analysis and dynamic analysis. |
| US07975255B2 |
Method, apparatus, and program product for building integration workflow endpoints into web components
A relay component is deployed to a Web application. The relay component converts Web software components to a format expected by an integration broker. Developers may then implement an integration strategy entirely in the integration broker and then connect the presentation layer of the Web pages to the integration broker logic via the Web software components. When the data format of the disparate applications changes or is otherwise updated, developers may simply rebind the business object definitions from the integration brokers to Web software components, rather than recoding the entire Web application. |
| US07975251B2 |
Method, recording medium, and design support system for designing an electronics device
A design method includes creating power supply planes in each layer of a circuit board, from CAD data of the circuit boards whereby the power supply planes form one power supply conductor interconnect and supply power or connect to ground, expanding the shape of the power supply planes by a predetermined width, creating power supply pairs which are formed by opposing portions wherein two power supply planes existing in different layers are separated by an insulator and correcting the parameter by use of the mesh area. |
| US07975250B2 |
Allocation of combined or separate data and control planes
A dual mesh interconnect network in a heterogeneous configurable circuit may be allocated between data communication and control communication. |
| US07975249B2 |
Operation timing verifying apparatus and program
An operation timing verifying apparatus and program for accurately verifying operation timings of a semiconductor integrated circuit in design with suppressing design time and cost. The operation timing verifying apparatus and program sets an unreal corner condition that all delay elements present a maximum delay as an operating condition, performs operation timing analysis in the operating condition, thereby extracting an operation-violating circuit path, if any, from a circuit layout, sets a real corner condition that at least one element type of delay elements from among the delay elements present a maximum delay as the operating condition and performs the operation timing analysis on only the operation-violating circuit path to determine again whether an operation violation exists therein. |
| US07975248B2 |
Staged scenario generation
A method of verifying integrated circuit designs, by constructing a series of atomic generators in a staged, hierarchical order, applying a lowest of the hierarchical generator stages to device level test cases of the verification process, applying a highest of the hierarchical generator stages to system level test cases of the verification process, reusing code written for and used in the lowest hierarchical generator stage in a next higher generator stage, creating a constraint scenario in the highest hierarchical generator stage, and injecting the constraint scenario into a next lower generator stage. |
| US07975247B2 |
Method and system for organizing data generated by electronic design automation tools
A method and system for organizing a plurality of files generated by an Electronic Design and Automation (EDA) tool into composite objects is disclosed. The system provides a plurality of rules, which may be configured for various EDA tools. These rules may be configured for any EDA tool by specifying various parameters such as filename patterns, file formats, directory name patterns, and the like. Using these rules which are configured for an EDA tool, the files that form a part of the design objects are identified and packaged in the form of composite objects. |
| US07975246B2 |
MEEF reduction by elongation of square shapes
A method that purposely relaxes OPC algorithm constraints to allow post OPC mask shapes to elongate along one direction (particularly lowering the 1-dimensional MEEF in this direction with the result of an effectively overall lowered MEEF) to produce a pattern on wafer that is circular to within an acceptable tolerance. |
| US07975245B2 |
Computer-implemented methods for determining if actual defects are potentially systematic defects or potentially random defects
Various computer-implemented methods for determining if actual defects are potentially systematic defects or potentially random defects are provided. One computer-implemented method for determining if actual defects are potentially systematic defects or potentially random defects includes comparing a number of actual defects in a group to a number of randomly generated defects in a group. The actual defects are detected on a wafer. A portion of a design on the wafer proximate a location of each of the actual defects in the group and each of the randomly generated defects in the group is substantially the same. The method also includes determining if the actual defects in the group are potentially systematic defects or potentially random defects based on results of the comparing step. |
| US07975243B2 |
System and method for television control using hand gestures
Systems and method which allow for control of televisions and other media device are disclosed. A television set is provided with a gesture capture device configured to receive a gesture input directed to at least one of a plurality of predefined areas related to the television set. The television set further includes a user interaction interface configured to generate data indicative of the gesture input directed toward the at least one of the predefined areas and control the television based at least in part on the generated data. |
| US07975241B2 |
System for replacing a cursor image in connection with displaying the contents of a web page
A system for modifying a cursor image, as displayed on a video monitor of a remote terminal, to a specific image having a desired shape and appearance. The system stores cursor image data corresponding to the specific image, and a cursor display code. The cursor display code contains information in response to which the cursor image is modified to the specific image. A server computer transmits specified information to the remote terminal. The information includes at least one cursor display instruction. The cursor display instruction is operable to modify, in conjunction with the cursor information and the cursor image data, a cursor image displayed by a display of the remote terminal in the shape and appearance of the specific image. |
| US07975240B2 |
Systems and methods for controlling a visible results set
The present invention relates to a system and methodology to facilitate automatic display and management of data items associated with a hierarchical tree arrangement of folders and subfolders. A computerized interface for data presentation is provided having a sorting component to determine categories relating to one or more items for display. A cluster component groups the categories according to discretized states in order to control visible output to the display. Such states can include packed and unpacked states, wherein packed states can cluster a plurality of items together and across several nodes, whereas unpacked items are controlled and displayed under a grouped heading in one context and as individual data items or entities in another context. |
| US07975233B2 |
Automatic conversion of a textual language into a graphical program representation
Automatic conversion of textual program code to graphical program code is performed. The method automatically translates the given functionality of a textual program code into executable graphical program code, corresponding to the same functionality. The method includes a parsing routine that generates a syntax tree and code generation routines, which create graphical program code from the syntax tree. |
| US07975232B2 |
Systems and methods for extensible document generation
A method of document generation includes, in response to a call from an application, getting an interface and interface description of a template used to create a document, determining whether a method exists for filling all elements of the interface, making a dynamic call to invoke the method for filling all elements of the interface if the method exists, decomposing the interface into further elements if a method does not exist for filling all elements of the interface, repeating the steps of determining whether a method exists, making a dynamic call and decomposing the interface, until all elements of the interface are accounted for. |
| US07975228B2 |
Synchronizing graphical programs executing on respective computer systems
A first graphical program executing on a first device may execute a first graphical code portion for a plurality of iteration. Various systems and methods for synchronizing the execution of the iterations of the first graphical code portion with graphical code portions executing iteratively in graphical programs on other devices are described. Various systems and methods for synchronizing the execution of the iterations of the first graphical code portion with operation of measurement devices or other devices are also described. |
| US07975227B2 |
System and method for generating a work of communication with supplemental context
A system for selecting, managing, sharing and displaying content data files in a manner that takes into the account the contextual significance of said content data files to a narrative, an author(s) and an audience. A system that is able to place an absolute and relative value upon the significance of a media object is able to assist in stimulating the recollection of the author and audience, thus making every aspect more memorable and enhancing by improving the ease of use and the quality of the final result of the use of the system of this invention. |
| US07975223B2 |
Move tracking with conflict resolution
Move tracking with conflict resolution is provided. When a tracked move of text or other objects from one location in a document to a second location in the document is performed, data representing a pre-move state of the text or objects and data representing a post-move state of the text or objects are stored for subsequent comparison. If the text/object move is subsequently rejected, a comparison is made between the post-move state and the pre-move state to determine if changes have been made to the text or objects after the move to the second location. If changes have been made, a conflict resolution dialog is automatically launched and displays a graphical representation of the two versions of the moved text or objects. The user may then select one of the two versions for replacement back to the first document location to complete the move rejection. |
| US07975222B1 |
System and method for dynamic linking between graphic documents and comment data bases
A method for dynamic linking between graphic documents and comment databases is described and includes entering a base graphic representation of a project in a computer system. The base graphic representation may be the conversion of a user supplied format graphic to a web support format graphic. A coordinate overlay grid of a coordinate overlay program may be linked to the base graphic representation for overlay positioning and display on the base graphic representation. The coordinate overlay program may have a notation subprogram linked to the coordinate overlay grid for a user to designate notation with an identifier relative to a distinct location of the base graphic representation on the coordinate overlay grid. A text or graphic comment data record may be entered in a comment data record referenced to an identifier and displayed using a computer cursor device and display to activate an identifier. |
| US07975221B2 |
Method for document viewing
A client-side handheld device requests a server to convert server-side documents into a compression format prior to transmission of said documents to the client. The server retrieves and converts the requested documents to a raster image that is then compressed according to attributes based on information received from the client device in the initial document request. Instead of having to manipulate multiple formats which the original documents are in and supported by the server, the client-side device is preferably optimized in hardware and/or software to support and otherwise take advantage of the requested compression format. The compressed document is then delivered to the client device, in whole or in part, selectively or progressively over time per individual requests prior to displaying the received data to the end-user. Depending on the requested delivery mode, server-side documents are preferably compressed using wavelet compression methods, such as the JPEG 2000 standard, known in the arts. Through such a compression format, documents of sizes (in total bytes) exceeding one or more Megabytes can be compressed down to as small as 30 kilobytes or less. |
| US07975220B2 |
Apparatus, program product and method for structured document management
The structured document management apparatus includes a document data accepting unit that accepts input of structured document data having a hierarchical logic structure; a structure guide data storage unit that stores structure guide data which is a summary of hierarchical structure information of the structured document data; a structure stream converting unit that syntax-analyzes the accepted structured document data, and converts the structure information in the structured document data into structure stream data as one-dimensional sequence data using the structure guide data; and a structure stream data storage unit that stores the converted structure stream data. |
| US07975219B2 |
Method, graphical interface and computer-readable medium for reformatting data
A method, graphical interface and computer-readable medium for reformatting data including selecting at least one input file graphical element from a first pane corresponding to at least one input file to reformat. A reformatting batch job is created and is depicted in a second pane as a reformatting batch job graphical element when the at least one input file graphical element is selected in the first pane. At least one reformatting process is associated to the at least one input file in the reformatting batch job from a third pane. The reformatting batch job is executed with the at least one reformatting process being performed on the at least one input file. |
| US07975215B2 |
Sharing editable ink annotated images with annotation-unaware applications
Data associated with pixels obscured by annotations in an annotated image is stored using an annotation mask enabling annotation-aware applications to reconstruct the original image, while annotation-unaware applications can display the annotated image with optimized increase in extra data to be stored. The annotation mask, same size as the image, is initialized to a monochrome default and the color depth information for obscured pixels saved within the annotation mask. Because a majority area of the annotation mask is monochrome, it compresses well and the obscured image content can be saved in a side channel, metadata header, or a separate file. During reconstruction, changes to annotated image such as rotation, size change, and the like, may be detected and accounted for when obscured image content is carried over to the annotated image for reconstruction. |
| US07975211B2 |
Data decoding method and apparatus and receiver and communication system applying the same
A receiver including a switch for switching output of a memory to one of paths according to content of the output. The memory stores information bits, first check bits and second check bits. The first check bits and second check bits are switched to one of the paths via a rate dematch apparatus to a decoder. The information bits are switched directly to the decoder. |
| US07975208B2 |
Method and apparatus for high speed optical recording
An optical storage medium recording apparatus is provided a data preparing and ECC encoding circuit that both prepares the data by combining different categories of data into data sequences in accordance with a data layout on the optical storage medium and encodes the combined data. The encoded data is temporarily stored in a data buffer, and subsequently successively read out by a recording circuit for recording onto the optical storage medium according to the data layout. For a Blu-ray disc recording apparatus, the data preparing and ECC encoding circuit includes a LDC/BIS encoder for generating long distance error correction codes (LDC) and burst indicator subcodes (BIS) from the combined data to form LDC and BIS encoded data, which is temporarily stored in the data buffer. The recording circuit includes an interleave circuit for interleaving the LDC and BIS data to form physical clusters for recording on the disc. |
| US07975207B2 |
Apparatus and method for recording data in information recording medium to which extra ECC is applied or reproducing data from the medium
A data recording and/or reproducing apparatus and method for an information recording medium includes: an extra ECC encoder; and an extra ECC controller determining whether extra ECC is applied to the information recording medium, and controlling the extra ECC encoder to generate an extra parity data block corresponding to data that is to be recorded on the information storage medium. The extra ECC encoder includes: an extra parity generator generating an extra ECC data block based on data that is to be recorded on the information recording medium, performing ECC on the extra ECC data block, and generating at least one extra parity. An extra parity interleaver interleaves the at least one extra parity and generating the extra parity data block. |
| US07975202B2 |
Variable modulation with LDPC (low density parity check) coding
Variable modulation with LDPC (Low Density Parity Check) coding provides for generation of LDPC coded symbols having different respective code rates and/or modulations. In addition, appropriate LDPC encoding, that generates an LDPC variable code rate signal, may also be performed as well. The encoding can generate an LDPC variable code rate and/or modulation signal whose code rate and/or modulation may vary as frequently as on a symbol by symbol basis. Some embodiments employ a common constellation shape for all of the symbols of the signal sequence, yet individual symbols may be mapped according different mappings of the commonly shaped constellation; such an embodiment may be viewed as generating a LDPC variable mapped signal. In general, any one or more of the code rate, constellation shape, and/or mapping of the individual symbols of a signal sequence may vary as frequently as on a symbol by symbol basis. |
| US07975199B2 |
Relay-assisted HARQ transmission system
A method for transmitting data from a source to a destination. The method includes: transmitting the data from the source to both the destination and a relay station within a first transmission; decoding the data in the first transmitting at both the relay station and the destination wherein the destination acknowledges success of the decoding by generating a ACK message or lack of success by generating either a NACK message or by failing to generate the ACK signal; retransmitting from the source information related to the first transmission in response to either the NACK message or the failure of the destination to generate the ACK message; and wherein when the relay station decodes the data sent by the source within the first transmission correctly, the relay station transmits a second transmission; or, on the other hand, if the relay station is unable to decode the data correctly from the first transmission sent by the source, the relay station remains silent. The destination may be another relay station. |
| US07975196B2 |
Resynchronization memory in series/parallel with control/data scan cells
An integrated circuit or circuit board includes functional circuitry and a scan path. The scan path includes a test data input lead, a test data output lead, a multiplexer, and scan cells. A dedicated scan cell has a functional data output separate from a test data output. Shared scan cells each have a combined output for functional data and test data. The shared scan cells are coupled in series. The test data input of the first shared scan cell is connected to the test data output of the dedicated scan cell. The combined output of one shared scan cell is coupled to the test data input lead of another shared scan cell. The multiplexer has an input coupled to the test data output, an input connected to the combined output lead of the last shared scan cell in the series, and an output connected in the scan path. |
| US07975186B2 |
Operations management apparatus, operations management system, data processing method, and operations management program
An operations management apparatus which acquires performance information for each of a plurality of performance items from a plurality of controlled units and manages operation of the controlled units includes a correlation model generation unit which derives a correlation function between a first series of performance information that indicates time series variation about a first element and a second series of performance information that indicates time series variation about a second element, generates a correlation model between the first element and the second element based on the correlation function, and obtains the correlation model for each element pair of the performance information, and a correlation change analysis unit which analyzes a change in the correlation model based on the performance information acquired newly which has not been used for generation of the correlation model. |
| US07975183B2 |
Dynamic debugging of platform transactions via context aware transactional debug marking
A system includes a platform domain implementing address-indexed operations and an application domain implementing application context-oriented operations. The platform domain includes a platform interconnect to process address-indexed platform transactions and a trace monitor to generate a debug trace stream from platform transactions based on their platform context information. The application domain includes a processing component and a queue manager to queue descriptors for data frames to be processed by the application domain, each descriptor having application context information including application-specific debug information for the corresponding data frame. The processing component processes a selected data frame by accessing, from the queue manager, a descriptor associated with the selected data frame, translating an application-specific debug information of the descriptor to a corresponding platform attribute value, and providing a platform transaction to the platform interconnect for processing in the platform domain, the platform transaction having the platform attribute value in an attribute field. |
| US07975177B2 |
System and method for testing network performance
A system can test network performance of an electronic device via transmitting a testing file with a first designated name to a number of computers connected to the electronic device, obtaining comparison files from the number of computers after running the testing file, and replacing the names of the comparison files with standard names. The network performance of the electronic device can be confirmed via contents of the comparison files. |
| US07975175B2 |
Risk indices for enhanced throughput in computing systems
Embodiments of a system that adjusts a checkpointing frequency in a distributed computing system that executes multiple jobs are described. During operation, the system receives signals associated with the operation of the computing nodes. Then, the system determines risk metrics for the computing nodes using a pattern-recognition technique to identify anomalous signals in the received signals. Next, the system adjusts a checkpointing frequency of a given checkpoint for a given computing node based on a comparison of a risk metric associated with the given computing node and a threshold, thereby implementing holistic fault tolerance, in which prediction and prevention of potential faults occurs across the distributed computing system. |
| US07975172B2 |
Redundant execution of instructions in multistage execution pipeline during unused execution cycles
A pipelined execution unit uses the bubbles that occur during execution to selectively repeat operations performed in one or more stages of a multistage execution pipeline to verify the results of such operations during otherwise unused execution cycles for the execution pipeline. Whenever a bubble follows a particular instruction within an execution pipeline, the result of an operation that is performed for that instruction by a particular stage of the execution pipeline may be stored, and the operation may be repeated by the stage in a subsequent execution cycle in which no productive operation would otherwise be performed due to the presence of the bubble. The results of the operations may then be compared and used to either verify the original result or identify a potential error in the execution of the instruction. |
| US07975164B2 |
DDR memory controller
A DDR memory controller is described wherein a core domain capture clock is created by programmably delaying the core clock of the memory controller. The delay of this capture clock is calibrated during a power on the initialization sequence in concert with a DDR memory in a system environment, thereby minimizing the effects of system delays and increasing both device and system yield. An additional embodiment also includes programmably delaying the incoming dqs signal. |
| US07975161B2 |
Reducing CPU and bus power when running in power-save modes
A processing system includes a bus and a processor whose core is constrained to have one or more core clock signal frequencies no lower than a predetermined multiple of the lowest of one or more bus clock signal frequencies. In a power-save mode, the processor is able to generate one or more core clock signals at frequencies such that the lowest core clock signal frequency is lower than the predetermined multiple of the lowest of the one or more bus clock signal frequencies in performance mode. The processor is able to achieve this by generating the one or more bus clock signals so that the lowest of the bus clock signal frequencies in power-save mode is lower than the lowest of the bus clock signal frequencies in performance mode. |
| US07975158B2 |
Noise reduction method by implementing certain port-to-port delay
A noise reduction method by implementing certain point-to-point delay is disclosed. In this regard a method is introduced comprising determining a frequency of a greatest noise on a high-speed data link when turning on a power delivery network, determining a delay time between a first port and a second port that minimizes the greatest noise, and turning on the second port after the delay time from turning on the first port. Other embodiments are also disclosed and claimed. |
| US07975156B2 |
System and method for adapting a power usage of a server during a data center cooling failure
A device comprising a temperature measurement module, a performance state module, a memory bandwidth module, and a fan speed module. The temperature measurement module is configured to determine a rate of temperature change in a server and to output a control signal when the rate of temperature change is above a threshold rate. The performance state module is configured to reduce a performance state of the device to a lowest system level in response to the control signal, and to reduce a processor power consumption and a subsystem power consumption to a minimum power level in response to reducing the performance state to the lowest system level. The memory bandwidth module is configured to reduce a memory bandwidth to a minimum bandwidth level based on the control signal. The fan speed module is configured to reduce a fan speed to a minimum level based on the control signal. |
| US07975152B2 |
Apparatus for controlling a supply of power to a second apparatus including an instant television function that operates independently of a first apparatus
A control apparatus controls a supply of power to a second apparatus that operates independently of a first apparatus, and includes a notifying part to make a notification that notifies a need to control the power supplied to the second apparatus if needed, based on a preset timer time and a present time acquired from a Real Time Clock (RTC) within the first apparatus, and a supplying part to supply information related to a time for controlling the power supplied to the second apparatus, based on the notification from the notifying part, wherein the notifying part and the supplying part are operable with a power that makes only limited functions within the first apparatus operable. |
| US07975147B1 |
Electronic device network supporting enciphering and deciphering and update generation in electronic devices
Disclosed herein is an electronic device network having a plurality of associated electronic devices. The electronic devices may include an update agent adapted to decipher code and/or data segments. The update agent may also be adapted to modify and/or upgrade firmware and/or software components resident in the electronic devices by employing the deciphered code and/or data segments along with contents of an update. An update generator, resident in the electronic devices may employ deciphering techniques to the code and/or date segments to extract enciphered code and/or data segments. The update generator may also process the code and/or data segments to generate an update including difference information. The update generator may also be adapted to encipher difference information in the generated update. |
| US07975145B2 |
Apparatus and program for update of time stamp
A time stamp updating apparatus includes: a time stamp obtaining unit configured to transmit hash value calculated from certification target data to an apparatus for time stamp authority when certification target data is input, to receive time stamp data from the apparatus for time stamp authority, to relate the received time stamp data to certification target data, and stored them in an evidence data storage unit; and a time stamp verification unit configured to calculate logical OR of a validity period of the time stamp data related to certification target data, and to output a period that can go back from time of verification as a period when the certification target data can be certified. |
| US07975144B2 |
Systems and methods for server aided processing of a signed receipt
A method for processing security communication protocol compliant signed receipts at a mobile communication device linked to a host system is provided. The host system receives an email message linked to a digital signature, and a signed receipt. The host system redirects the signed receipt to the mobile communication device. The host system determines if the email message is available at the mobile communication device, and if not, the host system retrieves the email message and redirects the email message to the mobile communication device. The mobile communication device can then verify the signed receipt based on the email message. Optionally, rather than the email message, the host system retrieves and/or recalculates data elements associated with the email message and required to verify the signed receipt, and redirects these data elements to the mobile communication device. A related system is provided, as well as server computer program for the host system, and device computer program for the mobile communication device. |
| US07975142B2 |
Ring authentication method for concurrency environment
A ring authentication method for a concurrency environment, the method capable of providing unforgeability, sender anonymity, and deniability in the concurrency environment, in which, when a receiver receiving a message requests a sender of the message to certify the message, the sender requested to certify the message sends a message certification value certifying that the sender is one of a plurality of users {P1, . . . , Pn} and authenticates the message m to the receiver, and the receiver verifies the sent message certification value and authenticates that the message is sent from the one of the plurality of users {P1, . . . , Pn}. |
| US07975137B2 |
Method and system for securely extending a path of a mobile agent within a network system
A method, a system, and a computer program product for access control using resource filters for a strict separation of application and security logic are described. The computer-implemented method for access control may include receiving at least one access request to at least one resource from an application; providing a resource hierarchy for the at least one resource, the resource having at least one resource class, wherein the resource hierarchy is defined in a single resource; providing a policy comprising at least one access control rule for accessing at least one element of the at least one resource class; verifying the at least one access request based on the policy through an authorization service; and processing the at least one access request through a service interface. |
| US07975136B1 |
Hardware-independent detection of SAN logical volumes
A system and method for determining a designated boot volume of a computer system coupled to a SAN is disclosed. The computer system is configured to boot from a logical volume on the SAN using a corresponding bus interface. One or more logical volumes within the SAN are identified and have code written to them. The code is executable to determine whether or not the computer system is configured to boot from that logical volume and to determine configuration information stored on the identified logical volumes. |
| US07975134B2 |
Macroscalar processor architecture
A macroscalar processor architecture is described herein. In one embodiment, an exemplary processor includes one or more execution units to execute instructions and one or more iteration units coupled to the execution units. The one or more iteration units receive one or more primary instructions of a program loop that comprise a machine executable program. For each of the primary instructions received, at least one of the iteration units generates multiple secondary instructions that correspond to multiple loop iterations of the task of the respective primary instruction when executed by the one or more execution units. Other methods and apparatuses are also described. |
| US07975119B2 |
Device for prioritized erasure of flash memory
A storage device having prioritized-erasure capabilities including: a memory for storing data, the memory having at least one flash unit, wherein each flash unit has a plurality of blocks; and a controller configured: to write the data into the plurality of blocks; to assign an erasure-priority to each block, wherein the erasure-priority correlates with an erasure-priority of the data; and to erase the data in each block according to the erasure-priority of each block upon receiving an emergency-erase command. Preferably, the controller is configured to perform the writing of the data into the plurality of blocks in an arbitrary order in a first flash unit, and the writing into subsequent flash units is performed in correlation with the order in the first flash unit. Preferably, the erasing includes aborting erasure, before completing the erasure, for at least some of the plurality of blocks. |
| US07975114B2 |
Memory management based on concurrent garbage collection using safepoints
Managing memory comprises execute a mutator comprising a plurality of mutator threads, and concurrently execute a garbage collector. Each of the plurality of mutator threads is separately stopped and notified, and is interrupted at a respective safepoint. In some cases executing the garbage collector includes remapping one or more references to one or more objects in an existing from-space, releasing the existing from-space, relocating one or more live objects that currently reside in a new from-space to one or more corresponding new locations, and identifying a set of one or more candidate pages suitable for forming next from-space during next garbage collection iteration. |
| US07975113B2 |
Memory control device and method for controlling the same
The present invention provides a storage control device which enables the time between failures to prolong as much as possible, though it uses HDD's whose mean time between failures is relatively short. The storage control device controls spindle motors in a manner that a spindle motor is rotated regarding the HDD of data which can access from a host computer and a spindle motor is stopped regarding the HDD of data which are clearly judged that a host computer does not access the data. Whether the host computers can access the HDD or not is judged by the fact that whether the memory region (internal logical volume) provided by the HDD is in mapped to the host logical volume or not which is recognized by the host computer and is able to access thereby. |
| US07975110B1 |
Method and system for supporting multiple external serial port devices using a serial port controller in embedded disk controllers
A servo controller for a disk drive controller comprising a storage device that stores communication information for a plurality of devices and a serial port controller located on the servo controller that communicates with the storage device, that receives a request to communicate with one of the plurality of devices, and that allows communication between at least one processor and the one of the plurality of devices according to the stored communication information and the request, wherein each of the plurality of devices uses a different protocol. |
| US07975098B2 |
Recording medium with status information thereon which changes upon reformatting and apparatus and methods for forming, recording, and reproducing the recording medium
A recording medium, such as a high-density and/or optical recording medium and apparatus and methods for recording to and reproducing from the recording medium, in order to initialize, reinitialize, format, and/or re-format the high-density and/or optical recording medium. |
| US07975096B2 |
Storage system having multiple non-volatile memories, and controller and access method thereof
A non-volatile memory storage system including a transmission interface, a memory module, and a controller is provided. The memory module includes first and second non-volatile memory chips. The first and the second non-volatile memory chips can be simultaneously enabled by receiving a chip enable signal from the controller via a chip enable pin. When the controller performs a multichannel access, the controller provides an access instruction to the first and second non-volatile memory chip, after enabling the first non-volatile memory chip and the second non-volatile memory chip with the chip enable signal. When the controller performs a single channel access, the controller provides the access signal to one of the first and second non-volatile memory chips, and provides a non-access instruction to the other one, after enabling the first non-volatile memory chip and the second non-volatile memory chip with the chip enable signal. |
| US07975095B2 |
Device and method for using a flash memory as a hard disk cache
A cache device comprises a hard disk, cache control unit and at least one flash memory, whereby the cache control unit controlling and regulating the flash memory as the hard disk cache device. The present invention method is defined by setting up a management table to manage each corresponding logical block address of the flash memory through a cache data read-out step and cache data write-in step in order to manage the cache read or write action of the flash memory on the hard disk. In addition, the step of recycling a cache space and replacing cache temporary data storage is to remove and replace temporary cache and storage space within the flash memory on the hard disk. Moreover, the step of reconstruction management table is provided to reconstruct management table loss or damage caused by power outage or irregular shut-down of the computer and will be able to provide flash memory on the hard disk cache control. |
| US07975090B2 |
Method for efficient I/O controller processor interconnect coupling supporting push-pull DMA read operations
A system for I/O controller-processor interconnect coupling supporting a push-pull DMA read operation, in one aspect, may comprise a processor interconnect comprising a plurality of caches and memory subsystems and an I/O controller coupled with the processor interconnect. The I/O controller may comprise a plurality of DMA read request queues, a DMA read slot pool comprising a plurality of DMA read slots, and an expander logic determining a priority of requests in said request queues. |
| US07975089B2 |
Computer dock providing for disconnecting media from docking port when lock is inserted
A computer dock has a lock slot and media on which driver code is encoded. When a lock is inserted into the slot, it causes a switch to open so as to disconnect the media from a docking port of the dock. When the lock is not inserted into the slot, the media is connected to the docking port. |
| US07975088B2 |
Connection detecting information processing apparatus
An information processing apparatus configured to connect an external device in conformity with a predetermined interface specification, includes: a control LSI configured to control signal output to an external device effectively connected; and a CPU configured to control the operation within the apparatus including the control LSI as a whole; wherein the CPU includes an interface circuit connected to a detecting unit configured to detect the validity of connection to an external device, a control LSI control unit configured to control reset of the control LSI, and release of the reset state of the control LSI according to the detection result of the detecting unit, and the control LSI. |
| US07975084B1 |
Configuring a host computer using a service processor
Technologies are provided herein for configuring aspects of the operation of a server computer using a service processor. The service processor includes a processor, a NAND flash memory organized using a file system, and a hardware data communications interface coupled to the host computer. The file system is utilized to store a monolithic image file containing software components for configuring the operation of the host computer and the service processor. A firmware is also provided that executes on the processor to expose the NAND flash memory to the host processor as a storage device on the hardware interface, to receive storage requests from the host computer, and to generate offsets into the monolithic image file for performing the storage requests. The image file may be utilized to store an operating system, hardware drivers, and a host configuration tool executable by the host computer. |
| US07975079B2 |
Computer chip set having on board wireless interfaces to support parallel communication
A method and apparatus are provided for an embedded wireless interface that is embedded in, for example, one of an input and output controller device for controlling input and output communications with off-board devices, within a memory controller device and a processor motherboard. The embedded wireless interface may be utilized as a wireless test access point to provide signal stimulations for test purposes or to monitor communications over a specified wired communication link. |
| US07975076B2 |
Data processing system for keeping isolation between logical partitions
When a subject of access of a transaction from an IO device is not any resource allocated to a logical partition to which the device having issued the transaction belongs, a report as an error is sent to a CPU, while the transaction is finished on the IO bus. To prevent a transaction between IO devices from gaining access to any resource in another logical partition, one access permission bit is provided for each combination of all the IO devices, and the access is permitted only when the bit has a predetermined value. A reset signal is provided by IO slot so that only an IO slot allocated to a specific logical partition can be reset without affecting any other logical partition. A transaction issued from an IO device in one logical partition is prevented from gaining access to a resource in another logical partition, while proper error handling can be performed. |
| US07975075B2 |
Data communication system and method
A method and system for performing serial data communication between a main device and an external module connected to the main device. The data communication system and method include a main device, and an external module connected to the main device and communicating data with the main device. The external module transmits its identification information to the main device before the external module and the main device communicate the data between each other, and the main device receives the identification information from the external module, confirms its connection to the external module, and transmits an identification information confirmation signal to the external module. |
| US07975071B2 |
Content compression in networks
Described is transparently compressing content for network transmission, including end-to-end compression. An end host or middlebox device sender sends compressed packets to an end host or middlebox device receiver, which decompresses the packets to recover the original packet. The sender constructs compressed packets including references to information maintained at the receiver, which the receiver uses to access the information to recreate actual original packet content. The receiver may include a dictionary corresponding to the sender, e.g., synchronized with the sender's dictionary. Alternatively, in speculative compression, the sender does not maintain a dictionary, and instead sends a fingerprint (hash value) by which the receiver looks up corresponding content in its dictionary; if not found, the receiver requests actual content. Scheduling to maintain fairness and smoothing bursts to coexist with TCP congestion control are also described, as are techniques for routing compressed data over networked end hosts and/or compression-enabled middlebox devices. |
| US07975067B2 |
Method and apparatus for implementing alerts on a browser running on a portable handheld device
A method and apparatus for implementing alerts on a browser running on a portable handheld device is disclosed. The method generates an asynchronous notification action from the server and in response transmits an alert containing a message indicating availability of HTML pages that describe the nature of the alert. The alert is received at a node on a network and translated into the original message. An alert receipt acknowledgment is transmitted to the server. Access to the alert HTML page is provided through a URL containing the appropriate query strings necessary to present the appropriate HTML page. The invention also discloses a wireless local area network (WLAN) adapter associated with a wireless network that receives paging signals from a server on the network and returns an acknowledgment signal back to the server. The invention also discloses a client/server based method of delivering messages initiated by a client. After a connection is established between a client and server, the client requests a message from the server. In response, the server retrieves and returns the message back to the client. |
| US07975066B2 |
System and method for implementing application functionality within a network infrastructure
A system and method for implementing functionality within a network on behalf of first and second computers communicating with each other through the network. A front-end computer is provided within the network having an interface for communicating data traffic with the first computer. A back-end computer is also implemented within the network having an interface for communicating data traffic with the second computer. A communication channel couples the front-end computer and the back-end computer. Data traffic is encoded over the communication channel in a first process in the front-end computer. Data traffic is also encoded over the communication channel in a second process in the back-end computer, wherein the first process and the second process implement compatible semantics. |
| US07975063B2 |
Informative data streaming server
A server for data streaming encodes multimedia signals at bit rates compatible with a connection of time-varying conditions and informs a client receiving a multimedia signal of changing bit rates and causes of change. The server supports several clients and includes a flow controller and at least one encoder. The flow controller derives metrics from measurements to determine a permissible transmission rate from the server to each active client. An encoder adapts individual transmission rates of signals according to respective permissible transmission rates. An overlay module, coupled to a multimedia signal source, the flow controller, and an encoder, superimposes informative insertions indicating permissible transmission rates and associated metrics on a multimedia signal to inform a client of changing transmission rates and causes of change. An informative insertion has a predefined duration and is sent either periodically or following a substantial change of network conditions. |
| US07975061B1 |
System and method for performing multistream storage operations
Systems and methods for performing storage operations over multi-stream data paths are provided. Prior to performing a storage operation, it may be determined whether multi-streaming resources are available to perform a multi-stream storage operation. Availability of multi-streaming resources may be related to network pathways capable of supporting multi-stream storage operations, existing network load related to other storage operations being or to be performed, availability of components capable of supporting multi-stream storage operation, and other factors. If system resources to support multi-stream storage operations are not available, the system may optionally perform a traditional storage operation that does not incorporate multiple data streams. |
| US07975059B2 |
Generic application level protocol analyzer
A generic application-level protocol analyzer (GAPA) is adaptable to model an application and its response to messages in different protocols, including multiple, layered protocols in a network context. One mode of a GAPA includes an analysis engine having a plurality of objects adaptable to model an application and its response to messages. The objects may include a session dispatching object, a state machine object, a message parsing object, a protocol layering object, and a handler object. The analysis engine may be used to evaluate real-time network streams or to evaluate recorded network traces. The GAPA is adapted to specific applications using a generic application-level protocol analyzer engine language (GAPAL). The GAPAL uses a high-level syntax similar to those in existing protocol specification descriptions. The GAPAL supports binary and text-based protocols. Using the GAPAL, objects are described without writing low-level code to model specific objects or specify message formats. |
| US07975057B2 |
Time management at communication protocol layer for a smart card-type device
An entity of the smart card type has an application layer linked to a communication protocol layer. A time manager containing a timer interfaces with the protocol layer. The time manager substantially periodically constructs waiting time extension requests transmitted to a terminal through the protocol layer as long as data are being processed in the application layer. The application layer is thus freed from any time constraint. |
| US07975051B2 |
System and method for managing, routing, and controlling devices and inter-device connections
A system and method for managing, routing and controlling devices and inter-device connections located within an environment to manage and control the environment using a control client is presented. A user provides commands via the control client to a server that maintains a representation of the environment and the devices within the environment. The server provides commands to devices present within the environment in response to user commands and other events, including events from the environment. The commands cause the devices in the environment to adopt specific desired states thereby causing the environment and the devices within the environment to create desired connections by and between the devices and to otherwise control and effect the environment. |
| US07975049B2 |
Point-based customer tracking and maintenance incentive system
A computer terminal connected to a manufacturing apparatus as an object of the maintenance management is connected to a server machine providing a maintenance management service by a network, enabling bi-directional communication. The computer terminal transmits maintenance information including a kind of a maintenance method executed at the customer side to the server machine. The server machine acquires the kind of the maintenance method from the maintenance information received from the computer terminal, retrieves points corresponding to the kind of the maintenance method, and stores the retrieved points in a maintenance point storage unit. More points are set for more time consuming maintenance. This can encourage the customer to perform more time consuming maintenance on the manufacturing apparatus in order to obtain more points. |
| US07975047B2 |
Reliable processing of HTTP requests
A monitoring tool provided according to an aspect of the present invention causes an HTTP request to be resubmitted to another server system if a server system, to which the same HTTP request has been earlier submitted, is detected to have failed without completing processing of the request. In one embodiment, the server system is deemed to have failed upon absence of completion of requests for a pre-specified duration. As an alternative or in addition, the operational status of the server system is checked periodically and the server system is deemed to have failed if it is non-operational. |
| US07975045B2 |
Method and system for monitoring and analyzing of IP networks elements
Exemplary embodiments include methods and systems for monitoring, analyzing, and troubleshooting of control plane dynamics of a network including collecting state data from the one or more routers of one or more protocols at discrete time intervals, the state data being associated with one or more routers of a network, analyzing corresponding state data collected at two or more discrete time intervals, and outputting a result of the analysis of the state data collected from the one or more routers of the network. |
| US07975041B2 |
Method and system for automated digital asset management in network environment
A method and system can be used to automatically manage a digital asset, from development to deployment, to control change within a network environment in a comprehensive and efficient manner. Digital assets can be tracked for progress and inaccuracies, mistakes, and incompatibilities can be addressed prior to deployment. Stages can be used to formalize and automate the flow of digital assets along the process. Further, metadata regarding the digital asset can be captured at any time to provide an audit trail for the digital asset from development all the way through deployment. Any stage may have access to any or all metadata captured for the digital asset. |
| US07975040B2 |
Systems and methods for virtualizing functions and decentralizing service delivery in a flat network of interconnected personal devices
Systems and methods are described herein to virtualize functions and decentralize services in a flat-graph network of client devices. Other embodiments include apparatus and systems of devices comprising virtual node modules to perform a variety of service functions. Further embodiments include methods for overlaying service functions on a flat-graph network of client devices. |
| US07975038B2 |
Application management program, application management method, and application management apparatus
An application management program, application management method, and application management apparatus, which are capable of controlling the start of server computers with taking relations between multilevel applications into consideration. When receiving a request for starting provision of a service, a selection unit refers to server definition information to select a start-target server computer that should start an application, in accordance with an order of starting applications predefined based on relations in processing requests. Then, a confirmation unit refers to status information to confirm whether an associated application that should be started before the application installed on the start-target server computer selected by the selection unit has been started correctly. In the case where it is confirmed that the associated application has been started correctly, a start control unit instructs the start-target server computer to start the application, and registers the success or failure of the start in the status information. |
| US07975037B2 |
Policy engine in an Internet Protocol multimedia subsystem
A system includes a policy engine in an Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS). The policy engine may be configured to store a group of policies associated with the IMS, and forward the group of policies to a group of policy components in the IMS. |
| US07975035B2 |
Method and apparatus to support application and network awareness of collaborative applications using multi-attribute clustering
A method of clustering communication nodes based on network attributes such as network delays and forwarding capacity; on communication interest attributes; and on application attributes such as quality of service preferences/constraints in providing communications between users and application servers. A multi-attribute communication feature vector is formed. That vector is comprised of network attributes, communication interests attributes, and quality of service requirements and is used to form efficient group communication mechanisms for distributed collaborative applications. Then the multi-attribute communication feature vectors are clustered. The clustering methods for multi-type attribute feature vectors are: iterative clustering using a generalized distance space with normalized attribute subspace metrics; fusion clustering, and nested clustering. |
| US07975034B1 |
Systems and methods to secure data and hardware through virtualization
A method to secure data and hardware associated with a computing device is described. A request to initiate a secondary operating system is received. The secondary operating system may be partitioned from a primary operating system. In one embodiment, a reporting program may be executed on the secondary operating system and may also be isolated from the primary operating system. A determination may be made as to whether characteristics of the secondary operating system have been altered. The request to initiate the secondary operating system may be denied if characteristics of the secondary operating system have been altered. However, the secondary operating system may be initiated if characteristics of the secondary operating system have not been altered. In addition, the primary operating system may be initiated if characteristics of the secondary operating system have not been altered. |
| US07975032B2 |
Method and system for community data caching
A cache module (26) at a client computer (12) controls a cache portion (28) on a storage device (24). The cache module communicates with other cache modules at other clients to form a cache community (15). The cache modules store World Wide Web or other content in the cache portions for retrieval in response to requests (32) for content from browsers (30) in the cache community. When the requested content is not available in the cache community, the requested content may be retrieved from an origin server (19) using the Internet. |
| US07975031B2 |
Change management in multi-domain environments
Method, server, and computer product are provided to implement change management across domains. Memory is included for storing a program. A processor is functionally coupled to the memory and is responsive to computer-executable instructions contained in the program. The processor is operative to announce planned changes for a configuration item to interested outside domains, and the configuration item is in an inside domain. Open subscription is provided to the interested outside domains such that the interested outside domains can subscribe to the subscription as participants. A change instance is created or the configuration item in the inside domain. Change progress of the change instance is reported for the configuration item to the participants of the interested outside domains. State progress notifications are distributed to the participants of the change. The change instance is executed to make planned changes to the configuration item. |
| US07975030B2 |
Remote configuration of devices using a secure connection
Methods and systems for configuring a remote device are described. In one embodiment, a method of configuring a remote device while negotiating a secure connection between the remote device and a central server is described. The method involves transmitting a configuration request from the remote device to the central server, including a request for a location to retrieve the latest configuration file from. The method also entails receiving a configuration response from the central server, with a pointer to such a location. The configuration file is retrieved from the indicated location, and applied to the remote device. The remote device sends general information about its configuration and status to the central server, using the secure connection. |
| US07975028B2 |
Migration of data between computers
Techniques and mechanisms that allow configuration information, applications and/or data to be transferred between computer systems in an automated, or partially automated, manner, which may allow for more efficient transfer as compared to manual transfer. A source computer system may be coupled with a destination computer system directly via a wired or wireless communications channel. Data including, for example, user identification information, network settings, system settings, permissions and/or other data may be transferred from the source computer system to the destination computer system. |
| US07975022B2 |
Launching a web site using a passive transponder
A method of displaying a web page to a user. A triggering device having a unique code stored therein is provided to the user. The unique code is extracted from the triggering device with an activation system, the activation system disposed on a network. Location information associated with the unique code is retrieved from a database, the location information corresponding to a location of the web page on a remote location disposed on the network. In response to retrieving the location information, the activation system is connected to the remote location. The web page corresponding to the location information of the remote location is then presented to the user via the activation system. |
| US07975019B1 |
Dynamic supplementation of rendered web pages with content supplied by a separate source
A page update handler, which may be loaded by a web browser as part of a web page, adds functionality for dynamically updating the web page with content supplied by a content server. The content may be related to a particular item detected on the web page by the page update handler, such as a link that matches a link signature, or a recognized keyword or phrase. The content server may operate in a different Internet domain from the server that servers the original web page, and may supply content for display on web pages of many different independent web sites. In one embodiment, an operator of a web site that is separate from the content server can enable the display of content from the content server on the site's web pages by merely adding an update handler tag to one or more corresponding HTML documents. |
| US07975018B2 |
Systems and methods for providing distributed cache coherence
A plurality of access nodes sharing access to data on a storage network implement a directory based cache ownership scheme. One node, designated as a global coordinator, maintains a directory (e.g., table or other data structure) storing information about I/O operations by the access nodes. The other nodes send requests to the global coordinator when an I/O operation is to be performed on identified data. Ownership of that data in the directory is given to the first requesting node. Ownership may transfer to another node if the directory entry is unused or quiescent. The distributed directory-based cache coherency allows for reducing bandwidth requirements between geographically separated access nodes by allowing localized (cached) access to remote data. |
| US07975011B2 |
System and method for delivering enhanced application services to a user device
Systems, methods and apparatus are provided that combines a software application framework within a variety of consumer communication devices to provide enhanced functionality. The enhanced functionality devices can then be controlled and integrated into an Internet based application and delivery service, connected by various networking technologies including, e.g., broadband communication systems. Centralized and distributed services allow a user to modify a variety of parameters that will ultimately control how information is delivered. The solution can also be controlled by service providers as a method for integrating their existing application infrastructure and potentially new applications within an overall broadband communication service. |
| US07975007B2 |
Method and system for facilitating marketing dialogues
Systems and methods for carrying on marketing dialogues are disclosed. Specifically, embodiments of the systems and methods presented may allow marketing dialogues to be carried on with a set of participants by sending a communication to each of the participants. Another set of participant may be assembled from the initial participants and an action may then be taken with respect to this second set of participants. |
| US07975006B2 |
Method and device for managing cluster membership by use of storage area network fabric
Managing cluster membership and providing and managing locks in the switches forming the interconnecting network. To manage the cluster membership, a zone is created, with indicated members existing in the zone and the zone being managed by the switches. The nodes communicate their membership events, such as alive messages, using an API to work with the switch to which they are attached. The desired membership algorithm is executed by the switches, preferably in a distributed manner. Each switch then enforces the membership policies, including preventing operations from evicted nodes. This greatly simplifies the programs used on the nodes and unburdens them from many time consuming tasks, thus providing improved cluster performance. In a like manner, the switches in the fabric manage the resource locks. The nodes send their lock requests, such as creation and ownership requests, to the switch to which they are connected using an API. The switches then perform the desired lock operation and provide a response to the requesting node. Again, this greatly simplifies the programs used on the nodes and unburdens them from many time consuming activities, providing improved cluster performance. |
| US07975004B2 |
Method for the transmission of information with improved perenniality
A method is provided for the transmissions of information between at least a first and a second communication means. The method includes in saving at least one set of information in an intermediate element. The method also includes defining a plurality of client groups, using an identifier in order to designate at least one group of clients that are authorized to access the information set, and at least one filtering step, which is intended to prevent a user that does not belong to the group from accessing the information. The method enables the integrity of the contained in the intermediate element to be substantially secured, by selecting clients that are authorized to access the information. |
| US07975003B1 |
Method for tracking payable media content transactions
A method to facilitate determination of an extent to which payment should be exchanged between the access provider and the content provider for delivery of content items to the client stations. Each client station will be provisioned with a list of available content items, including for each a flag and/or other data specifying whether the content item is payable or non-payable. When the client station sends a content request seeking a particular one of the content items, the client station includes the flag or other data. As the content request passes through the access provider's system on the way to the content provider, the access provider then reads the flag or other data to determine whether the content item is payable and perhaps an applicable payment amount. The access provider may thereby maintain a count of payable content transactions and/or other data to facilitate proper payment. |
| US07974999B2 |
Software architecture for managing a system of heterogenous network processors and for developing portable network processor applications
A method and system for developing portable network processor applications and/or managing heterogeneous network processors in a network is disclosed. The network includes host processor(s) utilizing system configuration application(s) that are network processor independent. In one aspect, the method and system include using standardized interface(s) for each network processor, using a standardized transport layer compatible with the interface(s), and providing a generic message application layer. The generic message application layer defines generic payload(s) and message type(s) for configuration communications between the network and host processors. In another aspect, the method and system include providing packet processing shell(s) and generic protocol software that is coupled with the packet processing shell(s) through standard interface(s), network processor independent, and performs operations for packet processing. The method and system also include providing a library that includes network processor specific information for performing the operations and providing block(s) for performing other network processor specific operations. |
| US07974991B2 |
Word-processing document stored in a single XML file that may be manipulated by applications that understand XML
A word processor including a native XML file format is provided. The well formed XML file fully represents the word-processor document, and fully supports 100% of word-processor's rich formatting. There are no feature losses when saving the word-processor documents as XML. A published XSD file defines all the rules behind the word-processor's XML file format. Hints may be provided within the XML associated files providing applications that understand XML a shortcut to understanding some of the features provided by the word-processor. The word-processing document is stored in a single XML file. Additionally, manipulation of word-processing documents may be done on computing devices that do not include the word-processor itself. |
| US07974989B2 |
Computer implemented system and method for enhancing keyword expansion
A computerized system which implements a method for obtaining an improved set of relevant keywords from an initial set of relevant keywords and their associated relative ratings, utilizing the proven expertise and reliability of existing keyword expansion tools and the accumulated experience of search engines. The method comprises iterating over keyword seeds, search engines' results and keyword suggestion sources' results, merging lists of keywords and combining their scores by means of an optimization method and learned effectiveness of result sources. Keyword relevance scores may be effectively used to distribute a content provider's resources amongst keywords thereby to achieve inclusion and optimization in search engines' results. The system input is a set of one or more seed keywords and the system produces an expanded list of unique keywords, each keyword typically accompanied by a computed relevance score. |
| US07974987B1 |
Database for storing device handle data in an extensible firmware interface environment
Methods, apparatus, and computer-readable media for providing a device handle database in an EFI environment are disclosed. According to one method, a device handle database is created for storing data identifying the protocols that have been installed on one or more device handles. The database includes a sorted array of elements utilized to store protocol data for a family of protocols having the same GUID. Each element in the array comprises a family data structure including a field for storing the GUID for the family along with a field for storing a pointer to a linked list that stores the protocol instance data for each of the protocols in the family. Each node in the linked list is also a member of a linked list for storing protocol data for all of the protocols installed on a given device handle. |
| US07974983B2 |
Website network and advertisement analysis using analytic measurement of online social media content
Methods, apparatuses, and computer-readable media for generating a website network graph to model one or more networks of websites relevant to subject matter of interest in a category, wherein generating the website network graph includes performing one or more searches relating to the subject matter of interest in a search engine API using one or more relevant keywords in combination with the subject matter of interest, extracting search results from the one or more searches, and identifying online social media websites with content most relevant to the subject matter of interest based on the website network graph. |
| US07974980B2 |
Data processing device capable of performing data transmission in a predetermined access method
In a data processing device, an input form processing program is executed, and an input form obtaining unit obtains input form data for inputting data to be transmitted to a server. Transmission data processing description data included in the input form data and defining a method of accessing the server is passed from the input form obtaining unit to a transmission data processing unit, and UI description data displaying a user interface is passed to an UI processing unit. When the input data for each item included in the user interface is already input and stored, the UI processing unit extracts required input data from storing unit, and passes it to the transmission data processing unit via a data storing unit. The transmission data processing unit creates transmission data according to the defined access method and transmits it to the server. |
| US07974979B2 |
Inquiry-oriented user input apparatus and method
User input from a reduced keypad is disambiguated and compared with a first dynamic lexicon, and predicted matches (e.g. either a single word or phrase) are offered. If a user continues to type beyond a boundary condition, then input is no longer predicted from the first lexicon, but instead is interpreted as a request for matches from a second, quasi-static lexicon allowing words or phrases to be entered. When the entry is accepted, data is transmitted to a remote receiver and may be parsed as an inquiry for subsequent operation. Following acceptance, the apparatus invokes a program suitable for interacting with the response generated to the inquiry. |
| US07974978B2 |
System and method for graph indexing
Techniques for graph indexing are provided. In one aspect, a method for indexing graphs in a database, the graphs comprising graphic data, comprises the following steps. Frequent subgraphs among one or more of the graphs in the database are identified, the frequent subgraphs appearing in at least a threshold number of the graphs in the database. One or more of the frequent subgraphs are used to create an index of the graphs in the database. |
| US07974976B2 |
Deriving user intent from a user query
A system and method for deriving user intent from a query. The system includes a query engine, and an advertisement engine. The query engine receives a query from the user. The query engine analyzes the query to determine a query intent that is matched to a domain. The query may be further analyzed to derive predicate values based on the query and the domain hierarchy. The domain and associated information may then be matched to a list of advertisements. The advertisement may be assigned an ad match score based on a correlation between the query information and various listing information provided in the advertisement. |
| US07974975B2 |
Method and apparatus for distributing information to users
A method and apparatus for providing information to a plurality of users based on the relevancy of the information to the users are disclosed. An incoming message is received. Similarity scores are generated indicating similarities of the incoming message to features of a plurality of messages. Relevancy scores are generated for the plurality of users, the relevancy scores indicating relevancies of the incoming message to the plurality of users based on the similarity scores and a plurality of user profiles including information descriptive of the plurality of users' preferences for the features of the plurality of users. Message information derived from the incoming message, the relevancy scores, and the plurality of user profiles is delivered to at least some of the plurality of users. |
| US07974973B1 |
Application object tuning
Apparatus, methods, and computer readable medium for monitoring a database and for determining aggregate I/O wait times (i.e. for a ‘target’ index or table) associated at least one I/O category selected from a plurality of I/O categories are disclosed herein. |
| US07974972B2 |
Methods and apparatus for searching with awareness of geography and languages
A system that automatically discerning the best combinations of a user query's geographical origin and language, retrieving and displaying search results accordingly. A record on the system are associated with a geographic location and a language. A record could be composed of two or more records, each of which associates with a location and a language. A record could be in rich media format. |
| US07974971B2 |
Query identification and normalization for web search
A computer-implemented method for processing user entered query data to improve results of a search of pages using a local search database, when searching the internet, is disclosed. The method includes receiving the user entered query data and parsing each word of the query data and segmenting words using a probabilistic dictionary to determine a likelihood that the word is for a particular name. And, associating the particular names with a name tag to create one or more tagged name terms. Then, normalizing each of the tagged name terms and the normalizing including boosting information if found in the local search database and determining proximity between selected ones of the tagged name terms. The method then generates an optimized search query that incorporates normalized terms and operators. The optimized search query being applied to the internet to enable search results to be produced and displayed to the user in response to the entered query data. |
| US07974970B2 |
Detection of undesirable web pages
A system for detecting artificial promotion of a resource, including a search engine operative to index a set incoming links (“inlinks”) which reference the resource, a log module coupled with the search engine and configured to store log data associated with the set of inlinks, a partitioning module coupled with log module and operative to partition the set of inlinks into a plurality of groups of inlinks based on at least one partitioning scheme, a statistics module coupled with the partitioning module and operative to compute a statistic associated with the inlinks within each of the plurality of groups of inlinks, and a computation module coupled with the statistics module and operative to process the computed statistic associated with the inlinks of each of the plurality of groups of inlinks and compute a metric associated with set of inlinks where the metric indicates a level of uniformity of a distribution of values of the respective computed statistics among the plurality of groups of inlinks, and where the search engine places a list of search results, generated in response to a search query, in a pattern based on the metric. |
| US07974968B2 |
Direct call threaded code
A pre-pass and direct call mechanism which replaces the interpreter. The mechanism moves static decisions out of the repeated runtime path, into a pre-pass operation. Advantageously, the mechanism reduces runtime overhead, and improves overall performance of the DBMS during runtime, while maintaining the considerable investment in opcode generation and plan representation, already invested in the implementation of the DBMS. |
| US07974967B2 |
Hybrid database system using runtime reconfigurable hardware
A system may include a routines repository that is configured to store and maintain hardware libraries, software libraries and metadata, a hybrid query engine that may be configured to receive a query, parse the query, compute a query execution plan and output the query execution plan using metadata and operators from the hardware libraries and/or the software libraries, and a routines management module that may be configured to provide the metadata and the operators from the routines repository to the hybrid query engine. The system may include an execution engine module that may be configured to receive the query execution plan, the execution engine module including a reconfigurable hardware execution engine having a reconfigurable fabric, where the reconfigurable hardware execution engine may be configured to process the query execution plan. |
| US07974962B2 |
Search engine for a video recorder
The present invention is directed to a search engine for a video recorder. One embodiment of the present invention operates in an environment that includes one or more set-top boxes connected to or integrated within one or more output devices. The set-top boxes are used to transfer shows from a broadcast input source to one or more types of storage devices and to play back the shows from the storage devices to the output devices, either in a delayed-live fashion or at a later time of the user's choosing. The set-top box displays a graphical user interface (GUI), which gives the user the ability to watch and/or record timeslot based programming, to order on-demand programming, and to playback previously recorded shows that reside on a local or remote storage device. A search engine is added to the GUI that lets the search for shows and receive results in an enhanced manner. |
| US07974957B2 |
Assessing mobile readiness of a page using a trained scorer
A method and system for ranking pages of a search result based on the mobile readiness of the pages is provided. A mobile-readiness system receives an indication of pages that are to be ranked. The mobile-readiness system evaluates the mobile readiness for each of the pages. Mobile readiness indicates suitability of the page for a mobile device. The mobile readiness system then ranks the pages based on the generated mobile readiness and some other criterion such as a relevance score or an importance score. The mobile-readiness system may train a classifier to classify pages based on their mobile readiness. |
| US07974955B2 |
Inhibiting non-critical access based on measured performance in a database system
A database system has a contention monitor which determines when the level of contention for accessing or inserting records in the database rises above a threshold, and inhibits non-critical access to the database to reduce the level of contention. In a preferred embodiment, the level of contention is determined by periodically measuring the time for an INSERT operation on the database, and comparing the time to a threshold derived from a baseline time measurement for the operation during a time of normal database activity. Thus the contention level is inferred from the time to do the operation, in this case the INSERT query. In one embodiment, the contention monitor notifies a system administrator to take action to reduce the contention. In another embodiment, the contention monitor informs the system to take action automatically according to predetermined selections by the system administrator. |
| US07974952B1 |
Tracking file system changes for backup
In some embodiments, a method for tracking changes comprises reviewing a file system, wherein an entry is associated with the file system; providing a first record file, wherein a record is associated with the first record file; comparing the file system entry with the record; providing a second record file; and merging the first record file with the second record file. |
| US07974949B2 |
Computer system and automatic data backup method
By limiting a backup object to a particular one, it is possible to reduce the system load and perform effective automatic backup. By using a hard disc device or the like, a first storage unit (40) and a second storage unit (70) are prepared. When the system is started, a spreading and storing unit (30) formed by a device driver spreads an OS program and an application program A on a memory (20). The programs are executed by a program execution unit (10). An application to be backed up is registered in advance in an application registration unit (50). A backup management unit (60) monitors operation of the spreading and storing unit (30). Only when particular data in the memory (20) is stored in the first storage unit (40) according to the storing instruction by the registered application, the backup management unit (60) performs a backup process, i.e., stores the particular data also in the second storage unit (70). |
| US07974948B2 |
Automatically capturing and maintaining versions of documents
Tools and techniques are described for automatically capturing and maintaining versions of documents. These tools may provide methods that include receiving documents from a server, and receiving indications of revisions to the documents at client systems. The methods may also automatically determine whether to capture representations of states of the documents before entry of the revisions, in the absence of explicit user commands to capture these representations. |
| US07974945B2 |
System and method for synchronizing a BlackBerry with a Macintosh
A system and method enable a BlackBerry device to communicate with and be synchronized with a Macintosh computer. |
| US07974944B2 |
Human data management
The present invention discloses methods and systems for managing data in user-centric environment. In this environment an entity is authorized to receive user data based on the relationship between the entity and a user. A user provides message data for communication to a selected entity by one or more communication channels. Based on privileges assigned to the entity, user data may be retrieved, including a contact method for the entity. In addition a communication template is retrieved based on the communication channel. By populating the template with the first data and the user data; a communication is created and transmitted to the selected entity using the communication method. |
| US07974942B2 |
Data masking system and method
A system and method for data masking target data fields of a data record uses an original database with data records having at least one target data field and a copied database including a copy of at least a portion of the original database. Data masking consists of adding a row-identifier column with an index to a primary data record to form a primary row-identifier data record, creating empty delta data records, performing data transformations on the target data fields to form masked delta data records, merging the masked delta data records with the primary row-identifier data record to form a masked primary data record, copying a related data record and joining with said primary row-identifier data record to form a related row-identifier data record and then merging the related row-identifier data record with the masked primary data record to form a masked related data record. |
| US07974939B2 |
Processing model-based commands for distributed applications
The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for processing model based commands for distributed applications. Embodiments facilitate execution of model-based commands, including software lifecycle commands, using model-based workflow instances. Data related to command execution is stored in a shared repository such that command processors can understand their status in relationship to workflow instances. Further, since the repository is shared, command execution can be distributed and balanced across a plurality of different executive services. Embodiments also include model-based error handling and error recovery mechanisms. |
| US07974938B2 |
Reluctant episodic memory (REM) to store experiences of everyday interaction with objects
A method and system for storing episodic sequences (events and actions). The system learns episodic sequencing by observing real-world events and actions or by receiving fact data from a database storing common sense facts. The episodic sequences are classified into events and actions, processed to indicate correlations and causality between the events and actions, and generated into linked graphs. The linked graphs may then be used to draw inferences, recognize patterns, and make decisions. |
| US07974937B2 |
Adaptive embedded historians with aggregator component
Systems and methods that aggregate history data collected via embedded historians with additional data that is supplied by third parties. Triggering events can be defined for initiating aggregation of such history data with additional data, which enable a process/application to retrieve the operational metric data of the industrial unit/entity from any of a plurality of systems operatively coupled to such industrial unit/entity. |
| US07974932B2 |
Service utility pricing model
In one embodiment a method comprises a method of determining a price level for a computer-based service utility comprises determining a base price for the service utility, determining a loss premium for the service utility, and adding the loss premium to the base price level. |
| US07974929B2 |
Personal interface device and method
A personal device is provided. The personal device includes an identification verification system that receives first identification data from a physical identification device, such as by inserting a driver's license into a card reader that is adapted to receive a driver's license. Second identification data such as a PIN number is also received. Payment authorization data or other suitable data is generated if the driver's license corresponds to the PIN. A payment selection system or other suitable system receives the payment authorization data and displays one or more payment accounts for selection by a user. Where a payment selection system is used, the payment selection system transmits payment account data to a point-of-sale system. |
| US07974925B2 |
Content bank for objects
A content bank for objects hosts all information regarding an object and serves as a proxy for that object. The content bank comprises at least one instance of a digital identity corresponding the object. Object identity modules or services are available through the digital identity instance. Via the content bank system, the digital identity instance receives object-related information from a source and targeted to a specific service. Conversely, the digital identity instance also serves to determine when object-related information should be provided to a third party by a given service, or when object-related information needs to be manipulated by one or more services. A multi-mode interface is available for third parties to communicate with the digital identity instance. In this manner, third parties are not only able to access data regarding an object, but are actually able to communicate with an object via the digital identity instance. |
| US07974924B2 |
Medical data encryption for communication over a vulnerable system
A method for securing patient medical information for communication over a potentially vulnerable system includes separating patient's medical file into a demographics layer and a data layer, separately encrypting the demographic layer and data layer using different encryption keys, and providing servers in a communication and processing system with a decryption key for the layer processed by such server. Medical file data may be separated into more than two layers. Users accessing the system are authenticated using standard techniques. By separately encrypting different parts of a patient medical record, processing and communication of patient medical files by intermediary servers is enabled without risking disclosure of sensitive patient information if such servers are compromised. |
| US07974923B2 |
Extensible rights expression processing system
Extensible grammar-based rights expression system for processing rights expressions including an interpreter with plug-in subcomponents, a validator, and a framework. In another embodiment, system includes a framework having an extensible architecture with extensibility points for adding extensions to the grammar, and an interpreter, the extensions defining semantics and syntax of new rights expressions. A method for processing rights expressions is also provided having the steps of registering plug-in components, making a programmatic call, finding and invoking appropriate plug-in components, evaluating the request against the grant, and returning an authorization result. In another embodiment, method includes the steps of providing an extensible grammar-based rights expression system having an extensible architecture with an interpreter, evaluating the request against the grant using the interpreter, and returning an authorization result. The method may include the step of adding new extensions to the rights expression system to allow processing of new rights expressions. |
| US07974921B1 |
Bank cheque system with cheques having magnetized strips and/or storage chips
A system and method to produce and use new bank checks with magnetized strips (30) and/or storage chips (33) to avoid forging in the checks and to confirm immediately upon introducing them for negotiation, whether or not sufficient funds are available. The bank check system comprises issued bank checks whose front and rear faces carry imprinted visible data (11-21) and a magnetic strip (30) and/or storage chip (33) containing stored encoded data readable by a reader so it can be checked for conformity with the visible data (11-21) to detect any unauthorized alterations to the check. The visible data (11-21) and stored encoded data include an identification of a check (19), account, drawer (15) and bank (16). The new checks include checks with a maximum value, or a fixed value that is pre-paid and blocked in the drawer's account, and “ordinary” checks, enabling to check whether the checks to be paid with a sufficient blocked amount. The invention includes a control bank system and the usage of the reader devices to confirm the correctness and safety of these checks, and can be negotiated immediately. The checks according to the invention can be made of plastic, or paper merged with plastic or any other material. The plastic in the edges of the plastic checks are thicker and non-covered with paper to carry the magnetized strip and/or storage chip, in accordance with standard specifications compatible with the reader devices. |
| US07974920B2 |
Benefit planning
Methods, computer readable media, and systems including program instructions are provided for use with benefit planning. A method embodiment includes providing terms for a number of benefit plans available to a potential participant. The embodiment also includes receiving an estimate of benefits to be used by the potential participant. The embodiment further includes displaying together an estimate of expenses to be incurred by the potential participant under each of the benefit plans based on the terms and the estimate of benefits to be used. |
| US07974915B2 |
Method and interface for presenting last traded quantity information
Trading software may receive trading information from an exchange. The trading software may use the trading information to compute an estimate of last traded total sweep quantity. The trading software may also display the last traded total sweep quantity on a trading screen. |
| US07974914B2 |
System and method for managing trading orders with decaying reserves
A system comprises a memory operable to store a trading order for a particular quantity of a trading product, wherein a first portion of the particular quantity is a displayed quantity and a second portion of the particular quantity is a reserved quantity. The system further comprises a processor communicatively coupled to the memory and operable to disclose the displayed quantity to one or more market centers. The processor is further operable to identify a decay rate associated with the trading order. The processor is further operable to cause the reserved quantity to decay based at least in part on the identified decay rate. |
| US07974912B2 |
Paid search engine bid management
A method and apparatus (information processing system) for overcoming deficiencies and inefficiencies in the current paid search engine keyword bidding market, by providing keyword bidders with information they need to better optimize their use of paid search engines. The system accumulates bid amounts for a plurality of target keywords at one or more paid Internet search engines, and presents the bid amounts to a user, enabling the user to evaluate and optimize bids on those keywords. The system also presents bid amounts for a keyword at one or more paid Internet search engines, in a manner highlighting one or more selected bid amounts of interest to a potential bidder. This permits a bidder to identify the bidder's own bid, and/or to identify a differential in bid amounts that indicates an opportunity for bid optimization. The system further monitors keyword bids at one or more paid Internet search engines to identify bid changes of interest to a potential bidder. |
| US07974911B2 |
Model-based selection of trade execution strategies
Effective selection of trade execution strategies using a multi-dimensional model is disclosed. A relationship exists between order difficulty and execution strategy. Execution strategy depends on order difficulty, and order difficulty has many dimensions. The multi-dimensional model classifies trade orders according to the dimensions, and then maps these classified trade orders into suitable execution strategies. For each trade order, one or more appropriate strategies are automatically selected and presented to the trader to assist the trader in making an informed and timely decision. |
| US07974909B1 |
System and method for making trades
One aspect of the invention includes a trading system that enables a trader to systematically layout and describe trading processes and to configure the trading system to automatically perform trading functions for the trader. This aspect frees the trader from the task of implementing those processes and enables the trader to focus on trading. The trading system may respond and react faster than the trader, and the trader may, in turn, concentrate on an overall trading strategy versus concentrating on implementing that strategy. In another aspect, the invention enables the trading system to perform a trading using snapshot processing. |
| US07974906B2 |
System and method for estimating and optimizing transaction costs
A method and system for forecasting the transaction cost of a portfolio trade execution that may be applied to any given trade strategy or an optimal trade strategy that minimizes transaction costs. In preferred embodiments, a server comprises one or more computers that act as an automated forecaster whereby it accepts user-defined input variables from customers and generates a transaction cost estimation report based on those variables. The server is programmed with specific transaction cost estimation and optimization algorithms that model the transaction costs of a specific trade execution based on the user's trading profile and market variables. |
| US07974905B1 |
Outlier trade detection for securities lending transactions
Tools are provided for identifying outliers or variations in trade data derived from securities transactions, such as securities lending transactions. Such outliers may provide an indication that a given trade is suspicious or potentially inappropriate from a customer relationship point of view, a regulatory perspective, or a legal standpoint. Trades identified as outliers can be utilized in regression analyses to analyze specific trades, trader-broker relationships, or other trading activity. |
| US07974896B2 |
Methods, systems, and computer program products for financial analysis and data gathering
Systems, methods and computer readable media are provided for controlling operations of an enterprise. In one exemplary embodiment, a method is provided that includes creating an alert model that may be parameterized by a user to monitor the behavior of one or more operational drivers. The method may also include monitoring the behavior of the one or more operational drivers based on the alert model and sending an alert message when the behavior of the one or more operational driver causes a deviation from a preset standard. The method may further include analyzing the alert message to determine one or more behaviors contributing to the alert and communicating the alert message to others in order to collaborate on correcting the deviation from the preset standard. Moreover, the method may include generating a report summary regarding the alert. |
| US07974893B2 |
Systems and methods for providing ACH transaction notification and facilitating ACH transaction disputes
A system and method for identifying incoming ACH transactions involving subscriber accounts at a financial institution, comparing the ACH transaction details with preset notification criteria, suspending any ACH transaction that satisfy the preset criteria so that the transaction does not post to the account, notifying the subscriber of the incoming ACH transaction, providing the subscriber with the option to either authorize or dispute the ACH transaction, and facilitating the dispute process according to applicable banking rules by requesting further information from the subscriber and forwarding the dispute information to the ACH operator. |
| US07974883B2 |
Method and system for providing absorbent articles to a consumer
A system and method for providing kits of absorbent articles to consumers includes a selection tool that collects information about the consumer's cycle characteristics and use preferences and selects for the consumer a cycle kit of absorbent articles. An interactive ordering tool allows online purchase of a kit. An auto-send option provides monthly delivery of a cycle kit timed to coincide with onset of the consumer's menses. An information component provides use instructions and health and lifestyle information in different media, including from a web site. Different kit types include assortments of different types of feminine hygiene articles specific to particular profiles of cycle characteristics and use preferences, arranged in a package in a use sequence keyed to cycle progression. Other distribution channels in the system include both traditional and non-traditional brick-and-mortar retailers and institutional channels, such as dispensing machines. Refills, sample kits, custom kits and compacts are provided. |
| US07974882B1 |
Method and system for creating a comprehensive undeliverable-as-addressed database for the improvement of the accuracy of marketing mailing lists
The present invention is directed to a method and system for generating a comprehensive undeliverable-as-addressed database and receiving mailing lists which may be analyzed to determine confirmed undeliverable-as-addressed records within a mailing list. Items of mail found to be undeliverable subsequent to mailing may be received at one or more processing locations, and consolidated into a single clearinghouse. The names and address of the intended recipient may be retrieved through scanning of the address via an optical character recognition software system or manually entered and may be stored in a consolidated database of confirmed undeliverable as addressed mail. Prior to mailing marketing materials, a mailing list may be compared with the consolidated database of confirmed undeliverable-as-addressed mail to determine confirmed undeliverable-as-addressed records. The undeliverable-as-addressed records may be flagged or alternatively removed from the mailing list. |
| US07974874B2 |
Method of enhancing email text with hyperlinked word pointing to targeted ad
A computer method and device for intercepting contracting client's sent electronic messages, scanning the message body content for key words, sending the key words to a remote central computer server which analyses the key words and enhances the message by attaching a relevant, contextual advertising tag line or image/banner/words/HTML/Flash, etc. to the electronic message, and transmitting the enhanced message to a receiver. |
| US07974871B2 |
System and method for reordering meeting agenda items prior to the occurrence of the meeting based upon partial participation by the meeting participants
The system and method of the present invention allows a Chair to a meeting to pre-define an agenda in the meeting invitation and to send the meeting invitation to the Invitees/Attendees. The Invitees/Attendees receive the meeting notice to determine whether they can attend the meeting during the time/date specified. In the event that the Invitees/Attendees can only attend a portion of the meeting, the Invitees/Attendees are given an option to request reordering of agenda items. After receiving enough receipts, the Meeting Chair can decide to reorder the agenda items and send an update to Invitees/Attendees prior to the meeting or not to reorder and the original agenda stands. |
| US07974863B2 |
Performing predictive pricing based on historical data
Techniques are described for using predictive pricing information for items to assist in evaluating buying and/or selling decisions in various ways, such as on behalf of end-user item acquirers and/or intermediate item providers. The predictive pricing for an item may be based on an analysis of historical pricing information for that item and/or related items, and can be used to make predictions about future pricing information for the item. Such predictions may then be provided to users in various ways to enable comparison of current prices to predicted future prices. In some situations, predictive pricing information is used to assist customers when purchasing airline tickets and/or to assist travel agents when selling airline tickets. |
| US07974859B1 |
Systems and methods for modeling insurance coverage
A method, system and computer-usable medium are disclosed for the modeling of insurance coverage. Coverage parameters of a policy are displayed as graphical elements within a user interface (UI) of a computing device along with a plurality of claim scenario parameters for selection by a user. Once selected, the claim scenario parameters are applied to relevant claim data and a claim scenario is generated. The claim scenario is then applied to the policy coverage parameters of the policy to determine and graphically display coverage parameter disparities, which are then graphically modified to offset any coverage parameter disparities. As coverage parameters are modified, corresponding adjustments to the premium of the current policy are made and displayed within the UI. A resulting policy is generated, using the modified coverage parameters of the current policy and adjusted premiums, and then fulfilled, electronically or physically. |
| US07974858B1 |
Systems and methods for bridging coverage
Systems and methods to provide bridging insurance coverage are described. The apparatus may comprise, a receiver module to receive a request for a financial service from a requestor and an underwriter module to underwrite a bridging financial service. The method may comprise, receiving from a requestor a request for a financial service, underwriting a bridge financial service at the time of the request, and initiating the external processes required for the approval of a final insurance policy. The method may additionally include, completing the external processes, underwriting a final financial service based on the external processes and terminating the bridge financial service. |
| US07974856B2 |
Computational systems and methods related to nutraceuticals
The present disclosure relates to computational systems and methods related to nutraceuticals. |
| US07974853B1 |
Techniques for minimizing nitrous oxide emissions and increasing certainty in generating, quantifying and verifying standardized environmental attributes relating to nitrous oxide
A computer-based method for generating standardized emission reduction credits includes the steps of receiving site-specific data with respect to a geographic location regarding at least one variable impacting reduction of nitrous oxide in the atmosphere, retrieving data general to a geographic region encompassing the location regarding at least one variable impacting the nitrous oxide, processing the site-specific and the general data through a model running on a computer, to determine an approximate change in impact on the nitrous oxide at the location over a specified time period, conducting an uncertainty analysis on the approximate change at the location over the specified time period, via the computer, from the uncertainty analysis, identifying a quantity of emission reduction credits meeting an established standard of certainty as the standardized emission reduction credits; and reporting from the computer the identified quantity of the standardized emission reduction credits. |
| US07974851B2 |
Method and system for price planning
A price planning workbench includes an automated pricing engine, a manual pricing engine, and a user interface. The user interface is configured to receive price planning information from one of the automated pricing engine and the manual pricing engine to generate a price planning schedule. The automated pricing engine may comprise a slow seller engine, a promotion management engine, or some other automated engine capable of providing the price changes used to generate the price planning schedule. |
| US07974848B2 |
Method and apparatus for encoding audio data
Provided are an audio data encoding method and apparatus including determining an initial scale factor value for each frequency band of the audio data according to a quantization error and a maximum permissible distortion level for each frequency band; comparing the initial scale factor value for each frequency band and a predetermined common scale factor value and determining a final scale factor value for each frequency band based on a comparison result; quantizing the audio data using the final scale factor value for each frequency band; and encoding the quantized audio data. |
| US07974847B2 |
Advanced methods for interpolation and parameter signalling
A parameter calculator calculates lower resolution parametric information and interpolation information. On a decoder-side, an upmixer is used for generating the output channels. The upmixer uses high resolution parametric information generated by a parameter interpolator using the low resolution parametric information and decoder-side derived interpolation information or encoder-generated interpolation information for selecting one of a plurality of different interpolation characteristics. |
| US07974842B2 |
Algorithm for n-best ASR result processing to improve accuracy
A method of improving speech recognition includes receiving a plurality of recognized sentences from an automatic speech recognition (ASR) engine, each of the plurality of the recognized sentences including a plurality of information items. A confirmation is also receive that a value of an information item of the plurality of information items has been misrecognized or recognized. If the value has been misrecognized, each of the plurality of sentences are deleted that include the value of the information item that was misrecognized. If the value has been recognized, each of the plurality of sentences that do not include the value of the information item is deleted. The remaining sentences are transmitted to a dialog manager module. |
| US07974841B2 |
Electronic devices and methods that adapt filtering of a microphone signal responsive to recognition of a targeted speaker's voice
Electronic devices and methods are disclosed that adaptively filter a microphone signal responsive to recognition of a targeted speaker's voice. An electronic device can include a microphone, a speaker characterization circuit, an adaptive sound filter circuit, and a speaker recognition circuit. The speaker characterization circuit operates in a training mode to learn characteristics of the targeted speaker's voice component in the microphone signal, and to store the learned characteristics. The adaptive sound filter circuit adaptively filters the microphone signal responsive to a control signal. The speaker recognition circuit uses the learned characteristics to recognize the presence of the targeted speaker's voice in the microphone signal and to regulate the control signal to cause the adaptive sound filter circuit to adapt the filtering to increase the targeted speaker's voice component of the microphone signal relative to other components. |
| US07974838B1 |
System and method for pitch adjusting vocals
A system and method to assist a singer or other user. An audio source is processed to extract the lead vocals from the audio signal. This vocal signal is fed to a pitch detection processor which estimates the pitch at each moment in time. A user singing into a microphone provides a user vocal signal that is also pitch detected. The pitch of the lead vocal signal and the user vocal signal are compared and any difference is provided to a pitch shifting module, which then can correct the pitch of the user vocal signal. The corrected user vocal signal may be combined with a background signal comprising a signal from the audio source without the lead vocal signal, and then provided to headphones or loudspeakers to the user and/or an audience. This system and method may be used for Karaoke performances. |
| US07974835B2 |
Method, system, and apparatus for natural language mixed-initiative dialogue processing
In a natural language, mixed-initiative system, a method of processing user dialogue can include receiving a user input and determining whether the user input specifies an action to be performed or a token of an action. The user input can be selectively routed to an action interpreter or a token interpreter according to the determining step. |
| US07974832B2 |
Web translation provider
A web translation server discovers a document address for a document. The document is accessed and parsed for text data in a first language. The parsed text data is translated into text data in a second language and stored in a database. A client accesses the document and sends a request including the document address to the web translation server. The translated text data in the second language is retrieved from the database based on the document address and sent to the client. The client renders the translated text data in the second language. |
| US07974827B2 |
Resource model training
Operational resource modeling is usable to analyze application and computer system performance over a wide range of hypothetical scenarios. Operational resource modeling involves creating and training one or more resource models, and/or simulating hypothetical scenarios using resource models. |
| US07974825B2 |
Generation of code from a graphical model
A method and system are provided for generating code from a graphical model in a graphical modeling environment. The graphical model includes at least one signal having a data size, a data dimensionality, or both that can vary from a first time instance to a second time instance as the model executes. The size and dimensionality of the signal can vary without the use of a graphically rendered connection to convey the size and dimension information to a block associated with the signal. The generated code includes the attributes of the signal. |
| US07974823B1 |
Test postcondition items for automated analysis and test generation
In one embodiment, a design is verified by creating a graphical model with a graphical modeling tool executing on a computing device. The graphical model may include a plurality of model elements. A postcondition element is coupled to a selected model element of the plurality of model elements. The postcondition element is associated with a desired result. The graphical model is employed to generate an executable form of the design. The executable form of the design and an indication of the desired result are provided to a verification tool, to instruct the verification tool to implement one or more verification scenarios. |
| US07974822B2 |
Method and device for determining the life expectancy of components while in operation
In a method for determining the life expectancy of machine components (2) during operation, characteristic data are established in order to determine the life expectancy for the relevant machine component (2), loads acting on the machine part (2) during operation are determined by means of a sensor device (10), characteristic values that are characteristic for the loads acting on the machine component (2) are determined, and the life expectancy is determined based on the characteristic values and on the characteristic data for the machine component (2). |
| US07974820B1 |
System and method for synchronizing and using a three dimensional view with a block diagram model
A method of synchronizing a block diagram view of a system being modeled with a three-dimensional view of the system being modeled and with the underlying block diagram model data is disclosed. Changes in the block diagram model data are reflected in both views to the degree that the views contain a point of correspondence. User selected changes to the block diagram view of the system being modeled cause changes in the underlying model data. A view generator examines the model data to determine if a point of correspondence equivalent to the changed portion of the block diagram view exists in the three dimensional view. If a point of correspondence exists in the three-dimensional view the view is updated to reflect the changes in the block diagram view. Similarly, user selected changes in the three-dimensional view cause changes in the underlying block diagram model data. The view generator examines the model data to determine if a point of correspondence equivalent to the changed portion of the three dimensional view exists in the block diagram view. In the event that a point of correspondence is found, the block diagram view is updated. |
| US07974819B2 |
Methods and systems for intensity modeling including polarization
Embodiments of the present invention provide computer readable media encoded with executable instructions for modeling an intensity profile at a surface illuminated by an illumination source through a mask. Further embodiments provide methods for correcting a mask pattern and methods for selecting an illumination source. Still further embodiments provide masks and integrated circuits produced using a model of the illumination source. Embodiments of the present invention take into account the polarization of the illumination source and are able to model the effect of polarization on the resultant intensity profile. |
| US07974818B2 |
Solidification analysis method and apparatus
A solidification analysis method of a cast that can predict a molten temperature drop history with fine precision is disclosed. The analysis is performed by considering different latent heat emitting patterns according to the differences of the cooling speeds. An analysis model having a plurality of elements is used. A cooling speed is calculated in each element by performing a calculation of heat transfer between the elements adjacent to each other. A temperature fluctuation range is revised in each element when a temperature fluctuates from emission of solidification latent heat based on the calculated cooling speed and a predetermined fraction solid-temperature curve of a molten alloy. A solidification analysis of the analysis model is performed by using the revised temperature fluctuation range. |
| US07974815B2 |
Embedded system for diagnostics and prognostics of conduits
An apparatus providing a means for assessment of the integrity of insulated conduits, harnesses, cables, pipelines and other interconnection systems constructed with integral sensitized media, discrete sensors, and electronics providing a means for transforming sensed data into information and a means for communicating information for the purpose of understanding the location, degree and risk of damage and deterioration, and the probable causes thereof. |
| US07974812B2 |
Method for determining the total temperature of an airflow surrounding an aircraft
A method for determining the total temperature of the air stream surrounding an aircraft, including the following operations; measuring a parameter of static temperature, measuring a parameter of total temperature, determining a value of speed of the air stream, determining a total temperature computed from the parameters of measured static temperature and measured total temperature as a function of the speed of the air stream. |
| US07974811B2 |
System for optimal alignment of a bearing seal on a shaft of a gas turbine
A method for substantially aligning a bearing seal on a shaft of a turbine engine. The method including measuring characteristics of the subject shaft, measuring characteristics of a plurality of bearing seal components and determining and outputting alignment information of the plurality of bearing seal components with the shaft based on the measured characteristics. The alignment information can be outputted for either substantially perpendicular alignment for an axial seal or substantially parallel alignment for a radial seal. |
| US07974807B2 |
Adaptive calibration for digital phase-locked loops
Techniques for adaptively calibrating a TDC output signal in a digital phase-locked loop (DPLL). In an exemplary embodiment, a calibration factor multiplied to the TDC output signal is adaptively adjusted to minimize a magnitude function of a phase comparator output signal of the DPLL. In an exemplary embodiment, the calibration factor may be adjusted using an exemplary embodiment of the least-mean squares (LMS) algorithm. Further techniques for simplifying the adaptive algorithm for hardware implementation are described. |
| US07974800B2 |
Method, apparatus, and program for detecting the correlation between repeating events
A detecting apparatus detects the degree of correlation between first events and second events repeatedly occurring in an observed apparatus includes an acquiring unit that acquires second event count values each indicating the number of second events occurring during each first period between each first event and the first event next thereto. A measuring unit measures an observed number of each second event count value derived from the number of times the second event count value is observed. A calculating unit calculates the degree of correlation between the first events and the second events based on the observed number of each second event count value. |
| US07974797B2 |
Method and apparatus for confirming the charge amount and degradation state of a battery, a storage medium, an information processing apparatus, and an electronic apparatus
A method and apparatus is used to confirm the charge amount and degradation state of a battery. Various cycle test battery measurements are conducted at prescribed time intervals until the end of the battery life, and the measured values are used to generate a determination table or determination tables showing relationships between battery charge amount and degradation state. To establish the charge amount and degradation state of a subject battery, the subject battery is measured and the results compared with determination table values. The existing charge amount and the state of battery degradation are estimated in accordance with a determination table location of matching values. |
| US07974792B2 |
Meter electronics and methods for determining a liquid flow fraction in a gas flow material
Meter electronics (20) for determining a liquid flow fraction in a gas flow material flowing through a flow meter (5) is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The meter electronics (20) includes an interface (201) for receiving a first sensor signal and a second sensor signal from the flow meter (5) and a processing system (203) in communication with the interface (201). The processing system (203) is configured to receive the first and second sensor signals from the interface (201), determine a substantially instantaneous flow stream density of the gas flow material using the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal, compare the substantially instantaneous flow stream density to at least one of a predetermined gas density that is representative of a gas flow fraction of the gas flow material and a predetermined liquid density that is representative of a liquid flow fraction, and determine the liquid flow fraction from the comparison. |
| US07974789B2 |
Genetic diagnosis using multiple sequence variant analysis
The present invention is in the field of nucleic acid-based genetic analysis. More particularly, it discloses novel insights into the overall structure of genetic variation in all living species. The structure can be revealed with the use of any data set of genetic variants from a particular locus. The invention is useful to define the subset of variations that are most suited as genetic markers to search for correlations with certain phenotypic traits. Additionally, the insights are useful for the development of algorithms and computer programs that convert genotype data into the constituent haplotypes that are laborious and costly to derive in an experimental way. The invention is useful in areas such as (i) genome-wide association studies, (ii) clinical in vitro diagnosis, (iii) plant and animal breeding, (iv) the identification of micro-organisms. |
| US07974788B2 |
Gene discovery through comparisons of networks of structural and functional relationships among known genes and proteins
The present invention also relates to natural language processing and extraction of relational information associated with genes and proteins that are found in genomics journal articles. To enable access to information in textual form, the natural language processing system of the present invention provides systems and methods for extracting and structuring information found in the literature in a form appropriate for subsequent applications. |
| US07974786B2 |
Visualization method of RNA pseudoknot structures
The present invention relates to a visualization method of RNA pseudoknot structures for more efficiently and clearly visualizing all types of RNA pseudoknot structures including H-types in the form of a planar graph without edge-crossing so that the structures can be easily examined. The visualization method comprises reading the structure data in bracket view, identifying stem-loops and pseudoknots enclosed in bracket pairs from the input structure data, first computing the position and shape of a stem-loop contained in an identified pseudoknot to visualize the stem-loop, second computing the position and shape of the pseudoknot containing the calculated stem-loop to visualize the pseudoknot, third computing the position and shape of a stem-loop outside the computed pseudoknot, and inserting or connecting the visualized stem-loops into or to the pseudoknots to complete an RNA pseudoknot structure drawing. |
| US07974782B2 |
Navigation system
Disclosed are a navigation system and/or a point information display method and a program. The navigation system consists mainly of: a stream receiver that receives broadcast streams; a data decoder that samples a data signal from the received streams and decodes the data signal into character string information; a matching block that performs matching to compare a predetermined keyword, which is associated with position information specified in map information data, with stored keywords and searches a keyword consistent with the keyword contained in the character string information; a position information searching block that searches position information associated with the keyword contained in the character string information and detected to be consistent with a stored keyword by the matching block; and a display unit that displays the detected position information while superimposing it on a display image. |
| US07974781B2 |
Navigation apparatuses, methods, and programs for generation of a 3D movie
Navigation apparatuses, methods, and programs set a reference point at an intersection and set a region extending ahead of the vehicle in a direction in which the vehicle enters the intersection, the region including the reference point. Then, the apparatuses, methods, and programs obtain 3D map data of the region, generate a 3D movie which has a predetermined viewpoint on the basis of the obtained 3D map data, and display the generated 3D movie. |
| US07974780B2 |
Route navigation systems, methods, and programs
Navigation systems, methods and programs detect the current location of a vehicle and search a route to a destination based on the current location. The systems, methods, and programs set a guidance intersection based on the searched route, set a route guidance point at a predetermined point before the guidance intersection, and provide route guidance through the guidance intersection when the vehicle reaches the route guidance point. The systems, methods, and programs determine whether the guidance intersection is a guidance intersection where lane planning can be readily performed by a user, even if lane guidance is not performed by the controller. The systems, methods, and programs prevent lane guidance at the predetermined route guidance point from being performed if it is determined that lane planning can be readily performed by the user at the guidance intersection. |
| US07974776B2 |
System and method for providing origin and destination guide information
A system for providing origin and destination guide information selects an origin position of a vehicle, and selects a destination link that is a road near the destination in consideration of a position and a type (crossroads, apartment complex, park, or superhighway) of the destination that the vehicle reaches, generates a path from origin to destination based on the selected origin link, the destination link, and real-time traffic information (or map link information), generates guide information including an adjacent map of the generated path and speech information, and provides the guide information to the vehicle terminal. According to the present invention, the system generates the optimized path from the current position to the desired destination and provides the optimized path to the user. |
| US07974775B1 |
Electronic kit bag
A method of providing electronic flight bag for an aviation professional for use on an aircraft by providing a transportable laptop computer and programming the transportable laptop computer with linear and non-linear algorithms and operating programs. Flight plan information is received by the transportable laptop computer, and additional aircraft and flight related data is inputted as well. Additional information is acquired by the transportable laptop computer on an up to the minute basis during flight, and calculations are made en route to adjust the original flight plan. The updated flight plan is outputted to the aviation professional en route. |
| US07974773B1 |
Methods and devices of an aircraft taxi navigation system
A system for providing taxi navigation information to a pilot of an aircraft is comprised of a navigation system; a taxi navigation module consisting of, in part, a processor and database; and an indicating system consisting of, in part, a tactical display unit system (e.g., a primary flight director (“PFD”), and head-up display (“HUD”) of an aircraft. A navigation system may provide aircraft position data of the aircraft while it is on the ground. A processor receives the aircraft position data, retrieves taxi navigation symbology based upon the aircraft position data from a taxi navigation database, and provides this data to the indicating system. The indicating system generates the display of taxi navigation information on a display unit which, in turn, provides the pilot with an egocentric view of airport signage using colored aviation signage symbology. |
| US07974767B2 |
Method for detecting operating parameters of a power tool comprising an internal combustion engine
In a method for detecting an operating parameter of a power tool having an internal combustion engine with a cylinder, a piston delimiting a combustion chamber in the cylinder and driving a crankshaft supported rotatably in a crankcase, an intake supplying combustion air to the combustion chamber, an exhaust removing combustion gases from the combustion chamber, and a signal generator driven in rotation by the crankshaft emitting sequential alternating voltage signals, a period duration of the voltage signal is selected to correspond to the n-th portion of a crankshaft revolution with n greater than 2. The n-th portion of the crankshaft revolution provides a crankshaft angle interval. For each crankshaft angle interval at least one information is detected that represents a course plotted against the crankshaft angle. The course is scanned with regard to characteristic features that are correlated with an operating parameter of the power tool. |
| US07974764B2 |
Procedure for the reduction of the torque of an internal combustion engine
In order to achieve at least a short-term reduction of the torque of an internal combustion engine, which comprises a range as widely adjustable as possible, causes a slight as possible thermal stress on the components of the attached exhaust gas system and allows for a reduction of the fuel consumption, it is proposed that in addition to the cut off of the fuel-delivery control phase of a cylinder, an intake valve associated with the cylinder is cut off. |
| US07974763B2 |
Process and onboard power supply of a motor vehicle with an anticipating temporary torque derivation of the internal-combustion engine
The invention relates to a method for reducing the energy consumption of a motor vehicle having an internal-combustion engine and having at least one electric onboard power supply to which at least a first electric consuming device is connected. In a first operating condition, the internal-combustion engine is operated with a first injection quantity and a first ignition point. In a second operating condition, the internal-combustion engine is operated with a second injection quantity higher than the first injection quantity and a second ignition point. The second ignition point in time is less favorable than the first ignition point in the case of the second injection quantity with respect to the capacity of the internal-combustion engine. Upon detecting a substantially imminent special driving situation, a driving situation detection device causes the internal-combustion engine to change from the first operating condition into the second operating condition. |
| US07974762B2 |
Self tuning cylinder pressure based heat release computation
A method for automatic, heat release computation in a piston engine, comprises the steps of: measuring a cylinder pressure as a function of crank angle (see FIGURE), based on said measurement; calculating a first polytropic exponent for a compression stroke (in M), based on said measurement, calculating a second polytropic exponent for an expansion stroke (in M′); for a crank angle interval between the compression stroke and the expansion stroke, performing an interpolation of the first and second polytropic exponents and performing a net heat release computation based on said interpolated polytropic exponent. |
| US07974761B2 |
Braking-driving force control device of vehicle
According to the present invention, when a target braking/driving force and a vehicle target yaw moment required to a vehicle cannot be achieved through a control of a braking/driving forces of wheels, in a rectangular coordinate of the braking/driving force and the yaw moment, a polygon indicating the maximum range of the braking/driving force and the yaw moment attainable by the braking/driving forces of the wheels, and an ellipse that crosses each side of the polygon and has a major axis and a minor axis aligning with the coordinate axis of the rectangular coordinate are set, for example. The target braking/driving force and the target yaw moment are modified to the values at the coordinate of the point, which is closer to the origin, of a point of intersection of a segment linking a point indicating the target braking/driving force and the target yaw moment and the origin, and the polygon, and a point of intersection of a segment linking a point indicating the target braking/driving force and the target yaw moment and the origin, and the ellipse. |
| US07974760B2 |
Advanced power-shift transmission control system
A method for controlling a power-shift transmission comprising controlling a vehicle travel speed by simultaneously slipping two or more clutch packs associated with opposing directions of vehicle travel and adjusting an engine speed, according to a programmed response associated with a change in one or more of the engine speed, a torque converter slip, a selected direction of vehicle travel, and an accelerator position. |
| US07974757B2 |
Agricultural harvester with dual engine failure power transfer system
An agricultural harvester includes a first power unit which is couplable with a first primary load. The first primary load includes a threshing system load. A first motor/generator is mechanically coupled with the first power unit. A first clutch is mechanically coupled between the first power unit and the first primary load. A second power unit is couplable with a second primary load. The second primary load includes a propulsion load. A second motor/generator is mechanically coupled with the second power unit and electrically coupled with the first motor/generator. A second clutch is mechanically coupled between the second power unit and the second motor/generator. |
| US07974756B2 |
Construction vehicle
A construction vehicle includes an engine, a hydraulic pump configured to be driven by the engine, a traveling hydraulic motor configured to be driven by pressured oil discharged by the hydraulic pump, a traveling wheel configured to be driven by driving force of the traveling hydraulic motor, and a control unit configured to control a vehicle velocity and a traction force by controlling rotation speed of the engine, capacity of the hydraulic pump, and capacity of the traveling hydraulic motor. In addition, the control unit is further configured to perform slip reduction control for reducing the maximum rotation speed of the engine as the vehicle velocity becomes slow in a low-velocity range in which the vehicle velocity is less than or equal to a predetermined velocity. |
| US07974754B2 |
Vehicle steering control system
A vehicle steering control system includes a variable transmission ratio device that rotates an output shaft relative to an input shaft so as to change the transmission ratio, and a locking device that is switched between a lock-on state in which the transmission ratio between the input shaft and the output shaft is inhibited from being changed and a lock-off state in which the transmission ratio between the input shaft and the output shaft is allowed to be changed. The variable transmission ratio device includes an electric motor and a speed reduction mechanism. The locking device inhibits the input shaft and a rotor of the electric motor from rotating relative to each other when placed in the lock-on state, and allows the input shaft and the rotor to rotate relative to each other when placed in the lock-off state. |
| US07974751B2 |
Sensitivity identifying device and steering assist system
A sensitivity identifying device has an operating object device configured to operate when an operation member is moved according to a force applied by a user, an assist force applying device for applying an assist force to movement of the operation member, an operation force parameter detecting device for detecting a value of an operation force parameter, an operation response parameter detecting device for detecting a value of an operation response parameter, a sensitivity identifying information storage section for storing sensitivity identifying information associating a sensitivity index, with a combination of the value of the operation force parameter and the operation response parameter, and a sensitivity determining unit for specifying the sensitivity index based on the combination of the value of the operation force parameter and the operation response parameter, and the sensitivity identifying information, and outputting the sensitivity index. |
| US07974747B2 |
Vehicle and method for controlling the same
When a system stop instruction is issued in the middle of the operation of an engine to stop the engine, the engagement of the gears in a gear mechanism is pressed toward one side. After the engine has stopped, a torque command for a motor connected to a drive shaft is gradually reduced. When the torque command decreases below a threshold value, the system is stopped. In this way, it is possible to prevent generation of vibration of the drive shaft when the system is stopped. |
| US07974741B2 |
Managing information related to industrial equipment
An electronics module for an industrial device is associated with an individual industrial device. Audit data for the industrial device is stored in a memory of the electronics module. The audit data includes information related to one or more steps that have been performed while making the individual industrial device. Operating instructions for the industrial device are stored in the memory of the electronics module. The operating instructions are operable to enable the electronics module to control and/or monitor one or more aspects of the flow control device operation. |
| US07974739B2 |
System and method having arm with cable passage through joint to infrared lamp
In one embodiment, a system is provided with a rotatable arm having a movable joint, an infrared lamp coupled to the rotatable arm, and an electrical cable extending through the rotatable arm and the movable joint. In another embodiment, a system is provided with a base and an arm coupled to the base via a first rotatable joint, wherein the arm has an arcuate shape. The system also may include a head coupled to the arm via a second rotatable joint, an infrared lamp coupled to the head, and a temperature sensor disposed adjacent the infrared lamp. Furthermore, the system may include an air flow passage extending through the first rotatable joint, the arm, and the second rotatable joint. A fan also may be pneumatically coupled to the air flow passage. In addition, an electrical cable may be disposed in the air flow passage, wherein the electrical cable extends to the infrared lamp and the temperature sensor. |
| US07974735B2 |
Laser tool robot system with coordinated drive shaft control
A robot system includes s a robot (1) which moves a tool (3) attached to an end of the robot (1) by driving a robot drive shaft. The tool (3) applies a laser beam inputted from a laser oscillator (5) by drive of the tool drive shaft to an object. A robot control device (2) controls the robot drive shaft and the tool drive shaft in synchronization. |
| US07974726B2 |
Method and system for removing empty carriers from process tools by controlling an association between control jobs and carrier
By providing an under-specified specification for designating a destination carrier in a respective control job or control message, a high degree of flexibility in determining the destination of processed substrates may be obtained, thereby also allowing the removal of a source carrier for enhancing load port availability in complex semiconductor facilities. |
| US07974724B2 |
Product-related feedback for process control
A method, apparatus, and a system for performing a product feedback for process control are provided. Metrology data relating to a first workpiece is received. An end of line parameter relating to the first workpiece is received. The end of line parameter is correlated with the metrology data. A process control associated with a plurality of processes to be performed on a second workpiece is adjusted based upon the correlating. |
| US07974723B2 |
Yield prediction feedback for controlling an equipment engineering system
A yield prediction is received by a scheduling and dispatch controller, wherein the yield prediction is associated with a manufacturing tool and a product. A weighting of the manufacturing tool is adjusted in a routing algorithm based on the yield prediction. A cost-benefit analysis is computed that identifies a cost and a benefit of manufacturing future products on the manufacturing tool. A determination is made regarding whether to process a future product on the manufacturing tool based on the cost-benefit analysis. |
| US07974719B2 |
Method and an apparatus for automatic manufacture of an object with multiple intersecting components
Systems and methods for the automatic manufacture of a multiple component object with intersecting components based on a standard design model of the object. The systems and methods according to the invention are capable of automatically extracting from a design model the dimensions of the components and the intersection parameters of the components, and of instructing a manufacturing machine to mark out the position of the components and manufacture the object on the basis of the extracted information. This increases efficiency and compatibility with existing design models and reduces cost. |
| US07974713B2 |
Temporal and spatial shaping of multi-channel audio signals
A selected channel of a multi-channel signal represented by frames composed from sampling values having a high time resolution is provided that can be encoded with higher quality when a wave form parameter representation representing a wave form of an intermediate resolution representation of the selected channel is derived. The wave form parameter representation with the intermediate resolution can be used to shape a reconstructed channel to retrieve a channel having a signal envelope close to a selected original channel. The time scale on which the shaping is performed is shorter than the time scale of a framewise processing, thus enhancing the quality of the reconstructed channel. On the other hand, the shaping time scale is larger than the time scale of the sampling values, significantly reducing the amount of data needed by the wave form parameter representation. |
| US07974709B2 |
Guide wire stylet
A cardiac lead system includes a cardiac lead having a lumen, and a guide member displaceable within the lumen. The guide member includes a guide wire extension that extends distal to the elongated body of the guide member. The guide wire extension is dimensioned to pass through an external distal opening of the cardiac lead lumen. Engagement of stop features or a stop mechanism of the cardiac lead system provides a push point for advancing the cardiac lead system through the patient's anatomy. |
| US07974707B2 |
Electrode assembly with fibers for a medical device
An apparatus and system are provided for employing an electrode for delivering an electrical signal to a portion of a tissue of a patient's body. The electrode includes a first surface to electrically couple to the portion of an outer layer of the tissue. The electrode also includes a plurality of fibers or longitudinal elements coupled to the outer surface. The plurality of fibers or longitudinal elements are adapted to migrate to an interior portion of the tissue. |
| US07974705B2 |
Multiplexed multi-electrode neurostimulation devices
Implantable stimulation devices are provided. Aspects of the devices include a multiplexed multi-electrode component configured for neural stimulation. The multiplexed multi-electrode component includes two or more individually addressable satellite electrode structures electrically coupled to a common conductor. The satellite structures include a hermetically sealed integrated circuit controller operatively coupled to one or more electrodes. Also provided are systems that include the devices of the invention, as well as methods of using the systems and devices in a variety of different applications. |
| US07974703B2 |
Shifting between electrode combinations in electrical stimulation device
Techniques for shifting between two electrode combinations. An amplitude of a first electrode combination is incrementally decreased while an amplitude of a second, or subsequent, electrode combination is concurrently incrementally increased. Alternatively, an amplitude of the first electrode combination is maintained at a target amplitude level while the amplitude of the second electrode combination is incrementally increased. The stimulation pulses of the electrode combinations are delivered to the patient interleaved in time. In this manner, the invention provides for a smooth, gradual shift from a first electrode combination to a second electrode combination, allowing the patient to maintain a continual perception of stimulation. The shifting techniques described herein may be used during programming to shift between different electrode combinations to find an efficacious electrode combination. Additionally, the techniques may be used for shifting between different electrode combinations associated with different stimulation programs or program sets. |
| US07974702B1 |
Communication device, communication system and communication method for an implantable medical device
A communication device for an implantable medical device may include: an input/output interface configured to communicate with a wireless communication device; a communication interface configured to communicate with a remote system; and a processor configured to perform an analysis of data received from the wireless communication device via the input/output interface and associated with the implantable medical device. The communication device may include a user interface configured to receive data input by a user. A communication system may include a wireless communication device and the aforementioned communication device. A communication method for an implantable medical device may include: providing a communication device that is configured to communicate with a wireless communication device, to communicate with a remote system and to perform an analysis of data; communicating data associated with an implantable medical device from a wireless device to the communication device; and analyzing the received data at the communication device. |
| US07974698B2 |
Method and apparatus for desynchronization of neural brain activity
The invention relates to an apparatus for desynchronization of neural illness-synchronous brain activity in which the activities in at least two subareas of a brain area or at least two functionally associated brain areas are stimulated by means of at least two electrodes. In the case of a person with an illness, desynchronization therapy suppresses symptoms in the relevant neuron population. The feedback stimulation signal, that is to say the measured, time-delayed and process neural activity, is used as an individual stimulus. This results in self-regulated, demand control of the amplitude of the stimulation signal, thus minimizing the intensity of the stimulation stimuli automatically after successful desynchronization. The apparatus has at least two stimulation electrodes and at least one sensor, which are driven by a controller such that they result in desynchronization in their local environment. |
| US07974697B2 |
Medical imaging feedback for an implantable medical device
A method, system, and apparatus are provided for performing an adaptive stimulation process using medical imaging feedback data for affecting an operation of an implantable medical device. The first stimulation signal is applied to a neural structure for modulation of a target portion of the patient's brain associated with a disorder. Medical imaging data is acquired that is indicative of whether the target portion of the brain is modulated as a result of the first stimulation signal. The first signal characteristic is modified to generate a second stimulation signal in response to a determination that said target portion of the brain is not modulated as a result of said first stimulation signal. The first and second stimulation signals may be used to navigate an effect of the first and second stimulation signals until a targeted portion of the human body is stimulated according to a predetermined threshold. |
| US07974675B2 |
Method of measuring pressure with a septal lead
A method of measuring pressure through a septum in a patient's heart is provided. A lead inserted into the right side of a heart is routed through the septum to gain access to the left side of the heart. The lead includes a mounting mechanism that secures the lead to one or both sides of the septal walls. The lead also includes one or more sensors for measuring cardiac pressure on the left side of the heart and, as necessary, the right side of the heart. |
| US07974674B2 |
Robotic surgical system and method for surface modeling
A method of generating a three-dimensional model of at least a portion of a heart includes inserting an electrode within the portion of a heart, robotically moving the electrode therein, periodically detecting position information of the electrode to generate a plurality of location points defining a space occupied by the portion of the heart, and generating a three-dimensional model of the portion of the heart including position information for at least some of the plurality of location points within the portion of the heart. The plurality of location points includes at least some location points on the surface of the heart and at least some location points interior thereto. The model is generated by utilizing a surface construction algorithm such as a shrink-wrap algorithm to identify the surface points and isolate or eliminate the interior points. |
| US07974669B2 |
Method for measuring glucose concentration in blood using infrared spectroscopy and instrument employing it
The objective of the present invention is to provide a method and instrument for measuring glucose concentration in blood using infrared spectroscopy. Glucose concentration in blood is measured based on an integrated value obtained by measuring an absorption spectrum that includes the wavenumber range of 1020-1040 cm−1, and by integrating the intensity of absorption of the wavenumber range of 1020-1040 cm−1 within the absorption spectrum. Alternatively, a glucose concentration in blood is measured based on an integrated value through measuring an absorption spectrum including the wavenumber range of 1010-1050 cm31 1; obtaining a second-derivative spectrum by calculating a second derivative of the absorption spectrum that includes the wavenumber range of 1010-1050 cm−1 in the absorption spectrum; determining an integration range based on the second derivative spectrum; and then obtaining the integrated value by integrating the intensity of absorption based on this determined integration range. |
| US07974668B2 |
Electronic apparatus
Guiding pieces on a bracket cover is engaged with attachment claws on a bracket body. This engagement serves to hold the bracket cover on the bracket body when the bracket cover is set at a first position. When the bracket cover is set at a second position, the engagement between an engagement piece and a hook piece serves to cooperate with the engagement between the guiding pieces and the attachment claws so as to hold the bracket cover on the bracket body. The bracket cover is firmly held on the bracket body when the bracket cover is set at the second position. The bracket cover is thus reliably prevented from detachment from the bracket body. |
| US07974664B2 |
Bluetooth earphone and ear-hook device thereof
A Bluetooth earphone and an ear-hook device thereof are provided. The Bluetooth earphone includes an earphone body and an ear-hook device. The ear-hook device includes a hinge assembly and an ear hook. The hinge assembly is rotatably disposed on the earphone body. The ear hook is rotatably disposed on the hinge assembly. As a result, the ear hook is able to rotate around the earphone body on two different axes via the hinge assembly, such that a user can selectively wear the Bluetooth earphone on his or her left ear or right ear. |
| US07974662B2 |
Detachable connection mechanism
A detachable connection mechanism is to establish an electrical connection between a mobile phone and a notebook computer. The detachable connection mechanism is designed at a housing board. The housing board has an opening. A load board is pivotally connected with the housing board, and in contact with or away from the housing board in parallel. When the load board is in contact with the housing board, the load board is fitted within the opening. Two rotatable members are pivotally connected with housing board. Several resilient arms are respectively pivotally connected with the housing board at one end and with the load board at the other end. The mobile phone is selectively connected or disconnected with the notebook computer by interacting the rotatable members, movable members, resilient arms and the load board. |
| US07974658B2 |
Method and system for subterranean wireless data transmission between at least one mobile station and a fixed network by means of a radio network
The invention relates to a method and a system, for subterranean wireless data transmission between at least one mobile station and affixed network by means of a radio network for the monitoring and control of subterranean moving machines. The fixed network comprises a number of fixed base stations embodied as access points, each base station being connected to the fixed network by means of at least one data transmission connection, preferably by cable. Each base station and the mobile station comprise a transceiver device and the data transmission between the mobile station and the fixed network is achieved in a wireless manner over the radio network via at least one base station. On an interruption to the data transmission connection between the fixed network and a base station and/or on interruption of the radio connection between the mobile station and the base station, a data transmission between the mobile station and the fixed network is achieved via the separate base station and at least one further base station connected to the fixed network by means of an uninterrupted data transmission connection. |
| US07974654B2 |
Communication apparatus performing key feature extraction for cognitive radio system
A communication apparatus, includes unit extracting a reception key feature of a temporal change in received power in each frequency band contained in a received signal, unit storing, in correspondence with one another, a system name of a system which uses the frequency band, event information indicating that a communication apparatus belonging to the system starts or stops transmission, and a transmission key feature of a temporal waveform change shape of a transmission signal from a communication apparatus belonging to the system, a transmission key feature corresponding to the event information, unit determining whether there is any transmission key feature matching the reception key feature, by comparing the reception key feature with the transmission key feature, and unit selecting, when the determination unit determines that there is a matched transmission key feature, the event information and the system name which correspond to the transmission key feature from the storage unit. |
| US07974653B1 |
Manually configuring low-cost Internet-base-station (LCIB) coverage using an associated mobile station
Methods and systems are provided for manually configuring low-cost Internet-base-station (LCIB) coverage using an associated mobile station. In an embodiment, an LCIB receives a user command of a first type, responsively enters a coverage-configuration mode, and then receives from a mobile station a series of user commands of a second type, each instructing the LCIB to engage in a power-calibration call with the mobile station. Responsively, the LCIB engages in a respective series of power-calibration calls with the mobile station, each call comprising the LCIB identifying a minimum transmission-power level at which a forward-link frame error rate (FFER) for the mobile station is less than a FFER threshold. The LCIB sets a transmission-power level for a pilot beacon (i.e. configures its coverage) based at least in part on the maximum transmission-power level among the minimum transmission-power levels identified while engaging in the series of power-calibration calls. |
| US07974652B2 |
Method for uplink interference coordination on demand basis with cell identification, inter-cell interference detection and downlink measurement, a base station, a mobile terminal and a mobile network therefor
The invention concerns a method for coordination of the interference in the uplink between cells (B1,B2) of a single frequency network with the frequency band used for uplink being subdivided into at least two subsets(F1 F2. . . FR), whereby a resource related to a dedicated subset is allocated to a mobile terminal (T1) located in a first cell (B1) of said cells in the border area to a neighbor cell (B2-B4), the based station of the cell (B2) with the highest interference damage caused by the mobile terminal (T1) accepts a high interference level on said dedicated subset dependent on network criteria, and the usage of said dedicated subset in the cell (B2) with the highest interference damage caused by the mobile terminal (T1) is restricted under observation of the interference level, a base station, a mobile terminal and a mobile network therefor. |
| US07974651B2 |
Automatically switching a TDMA radio affiliated with a FDMA site to a TDMA site
A method and system for dynamically triggering re-connection of a TDMA-capable radio to a TDMA-based talk group via a TDMA site. The dynamic re-connection is triggered by the group call controller when an initial request for connection to the TDMA-based talk group is made through an FDMA site by the TDMA-capable radio. |
| US07974650B2 |
Interoperability between different types of wireless networks for push to talk group calls
An exemplary gateway apparatus provides push-to-talk (PTT) communications between users in one network with users in another network where the networks utilize different communication protocols. It includes two protocol modules that interface with the two networks, respectively. The protocol modules are capable of receiving and transmitting messages compatible with the communication protocols used by the associated networks. An interoperability module, connected between the two modules, converts PTT control messages received from one of the networks into PTT control messages compatible with and transmitted to the other network. The PTT control messages received from the one network have a protocol that differs from the protocol of the PTT control messages transmitted to the other network. |
| US07974648B2 |
Radio communication system, and transmitter, receiver, transmitting circuit, and receiving circuit used for the same
A transmitter (1) applies current from a power supply node to a ground node in synchronization with only a rise of an input signal and transmits a transmission signal including an RF pulse signal to a receiver (2). The receiver (2) applies current from a node (231) on which precharge is performed to a ground node only at the reception of the RF pulse signal, decreases the potential of the node (231) from a precharge potential Va to 0 V, and outputs an H-level output signal by detecting the decreased potential 0 V. After receiving the RF pulse signal, the receiver (2) performs precharge to change the potential of the node (231) to the potential Va. |
| US07974646B2 |
Network initiated USSD in mixed networks
The claimed subject matter provides systems and/or methods that facilitate sending a network initiated USSD message via a mixed network to user equipment. An application server component can communicate to user equipment. A location component can aggregate location data associated with the user equipment, wherein the location component can utilize the last known location data to send a network initiated USSD message to the user equipment via a mixed network. |
| US07974644B2 |
Apparatus and method for reducing call set-up time for time-sensitive applications in a wireless network
For use in a wireless network, a base station that reduces the call set-up time for a time-sensitive application. The base station comprises a message controller for receiving an incoming control message that initiates the time-sensitive application in a mobile station. In lieu of a conventional page message, the message controller transmits a short data burst message to the mobile station to initiate the time-sensitive application. The short data burst message is transmitted in a forward control channel. The mobile station completes the set-up by transmitting back an L2 Acknowledgment message in lieu of a conventional page response message. |
| US07974629B2 |
System for mobile broadband networking using dynamic quality of service provisioning
A wireless networking system uses mobile and fixed transceivers to achieve a network with changing topology. A routing process includes quality-of-service considerations in the network to allow for features such as file or other data transfer, streaming audio and video, digital telephone communications, etc. The routing process adapts to transceiver units entering, leaving, or moving within, the network. Auxiliary networks such as the Internet, campus or corporate intranets, home networks, etc., can be accessed through the wireless network. Features, designs and user interfaces for the units are described. Security and access control of media content and other data is presented. |
| US07974627B2 |
Use of radio access technology diversity for location
Various aspects are disclosed herein for determining a location estimate for multi-mode mobile devices using measurements from one or more radio access technologies and providing a combined location solution. Using the multiple radio access technology capability of the wireless communications system, a mobile communications device may be located on a first radio network characterized by a first radio modulation technique, radio network topology, and channel bandwidth. The mobile communications device may then be handed off to a second radio network and located using a second radio network characterized by a second radio modulation technique, radio network topology, and channel bandwidth. The two location estimates may then be used to develop a combined location estimate. |
| US07974626B2 |
Method and apparatus for improving success rate and time of call setup for a mobile station experiencing high interference
A method and apparatus may improve success rate and time of call-setup while a mobile station is experiencing high interference. The method checks (255) if a mobile station is experiencing high-interference. This may occur when the mobile station fails to decode a paging channel of a serving cell (235) to read a first page. Upon determining that the mobile station is experiencing high-interference, the mobile station selects a set of cells (260) having the same location area identifier as the serving cell from a list of top neighboring cells, and selects a cell (265) from the set of cells, and synchronizes (270) with a base station of the selected cell. After synchronizing, the mobile station decodes the paging channel of the selected cell (275) and reads a second page from the paging channel of the selected cell including identical information data as the first page. |
| US07974623B2 |
Integrated circuit that controls transmission of a random access signal
A communication terminal apparatus that exhibits a shorter time period required until a start of communication and causes the throughput in the wireless communication system to be less reduced. In this apparatus, when the number, N, of retransmissions notified by a response determining part (107) is zero, a subchannel-to-be-used selecting part (108) selects a subchannel, among others, which exhibits the highest order one of the reception qualities of the subchannels notified by a reception quality determining part (106), and then notifies the selected subchannel to a subchannel allocating part (113). When the notified number, N, of retransmissions is one or more, the response determining part (107) selects a subchannel which exhibits the N-th lower order reception quality than the highest order reception quality, based on the reception qualities of the subchannels notified by the reception quality determining part (106) for a pilot signal received after a transmission of the latest access request signal, and then notifies the selected subchannel to the subchannel allocating part (113). |
| US07974618B2 |
System and method for speeding call originations to a variety of devices using intelligent predictive techniques for half-call routing
A system configured to originate telecommunications services is provided. The system includes a cellular gateway server (GS-C) communicating with a network gateway server (GS-E) located in an enterprise network via a signaling connection. The GS-C is configured to prepare the GS-E for an upcoming communication. The GS-E is configured to receive originator and destination data from the GS-C and is further configured to initiate a route based on the destination data prior to completion of a route from the originator through the GS-C. |
| US07974616B1 |
Communication device usage event profiling
The issues introduced above are addressed by, in accordance with at least some embodiments of the invention, a communication device that includes various hardware and software components. The communication device also comprises instrumentation logic that detects the occurrences of various user usage events and logs such events. The usage events impart information about how a user is actually using the communication device. The logged usage event information can be transmitted to a server (e.g., a data center) for subsequent storage and/or analysis. User behavior profiles can thus be analyzed to determine, for example, services that users seem to prefer. |
| US07974613B1 |
Device capability determination for a mobile device
A device management (DM) technique wherein management objects (MOs) with device capability information are created and used for each feature domain or application. Each application installed in a mobile electronic device such as, for example, a cellular phone, a personal digital assistant, or a pager may provide device capability information that is stored as a management object or sub-node of a standard device management object, such as sub-nodes of the “DevDetail” management object in a DM tree in a mobile device compatible with the Open Mobile Alliance (OMA) Device Management (DM) specification, for example. The device capability information may be retrieved, for example, by a DM server or a customer care server in the form of extensible markup language (XML) data or an OMA UAProf-based device profile, to name only two possible forms. |
| US07974611B2 |
Method, apparatus or software for managing a call in a telecommunications network
A method, apparatus and software is disclosed for managing a call in a telecommunications network, in which an instruction from a calling device to establish a call to a destination is received; a first command to connect a first call leg to the calling device is issued; the first call leg to the calling device is connected; a second command to connect a second call leg to the calling device is issued; the second call leg is connected to the destination instead of the calling device; and the first and second call legs are connected to provide the call between the calling device and the destination. |
| US07974610B2 |
Persistence of interrupted calls
A system for recovering an unintentionally interrupted call in a telephony network includes an interrupted call data capturer and a re-connector. The interrupted call data capturer is deployable in the telephony network and configured to capture data pertaining to an interruption of the call from the telephony network. The re-connector is associated with the interrupted call data capturer and configured to use the captured data to automatically reconnect at least one unintentionally disconnected participant of the call, thereby recovering the unintentionally interrupted call. |
| US07974604B2 |
Method of authentication in IP multimedia subsystem
A method of authentication in an IMS includes: after receiving a Register message from a UE, locating, by a P-CSCF, a CLF according to information contained in the Register message and a pre-configured relationship; querying, by the P-CSCF, the CLF about NASS attachment information of the UE to obtain a query result, and sending the Register message carrying the query result to an I-CSCF; forwarding, by the I-CSCF, the Register message carrying the query result to a S-CSCF assigned by a UPSF or the HSS; authenticating the UE and sending an authentication result to the UE by the S-CSCF. In embodiments of the present invention, the UPSF or the HSS in the service layer determines the authentication mechanism of the user, and the S-CSCF implements the authentication, which is more reasonable. Embodiments of the present invention also provide combinations of NBA with other authentication mechanisms, thereby guarantees the authentication of the user after the NBA authentication fails. |
| US07974600B2 |
Mobile station, mobile station communication control method, base station, and communication system
It aims at preferentially dealing with emergency communication etc. by a simple and effective method when emergency communication etc. is initiated. In emergency situation, at a mobile station 200, a special call part 206 is switched from a normal mode to an emergency mode, and a mobile station side communication part 206 transmits a radio wave with a transmitted signal of high power (power spectrum density) at the center frequency f0 of a carrier wave. A base station 100 receives the radio wave with the transmitted signal of high power (power spectrum density) at the center frequency f0 of the carrier wave, from the mobile station 200 which output communication for emergency situation. The base station 100 outputs suppression signals for suppressing signal intensity to the other mobile stations. Only the mobile station 200 which transmitted the communication for emergency situation establishes a channel to the base station 100. |
| US07974589B2 |
High-speed data transmitters
Data transmitter embodiments are provided which are particularly useful as interface devices for accurate and reliable transmittal of data from high-speed data system devices such as analog-to-digital converters. Transmitter embodiments have been found to provide excellent fidelity of data transfer at high data rates (e.g., 4 gigabits/second) while consuming only a portion of the power of many conventional transmitters and requiring only a portion of the layout area of these transmitters. Transmitter embodiments provide effective control of transmitter parameters such as matched impedances, data symmetry, common-mode level, data eye and current drain. |
| US07974587B2 |
Local wireless communications within a device
A radio transceiver device includes circuitry for radiating electromagnetic signals at a very high radio frequency both through space, as well as through wave guides that are formed within a substrate material. In one embodiment, the substrate comprises a dielectric substrate formed within a board, for example, a printed circuit board. In another embodiment of the invention, the wave guide is formed within a die of an integrated circuit radio transceiver. A plurality of transceivers with different functionality is defined. Substrate transceivers are operable to transmit through the wave guides, while local transceivers are operable to produce very short range wireless transmissions through space. A third and final transceiver is a typical wireless transceiver for communication with remote (non-local to the device) transceivers. |
| US07974585B2 |
Method for performing a frequency correction of a wireless device
A method of performing a frequency correction of a radio module. Multiple samples of frequency data during a quiescent portion of the base station transmission is taken to estimate the amount of frequency correction needed. An embodiment applies the frequency data to a median filter to eliminate invalid data. Next, a new reference frequency is applied to a radio transceiver in the radio module to provide the frequency correction. If the frequency was corrected by greater than a pre-determined amount, the process performs a large shift frequency correction, including verifying that the first frequency correction was satisfactory and verifying that the radio transceiver is able to receive data after the frequency correction has been performed. If the frequency was corrected by smaller than a pre-determined amount, the process performs a small shift frequency correction, including updating a total of all frequency corrections made since a stored reference frequency was updated. |
| US07974584B2 |
Wireless communication system
A wireless communication system capable of eliminating interference accompanying uplink transmission at the time of diversity handover, thereby improving the quality of wireless communication. An uplink quality measurer measures an uplink quality representing the quality of uplink data, and a transmission decision unit compares the measured uplink quality with a reference value to determine whether to accept or reject transmission of the uplink data and transmits a transmission acceptance/rejection signal in accordance with the comparison result. A transmission acceptance/rejection signal receiver of a terminal receives the transmission acceptance/rejection signals from a plurality of base stations with which the terminal is connected by diversity handover, and an uplink data transmission controller transmits the uplink data only when it is judged based on the transmission acceptance/rejection signals that there is no base station rejecting the transmission of the uplink data. |
| US07974582B2 |
Mobile wireless communications device having improved RF immunity of audio transducers to electromagnetic interference (EMI)
A mobile wireless communications device includes a housing and circuit board carried by the housing and having radio frequency (RF) circuitry and a processor operative with each other. Audio circuitry is carried by the circuit board and an audio transducer assembly, such as a speaker, has electrical contacts that electrically engage the audio circuitry for carrying audio signals between the audio circuitry and audio transducer assembly. A filter is mounted at the audio transducer assembly and reduces radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic interference to the audio transducer assembly during device operation. |
| US07974573B2 |
Repeater open loop gain measurement
A repeater is configured so as to detect feedback oscillation conditions by detecting a gain parameter, and responding to the detected gain parameter by reducing the gain when the loop gain approaches unity. When used in a framed shared channel wireless communication systems, feedback oscillation conditions the loop gain of the repeater may be adjusted so as to permit operation of the repeater outside of the oscillation range. The invention is particularly useful when the repeater is used in a framed shared channel wireless communication system. |
| US07974572B2 |
Broadcast receiver and processing program thereof
When reservation information is inputted, a mobile terminal apparatus (broadcast receiver) 1 stores a mode ID for which the set flag is set at “1” and stored in a mode information memory section 1-3-1 and the inputted reservation information in the reservation information memory section 1-3-3. Subsequently, the apparatus 1 receives a television broadcast or a radio broadcast based on the reservation information. Then, the apparatus 1 judges whether or not the mode ID for which the set flag is set at “1” matches the mode ID that is stored in the reservation information memory section 1-3-3 in the manner so as to be associated with the reservation information. When both match each other, the apparatus 1 outputs the broadcast content to a speaker SP and a display section 1-7, and when both do not match each other, it outputs the broadcast content to a record data memory section 1-3-4. |
| US07974571B2 |
Multi-antenna satellite system with wireless interface to vehicle
A wireless satellite communication device is provided according to one embodiment of the invention. The wireless satellite communication device may include one or more satellite antennas, one or more local antennas and circuitry. A satellite antenna may be configured to communicate with one or more satellites. The local antenna may be configured to communicate with one or more wireless user devices within the vicinity of the wireless satellite communication device. The local antennas may include a local antenna. The circuitry may be coupled with the satellite antenna and the local antenna and may be configured to receive data from the satellite antenna and transmit the data with the local antenna. The wireless satellite communication device may also include a solar panel configured to provide electrical power to at least the satellite antenna, the local antenna, and the circuitry. |
| US07974568B2 |
Image forming apparatus, controller, computer readable medium and image forming condition adjustment method
An image forming apparatus is provided with: an image forming unit that forms an image on a medium according an image forming condition; a speed changing unit that changes an image forming speed of the image forming unit between a plurality of image forming speeds including a first image forming speed; an adjusting unit that adjusts the image forming condition set in the image forming unit; a measuring unit that measures an elapsed state after the image forming condition is adjusted for the last time at the first image forming speed in the image forming unit, and outputs a measured value indicative of the elapsed state; and a determination unit that determines, according to the elapsed state, whether or not to adjust the image forming condition before the image forming unit starts forming an image at the first image forming speed. |
| US07974561B2 |
Belt fixing apparatus and image forming apparatus
A belt fixing apparatus for fixing a toner image on a recording material in a nip portion having: an endless fixing belt and a pressing device to press the fixing belt to a fixing member so as to form the nip portion between the fixing belt and the fixing member, wherein the pressing device is structured from an aggregate of a plurality of metal members arranged in a conveyance direction of the recording material. |
| US07974560B2 |
Fixing device and image forming apparatus comprising the same
A separation mechanism of a fixing device includes a separation member extending in a direction orthogonal to the paper convey direction and arranged opposite the fixing member in a state apart from the fixing member by a predetermined gap, a support shaft member extending in a direction orthogonal to the paper convey direction and rotatably supporting the separation member, a first gap adjustment unit capable of rotating the separation member around the support shaft member to adjust the predetermined gap in the rotation direction, and a second gap adjustment unit capable of moving the separation member in a direction in which an imaginary surface from the support shaft member towards the fixing member extends, to adjust the predetermined gap in the surface direction. |
| US07974557B2 |
Carrier replenishment and image mottle reduction system
A replenishment and image mottle reduction system for adding carrier particles to a developer housing in a two-component developer toner imaging machine. The replenishment system includes (i) a carrier-only hopper for receiving and containing a first quantity of carrier particles; (ii) metering valves connected to a discharge end of the carrier-only hopper; (iii) a pneumatic plenum connected to the metering valves; (v) an air blower connected to the carrier-only hopper and to the pneumatic plenum for pressurizing the carrier-only hopper and for pneumatically conveying a metered quantity of carrier particles in an air stream from the pneumatic plenum; and (vi) a carrier separator assembly connected to the pneumatic plenum, located above each developer housing and including a carrier current collector, for separating fresh carrier from the air stream, and for allowing the carrier separated as such to drop by gravity into the developer housing. |
| US07974552B2 |
Device and method for forming a nip in an image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier which moves while carrying an image and a transfer roller including a roller base material which faces the image carrier and rotates. A concave portion is positioned on a peripheral surface of the roller base material. A grip unit on the concave portion grips a recording medium. An elastic layer is disposed on a peripheral surface of the roller base material. The transfer roller grips a recording medium by the grip unit when the concave portion faces the image carrier and passes the recording medium through a nip between the image carrier and the elastic layer when facing each other so that the image carried on the image carrier is transferred on the recording medium. A roller driving unit rotates the roller base material. A control unit controls the roller driving unit to adjust a timing for forming the nip. |
| US07974550B2 |
Image forming apparatus, image forming structural body, method of mounting image forming structural body and method of pulling out image forming structural body
The present invention provides an image forming apparatus including: a conveyer that conveys a developer image or a transfer medium to which the developer image is transferred; an image carrier that carries the developer image transferred to the conveyer or the transfer medium which the conveyer conveys; a latent image forming unit that forms the latent image on the image carrier; a developing unit that develops the latent image formed on the image carrier and forms the a developer image; a transfer unit that transfers the developer image formed on the image carrier; and a restricting unit that restricts the movement of the image carrier and the latent image forming unit in at least two directions and a rotational direction of the image carrier. |
| US07974547B2 |
Heat exhaust plenum attach/detach mechanism
A simple and cost effective method of simplifying and speeding heat exhaust plenum attachment and detachment from a machine that uses metal for exterior covers and air output grills includes placing magnetic sheeting around that portion of the plenum that mates with the back of the machine and allowing the magnetic force of the sheeting to attach the plenum to the machine. The plenum can easily be detached from the machine by overcoming the magnetic force of the sheeting. |
| US07974545B2 |
Developing device and image forming apparatus that utilize a variable AC bias voltage
A developing device capable of improving the image density and the dot reproducibility, and an image forming apparatus including the same are provided. A developing device applies an alternating voltage superimposed on a direct current voltage to a developing roller to thereby develop an electrostatic latent image formed on a photoreceptor with toner. A bias voltage waveform superimposed at this time has an original period (first period) in which each of a development-side electrical potential and an opposite development-side electrical potential is applied one time and a period (second period) in which a Vpp is gradually increased from the initial value to the maximum value. |
| US07974534B2 |
Wideband microwave and millimeter wave filters using photonic spectral filtering
An apparatus and method is disclosed for producing and filtering optical and electrical waveforms. The apparatus includes an electro-optical modulator, an optical filter capable of modulating at least two spectral regions within the bandwidth of the electrical waveform, and an optical-to-electrical converter. The optical filter includes a spatial dispersion means, a spatial modulating means having the capability to substantially independently modulate a characteristic of each of a pair of optical spatial elements. |
| US07974533B2 |
Long reach optical network
An optical network is provided including a first optical network section operatively coupled to a carrier facility configured to transmit traffic onto channels in the first optical network section. A second optical network section may be operatively coupled to the first optical network section at a first node. Additionally, the second optical network section may be operatively coupled to a customer location at a second node. The first and second nodes may include tunable filters for passing traffic via at least one channel from the first optical network section to the second optical network section. |
| US07974529B2 |
Digital camera
A digital camera is provided with a special successive shooting mode wherein an imaging device makes a series of successive shots upon each shutter release operation, including at least a non-flash shot and at least a flash shot. When a shutter button is pressed halfway in the successive shooting mode, an exposure condition deciding device decides an exposure condition common to the non-flash and flash shots, or individual exposure conditions for the non-flash shot and the flash shot. When the shutter button is fully pressed, the imaging device starts the successive shots of one series. Images captured by the non-flash shot and the flash shot are displayed on an LCD panel. Before the imaging device starts the successive shots, necessary warning marks are displayed together with the exposure conditions decided by the exposure condition deciding device. |
| US07974528B2 |
Image stabilizing camera system
An exemplary image stabilizing camera system includes a camera module. The camera module includes a movable AF unit, a frame having a receiving cavity defined therein, an electromagnetic driving unit, and an elastic member. The receiving cavity is configured for receiving the movable AF unit therein. The electromagnetic driving unit is configured for driving the movable AF unit to move relative to the frame so as to counteract movement of the object relative to the system such that the system can, after a shake of the system, capture a stabilized image of the object which is substantially identical with an image thereof captured without the shake of the system. The elastic member is disposed on a top end of the movable AF unit. The elastic member is configured for connecting the movable AF unit to the frame, thereby suspending the movable AF unit in the receiving cavity. |
| US07974522B2 |
Systems and methods to improve consumer product reliability and lifetime of a hard disk drive by reducing its activity
The present invention is directed towards reducing hard disk drive (HDD) activity by reducing the activity of an internal time shift buffer (TSB). The HDD may be included in a digital host communications terminal (DHCT). The TSB can switch between buffering a high definition quality to a standard definition quality of a streaming program. Additionally, the TSB can be disabled to prevent buffering of the streaming program. The reduced buffering of the TSB is determined by several factors including the temperature of the HDD, the health of the HDD, a set-up menu including TSB options, and/or whether there is a high definition television connected to the DHCT. |
| US07974518B2 |
Record reproducing device, simultaneous record reproduction control method and simultaneous record reproduction control program
A record/play device includes a recording unit that records, on a recording medium, a series content data sequentially input to the record/play device, a playback unit that plays back, while recording the data by the recording unit, the content data recorded on the recording medium, and a control unit that controls simultaneous record and play. The control unit includes a data size changing unit that changes a data size at which the content data is to be recorded on the recording medium to a data size different from a data size at which content data that has been recorded on the recording medium is recorded. |
| US07974511B2 |
Image recording apparatus capable of recording information associated with location upon image sensing together with sensed image data, and control method thereof
There is disclosed an image recording apparatus which automatically records location information that the user can easily understand in an image recording apparatus which records a sensed image and location information associated with the image sensing location of that image in association with each other. An image recording apparatus of this invention includes an area information reception unit for acquiring area information broadcasted by an external apparatus such as a wireless base station or the like, and automatically acquires information associated with an area where the image recording apparatus is located. The apparatus records a sensed image signal and area information in association with each other. |
| US07974510B2 |
Optical waveguide having a core with a polarization-independent, spatially reconfigurable refractive index
A waveguide having a spatially-variable refractive index is disclosed. The waveguide having a spatially-variable refractive index comprises a light-propagating medium and a non-uniform distribution of liquid crystal material in a matrix of dielectric material located in a portion of the light-propagating medium. |
| US07974509B2 |
Telecommunication rack unit tray
An interface panel that mounts to a telecommunications rack. The interface panel including a splicing arrangement and a splitter module. The interface panel further including a fixed tray to which each of the splicing arrangement and the splitter module mounts. The splicing arrangement and the splitter module each having a sliding mounting arrangement that provides access to the functional splicing and splitting components. |
| US07974508B2 |
Multi-layer structure and method for manufacturing the same
A multi-layer structure and a method for manufacturing the multi-layer structure are provided. The multi-layer structure includes: a waveguide including one or more light coupling regions having a refractive index gradient; at least one organic material based active optical element disposed above the waveguide; wherein the one or more light coupling regions is configured to change characteristics of light propagating in the waveguide; wherein at least one of the one or more light coupling regions is configured to enhance light coupling between the waveguide and the active optical element. |
| US07974506B2 |
Device for emitting electromagnetic radiation and display device
A device for emitting a first and a second electromagnetic radiation (13, 23, 53) via a radiation coupling-out surface (5) along a device beam path. A first radiation-emitting arrangement (1) has at least one first radiation-emitting component (10) which emits the first electromagnetic radiation (13). A second radiation-emitting arrangement (2) has at least one second radiation-emitting component (20) which emits the second electromagnetic radiation (23). Furthermore, the device has a radiation-directing element (3), wherein the radiation coupling-out surface (5) is arranged in the beam path of the second radiation-emitting arrangement (2) and the radiation-directing element (3) directs the first electromagnetic radiation (13) to the radiation coupling-out surface (5). |
| US07974503B2 |
Fiber grating sensor
A fiber grating sensor including an elastic circular plate and one or two FBG'ss attached to the bottom surface of the elastic circular plate. Two ends of the FBG are connected to an optic fiber for signal transmission. The fiber grating sensor readouts are independent of temperature variation. The fiber grating sensor mechanism according to the present invention may be applied in a variety of sensors such as gauge pressure transducer, differential pressure transducer, load cell and displacement transducer with a distributive design, and for various purposes. |
| US07974502B2 |
Optical module and optical switch
An optical module controls its output characteristics electrically and an optical switch constitutes the optical module. An optical waveguide circuit (PLC) and an electronic circuit (IC) for driving the PLC are mounted on the same substrate. The IC is composed of a bare chip to be molded afterward. Wiring of the IC is grouped and integrated on the PLC substrate to achieve higher density and miniaturization of the optical module. |
| US07974498B2 |
Super-resolution in periodic and aperiodic pixel imaging
A super-resolution algorithm that explicitly and exactly models the detector pixel shape, size, location, and gaps for periodic and aperiodic tilings. The algorithm projects the low-resolution input image into high-resolution space to model the actual shapes and/or gaps of the detector pixels. By using an aperiodic pixel layout such as a Penrose tiling significant improvements in super-resolution results can be obtained. An error back-projection super-resolution algorithm makes use of the exact detector model in its back projection operator for better accuracy. Theoretically, the aperiodic detector can be based on CCD (charge-coupled device) technology, and/or more practically, CMOS (complimentary metal oxide semiconductor) technology, for example. |
| US07974496B2 |
Digital image drop zones and transformation interaction
A portion of a digital image is displayed where the portion that is displayed depends upon a mask. After the portion of the digital image is displayed, a change to the mask is received. It is determined, based at least in part on the received change to the mask, a transformation to be applied to the digital image. A new portion of the digital image is displayed based at least in part on the changed mask and the determined transformation, where the new portion that is displayed has the same center point as the previously displayed portion. |
| US07974495B2 |
Identification and protection of video
The present invention provides methods and apparatus that are helpful for identifying or protecting video. One claim recites a method including: receiving data representing picture elements of video; transforming the data into a frequency domain; comparing characteristics associated with the transformed data to predetermined characteristics that are associated with a first video type, and if the characteristics coincide, determining that the video is of the first video type; and if the characteristics do not coincide, comparing the characteristics of the transformed data to predetermined characteristics that are associated with a second video type, and if the characteristics coincide, determining that the video is of the second video type. Another claim recites a method including: obtaining information associated with a video; selecting a set of information from the obtained information; deriving identifying information from the selected set of information; and providing a security feature in or over data representing picture elements of the video according to the identifying information. Of course, other implementations are provided as well. |
| US07974494B2 |
Image control from composed composite image using HID signal conversion to source image coordinates
Image control involves receiving source images defined with respect to respective source coordinate systems from source image generators also respectively associated with source IDs. The source images are composed to generate a composite image defined with respect to a composed coordinate system, and the composed image is sent to a viewer which displays the composed image and outputs an HID signal which indicates information defined with respect to the composed coordinate system. A layout manager stores source IDs respectively associated with layout information including position and size of at least one of the source images. An image composer composes the source images according to the layout information. An analyzer analyzes the HID signal for editing layout information stored in the layout manager, and determines a source ID a source image according to the layout information. The HID signal defined with respect to the composed coordinate system is converted to an HID signal defined with respect to the source coordinate system corresponding to the determined source image. An operator then sends the converted HID signal to the source image generator associated with the determined source ID. |
| US07974492B2 |
Image data reproducing apparatus with changing proportions of combined enlarged images, method of controlling same and control program therefor
When a transition is made from display of one image of a subject to display of another image of a subject in a slideshow, the transition is made in a natural manner. A first enlarged image is obtained by cropping and enlarging a portion of a subject image so as to include a face-image portion. A plurality of first enlarged images are obtained in such a manner that a cropping zone gradually decreases and the enlarging rate of the cropped image gradually increases. A first enlarged image in which the face-image portion is displayed in close-up is obtained. When a plurality of enlarged images are displayed one after another and a first enlarged image prevailing at the time of image transition is displayed, a second enlarged image in which a face image contained in a second subject image is shown in close-up is displayed. Second enlarged images that gradually zoom out from the face-image portion are displayed one after another to thereby make a transition to display of the second subject image. |
| US07974481B2 |
Method and apparatus for cost calculation in decimal motion estimation
A method and an apparatus for cost calculation in decimal motion estimation are provided. The method comprises the following steps. Firstly, perform interpolation on a current block to get an interpolation result of a position corresponding to a decimal motion vector. Secondly, calculate a cost according to data at integer point positions of a reference frame corresponding to the current block and the decimal motion vector, and according to the interpolation result. |
| US07974468B2 |
Image processing apparatus and image processing method
An image processing apparatus for performing a white balance correction for RAW data obtained by an image capturing unit, includes a storage, operable to store a RAW file to which the RAW data and developed data obtained by performing a development processing to the RAW data are attached, and a corrector, operable to perform the white balance correction for the RAW data based on the developed data stored in the storage. |
| US07974465B2 |
Method for dominant color setting of video region and data structure and method of confidence measure extraction
A method for a dominant color setting of a video region and a data structure and a method of a confidence measure extraction are disclosed. The video region dominant color setting method is characterized in that a region dominant color descriptor is expressed by the number of dominant colors with respect to a certain region, a dominant color expressed, a frequency that the dominant color appears, and an accuracy of a color value representing the region in a region dominant color based on various region dominant color extraction methods, for thereby expressing a region dominant color using a plurality of colors with respect to a region dominant color value and a confidence value of a region dominant color information based on various region dominant color feature extracting methods. |
| US07974464B2 |
Method of directed pattern enhancement for flexible recognition
A directed pattern enhancement method receives a learning image and pattern enhancement directive. Pattern enhancement learning is performed using the learning image and the pattern enhancement directive to generate pattern enhancement recipe. An application image is received and a pattern enhancement application is performed using the application image and the pattern enhancement recipe to generate pattern enhanced image. A recognition thresholding is performed using the pattern enhanced image to generate recognition result. The pattern enhancement directive consists of background directive, patterns to enhance directive, and patterns to suppress directive. An update learning method performs pattern enhancement progressive update learning. |
| US07974462B2 |
Image capture environment calibration method and information processing apparatus
In a method of calibrating an image capture environment based on a captured image obtained by capturing an image of a physical space by an image capturing unit that captures the image of the physical space, an image of the physical space is captured using the image capturing unit, an index serving as a reference for calibration is detected from the captured image of the physical space, the position and orientation of the image capturing unit are calculated from the detected index, and image capturing unit unique information, geometric information associated with the physical space, or the relationship between the image capturing unit and the physical space is calibrated using the obtained data. |
| US07974456B2 |
Spatial-temporal regulation method for robust model estimation
A computerized spatial-temporal regulation method for accurate spatial-temporal model estimation receives a spatial temporal sequence containing object confidence mask. A spatial-temporal weight regulation is performed to generate weight sequence output. A weighted model estimation is performed using the spatial temporal sequence and the weight sequence to generate at least one model parameter output. An iterative weight update is performed to generate weight sequence output. A weighted model estimation is performed to generate estimation result output. A stopping criteria is checked and the next iteration iterative weight update and weighted model estimation is performed until the stopping criteria is met. A model estimation is performed to generate model parameter output. An outlier data identification is performed to generate outlier data output. A spatial-temporal data integrity check is performed and the outlier data is disqualified. |
| US07974455B2 |
Method and apparatus for tomosynthesis projection imaging for detection of radiological signs
In a method and apparatus for image processing an algorithm is used to detect radiological signals in a series of 3D data. The algorithm indicates the position of a radiological signs in a digital volume by means of markers. The algorithm has the potential to distinguish automatically between malignant elements and benign elements. The algorithm comprises a fuzzy logic approach to explain the ambiguities in the image. The algorithm is applied directly to the radiography projection images. |
| US07974453B2 |
Method and apparatus for detection of caries
A method for obtaining an image of tooth tissue directs incident light toward a tooth (20), wherein the incident light excites a fluorescent emission from the tooth tissue. Fluorescence image data (50) is obtained from the fluorescent emission. Back-scattered reflectance image data (52) is obtained from back-scattered light from the tooth tissue. The fluorescence and back-scattered reflectance image data are combined to form an enhanced image (64) of the tooth tissue for caries detection. |
| US07974451B2 |
Diffusion weighted image processing apparatus and recording medium for recording image analysis program
It is an object to provide a diffusion weighted image processing apparatus or the like which can correct a distortion of a diffusion weighted image requiring smaller endurance on a patient in a diffusion weighted image processing method for correcting distortion of a diffusion weighted image. The diffusion weighted image processing apparatus has a correcting device which relatively corrects, with mutual reference among two or more diffusion weighted images having different directions of gradient field pulses during imaging, distortions occurring in the directions of the gradient field pulses during the imaging of the diffusion weighted images, the distortion being caused by the gradient field pulse of the diffusion weighted image. |
| US07974445B2 |
Vehicle periphery monitoring device, vehicle, and vehicle periphery monitoring program
A vehicle periphery monitoring device which determines type of an object with high accuracy, wherein the size of object regions that are set in each of the image representing the peripheral condition of the vehicle in each of two different points in time and that include the identical objects, are aligned on the basis of the distance from the vehicle to the object in each of the two different point in time. Further, local regions with the same arrangement pattern are set taking each of the object regions with aligned size as reference. Still further, the object is classified into the object class which corresponds to the arrangement pattern in the case where the degree of correlation between the local regions becomes equal to or larger than a threshold value. |
| US07974442B2 |
Vehicular vision system
A vision system for a vehicle that identifies and classifies objects (targets) located proximate a vehicle. The system comprises a sensor array that produces imagery that is processed to generate depth maps of the scene proximate a vehicle. The depth maps are processed and compared to pre-rendered templates of target objects that could appear proximate the vehicle. A target list is produced by matching the pre-rendered templates to the depth map imagery. The system processes the target list to produce target size and classification estimates. The target is then tracked as it moves near a vehicle and the target position, classification and velocity are determined. This information can be used in a number of ways. For example, the target information may be displayed to the driver, the information may be used for an obstacle avoidance system that adjusts the trajectory or other parameters of the vehicle to safely avoid the obstacle. The orientation and/or configuration of the vehicle may be adapted to mitigate damage resulting from an imminent collision, or the driver may be warned of an impending collision. |
| US07974434B2 |
Loudspeaker
A loudspeaker includes a frame; a magnetic circuit supported by the frame; a voice coil disposed in a magnetic gap of the magnetic circuit so as to be able to vibrate freely in the gap; a diaphragm connected to the frame at the outer rim thereof via a first edge and connected to the voice coil at the inner rim thereof; a damper connected to the voice coil at the inner rim thereof, the damper being closer to the magnetic circuit than the diaphragm is close to the magnetic circuit; and a second edge connecting the outer rim of the damper to the frame. The second edge has a protrusion protruding either toward the diaphragm or in the opposite direction. The second edge is coupled to a third edge having a protrusion protruding at least in the opposite direction in which the protrusion of the second edge protrudes. This structure enables the loudspeaker to have little distortion and high driving efficiency. |
| US07974433B2 |
Insert molded surround with mechanical support
A suspension member for a diaphragm, the suspension member comprising an inner portion being adapted to be attached to a substantially stiff piston part, a outer portion arranged on or integrated with a substantially stiff support member so as to mechanically stabilize the suspension member, and a flexible member connecting the inner and outer portions. The present invention further relates to an electro-acoustic transducer, preferably a miniature electro-acoustic transducer, applying such suspension member. |
| US07974431B2 |
Speaker system
A speaker system of the present invention comprises a cabinet, at least one speaker unit attached to the cabinet, and a plurality of passive radiators attached to the cabinet and each including a diaphragm and a supporting system supporting the diaphragm. The speaker system of the present invention is configured so that distortion components of sound pressures radiated from the supporting systems of the plurality of passive radiators are canceled with each other, and sounds radiated by the plurality of passive radiators are radiated in substantially the same direction from the cabinet. |
| US07974430B2 |
Microphone with dust-proof section
In order to automate a microphone assembly process including a dust-proof treatment, an object of the present invention is to provide a dust-proof microphone having a configuration suitable for automated assembly.According to the present invention, a microphone has a plate-like or film-like dust-proof section that is disposed in a conductive housing (capsule) having a sound aperture and covers the sound aperture. The dust-proof section has a plurality of pores at least in a region corresponding to the sound aperture, and the dust-proof section further has a nonporous region. In the case of an electret condenser microphone, from the viewpoint of performance of the microphone, the dust-proof section is conductive. In addition, taking into account a soldering in a reflow furnace, the dust-proof section is heat-resistant. Each pore is desirably designed taking into account the environment for the usage of the microphone. However, if it is supposed that the microphone is used near one's mouth, each pore has an area of 0.01 mm2 or less. In addition, to enhance the dust-proof effect, the pores may be subjected to a water-repellent treatment. |
| US07974429B2 |
Wireless microphone
A wireless microphone includes a tubular housing having top and bottom open ends. The housing has an outer surrounding wall and an inner partition wall. The inner partition wall cooperates with an upper portion of the outer surrounding wall so as to define a battery-receiving space. A battery module is received in the battery-receiving space. A head unit is mounted on the top open end of the housing, and covers the battery module. A positioning unit is disposed at an outer surrounding surface of the battery module and an inner surrounding surface of the outer surrounding wall of the housing for positioning the battery module in the battery-receiving space. |
| US07974425B2 |
Sound system and method of sound reproduction
A sound reproduction system comprises a left and right speakers located in close proximity, and a sound processor which provides audio signals to the pair of speakers. The sound processor preferably derives a cancellation signal from the difference between the left and right channels. The resulting difference signal is scaled, delayed (if necessary), and spectrally modified before being added to the left channel and, in opposite polarity, to the right channel. The spectral modification to the difference channel preferably takes the form of a low-frequency boost over a specified frequency range, in order to restore the correct timbral balance after the differencing process. Additional phase-compensating all-pass networks may be inserted in the difference channel to correct for any extra phase shift contributed by the spectral modifying circuit. The technique may be used in a surround sound system. |
| US07974423B2 |
Loudspeaker system
A loudspeaker system comprises a cabinet, a speaker unit, a package body, a filler gas, and an absorbent. The speaker unit is mounted in the cabinet. At least one package body is disposed in a vacant space inside of the cabinet and is structured by a bag body for sealing materials thereinto from outside thereof. A predetermined amount of the filler gas is sealed into the package body. A predetermined amount of the absorbent is sealed into the package body and physically absorbs the filler gas. |
| US07974421B2 |
Audio signal processing method and related device
An audio signal processing method includes: controlling the volume of a digital audio signal according to a latest value of an adaptive gain value which is adjustable; detecting whether data carried by the digital audio signal satisfies a specific criterion and utilizing a pendulum counter to count a number of times the data carried by the digital audio signal satisfies the specific criterion; if the counter value of the pendulum counter reaches an upper bond, selectively decreasing the adaptive gain value according to a decrement to decrease the volume of the digital audio signal; and if the counter value of the pendulum counter reaches a lower bond, selectively increasing the adaptive gain value according to an increment to increase the volume of the digital audio signal, where the magnitude of the decrement and the magnitude of the increment are different from each other. |
| US07974418B1 |
Virtualizer with cross-talk cancellation and reverb
Audio loudspeaker and headphone virtualizers and cross-talk cancellers and methods use separate virtual speaker locations for different Bark frequency bands and a single reverberation filter for multi-channel virtualizer inputs. |
| US07974417B2 |
Multi-channel bass management
A multi-channel audio system including first combining circuitry, for combining a first spectral band of a first plurality channels to provide a first bass audio signal stream; second combining circuitry, for combining the first spectral band of a second plurality channels to provide a second bass audio signal stream; and third combining circuitry, for combining a second spectral band, the second spectral band including lower frequencies than the first spectral band, of the first plurality of channels and the second plurality of channels to provide a third bass audio signal stream. |
| US07974416B2 |
Providing a secure execution mode in a pre-boot environment
In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method to establish a secure pre-boot environment in a computer system; and perform at least one secure operation in the secure environment. In one embodiment, the secure operation may be storage of a secret in the secure pre-boot environment. |
| US07974410B2 |
Cryptographic key split combiner
A cryptographic key split combiner, which includes a number of key split generators for generating cryptographic key splits and a key split randomizer for randomizing the cryptographic key splits to produce a cryptographic key, and a process for forming cryptographic keys. Each of the key split generators generates key splits from seed data. The key split generators may include a random split generator for generating a random key split based on reference data. Other key split generators may include 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, and a biometric split generator for generating a biometric key split based on biometric data. All splits may further be based on static data, which may be updated, for example by modifying a prime number divisor of the static data. The label data may be read from a storage medium, and may include user authorization data. The resulting cryptographic key may be, for example, a stream of symbols, at least one symbol block, or a key matrix. |
| US07974409B2 |
Changing the order of public key cryptographic computations
In one embodiment, cryptographic transformation of a message is performed by first performing a table initiation phase. This may be accomplished by creating a permutation of an order of powers and then performing a table initiation phase using a part of a key and the permuted order of powers to populate a data structure. |
| US07974406B2 |
Privacy enhanced comparison of data sets
A computer implemented method for performing a privacy enhanced comparison of a plurality of data sets includes allocating a private encryption key to each of the data sets; performing an encryption operation for each of the data sets, the encryption operation comprising generating a commutatively encrypted data set of the respective data set, wherein the commutatively encrypted data sets are generated by successively applying a keyed commutative encryption function on the respective data set with the private encryption key of the respective data set itself and with the private encryption keys of the other data sets; and comparing the commutatively encrypted data sets. |
| US07974404B2 |
Parallel split powering
A system for providing power to a network interface device (NID) includes a primary power supply device (PPSD), a battery backup device (BBD), and an electrical bus connecting the PPSD, the BBD, and the NID in parallel. The PPSD is operable to power the NID. The BBD is configured to provide power to the NID in response to a power loss event, such as the PPSD failing to provide adequate power to the NID. |
| US07974402B2 |
TDMA mobile ad-hoc network (MANET) with second order timing and tracking
A communication system includes a plurality of mobile nodes forming a mobile ad-hoc network (MANET) and having a network clock time. A plurality of wireless communications links connects the mobile nodes together. Each mobile node includes a communications device and controller for transmitting and routing data packets wirelessly to other mobile nodes via the wireless communications link using a Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) data transmission. Each mobile node includes a clock circuit having a digital clock time. A clock circuit is operative for processing a second order internal clock compensation factor as a learned and accumulated value for establishing a virtual clock time to correct any clock timing errors of the physical clock time from the network clock time. |
| US07974401B1 |
One number LAN based calendar
A system and method for providing data communication between an information system, such as a LAN, and a communication system, such as a PBX operating under control of an automatic call routing system, is disclosed. According to a preferred embodiment, data as to a particular LAN user's schedule, as reflected in an electronic calendar application, is used to properly route calls via the automatic call routing system. Alternative embodiments providing for the scheduling of events in the electronic calendar as well as the dissemination of information through the communication system are also disclosed. |
| US07974400B1 |
Systems and methods for implementing a parental control feature within a telecommunications network
A “parental control” (“PC”) telephone subscriber feature on a telephone system. An authorized subscriber, such as a parent, may enter a feature code which initiates the PC feature. To deactivate the feature, the subscriber enters the code and is prompted for an authorization code, such as a personal identification number (“PIN”). If the authorization code entered matches the authorization code on file for the subscriber, the PC feature is deactivated. If no match is found in the subscriber database for the PIN, the feature is not deactivated. |
| US07974399B2 |
Enhanced whisper feature
An enhanced whisper feature enables a user to engage simultaneously in disparate telephonic communication sessions by isolating audible input of the user from a select one of the telephonic communication sessions while providing audible output from each of the telephonic communication sessions to the user. The whisper feature can be further enhanced using a presence system that maintains presence information indicating the availability of the user. The presence system can enable the whisper feature of the user upon determining that the user is currently engaged in a first telephonic communication session when a request for the user to engage in a second telephonic communication session is received. In addition, the whisper feature can include a silent ring mode that is activated upon receipt of the request for the user to engage in the second telephonic communication session. |
| US07974393B2 |
Prepaid services with security provisions to protect against unauthorized use
A method and apparatus for providing a telecommunication service is disclosed wherein a call associated with a first prepaid services account identifier is received from a user. An offer is provided to the user to initiate a replacement service for the first prepaid services account identifier and, upon receiving an indication of an acceptance of the offer from the user, a replacement codeword associated with the first prepaid services account identifier is established. The call associated with the first prepaid services account may be any type of communication, including a telephone call, a message delivered via the internet, or any other voice or data message. Upon receipt of the codeword from the user, a second prepaid services account identifier is established and, in one implementation, the first prepaid services account identifier is deactivated. |
| US07974391B2 |
Conversation-based user interface
A conversation-based user interface (UI) is described. The presenting of the UI includes receiving communications from numerous people. The communications include media that is electronic. A conversation list is generated that includes conversation information of each of the communications. The conversation information includes information of a sender and the media of each communication. The conversation list is displayed. |
| US07974388B2 |
Advanced port-based E911 strategy for IP telephony
An enterprise network includes at least one communication device 208-1, an Open Systems Interconnect (OSI) Layer 2 switch 206, and a corresponding enterprise switch 208. The communication device 208-1 is connected to at least one of an access point 904-1 and a respective port 207-1 of the Layer 2 switch 206. The enterprise network includes a plurality of Emergency Location Information Numbers (ELINs) corresponding to differing segments of the enterprise network. The Layer 2 switch 206 serves at least one of the differing segments. The communication device 208-1 includes a discovery agent 252 operable, when a predetermined first event occurs, to obtain from the Layer 2 switch 206 at least one of an access point identifier, a switch identifier from the Layer 2 switch 206, and a port identifier identifying the respective port 207-1. |
| US07974385B2 |
User interface and system to facilitate telephone circuit maintenance and testing
An apparatus integrates disparate systems. The apparatus includes a platform that supports a control interface. The platform also supports a different user interface for each of the disparate systems. The platform enables the formatting and transfer of data from the apparatus to each of the disparate systems. |
| US07974380B2 |
Method and system for crystallization and X-ray diffraction screening
An integrated fluidic circuit includes a substrate layer and a first structure coupled to the substrate layer and including a plurality of channels. The first structure is configured to provide for flow of one or more materials through the plurality of channels. The integrated fluidic circuit also includes a second structure coupled to the substrate layer. The second structure includes a plurality of control channels configured to receive an actuation pressure. The integrated fluidic circuit is characterized by a thickness of less than 1.5 mm. |
| US07974377B2 |
X-ray detection methods and apparatus
A method includes inserting a first x-ray detector between a second x-ray detector and an object. |
| US07974376B2 |
High precision continuous time gmC BPF tuning
High precision continuous time gmC BPF (Band Pass Filter) tuning. A novel approach is presented by which a continuous time signal serves as a BPF control voltage for tuning of a BPF within a communication device (e.g., transceiver or receiver). A PLL (Phase Locked Loop) tunes the center frequency of the BPF using this continuous time signal, and the PLL oscillates at the center frequency of the BPF. The BPF is implemented as a gmC (transconductance-capacitance) filter, and the PLL is implemented using a number of gm (transconductance) cells as well. The PLL's gm cells and the BPF's gm cells are substantially identical in form. All of these gm cells are operated within their respective linear regions. This similarity of gm cells within the PLL and the BPF provide for substantial immunity to environmental perturbations including temperature and humidity changes as well as fluctuations of power supply voltages. |
| US07974374B2 |
Multi-mode VCO for direct FM systems
Systems for multi-mode phase modulation are disclosed. Systems provide for direct modulation of a multi-mode voltage controlled oscillator (VCO). A fractional-N counter may be used in a phase-locked loop (PLL) to synthesize a radio frequency carrier signal. The multi-mode VCO may be characterized by a first frequency gain during operation in a first mode and by a second frequency gain during operation in a second mode where signals controlling the first and second operating modes are provided by a control circuit. The control circuit may include a switch to provide control signals to the VCO. |
| US07974371B2 |
Communication method and radio communication apparatus
A radio communication apparatus for transmitting and receiving modulation signals of a plurality of channels in the same frequency band via a plurality of antennas. A communication method is based on information on electric wave propagation environment corresponding to each antenna of the communication partner and transmission is performed by selecting a transmission method for transmitting modulation signals of channels in the same frequency band from a plurality of antennas or a transmission method for transmitting a modulation signal of one channel from one antenna. Thus, it is possible to multiplex a plurality of modulation signals so as to be transmitted and to demultiplex and demodulate the transmitted multiplexed modulation signals at a reception unit, thereby improving the data transmission rate. |
| US07974369B2 |
Phase detector for timing recovery loop
In one embodiment, a (hard-drive) read channel has a phase detector used in a timing recovery loop. The phase detector utilizes the sign bit and confidence value from a received log-likelihood ratio (LLR) signal to generate a mean value. The mean value is convolved with a partial response target to generate an estimated timing error signal. When implemented in a hard-drive read channel, the phase detector allows for timing recovery with lower loss-of-lock rates. |
| US07974365B2 |
Method and apparatus for computing SIR of time varying signals in a wireless communication system
A method and apparatus for correcting symbols of a common pilot channel (CPICH) to generate an accurate signal-to-interference ratio (SIR) estimate in a wireless communication system are disclosed. In one embodiment, a non-stationary mean of a group of the CPICH symbols is estimated, the CPICH symbols are delayed, and the CPICH symbols are corrected by dividing the delayed CPICH symbols by the estimated non-stationary mean of the group of CPICH symbols. In another embodiment, a signal power estimate is generated based on the magnitude of CPICH symbols, a noise power estimate is generated by subtracting the signal power estimate from a total power estimate based on the magnitude of the CPICH symbols, and a SIR estimate is generated for symbols that have undergone a time varying gain by dividing the signal power estimate by the noise power estimate. |
| US07974356B2 |
Hybrid radio frequency transmitter
A hybrid transmitter includes first and second up-conversion modules, a combining module, and a power amplifier circuit. The first up-conversion module is operably coupled to generate a first up-conversion signal based on a normalized in-phase (I) symbol, an in-phase local oscillation, and phase or frequency information. The second up-conversion module is operably coupled to generate a second up-conversion signal based on a normalized quadrature (Q) symbol, a quadrature local oscillation, and the phase or frequency information. The combining module is operably coupled to combine the first and second up-conversion signals to produce a radio frequency (RF) signal. The power amplifier circuit is operably coupled to adjust amplitude of the RF signal based on amplitude information to produce an amplitude and phase modulated RF signal. |
| US07974355B2 |
Method and apparatus for generating a permutation for forwarding link hopping in wireless communication system
A method and apparatus for generating a permutation for forward link hopping is provided, comprising initializing permutation constants, determining a value for p such that i is less than 2p wherein i is a first counter, initializing a second counter j to ‘0’, setting x to i+1 wherein x is index of elements of an array A, clocking a Pseudo-noise (PN) register n times to generate a pseudorandom number, setting x to p Least Significant Bits (LSB) of the pseudorandom number, incrementing j by 1, determining if x is greater than i, setting x equal to x−i, if x is greater than i, swapping the ith and xth element in the array A, decrementing counter i by 1, and mapping a set of hop-ports to a set of sub-carriers based upon the generated hop-permutation. |
| US07974353B2 |
Method and system for resource allocation for OFDM wireless networks
According to an embodiment, the present invention provides a method for providing resource allocation in a wireless communication network. The method includes providing an access provider that is configured to perform orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM). The access provider is configured to allocate transmission resources. The method also includes providing a first plurality of terminals that are wirelessly connected to the access provider. The method further includes assigning the first plurality of terminals to a first scheduling group that is associated with a first plurality of resources. The first plurality of resources includes at least a first resource. The method additionally includes providing a second plurality of terminals that are wirelessly connected to the access provider. The method further includes assigning the second plurality of terminals to a second scheduling group that is associated with a second plurality of resources. |
| US07974346B2 |
System and method for generating video data for implicit coefficient prediction decoding
A predictive video coder performs gradient prediction based on previous blocks of image data. For a new block of image data, the prediction determines a horizontal gradient and a vertical gradient from a block diagonally above the new block (vertically above a previous horizontally adjacent block). Based on these gradients, the encoder predicts image information based on image information of either the horizontally adjacent block or a block vertically adjacent to the new block. The encoder determines a residual that is transmitted in an output bitstream. The decoder performs the identical gradient prediction and predicts image information without need for overhead information. The decoder computes the actual information based on the predicted information and the residual from the bitstream. |
| US07974345B2 |
Image processing apparatus and associated methodology of creating motion compensating vectors
An image data processing apparatus is provided and includes a variable length decoding section to decode and extract quantized DCT coefficients from an encoded signal input thereto and extract encoded information from side information added to the encoded signal. Classification adaptation processing sections use the input signal supplied from a decoding section and a creation signal supplied from a signal storage section to determine the reliability of each of motion compensating vectors of the encoded signal supplied from a coded information storage section, selects that one of the motion compensating vectors which has the highest reliability as a selected vector, and produces a creation signal based on the selection vector. |
| US07974342B2 |
Motion-compensated image signal interpolation using a weighted median filter
A motion-compensated image signal interpolation unit (200) for generating an interpolated image being located at a first predetermined temporal distance (a) from the first image and being located at a second predetermined temporal distance (1−a) from the second image is disclosed. The interpolation unit (200) comprises: motion estimation means (202) for furnishing a first and a second motion vector relating to the first and second image; furnishing means (204, 206) for furnishing a first group of samples on basis of values of pixels of the first image and the first motion vector and for furnishing a second group of samples on basis of values of pixels of the second image and the second motion vector, and filtering means (212) for ordered statistical filtering of the samples of the first and the second group to produce a first value of a first pixel of the interpolated image (102), whereby a first quotient is substantially equal to a second quotient, the first quotient being determined by a first spatial distance (x1) between a first one of the samples of the first group and a second one of the samples of the first group and the first predetermined temporal distance (α), the second quotient being determined by a second spatial distance (x2) between a first one of the samples of the second group and a second one of the samples of the second group and the second predetermined temporal distance (1−α). |
| US07974341B2 |
Rate control for multi-layer video design
Methods and apparatus for efficient encoding multimedia data, such as live video streams are disclosed. The multimedia data is pre-encoded into multiple layers and characteristics of the pre-encoded data are determined. Based at least in part on the determined characteristics, the multimedia data is encoded into multiple layers. |
| US07974339B2 |
Optimized data transmission system and method
A system for transmitting data is provided. The system includes a frame analysis system receiving frame data, such as a frame of video data, and generating region data, such as a uniform matrix size that is used to divide the frame into a predetermined set of matrices. A pixel selection system receives the region data and generates one set of pixel data for each region, such as by selecting one of the pixels contained within each of the original matrices that comprise the frame. |
| US07974338B2 |
System for decoding a digital radio stream
To improve the user experience, a digital radio receiver may output the data contained within the Fast Access Channel and Service Description Channel of a Digital Radio Mondiale stream when their decoding is complete without waiting for the Main Service Channel decoding to finish. When the Main Service Channel decoding is finished, the digital radio receiver may output the audio or data contained within the Main Service Channel. The audio or data from the Digital Radio Mondiale stream may be output on a speaker, headphones, a display, or other type of transducer. The digital radio receiver may also include a processor and a memory to store data from the Fast Access Channel and the Service Description Channel, including data from previously received Digital Radio Mondiale streams. |
| US07974337B2 |
High speed receive equalizer architecture
Various example embodiments are disclosed. According to an example embodiment, an apparatus may include a continuous time filter, a decision feedback equalizer, a clock and data recovery circuit, and an adaptation circuit. The adaptation circuit may be configured to adapt equalization according to at least one dithering algorithm by adjusting a delay adjust signal based on a mean square error of equalized data signals. |
| US07974336B2 |
Equalization system and method thereof
An equalization system used in a communication receiver has multiple equalization stages. A front equalizer supplies equalization output to a feed back filter in a rear equalizer to speed initialization of the rear equalizer. In addition, the rear equalizer supplies decision output to the front equalizer to estimate errors so as to provide more accurate tap coefficient adjustments. Both the front equalizer and the rear equalizer can be implemented with iterative equalizers to further enhance equalization performance. |
| US07974334B2 |
Systems and methods for hybrid-MIMO equalization
Embodiments provide systems and methods for a novel multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) equalization technique that produces a channel matrix that contains partly real coefficients and partly complex coefficients, referred to herein as a hybrid-MIMO equalization. MIMO detectors can exploit the hybrid-MIMO equalization to reduce complexity. Some embodiments provide systems and methods for equalizing a communication channel comprising receiving as an input a channel output vector, dividing the input into two vectors, a first vector that remains a complex number and a second vector that contains only real numbers, separating the second vector into its real and imaginary components, and regrouping the first and second vectors into a hybrid channel output vector that contains both real and complex coefficients. |
| US07974330B2 |
Multi-carrier code dividing multiplex transfer system and method, and receiving device
The multi-carrier code dividing multiplex transfer system of the present invention includes a direct demodulator that discriminates transmitted signals according to a receiving signal point composed of a combination of receiving values in a spread state of sub-carriers in a range where one modulated symbol is spread, and according to reference signal composing values that can be taken by the combination of the receiving values in the spread state of the sub-carriers. As a result, it is possible to prevent from affects of inter-code interference, and improve receiving characteristics as well. |
| US07974322B2 |
Nitride semiconductor laser diode
A nitride semiconductor laser device includes: a substrate made of silicon in which a plane orientation of a principal surface is a {100} plane; and a semiconductor laminate that includes a plurality of semiconductor layers formed on the substrate and includes a multiple quantum well active layer, each of the plurality of semiconductor layers being made of group III-V nitride. The semiconductor laminate has a plane parallel to a {011} plane which is a plane orientation of silicon as a cleavage face and the cleavage face constructs a facet mirror. |
| US07974311B2 |
Configuring addresses in a communication network
The present invention relates to a method for configuring addresses in a packet switched data communication system. The method comprises providing a logical network with at least two network elements, a network element comprising at least one sub-element. The method further comprises configuring a temporary address for an interface of a sub-element, retrieving an identifier of the network element and defining an address for the interface of the sub-element by including the identifier of the network element to the temporary address. |
| US07974310B2 |
Apparatus and method for constructing a data unit that includes a buffer status report
An apparatus and method for constructing a data unit that includes a buffer status report (BSR) such that when BSR triggering is performed, the size(s) of the necessary sub-header(s) are also to be considered together in addition to the BSR size. There is a checking unit that checks whether any padding region is available in a MAC PDU that was constructed, a comparing unit that compares the number of padding bits with the size of a buffer status report (BSR) plus its sub-header, and a processing unit that cooperates with the checking unit and the comparing unit to trigger a buffer status report (BSR) procedure if the number of padding bits is larger than the size of the BSR plus its sub-header, including the BSR and its sub-header in the MAC PDU, and setting an LCID in the sub-header to indicate a BSR is included, the BSR having been triggered due to padding. Using such apparatus allows the sub-header(s) to be inserted (included) into the MAC PDU (or transport block (TB) or other data unit). |
| US07974307B2 |
Methods and apparatus for data decoding/encoding and for searching for/inserting stuffing bytes
In a method of decoding data that contains payload data, start codes and stuffing data that prevents emulation of start codes within the data, and correspondingly in a method of encoding data that contains payload data and start codes, data is read or written. Substantially simultaneously with reading or writing the data, the data is checked for the presence of stuffing data which are to be discarded or the need to insert stuffing data as the case may be. In preferred embodiments, one or more state machines are used to track the need to discard/insert stuffing data. |
| US07974299B1 |
Methods and apparatus for switching transmission channels
Methods and apparatus for switching transmission channels that include monitoring a number of packets within a transmitter buffer of a transmitter, determining that the number of packets within the transmitter buffer exceeds a pre-determined threshold, and changing a transmission channel used by the transmitter for transmission based at least upon the number of packets within the transmitter buffer exceeding a pre-determined threshold. |
| US07974298B2 |
High speed autotrucking
A method and system for automatically trunking ports connecting network devices arranged in a stacked configuration is provided. The method includes sending a packet, from a sending network device to at least one other receiving network device, through each of a plurality of ports of the network device. The packet includes at least an identifier for identifying the sending network device. The receiving network device maintains a table identifying which ports are connected to a neighboring network device. The network device automatically trunks the ports which are connected to the same network device. |
| US07974297B2 |
Quality of service queue management in home mesh network
An embodiment is a technique to perform queue management. A packet is received from an upper layer or a classifier in a multi-hop mesh network. The packet has a packet type classified by the classifier. The received packet is enqueued into one of a plurality of buffers organized according to the packet type. |
| US07974296B2 |
Extended call handling functionality using multi-network simulcasting
A method and apparatus supporting the handling of calls using simulcasting of multimedia information via a broadband access gateway are disclosed. A broadband access gateway supporting both a personal area network and a broadband network may receive multimedia information simultaneously exchanged by an associated access device via a wide area network. The broadband access gateway may store the received multimedia information locally, within the broadband access gateway, or may communicate the multimedia information to storage accessible from the broadband access gateway. The broadband access gateway may cause a user of the access device to be notified of the availability of multimedia information for a recorded call, and may communicate the multimedia information to the access device for playback. A user may be notified if storage and bandwidth for the recording of a call is not available. |
| US07974294B2 |
System for context transfer for wireless internet devices
A system and method for feature context transfer store all currently “active” feature contexts locally at an Access Router (AR), and store all “inactive” feature contexts centrally in a main database. The main database can be accessed by all the ARs within the same administrative domain. When a new microflow becomes active, its active feature contexts are brought from the main database and loaded into the local directory, thus replacing any inactive feature contexts that are not needed at the time. |
| US07974293B2 |
Method and apparatus for transcrypting or transcoding content for a terminal within a vehicle
A system 10 for distributing content includes a content provider 12 that provides content through various devices including a satellite 26 or a terrestrial-based system 38. The content provider 12 provides content to a content distribution system 70 within a vehicle 60. The method associated with the system includes generating a request for a list of content from a terminal, providing a list of content to a terminal, selecting a selection from the list of content, transcrypting or transcoding the content, streaming the content corresponding to the selection to the terminal and displaying the content on the terminal. |
| US07974291B1 |
Reorder engine with error recovery
A reorder engine classifies information relating to incoming data items as belonging to either a first, second, or third region. The information relating to the data items may arrive at the reorder engine out of order. The data items each include a sequence number through which the reorder engine may reconstruct the correct order of the data items. Based on the classification, the reorder engine may either process the data items normally or drop certain ones of the data items. The majority of incoming data items will fall in the first region and are processed normally. Data items arriving in the second region indicate that a previous data item is late or delayed. If this previous data item is delayed but does eventually arrive, it will arrive in the third region and is simply ignored. |
| US07974290B2 |
TDMA passive optical network OLT system for broadcast service
Provided is a TDMA (time division multiple access) PON (passive optical network) OLT (optical line terminal) system for a broadcast service, including packet processor determining information according to types of frames (unicast, multicast, and broadcast frames) and a switch output port using header information (an IP address of a packet header, MAC (medium access control) addresses of Ethernet frames, and the like) of data received from an external node or the ONT (optical network terminal) and attaching the information to header parts of the frames to generate second data, a switch copying the second data by a predetermined number of times according to a transmission method and transmitting the second data to a corresponding destination output port according to the identification codes, M TDMA PON MAC processors removing the identification codes added to the second data and converting the second data into TDMA PON frames, and M optical transceivers converting the TDMA PON frames into optical signals and transmitting the optical signals to an ONT. |
| US07974288B2 |
Tunneling for efficient network traffic management
Data traffic is scheduled by, in a first scheduler, selecting a source of traffic from a plurality of sources of traffic, each source being associated with a second scheduler, in a second scheduler associated with the selected source of traffic, selecting a type of traffic from a plurality of types of traffic within the source selected by the first scheduler, and transmitting data of the selected type and source. Identifying and creating tunnels between endpoints in a network for optimum data traffic method and apparatus. |
| US07974284B2 |
Single and double tagging schemes for packet processing in a network device
A method of handling datagrams in a network device is disclosed. The method includes the steps of receiving an incoming datagram at a port of the network device, determining a type for the incoming datagram based on fields in the incoming datagram and a destination address, adding a tag to the datagram to assist in routing the datagram, obtaining a multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) label when the datagram is a MPLS datagram, processing the datagram based on the MPLS label and the destination address and discarding or forwarding the datagram based upon the processing step. The tag is stripped from the datagram before it is sent from an egress port of the network switch. |
| US07974274B2 |
Telecommunication systems
A telecommunication system (1) provides bi-directional communication between TDM signals on one side and ATM signals on the other. An ATM aggregate (10) receives and transmits ATM signals, and a TDM interface (2) receives and transmits TDM signals. A format converter has an ATM bus (9) and a TDM bus (4) connected to their respective interfaces. Service-specific adapters (5-8) are connected between the buses. |
| US07974273B2 |
Data transmitting apparatus and data receiving apparatus
This invention relates to a data transmitting apparatus and a data receiving apparatus, which multiplexes and transmits HD-SDI signals, and which receives the multiplexed and transmitted HD-SDI signals. The data transmitting apparatus is characterized by being equipped with a parallel data forming section which forms word string data De based on HD-SDI signals DHS of n channels, a data multiplexing section which obtains multiplex word string data Dm based on De, a multiple channel data forming section which forms bit string data DSX of m channels from Dm, a data multiplexing and P/S converting section which forms bit string data DTG based on DSX and in which a bit rate is set to 10 Gb/s or more, and an electric photo converting section which sends away DTG. |
| US07974271B2 |
System and method of providing a high-quality voice network architecture over IP centrex
A system and method are disclosed for providing high quality sound communications in an IP Centrex environment. The method aspect of the invention comprises, from a network switch, negotiating between a first customer premises equipment (CPE) and a second CPE, the negotiation being related to a possible quality of a call between the first CPE and the second CPE. Next, the switch controls mapping between a dialing plan and a network address, determining a network address of the first CPE and the second CPE and connecting the call between the first CPE and the second CPE. In this manner, the highest quality and broadest bandwidth possible between the first CPE and second CPE through the IP Centrex environment may be used for the call. |
| US07974269B2 |
Mobile communication control method and mobile communication system
The objective of the invention is to provide a mobile communication control method and mobile communication system in which mobile IPv6 and SIP are integrated by a core network of 3GPP2. In the mobile communication system, the mobile node MN executes a registration procedure for a Care-of-Address acquired in a visited network by the communication between the mobile node and a home agent server HA, executes a registration procedure for the Care-of-Address by the communication between the mobile node and an SIP server, and executes a communication procedure for session establishment by the communication between the mobile node MN and a correspondent node not through the home agent server but through the SIP server. |
| US07974267B2 |
Telephone system, and main unit and terminal registration method therefor
According to one embodiment of the invention, there is provided a telephone system comprises a plurality of telephone terminals and a main unit. The main unit comprises an authentication processing unit performs login authentication MAC address authentication, and a mode specification unit receives specification of a plural terminal registration mode. The MAC address authentication refuses logins from telephone terminals differing in MAC address from a telephone terminal that has been allowed to log in firstly even if the logins are made by the same extension numbers. The plural terminal registration mode exclusively allows the simultaneous login by the same extension numbers from a plurality of telephone terminals having different MAC addresses. The authentication processing unit gives priority over the plural terminal registration mode higher than the MAC address authentication and makes the MAC address authentication void in the plural terminal registration mode. |
| US07974265B2 |
Remote parking meter auditing module
A remote parking meter monitoring system is provided. The system has a plurality of radio transceivers. Each transceiver communicates with at least one other transceiver within a transceiver communication region. The transceivers are integrated to parking meters. A separate aggregate point has a transceiver and a communication network that is connected to a computer. The aggregate point communicates with at least one proximal transceiver and communicates to the computer through the network. The system has a mesh communication arrangement, and a signal routing architecture, where the information is communicated along any path of adjacent communication regions. The computer is able to communicate information through the network to the aggregate point, and the aggregate point transceiver sends the information to the proximal transceiver. The information is communicated to any one of the transceivers in the mesh using the routing architecture by communicating the signal through any path between adjacent communication regions. |
| US07974254B2 |
Digital broadcast signaling metadata
Embodiments are directed to transmitting L1 pre-signaling information with predetermined modulation and code rate such that L1 pre-signaling information can be received without preliminary knowledge on the network. L1 pre-signaling information makes it possible to receive the L1 signaling information, data link layer information, and notification data that may have configurable code rates and modulation. Therefore, L1 pre-signaling information can be thought of as signaling metadata (i.e., information about other signaling information). L1 signaling is divided into pre-signaling and signaling parts. The pre-signaling part includes parameters used for receiving the L1 signaling information. L1 pre-signaling signaling enables the receiver to receive the signaling itself (L1 signaling and data link layer information) by informing the receiver about the type of modulation, coding, and the like, used to transmit the L1 signaling, data link layer, and notification information. |
| US07974253B2 |
Methods and apparatus for implementing and using a rate indicator
A base station selects and assigns uplink segments to specific wireless terminals. The base station estimates potential system interference levels, selects, assigns, and transmits a maximum uplink rate indicator value to a wireless terminal indicating the maximum uplink data rate that the wireless terminal is permitted to use. The wireless terminal receives the maximum data rate indicator and selects an uplink data rate to use which is less than or equal to the maximum data rate indicator level. The selection includes consideration of data amounts, data importance, communications channel quality, changes affecting the channel and/or power information. The wireless terminal encodes information indicative of the selected used rate with the user data/information to be transmitted by placing additional energy on a subset of the uplink signals. The base station receives the uplink signals including user data/information and data rate. The base station extracts the data rate used and utilizes the data rate to demodulate and decode the uplink user data/information. |
| US07974247B2 |
Communication terminal device and billing device
For transmitting transmission data generated by a transmission data generator of a communication terminal device, a packet unit determining unit [17] determines a packet unit for a lowest data communication rate for the transmission of the transmission data, among packet units (packet sizes) that can be recognized by a destination communication terminal device and that can be transmitted from the communication terminal device. A packet generator [18] packetizes the transmission data according to the packet unit determined by the packet unit determining unit [17], and transmits the packetized transmission data to the destination communication terminal device. |
| US07974246B1 |
Adaptive time division multiple access systems and methods
A method for exchanging information within a radio communications system includes establishing communications between radio systems utilizing a carrier sense multiple access mode during a period of lower traffic load on the radio communications system and establishing communications between the radio systems utilizing a time division multiple access mode during a period of higher traffic load on the radio communications system. |
| US07974244B2 |
Method and system for reducing uplink noise in wireless communication systems
A method and system for reducing the overall noise floor in a wireless communication system, subsystem or network are disclosed, which reduces the output gain levels of specific uplink antenna transmitters during non-signal time periods (e.g., rest mode) when no communication signals are being conveyed between the mobile unit(s) and base station involved. The output gain level of each such uplink antenna's transmitter is decreased by a predetermined amount, which reduces the noise contribution of that uplink antenna, but also maintains the gain at a high enough level so that a signal can still pass from a mobile unit to the base station via that link, for example, during a call initiation attempt. |
| US07974243B2 |
Wireless packet communication method and wireless packet communication apparatus
In retransmission processing due to a failure of transmission of data packets, a plurality of data packets are simultaneously transmitted between two STAs by utilizing multiple wireless channels and MIMO, and the number of idle channels and the number of retransmission packets are compared. Then, when both of the numbers are different or only when the number of idle channels is larger than the number of retransmission packets, the retransmission packets are reconstructed according to the number of idle channels, and the reconstructed retransmission packets are simultaneously transmitted by using the idle channels. |
| US07974241B2 |
Methods, systems, and computer-readable media for providing cellular handoff
Methods, systems, and computer-readable media provide for providing cellular handoff. According to embodiments, a method for providing a cellular handoff is provided. According to the method, a first group of users is associated with a first class of service and a first cellular tower. A second group of users is associated with a second class of service. Whether to hand off the first group of users from the first cellular tower to a second cellular tower is determined based on real-time quality of service provided to at least one of the first group of users and the second group of users. In response to determining to hand off the first group of users from the first cellular tower to the second cellular tower, a handoff of the first group of users from the first cellular tower to the second cellular tower is performed. |
| US07974232B2 |
Method and apparatus for managing communications within a distributed network
Some embodiments of the present invention relate to an apparatus for managing communications within a distributed network. According to some embodiments of the invention, the apparatus may include a communication management module and a synchronization module. The communication management module may be operatively coupled to a communication module belonging to the distributed network. The communication management module may be adapted to allocate for each communication within the network a communication frame comprised of a predetermined number of timeslots. The communication management module may configure the communication module coupled thereto to repeat a communication at one or more of the timeslots of the frame allocated for the communication. The timeslots may, for example, be equal in length and may each correspond to a predetermined fraction of the length of a communication frame. The synchronization module may be adapted to synchronize frames across the distributed network, either directly or indirectly. According to further embodiments of the invention, the synchronization module may be adapted to bit synchronize the communication module. |
| US07974231B2 |
Communication control apparatus and communication control method
A communication control apparatus (30, 10) used in a mobile communication system includes: means (32, 12) that derives a second target communication quality Q2 for TFs other than a reference format from a first target communication quality for the reference format in a plurality of TFs provide for communicating with an upper layer of a physical channel; means (33, 13) that derives a third target communication quality different from the first target communication quality from the first and the second target communication qualities; and means that sets the third target communication quality to be a target value of transmission power control. |
| US07974228B2 |
Method of signaling-free idle mode mobility for an integrated 3GPP and 3GPP2 network
The present invention provides a method of operating a paging controller in a wireless communication system including a first network that operates according to a first radio access technology and a second network that operates according to a second radio access technology. The first network includes a first control plane entity and the second network includes a second control plane entity. The method includes providing, to at least one first base station in the first network, a request to transmit a page to a first tracking area associated with the mobile unit. The first tracking area is defined in the first network. The method also includes providing, via an interface between the first control plane entity and the second control plane entity, a request to transmit the page to a second tracking area associated with the mobile unit. The second tracking area is defined in the second network. |
| US07974227B1 |
Relayed signal communications
A relay terminal for relaying communication signals from originator user terminals to destination user terminals stores relay-authorization-and-priority data for a plurality of user terminals having respective identification codes; detects the identification codes in communication signals sent from a plurality of originator terminals; processes the detected identification codes in combination with the stored data to determine if immediate relaying of the received communication signals to respective identified destination terminals is authorized; and relays the received communication signals immediately to only those of the identified destination terminals to which immediate relaying is so authorized. Directional-position data associated with a given originator terminal derived by processing portions of a signal received from such originator terminal is processed to form a beam path for communications with the given originator terminal. |
| US07974223B2 |
Virtual private LAN service over ring networks
A method for communication via a ring network that includes a plurality of nodes. The method includes receiving at a first node in the ring network a data packet transmitted over a virtual private LAN service (VPLS), the data packet including an identification of the VPLS. The first node reads the identification from the data packet. Responsively to reading the identification, the first node forwards the data packet to at least one second node in the ring network that is associated with the VPLS. |
| US07974219B2 |
Network troubleshooting using path topology
A system, and a corresponding method, implemented on a suitable computing device, provides for troubleshooting a network using path topology. The system includes a network node manager that generates and displays a path topology. The path topology a most probable path between two end point elements in the network. The most probable path includes one or more network elements disposed between the two end point elements, and the path topology includes identities of each of the network elements. The system also includes a health report generator, coupled to the network node manager, that receives identities of each of the network elements, determines summary performance information for each of the network elements, and displays the summary performance information. |
| US07974217B2 |
Method and apparatus for identifying network device corresponding to internet protocol address, and method and apparatus for allocating internet protocol address
Provided are a method and apparatus for identifying a network device corresponding to an Internet protocol address. The method comprises the steps of detecting network devices over a network using a detection message, extracting media access control addresses from Internet protocol addresses of network devices which respond to the detection message, and detecting and displaying names of network devices corresponding to the extracted media access control addresses from a database which stores device identification information specifying names of network devices and media access control addresses corresponding to the respective names. |
| US07974213B2 |
Methods and apparatus to select composite link cost-out thresholds
Methods and apparatus to select composite link cost-out thresholds are disclosed. A disclosed example method comprises collecting traffic statistics for a communication network, computing, based on the collected traffic statistics, a plurality of flow rates for a composite link of the communication network for respective ones of a plurality of potential fault conditions for the composite link, computing a plurality of remaining capacities of the composite link for respective ones of the plurality of fault conditions, computing a plurality of differences between respective ones of the plurality of flow rates and the plurality of remaining capacities, and selecting a cost-out threshold for the composite link based on the plurality of computed differences. |
| US07974206B2 |
Method for establishing a secured connection, corresponding SFC apparatus, MFC apparatus, requesting terminal and computer program product
A method is provided for establishing a secured connection and to corresponding SFC equipment, CFM equipment, and terminal requiring a computer software program. More specifically, a method is provided for transmitting a multimedia flow from or to a terminal, that includes: a step of establishing a signalling between the terminal and a signalling flow control equipment; and a step of implementing, between the terminal and a multimedia flow control equipment, a mechanism for crossing an address translation equipment. The method further includes a step of checking that the terminal requiring execution of the implementation step, is the same terminal as the one involved in execution of the signalling establishment step. |
| US07974205B1 |
Method and system for the distribution of internet protocol traffic in a communication system
A method for operating a communication system is provided. The method includes receiving an arrival rate of a plurality of real-time packets, and receiving a real-time packet including a first plurality of identifiers, for transmission on a first link or a second link, where the first link has a first bandwidth. The method also includes processing the real-time packet to select a first selected link from the first link and the second link based on the first plurality of identifiers, the arrival rate of the plurality of real-time packets, and the first bandwidth, and transmitting the real-time packet on the first selected link. |
| US07974203B2 |
Traffic control system, traffic control method, communication device and computer program
The invention is directed to a traffic control system. The traffic control system comprises a communication device. The communication device includes a traffic type differentiation unit for differentiating a traffic type of an application that generates traffic to be processed on a communication network, a traffic control execution unit for controlling the traffic according to a traffic control condition corresponding to the traffic type, and a setting change reception unit for receiving setting change information on the traffic type or setting change information on the traffic control condition from the communication network. The traffic control system also comprises a setting change information transmission device provided on the communication network for transmitting setting change information. |
| US07974202B2 |
Tunnel provisioning with link aggregation
A method for processing data packets in a communication network includes establishing a path for a flow of the data packets through the communication network. At a node along the path having a plurality of aggregated ports, a port is selected from among the plurality to serve as part of the path. A label is chosen responsively to the selected port. The label is attached to the data packets in the flow at a point on the path upstream from the node. Upon receiving the data packets at the node, the data packets are switched through the selected port responsively to the label. |
| US07974196B2 |
Method and system of using counters to monitor a system port buffer
Methods and systems for using counters to monitor port buffers are described. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving data packets into a system port buffer having different queues. Also, counters are associated with the queues. Further, the method includes scanning the counters, in which the counters count the number of dropped data packets associated with an individual queue of the different queues. Moreover, the method includes determining if the number of dropped data packets for an individual queue is greater than a predetermined number. If the number of dropped data packets is greater than the predetermined number, then a message is generated. |
| US07974194B2 |
Optimizing data traffic and power consumption in mobile unified communication applications
Data traffic, latency, and power consumption in a mobile unified communication environment are reduced by optimizing communication between a mobile client application and a mobile data server through determining optimum delay between exchanged messages and/or filtering portions of data not relevant to the mobile client application at the server. Additional optimizations include providing mobile client application relevant updates in an intelligent fashion based on user activity, screen resolution or displayed information, relevant contacts and relevance of information, and similar characteristics. |
| US07974192B2 |
Multicast switching in a distributed communication system
A technique for multicast switching in a distributed communication system having a plurality of cooperating modules enables a module to forward multicast packets associated with a multicast stream without using a centralized module or control logic by determining all network interfaces and remote modules associated with the multicast stream and forwarding multicast packets to only those network interfaces and remote modules associated with the multicast stream. IGMP snooping may be used to determine the network interfaces and remote modules associated with the multicast stream, and may also be used to determine host addresses, router addresses, and an IGMP version for each network interface and for each remote module. In order to generate IGMP messages, the module learns a multicast device address from received IGMP messages and uses the multicast device address to send the IGMP messages. The module decides whether to send IGMP version 1 messages or IGMP version 2 messages on a particular interface based upon the IGMP version of IGMP messages received over the interface. |
| US07974187B2 |
Data transmission
In a data transmission system having a plurality of transmitters connected in a ring configuration, a band monitoring unit in each of the plurality of transmitters monitors the bandwidths of a first and a second transmission path between one of the transmitters that comprise the ring and a first and a second transmitter on both sides of said transmitter, respectively. A protection execution unit executes protection processing by setting up a bypass path for each of the first and second transmission paths. Further, when the bandwidth of the first or second transmission path acquired by the band monitoring unit decreases below a threshold, and only when any one of the transmitters comprising the ring and the other transmitters is not executing protection processing, the protection execution unit executes protection processing for the first or second transmission path which is determined to have a bandwidth smaller than the threshold. |
| US07974179B2 |
Transmitting apparatus and method which transmit symbols in OFDM and receiving apparatus and method for use with OFDM communications
A transmitting apparatus which transmits a transmit symbol in orthogonal-frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) is disclosed. The transmitting apparatus includes a unit which provides a unicast channel; a unit which provides a multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS) channel; a unit which provides a specific pilot channel which is specific to a specified cell; a unit which provides one or more common pilot channels common to a plurality of cells; and a multiplexing unit which multiplexes the unicast channel, the MBMS channel, the specific pilot channel, and the one or more common pilot channels, and creates the transmit symbol, wherein the multiplexing unit time-division multiplexes, in the same frequency band, a unicast frame which includes the unicast channel, and an MBMS frame which includes the MBMS channel, and wherein an insertion density of the common pilot channel included in the MBMS frame is larger than an insertion density of the specific pilot channel included in the unicast frame. |
| US07974178B2 |
Pilot method for 802.16m
A novel pilot method employs a cluster having a particular arrangement of pilot sub-carriers to optimize transmissions under 802.16 m, or WiMAX-II. The optimally configured cluster features equal pilot density per OFDM symbol, two or more pilot sub-carriers per cluster, and interlaced pilot sub-carriers, which enables the base stations to successfully boost the pilot sub-carriers, for optimum performance. |
| US07974171B2 |
Optical recording method, optical reproduction method, optical recording apparatus, and optical recording medium
The present invention provides an optical recording method including: recording information on a recording layer for holographically recording information in an optical recording medium by irradiating the optical recording medium with an information beam and a reference beam, and repetitively recording information on the recording layer while moving at least any one of the information beam and reference beam and the recording layer along the surface of the recording layer, thereby being capable of shift-multiplex recording operations, wherein the optical recording medium is irradiated on a recording pulse basis, the peak intensity of light of the recording pulse is 0.1 mW to 100 mW, the irradiation time is 0.05 nsec to 1×105 nsec, and the irradiation of recording pulse is performed 5 times to 1×107 times per 1 msec; and also provides an optical recording apparatus and an optical recording medium. |
| US07974169B1 |
Wobble channel clocking
Devices, systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with wobble channel clocking are described. In one embodiment, an apparatus implemented with a clock generator, a clock scaling logic, radio frequency channel logic, and wobble channel log. The clock generator generates a clocking signal. The clock scaling logic scales the clocking signal to produce a scaled clocking signal. The radio frequency channel logic at least partially decodes a digital radio frequency signal from an optical disk. The wobble channel logic at least partially decodes a digital wobble signal from the optical disk. Either the clocking signal or the scaled clocking signal is used to clock the radio frequency channel logic, and the other clocking signal or the scaled clocking signal is used to clock the wobble channel. |
| US07974168B2 |
Data storage medium reproducing device and method for reproducing data storage medium
A reproducing device includes a detection circuit and an integration circuit. The detection circuit detects a push-pull signal PP. The integration circuit carries out integration processing with respect to one or greater frames of the push-pull signal, and carries out binarization processing with respect to integration results thus obtained, thereby detecting sub data. In the integration circuit, the more the frames to be used for detecting sub data is, the higher the accuracy of the detected sub data is. The reproducing device further includes a control circuit for controlling the total number of the frames to be used for generating valid sub data in the integration circuit. The control circuit controls the total number of the frames in accordance with a result of an error correction made by an error correction circuit. |
| US07974164B2 |
Information recording apparatus and method, and computer program
An information recording apparatus (2) is for forming a record mark corresponding to a recording signal by applying a laser beam to a recording medium, and is provided with: a light source (21) for emitting the laser beam; and a signal generating device (22) for generating a recording pulse signal for driving the light source on the basis of the recording signal, the recording pulse signal includes a mark period and a space period, a level of the recording pulse signal corresponds to a recording power by which waveform distortion is greater than or equal to an upper limit (L) or is less than or equal to a lower limit (−L) of an amplitude limit value on a limit equalizer (15), in the mark period corresponding to a long mark. |
| US07974162B2 |
Digital data modulator-demodulator
A digital data demodulator which can reduce a loss of decodable digital data, and increase capability of reproducing digital data inputted through a transmission line even when an error occurs in the transmission line. In the digital data demodulator, a specific pattern detector (113) detects a specific pattern to be included in a modulation code, from a bit string inputted through a transmission line (104). A modulation code identifying unit (117) generates a demodulation data strobe signal (119) according to a phase of the modulation code including the specific pattern. An error corrector (121) samples demodulation data (109) in response to the demodulation data strobe signal (119) and reproduces the data to the original digital data. |
| US07974154B2 |
Vibroseis calibration technique and system
A technique includes operating a seismic vibrator, including driving the seismic vibrator at different frequencies and driving forces. The technique includes monitoring a parameter affected by the operation of the seismic vibrator during the frequency sweep and based at least in part on the monitored parameter, determining a maximum driving force profile for the seismic vibrator. |
| US07974151B2 |
Cetacean protection system
An embodiment according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure for conducting a marine survey includes towing a survey spread comprising a plurality of receivers and an energy source along a selected course; emitting a signal from an energy source; receiving data from the plurality of receivers; detecting a cetacean from the received data; positioning the detected cetacean; limiting contact with the detected cetacean; and conducting a marine survey. |
| US07974150B2 |
Methods and apparatus of source control for sequential firing of staggered air gun arrays in borehole seismic
Methods and apparatus for controlling seismic source firings are disclosed. The methods and apparatus enable firing of seismic sources to increase pressure wave amplitude. Some methods and apparatus reduce ghosting and align first pressure peaks of multiple seismic sources. The multiple seismic sources may be fired sequentially according to active feedback mechanisms. Controlling the firing of the seismic source facilitates more accurate seismic data and a more consistent seismic source signature. |
| US07974145B2 |
Semiconductor memory device using bus inversion scheme
A semiconductor memory device is capable of transferring address signals at high speed and improving the operation reliability even though an input rate of an address signal increases, and thus a degradation of an operation speed caused by applying a bus inversion scheme can be prevented and power consumption can be reduced. The semiconductor memory device includes a bus inversion decoding block configured to determine whether a plurality of address signals are inverted or not by decoding an indication control signal, and an address buffer block configured to receive two address signals per one cycle of an external clock, align the received address signals for parallel processing, and transfer the address signals or inverted address signals according to an output of the bus inversion decoding block. |
| US07974144B2 |
Memory with tunable sleep diodes
A system and are described as to adjusting voltages in a memory device, while the device is in sleep mode, to prevent or minimize voltage or current leakage of the device. |
| US07974142B2 |
Apparatus and method for transmitting/receiving signals at high speed
A semiconductor memory device includes: a data transferrer configured to transfer data; a main driver configured to apply the data to the data transferrer in response to a control signal; and a pre-driver configured to decrease a voltage level of the data transferrer when the voltage level of the data transferrer is higher than a logic threshold voltage, and to increase the voltage level of the data transferrer when the voltage level of the data transferrer is lower than the logic threshold voltage prior to activation of the control signal. |
| US07974141B2 |
Setting memory device VREF in a memory controller and memory device interface in a communication bus
A memory device is connected through an interface to a memory controller. The memory device's reference voltage is set based on a driver's impedance of the memory device and the controller driver drive strength during driver training. The voltage is applied to a reference resistor pair at the memory device and changed until the voltage level switches. The voltage is then set at the reference resistor pair of the memory device. |
| US07974137B2 |
Semiconductor memory device
A semiconductor memory device comprises a comparing unit that comprises a potential of a memory cell with a reference potential supplied by a reference cell to read data of the memory cell; first and second bit lines connected to inputs of the comparing unit; a first memory cell connected to the first bit line; a second memory cell connected to the second bit line; a first reference cell acting as the reference cell; a second reference cell acting as another reference cell; a potential line that supplies the reference potential to the first and second reference cells; and a dummy cell comprising a coupling capacitor that stabilizes potential of the potential line. |
| US07974130B2 |
Semiconductor memory device and method for erasing the same
A semiconductor memory device including a memory cell array with NAND cell units arranged therein, the NAND cell unit having a plurality of electrically rewritable and non-volatile memory cells connected in series, first and second select gate transistors disposed for coupling the both ends of the NAND cell unit to a bit line and a source line, respectively, and a dummy cell disposed adjacent to at least one of the first and second select gate transistors, wherein after erasing the memory cells in an erase unit, the memory cells excepting the dummy cell are subject to soft-program. |
| US07974122B2 |
Verification circuits and methods for phase change memory array
A verification circuit for a phase change memory array is provided. A sensing unit senses a sensing voltage from a memory cell of the phase change memory array according to an enable signal. A comparator generates a comparing signal according to the sensing voltage and a reference voltage, so as to indicate whether the memory cell is in a reset state. A control unit generates a control signal according to the enable signal. An operating unit generates a first signal according to the control signal, so as to indicate whether the comparator is active. An adjustment unit provides a writing current to the cell, and increases the writing current according to the control signal until the comparing signal indicates that the memory cell is in a reset state. |
| US07974121B2 |
Write current compensation using word line boosting circuitry
Apparatus and method for write current compensation in a non-volatile memory cell, such as but not limited to spin-torque transfer random access memory (STRAM) or resistive random access memory (RRAM). In accordance with some embodiments, a non-volatile memory cell has a resistive sense element (RSE) coupled to a switching device, the RSE having a hard programming direction and an easy programming direction opposite the hard programming direction. A voltage boosting circuit includes a capacitor which adds charge to a nominal non-zero voltage supplied by a voltage source to a node to generate a temporarily boosted voltage. The boosted voltage is applied to the switching device when the RSE is programmed in the hard programming direction. |
| US07974119B2 |
Transmission gate-based spin-transfer torque memory unit
A transmission gate-based spin-transfer torque memory unit is described. The memory unit includes a magnetic tunnel junction data cell electrically coupled to a bit line and a source line. A NMOS transistor is in parallel electrical connection with a PMOS transistor and they are electrically connected with the source line and the magnetic tunnel junction data cell. The magnetic tunnel junction data cell is configured to switch between a high resistance state and a low resistance state by passing a polarized write current through the magnetic tunnel junction data cell. The PMOS transistor and the NMOS transistor are separately addressable so that a first write current in a first direction flows through the PMOS transistor and a second write current in a second direction flows through the NMOS transistor. |
| US07974116B2 |
Variable resistance memory device
A variable resistance memory device includes a variable resistance memory cell array including a plurality of variable resistance memory cells; a plurality of global word lines configured to drive the variable resistance memory cell array; and a plurality of local word line decoders. Each of the plurality of local word line decoders includes a first transistor having a gate connected to the global word line. A voltage greater than an operation voltage of one or more of the plurality of local word line decoders is applied to a selected one of the plurality of global word lines. |
| US07974115B2 |
One-time programmable devices including chalcogenide material and electronic systems including the same
A switching device disposed in a substrate is turned on and a program current is applied to a fuse electrically connected to a switching device, thereby cutting the fuse. The fuse includes a first electrode electrically connected to the switching device, a second electrode spaced apart from the first electrode, and a chalcogenide pattern disposed between the first and second electrodes. |
| US07974111B2 |
DC/DC converter and semiconductor device using DC/DC converter
It is an object to provide a DC/DC converter that can stabilize power supply potential in use. It is another object to provide a semiconductor device in which circuit operation is stabilized. In addition to a power supply that supplies potential to be reference potential of boosting in a DC/DC converter, a power supply for charging a capacitor in the DC/DC converter is provided. Accordingly, loads to the power supply that supplies the reference potential of boosting can be reduced. Further, as power for charging the capacitor in the DC/DC converter, power supplied from not an antenna but a secondary battery is used. More specifically, a secondary battery is used as a power supply that supplies power to a buffer circuit or an inverter circuit. Thus, power supplied from the antenna can be stabilized. In other words, operation of a logic circuit and an analog circuit can be stabilized. |
| US07974110B2 |
Switching power supply unit and method for setting switching frequency
A switching power supply unit is provided which provides improved response for frequency switching with a smooth rise in voltage. The switching power supply unit includes: a rectifier circuit for rectifying an alternating current from an AC power source into a direct current; a switching circuit for switching the current rectified by this rectifier circuit using a switching device; a pulse oscillator circuit for outputting a switching signal to the switching device; and a transformer circuit for stepping a voltage up or down depending on the current switched by this switching circuit. A frequency switching unit is also used to detect a pulse output from the switching circuit. Based on the state of this pulse output, the frequency switching unit changes a resistance using resistors, thereby switching the frequency of the switching signal in the pulse oscillator circuit. |
| US07974109B2 |
Digital compensation for cable drop in a primary side control power supply controller
A system and a method that uses primary side sensing to regulate the output voltage at a cable end without any remote sensing of cable connections back from the load. This is accomplished by approximating the current from the control voltage in the control loop through the relationship that defines the Ton time in terms of the control voltage Vc. Once the approximation of the output current is known, it is multiplied by a known fixed cable resistance, and this value is subtracted from the feedback sensor output before it is subtracted from the digital reference. This forces the regulator to raise the output voltage by the amount of drop across the cable, causing the output of the cable to be maintained at the targeted regulation point. |
| US07974105B2 |
Apparatus and method for organizing cables in a cabinet
An equipment cabinet (2) includes an equipment rack (3) for mounting equipment (20), and includes organizational elements for organizing cables within the cabinet. The cables may be organized to reduce impeding airflow to or from the equipment, and/or to reduce unwanted bending of the cables themselves. The organizational elements may include one or more of: a trunk cable (40) including a furcation plug (45) and universal clip (47); a furcation bracket—either vertical (60) or horizontal (80); a termination panel (100); a trunk cable manager (140, 200); and/or an accessory bracket (180). The organizational elements may be used in various combinations with one another, and may be provided in a kit. |
| US07974102B2 |
Integrated circuit carrier assembly
Provided is a carrier assembly for an integrated circuit. The assembly includes a printed circuit board (PCB), and a carrier fast with the PCB. The carrier has a matrix of island contacts interconnected by respective serpentine members to allow resilient deflection of such contacts relative to each other, the matrix surrounding a passage defined through the carrier. Also included is a retainer for operatively locating the integrated circuit within said passage so that the integrated circuit is electrically connected to the carrier. |
| US07974093B2 |
Open frame electronic chassis for enclosed modules
An open frame chassis has a top opening and a bottom opening permitting ambient air flow there through. A plurality of modules, each enclosing electrical components which are in thermal contact with a heat sink area of their corresponding module, and each of which can be inserted to an inserted position in the open frame chassis. When the modules are inserted into the open frame chassis, ambient air may flow from the bottom opening of the chassis across the heat sink area of each module to the top opening in order to passively cool the modules and the electrical components enclosed therein. The heat sink area has fins which are separated by a distance of 9 mm to 12 mm and have a height 10 mm to 20 mm. Key pins are associated with the electrical connectors of the chassis to guide the modules into place and prevent incorrect insertion of a different type of electrical module not corresponding to the electrical connection of the chassis for that slot. Guide pins are present on the corners of the modules to mate with guide holes in the chassis to secure the module to the open frame chassis and decrease vibration. Both sides of the chassis have side openings through which the fins of the modules inserted into the end slots of the chassis may be exposed. The power modules are inserted into the end slots. The chassis has an inverted connection at one end slot to accommodate identical power modules at both end slots such that the heat sink area always faces a side opening in the open frame chassis. |
| US07974092B2 |
Computer enclosure with cover mounting apparatus
An computer enclosure includes a chassis having a bottom wall and a rear wall perpendicular to the bottom wall, a cover coupled to the rear wall of the chassis, two securing posts configured to extend through securing holes of the rear wall protruding from the cover, and a securing member pivotally attached to the rear wall of the chassis and capable of being rotated about a pivot axis. The securing member includes two opposite extending blocking ends for respectively engaging with the two securing posts of the cover, in which one blocking end is connected to a resilient member to provide an elastic force for urging the securing member to engage with the securing posts. |
| US07974087B2 |
Cartridge type hard disk drive and image forming apparatus
A cartridge type HDD unit 20 is mounted on the outside of a back plate panel 2 of an exterior cover rear portion in an image forming apparatus 1. An HDD main body is detachably attachable into a unit case 21. When the HDD main body is attached into the unit case 21, the HDD main body is substantially horizontally inserted from a sideways case opening 22. In the conventional art, there is the problem that the HDD main body is caused to fall carelessly in attachment working in which the HDD main body is mounted to a housing case such that the HDD main body drops into a housing case in a vertical direction. However the problem above described is eliminated, and the attachment working of the HDD main body can be performed easily and safely. With reference to security protection of information stored in the on-board mounted built-in HDD, the information stored in the built-in HDD can be transferred to and stored in the cartridge type HDD. |
| US07974086B2 |
Attachment unit for information storage device, and electronic apparatus
An attachment unit for an information storage device includes a casing that houses the information storage device and a fixed base on which the casing is detachably mounted. The casing includes a casing body, a pair of rotation supporting shaft portions, a pair of first engagement portions, and a latch portion. The fixed base includes a substantially L-shaped groove, a pair of second engagement portions, and a latch fitting portion. In a state where the casing is mounted on the fixed base, (i) the first engagement portions are in partial contact with the second engagement portions in the first direction, (ii) the casing body is sandwiched in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and (iii) the rotation supporting shaft portions and the latch portion are in partial contact with the grooves and the latch fitting portion, respectively, in a third direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction. |
| US07974079B2 |
Integrated mounting system for communication and surveillance infrastructures
An integrated mounting system for communication and surveillance infrastructures includes a gantry, a system cabinet, and an interconnecting conduit. The gantry includes a frame configured for housing functional devices (e.g., antennas, video cameras, sensors, photovoltaic panels, and the like) and supporting posts. The system cabinet contains electronic equipment of the functional devices and provides connectivity to land data networks and external sources of power. The system may be installed on a trailer and include autonomous sources of power. |
| US07974072B2 |
Multilayer capacitor array
A multilayer capacitor array having a plurality of multilayer capacitor devices formed in a single multilayer structure, the multilayer capacitor array including: a capacitor body formed by depositing a plurality of dielectric layers and having first and second side surfaces opposite to each other; a plurality of first polarity internal electrodes and second polarity internal electrodes, disposed oppositely to each other in the capacitor body, interposing the dielectric layer there between, and formed of a single electrode plate comprising a single lead, respectively; and a plurality of first polarity external electrodes and second polarity external electrodes, formed on the first side surface and second side surface, respectively, and connected to a correspondent polarity internal electrode via the lead, the first polarity external electrode formed on the first side surface and the second polarity external electrode formed on the second side surface, wherein the numbers of the first polarity external electrodes and the second polarity external electrodes are two or more, respectively, and are identical to each other, and a total number of the multilayer capacitor devices in the multilayer capacitor array is identical to the number of the first polarity external electrodes. |
| US07974071B2 |
Multilayer capacitor
A multilayer capacitor includes a dielectric body 12 formed by stacking a plurality of dielectric layers 12a; a first internal conductor layer 21 led out straddling three side faces 12A, 12C and 12D of said dielectric body 12; a second internal conductor layer 22, stacked in the dielectric body 12 via dielectric layers 12a to the first internal conductor layer 21, led out straddling three side faces 12B, 12C and 12D; a first and a second terminal electrodes 31 and 32 formed on an outer face of said dielectric body 12, straddling the three side faces 12A, 12C and 12D, and 12B, and 12C and 12D, respectively. A first space pattern 41 is formed on the first lead portion at a position along with the first side face 12A, not connected with the first terminal electrode 31. |
| US07974070B2 |
Multilayer ceramic device and mounting structure therefor
An NTC capacitor comprises a capacitor body having a plurality of insulator layers laminated therein, first to third inner electrodes arranged within the capacitor body, and first to third terminal electrodes arranged on outer surfaces of the capacitor body. The first inner electrode is connected to only the first terminal electrode. The second inner electrode is connected to only the second terminal electrode. The third inner electrode is connected to only the third terminal electrode. The third inner electrode opposes none of the first and second inner electrodes in the laminating direction of the insulator layers. |
| US07974068B2 |
Pseudoperiodic logic signal generator
A generator of a pseudoperiodic logic signal of mean period Tmean includes: a reference clock of period Tref, a logic memory, changing state on receipt of a pulse, a first mechanism producing a normal pulse on completion of a base time interval Tsec=K×T ref, with K an integer, a second mechanism producing a shifted pulse on completion of a modified time interval T′sec=(K±1)×Tref, and a selector capable of selecting the mechanism that produces the pulse, in such a way as to regularly include a shifted pulse so as to correct the mean period, to generate a pseudoperiodic signal. Such a generator may find application, as an example, to driving a resonator for producing a plasma spark for radiofrequency ignition. |
| US07974056B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device which can achieve high breakdown voltage and high ESD tolerance of a current drive output terminal at the same time, and can quicken the response speed of a current flowing through the current drive output terminal. The inventive semiconductor device is provided, between the current drive output terminal and a first transistor or a low breakdown voltage element, with a second transistor having a breakdown voltage higher than that of the first transistor or that of the low breakdown voltage element. Furthermore, the inventive semiconductor device is provided with a diode having an anode connected with a path between the first transistor or the low breakdown voltage element and the second transistor, and a cathode connected with an ESD protection circuit. |
| US07974055B2 |
Method for protecting circuits from damage due to currents and voltages during manufacture
A protection circuit network includes one or more protection devices, used to protect one or more devices in an integrated circuit (IC) design. The protection devices are globally coupled together, for connection to an internal or external power supply. During manufacture of the IC, the protection circuit network protects the at-risk devices. During operation of the IC, the protection circuit network is powered down, such that excessive current leakage is avoided. |
| US07974050B2 |
Loading reduction device and method
An active loading-reduction device is provided for a circuit. The circuit has functional circuitry coupled to a terminal to receive an alternating voltage. The circuit also has an electrostatic discharge protector that is coupled to the terminal. The active loading-reduction device includes active circuitry that is adapted to be coupled to a power supply to provide a reactance to counteract a reactance provided by the electrostatic discharge protector at the terminal of the circuit. |
| US07974048B2 |
Magneto-resistive effect device of CPP type having shield layers coupled with ferromagnetic layers
The invention provides a magneto-resistive effect device of the CPP (current perpendicular to plane) structure, having a magneto-resistive effect unit, and a first shield layer and a second shield layer located and formed such that the magneto-resistive effect unit is sandwiched between them, with a sense current applied in a stacking direction. |
| US07974041B2 |
Hard disk drive base having a depression formed by pressing without cutting
The base improves manufacturing efficiency and yield and has an advantage in cost. The base includes a panel having a through-hole, a motor holder, having a cylindrical shape that protrudes from a first face of the panel in a thickness direction of the panel, integrally formed on the panel corresponding to the through-hole, the motor holder holds a motor fitted to an inner circumferential surface of the motor holder through adhesives, and the motor holder is provided with at least one depression pressure-formed on the inner circumferential surface thereof, thereby eliminating cutting processing, facilitating accuracy control, suppressing nonconformity such as corrosion because no base material is exposed, requiring no measures against burs and the like, improving production capacity and yield, and resulting in cost advantages, too. |
| US07974033B1 |
Pad bit injection during read operation to improve format efficiency
Injecting pad bits during a read operation to improve format efficiency is disclosed. In some embodiments, a pad sequence associated with error correction is not stored in a sector on a disk. Instead, the pad sequence is merged at a read channel with data stored in a sector that is accessed by the read channel. |
| US07974023B1 |
Wafer level optical lens substrate, wafer level optical lens module and fabrication method thereof
A wafer level optical lens substrate including a substrate and at least one lens is provided. The substrate has at least one through hole and at least one flange, wherein each flange is located on a side wall in each through hole. Each lens located in each through hole is embedded with each flange. A method of fabricating a wafer level optical lens substrate and a wafer level optical lens module are also provided respectively. |
| US07974022B2 |
Lens module and camera module utilizing the same
A lens module includes a barrel, a first lens, an annular retaining member and three driving devices. The retaining member is arranged in the barrel. The driving devices are arranged on the retaining member. Each of the driving devices has a base attached on the retaining member, a plurality of first electrodes formed on the base and a comb-shaped carrier. The carrier has a beam attached on the base and a plurality of second electrodes extending from the beam and suspended above the first electrodes at a first position. The first lens is carried by the second electrodes. When a first voltage is applied on the first electrodes and a second voltage is applied on the second electrodes, an electrostatic force is generated between the first electrodes and the second electrodes, and the second electrodes are moved down, such that the first lens is brought to a second position. |
| US07974021B2 |
Lens tube, optical device having the lens tube, and method for producing the lens tube
A lens tube includes a standard member, a lens, a guide, and a pushing member. The standard member has a standard surface via which the standard member is to be mounted to a camera main body. The lens retainer retains at least one lens and is connected to the standard member movably along an optical axis of the at least one lens. The guide is provided facing the lens retainer in a radial direction of the at least one lens to guide the lens retainer along the optical axis. The pushing member pushes the lens retainer and the guide in opposite directions. |
| US07974019B2 |
Image capturing device
The image capturing device according to the present invention is configured so that only the lens barrel having the entrance window and the refractive optical system can be expanded and contracted. Therefore, the structure can be simplified. In addition, the entrance window is located at the in-use position where the entrance window protrudes from the image capturing device body when the lens barrel is expanded, and is located at the not-in-use position where the entrance window is housed in the image capturing device body when the lens barrel is contracted. Therefore, the size of the camera can be reduced. Furthermore, when the image capturing device is not in use, the entrance window is housed in the image capturing device body. Therefore, any barrier is not needed, and the structure can be simplified. |
| US07974017B2 |
Zoom lens and image pickup apparatus
A zoom lens includes, in order from its object side, a first lens unit having a negative refracting power, a second lens unit having a positive refracting power, a third lens unit having a negative refracting power, and a fourth lens unit having a positive refracting power. The zoom lens further includes an aperture stop disposed between the first lens unit and the third lens unit. During zooming from the wide angle end to the telephoto end, distances between the lens units change, the first lens unit moves first toward the image side and thereafter toward the object side, the second lens unit moves in such a way as to be located closer to the object side at the telephoto end than at the wide angle end, the distance between the second lens unit and the third lens unit is larger at the telephoto end than at the wide angle end, and the aperture stop moves in such a way as to be located closer to the object side at the telephoto end than at the wide angle end. The second lens unit and the third lens unit satisfy certain conditions. |
| US07974011B2 |
Dual prism sheet, backlight assembly having the same and method thereof
A dual prism sheet includes a base film, upper prisms formed on an upper surface of the base film and lower prisms formed on a lower surface of the base film. A cross-section of the upper and lower prisms is formed as an isosceles triangular shape having a base and a vertex angle, and a phase of the upper prisms is delayed between about 0 and about 0.5 times of a prism pitch with respect to a phase of the lower prisms. |
| US07974010B2 |
Zero-order diffractive pigments
The present invention relates to pigments comprising or consisting of a layer made of a material with an index of refraction that is higher than the index of refraction of the adjacent material by at least 0.25; whereas said layer has a zero-order diffractive micro-structure; whereas said layer acts as an optical waveguide and whereas said layer has a thickness between 50 nm and 500 nm; to processes for its manufacture and to its use. These pigments show a color effect upon rotation and/or tilting, and it is believed that this color effect is based on zero-order diffraction. |
| US07974008B2 |
Polarizing plate and image display using the same
A polarizing plate of the present invention comprises: main four sides which form a quadrangle or a substantially quadrangular shape, wherein the quadrangle or the substantially quadrangular shape is a non-rectangular shape having four interior angles each of which is in the range of 80° to 100°, provided that at least two of the four interior angles are not 90°, the non-rectangular polarizing plate has an in-plane absorption axis, a largest rectangle having four sides in directions parallel and perpendicular to the absorption axis of the polarizing plate can be drawn as a hypothetical rectangle in the plane of the non-rectangular polarizing plate, the hypothetical rectangle has a side which is closest to the non-rectangular shape and makes angles in the range of 0° to 5° with the non-rectangular shape, and at least one of the angles is an acute angle in the range of 1° to 5°. The polarizing plate can smoothly undergo reworking even when it has a reduced thickness. |
| US07974004B2 |
Screen
A screen includes: the four arm members have first connection sections, one at each of the first and second support section side extremities, each of the first and second support sections includes at either extremity thereof a second connection section which receives the first connection section, an attachment and detachment of each of the arm members to and from the screen main body is carried out by an attachment and detachment of the first connection section to and from the second connection section, each of the four arm members has a third connection section at the support rod side extremity, the support rod has fourth connection sections which receive, one each, the four arm members, and an attachment and detachment of the arm members to and from the support rod is carried out by the third connection sections and fourth connection sections coming into engagement. |
| US07973993B2 |
Flat panel display and manufacturing method thereof
A flat panel display includes a first substrate, a thin film transistor formed on the first substrate, a second substrate facing the first substrate, and a light controller formed on the second substrate, wherein the light controller is electrically connected to the thin film transistor, wherein the light controller includes an opening plate having a plurality of first openings and a light blocker moving horizontally with respect to the opening plate to selectively pass light through the first openings. |
| US07973987B2 |
Image copying apparatus and method of correcting image data
An image copying apparatus includes a target data acquiring unit, a target data saving unit, an adding unit, a sampling data saving unit, a specifying unit, a sampling data saving unit, and a correcting unit. The target data acquiring unit acquires target data from a test chart document. The adding unit adds data displaying a specification image specifying the scanning unit having scanned a test chart recorded side to the recorded side image data. The sampling data acquiring unit acquires sampling data from a copy of the test chart document. The specifying unit specifies the scanning unit having scanned the test chart recorded side from the specification image. The sampling data saving unit saves the sampling data when the scanning unit having scanned the test chart copied side matches the specified scanning unit. The correcting unit corrects the image data based on a correcting feature generated from the saved data. |
| US07973986B2 |
Image reading apparatus for detecting noise in image data
An image reading apparatus includes: three line sensors mutually spaced in a sub scanning direction; a platen arranged between the original and the three line sensors; a mover moving the platen relative to the three line sensors at a rate relative to the three line sensors, the rate being different from that of the original relative to the three line sensors; a lightness difference detector extracting a feature pixel having a predetermined feature from each of three data output from the three line sensors; and NOR and AND devices comparing the three data corresponding to a single location on the original to detect the feature pixel extracted from one of the three data, as a noise pixel if the feature pixel is not a feature pixel for the other data. |
| US07973985B2 |
Scanning device
A scanning device scans both sides of a document. The document is fed between a first image sensor module and a second image sensor module. The second image sensor module is moved with respect to the first image sensor module so that a separation distance between the second image sensor module and the first image sensor module is based on a thickness of the document. A first side of the document is scanned using a first scan line located in the first image sensor module. A second side of the document is scanned using a second scan line located in the second image sensor module. When the document is fed between the first image sensor module and the second image sensor module, the document does not reach the first scan line and the second scan line simultaneously. |
| US07973982B2 |
Arrangement for reading from and/or writing to flexible sheet media in a curved configuration and method
An assembly for transferring information to and/or from flexible sheet media in a highly advantageous curved configuration is disclosed. The sheet material includes a length and a width defining first and second opposing surfaces. The assembly includes support means for supporting the sheet the curved configuration across its width, having the first surface inwardly oriented with respect to the curved configuration. Thereafter, moving means moves the flexible sheet material so supported in a direction along a read/write path generally parallel to the sheet material length and transverse to the direction of curvature. A read/write arrangement is provided which is configured for reading and/or writing information across the width of the first surface of the sheet as the sheet is moved along the path in the curved configuration. In one feature, means is provided for rotationally moving the read/write arrangement in a predetermined way in the housing such that the read/write arrangement is in a confronting relationship with the first, inwardly oriented surface and cooperates with the movement provided by the sheet material moving means so as to cause the read/write arrangement to sequentially read information from and/or write information to the inwardly oriented, first surface of the sheet as the read/write arrangement traverses the width of the flexible sheet material while the latter is on the read/write path in the curved configuration. In another feature, a read and/or write operation may be performed on the second, outwardly oriented surface of the sheet material. |
| US07973980B2 |
Document discarding system, document discarding device, document managing device, computer readable medium, and document discarding method
A document discarding system includes: a document discarding device that discards a document; an image reading device that is used by a client requesting to discard the document; and a document managing device that can communicate with the document discarding device and the image reading device. |
| US07973978B2 |
Method of associating a software object using printed code
A method of downloading a software object using a printable surface having disposed therein or thereon coded data is disclosed. Data indicative of the software object is downloaded from a server. Next, a print medium is received in a media feed path of a printer. The print medium includes coded data indicative of an identity of the print medium. A sensor module in the media feed path is used to sense at least some of the coded data, and the identity of the print medium is identified using the sensed coded data. A representation of the software object is next printed on the print medium. Association data associating the software object and the identity of the print medium is generated and transferred to the server. |
| US07973976B2 |
Dither matrix generator, print product, method for generating a dither matrix, program product, and image processing device
A dither matrix generator includes: a main-cluster generator that generates at least one main-cluster in a matrix, the matrix including a plurality of cells, the main cluster area including a predetermined number of cells; a sparest searcher that searches a sparest area in the matrix, the sparest area being the area other than the area of main-cluster; a sub-cluster generator that generates at least one sub-cluster area, the sub-cluster area including a smaller number of cells than that of the main-cluster; a dither value allocator that allocates dither values to the plurality of cells of the matrix, the cells in the main-clusters having smaller dither values than those in the sub-cluster areas, the cells in the sub-cluster areas having smaller dither values than those in the areas other than the main-cluster and the sub-cluster areas. |
| US07973974B2 |
Method, apparatus and article of manufacture for modifying printing based upon direct on-the-fly media characteristic parameters
A method, apparatus and article of manufacture for modifying printing based upon direct on-the-fly media characteristic parameters is disclosed. The present invention on-the-fly directly measures a media characteristic parameter and performs real-time print modification in response thereto. The measured characteristic parameters include paper texture and composition, as well as adhesion and penetration of print. The modification of print in response to these measured parameters may allow a customer to maintain observed print quality with lower-cost materials. Adjustments may include the addition of coating, hot rolling, or adjustment of toner concentration. Measured parameters may include mottle, paper texture, and bleed through. |
| US07973972B2 |
Halftone dot formation method and apparatus, and image forming apparatus
An image processing method generates a halftone image by forming a halftone dot represented by a set of one or plural output dots corresponding to an intensity of an input image signal while making a part of the dots constituting the halftone dot to be an actual non-output dot so as to reduce an amount of a coloring material of a halftone-dot portion. The image processing method includes holding in a predetermined storage medium halftone-dot profile data for forming the halftone dot corresponding to the intensity of the image signal and gap-size profile data representing a size of a set of the non-output dot; and generating the halftone dot comprising a gap having a size based on the gap-size profile data, a size of the halftone dot being based on the halftone-dot profile data. |
| US07973968B2 |
Method and apparatus for automatic white balance
A method of automatic white balance for an image capture system is disclosed. The automatic white balance mechanism ascertains the illuminant source of an image by analyzing the number of white pixels within a predefined white area in a color space diagram. The automatic white balance mechanism also determines gain adjustments based on the evaluating the average RGB values to achieve white balance. |
| US07973967B2 |
Pseudo-multithread framework for XPSDrv filter pipeline
A method is provided for allowing a single threaded filter in a print driver to execute feature commands in a parallel mode, thereby creating a pseudo-multithreaded infrastructure which decreases overall processing latency for a print job. The method includes getting and parsing a document sequence print ticket for a document sequence for the print job; creating a feature command list of document sequence scoped feature commands based on the document sequence print ticket; getting a document part and parsing a document print ticket for the document part; inserting document scoped feature commands, based on the document print ticket, in the front of the feature command list; getting a page part and parsing a page print ticket for the page part; inserting page scoped feature commands, based on the page print ticket, in the front of the feature command list; and sequentially executing the feature commands in the feature command list. |
| US07973964B2 |
Printing program that adjusts annotation location and size
A computer-readable recording medium recorded with a printing program causes a processor of a computer to calculate a rendering area of print data stored in a storing section of the computer as a primary area based on the print data, and to calculate a rendering area of commentary string data to be attached to the print data as a sub-area. The program then judges whether the primary area and the sub-area overlap, and whether the sub-area deviates from an effective printing area. The commentary string data can be changed so that the primary area and the sub-area do not overlap, and so that the entire sub-area is within the effective printing area, if at least one of the judgment results in the judging step is affirmative. The changed commentary string data then is attached to the print data. |
| US07973963B2 |
Image forming apparatus, method of controlling image forming apparatus, and memory medium for storing computer program for executing method, with function program providing API
An image forming apparatus in which a control program can be loaded, the control program providing a service for image forming processing, said apparatus comprising: a memory unit configured to store (i) an operating system, (ii) an interpreter which provides an execution environment to execute the control program, runs on the operating system, and interprets the control program, (iii) a driver program for controlling image forming processing, and (iv) a function program, wherein the driver program operates a hardware resource unit which includes at least one of a printing unit and an image pickup unit, and wherein the function program (a) serves as an API (Application Programming Interface), (b) is defined between the control program and the driver program, and (c) is used by the control program. |
| US07973960B2 |
Document processing system
A document processing system is disclosed that is capable of processing both fixed-format and unfixed-format hand written paper documents. The document processing system includes an encoding unit that encodes a sheet ID for identifying a hand written first document on a sheet to generate a coded sheet ID; a decoding unit that decodes the coded sheet ID; a document-sheet ID association unit that associates the sheet ID with a document ID assigned to a computerized second document; a printing unit that acquires the sheet ID and prints the coded sheet ID on the first document; a sheet ID management unit that manages the sheet ID; an information acquisition unit that acquires the sheet ID decoded by the decoding unit, and hand-written data from the first document on which the coded sheet ID is printed; and a process-sheet ID association unit that associates the sheet ID with a process ID of a process for processing the hand-written data acquired by the information acquisition unit. |
| US07973954B2 |
Method and apparatus for automatic language switching for an imaging device
Recognizing a language format of an input data stream including reading a next data sample of the input data stream in a current state, selecting a next state in response to the next data sample, transitioning to the next state and repeatedly reading the next data sample and selecting the next state until the next state is an end state, and identifying the language format in response to the current state when the next state is an end state. |
| US07973953B2 |
Printing apparatus
A printing apparatus includes a command input portion, an acquiring portion that acquires image data, a judging portion that determines if specified image data is included in the image data, a control portion and a printing portion that prints an image based on the image data onto a medium. Upon receiving the print command, a determination by the judging portion is performed, and when the judging portion determines that the specified image data is included, a first copy that includes invalidation processing on at least a section of the image is produced, and a second copy that includes invalidation processing on all of the image and the image in all subsequent copies that are printed thereafter is produced, to thereby execute printing of a number of copies that are specified by the print command and subsequently enter a state in which a next print command can be executed. |
| US07973952B2 |
Method and apparatus for determining developer consumption, and image forming apparatus
A developer consumption determining method for determining a developer consumption of an image forming apparatus includes the steps of dividing one of writing pixels into a plurality of sub-pixels in a main scanning direction, determining a weighting coefficient for each of surrounding sub-pixels of one of the sub-pixels located within a predetermined distance from the one of the sub-pixels on the basis of positional relationships, determining respective emission coefficients for the surrounding sub-pixels on the basis of one of durations and exposures of the light beams applied to the surrounding sub-pixels, summing products of the weighting coefficients of the surrounding sub-pixels and the respective emission coefficients to obtain total exposure for the one of the sub-pixels, repeating for all of the sub-pixels the steps of determining the weighting coefficient, determining respective emission coefficients, and summing products, and summing the total exposures for all the sub-pixels to determine the developer consumption. |
| US07973951B2 |
Image-forming apparatus, method of controlling the same, and storage medium
An image-forming apparatus includes a reception unit adapted to receive setting information that defines designation of a storage area and a process to be executed, a setting unit adapted to set the process to be executed for the designated storage area based on analysis of the setting information, an access right setting unit adapted to set an access right to access the second data, a managing unit adapted to manage the designated storage area and the second data with the set access right in association with each other, and an execution unit adapted to execute the process set in the storage area for the submitted first data and the second data that is associated with the storage area and has the set access right. |
| US07973949B2 |
System and method for developing a print shop configuration
A system is provided for forming a print shop configuration with a first set of equipment, the first set of equipment being derived from a second set of equipment from a first print shop and a third set of equipment from a second print shop. The system includes a manager and application, the manager and application working together to generate a list of at least some of all possible print shop configurations that could be formed with a selected number of cells. The cells are populated with selected pieces of equipment from the second and third sets of multiple pieces of equipment. A criterion is used to select, from the list of possible print shop configurations, the print shop configuration with the first set of equipment. |
| US07973947B2 |
Ubiquitous installation and removal of RIP capabilities from PDL files
A job can be used to produce a printed document by first processing it with a digital front end (DFE) which then sends printing information to a marking engine. A job has required functionality and a DFE has supplied functionality. When the supplied functionality does not include the required functionality, the job must be modified or abandoned. When using certain DFEs, the job can be modified to include programming data. When processing the modified job, the DFE gains functionality through changed programming. The DFE then has sufficient functionality, which contains the required functionality, that it can process the modified job. |
| US07973945B2 |
Printer for generating and printing coded tags based on identity and position data associated with the interface
A printer for printing an interface is provided. The printer has a coded tag generator configured to generate coded tags based on identity data indicative of an identity associated with the interface and position data defining a relative position of each tag on the interface, and a printhead for printing the interface with the coded tags at the positions defined by the position data and having the identity data. |
| US07973943B2 |
Determining track origin
Apparatus is disclosed for determining the track of origin of a cigarette manufactured in a cigarette making machine having a plurality of tracks. The cigarette making machine (60) is arranged such that the circumferential position of the tipping paper seam and the circumferential position of the tobacco wrapping paper seam are different for different tracks. The apparatus comprises a detector (20, 22; 36; 50) arranged to detect radiation from the cigarette (18) and to produce a signal representative of the detected radiation, and a processor (30; 54) arranged to process the signal produced by the detecting means to identify a shadow cast by a tipping paper seam and a shadow cast by a wrapping paper seam. The processor (30; 54) is arranged to determine a difference in the circumferential position of the shadow cast by the tipping paper seam and the circumferential position of the shadow cast by the wrapping paper seam, and to produce a signal indicating the track of origin of the cigarette in dependence thereon. |
| US07973938B2 |
Bias-reduced fiber optic gyroscope with polarizing fibers
A fiber optic gyroscope includes a light source, a coupler coupled to the light source, a photodetector coupled to the coupler, an integrated optic circuit (IOC) coupled to the coupler by a first element, and a sensing loop coupled to the IOC by second and third elements. At least one of the first, second and third elements includes a polarizing element. |
| US07973937B1 |
Near field suppression with a multi-aperture imaging system
A method for reducing noise in a multi-aperture imaging system is provided. Each sub-collector of the system, at least one of which has an adjustable optical path length, collects a portion of a wavefront. The adjustable optical path length is varied to each of a set of predetermined lengths to generate interference patterns. Each interference pattern is recorded at an image plane of the system to generate a recorded interference pattern made up of pixels. Pixel intensity data sets are generated, each of which includes a pixel intensity level from a corresponding one of the pixels from each recorded interference pattern. Each pixel intensity data set is Fourier transformed, and in each Fourier transformed data set, spatial frequencies having power values above a predetermined level are identified. The power levels exceeding the threshold are measured and a resultant image is constructed, where each image pixel thereof corresponds to one pixel intensity data set and has one or more intensity values corresponding to the measured power values for that corresponding pixel intensity data set. |
| US07973936B2 |
Control system and apparatus for use with ultra-fast laser
A control system and apparatus for use with an ultra-fast laser is provided. In another aspect of the present invention, the apparatus includes a laser, pulse shaper, detection device and control system. A multiphoton intrapulse interference method is used to characterize the spectral phase of laser pulses and to compensate any distortions in an additional aspect of the present invention. In another aspect of the present invention, a system employs multiphoton intrapulse interference phase scan. Furthermore, another aspect of the present invention locates a pulse shaper and/or MIIPS unit between a laser oscillator and an output of a laser amplifier. |
| US07973935B2 |
Reflection characteristic measuring apparatus for sheet specimen and method of calibrating reflection characteristic measuring apparatus for sheet specimen
A reflection characteristic measuring apparatus capable of scanning a specimen surface of a sheet specimen at a high speed is provided. The reflection characteristic measuring apparatus includes a group of illuminating and light-receiving systems for directing illuminating light onto the specimen surface of the sheet specimen held by a specimen holding roller pair and for receiving reflected light from the specimen surface. The illuminating and light-receiving systems measure a spectral characteristic of the received reflected light. The illuminating and light-receiving systems are disposed over one-dimensional arrays of color samples which extend in the longitudinal direction of the sheet specimen, and scan the one-dimensional arrays in a direction opposite to a direction in which the sheet specimen is transported. |
| US07973934B2 |
Plasmon resonance sensor
The plasmon resonance sensor (1) comprises a chip (2) of transparent plastic with a gold layer (3) made up of narrow part surfaces (4), arranged in a row, on the inner side of which light from a planar light source (12) is convergently guided. A Fourier lens (24) integrated in the chip (2) forms the reflected angular spectrum on the detector (23), arranged at a focal separation (F) from the integrated Fourier lens (24) for temporal determination of the incident angle with a resonant intensity minimum of reflected light. An incident lens (13) brings about imaging of the planar light source (12) in the form of lines of light on the part surfaces (4), which are further imaged in the form of lines of light on the detector (23). |
| US07973933B2 |
Method for spectroscopy of surface plasmons in surface plasmon resonance sensors and an element for the use of thereof
A method and system for spectroscopy of surface plasmons is presented. An electromagnetic wave is made incident on a diffraction grating. Surface plasmons are excited on a medium coincident to the diffraction grating and dispersion of a wavelength spectrum of the electromagnetic wave are simultaneously performed through diffraction. Changes in spatial distribution of intensity in the wavelength spectrum of the diffracted electromagnetic wave due to the excitation of the surface plasmons are measured. |
| US07973932B2 |
Apparatus for determining optical surface properties of workpieces
The invention relates to an apparatus for determining optical surface properties of workpieces, comprising a housing, in the interior of which there is provided a carrier on which the workpiece be arranged, and comprising a radiation device which directs radiation onto the workpiece in a predefined emission direction (E). According to the invention, the housing has in at least one wall an observation opening, through which a region of the workpiece illuminated by the radiation device can be observed in a predefined observation direction (B). |
| US07973931B2 |
Method for determining the position of the edge bead removal line of a disk-like object
A method for determining the position of an edge bead removal line of a disk-like object having an edge area and an alignment mark on the edge area is disclosed, wherein the edge area including the edge bead removal line is imaged on a line-by-line basis, an intensity profile I of the imaged edge area including the edge bead removal line is obtained with a camera on a line-by-line basis, and the edge area and the alignment mark are detected, wherein the local intensity maxima I′max of the intensity profile I are plotted as points in a diagram, segment sets are formed in the diagram, the segment sets are fitted in ellipses, and a quality criterion qges is determined for each ellipse. |
| US07973926B1 |
Methods for determining olefin concentrations in olefin-containing fuels
Systems and methods for determining olefin concentrations in olefin-containing fuels (e.g., gasoline) are described. Generally, a Raman spectrum from a linear-calibration reference sample (e.g., a pure hydrocarbon, such as toluene) and Raman spectra from multiple simulated fuel samples having known olefin concentrations are obtained. An area ratio for each simulated fuel sample is created by dividing the area in the olefin region of each fuel sample by the area in the chemical spectral region of the linear-calibration reference sample. The area ratio and the known olefin concentration for each simulated sample are used to create a linear olefin calibration. The olefin concentration of a fuel sample with an unknown olefin concentration is calculated by determining the area ratio between the olefin spectral region in the unknown sample and the chemical spectral region in a concentration-calculation reference sample (e.g., toluene) and placing the new area ratio into the linear olefin calibration. |
| US07973924B2 |
Target substance sensor and method thereof using a photonic crystal
A highly sensitive and compactable target substance sensor for detection of the target substance using a photonic crystal and a method thereof. The sensor includes an electromagnetic wave source of supplying an electromagnetic wave, a photonic sensor element, and a detector. The photonic sensor element has photonic crystalline structure and is configured to include a sensor waveguide for introducing the electromagnetic wave, and a sensing resonator electromagnetically coupled to the sensor waveguide for resonating the electromagnetic wave at specific wavelength. The sensing resonator is exposed to an atmosphere including the target substance so as to vary a characteristic of the electromagnetic wave emitted from the sensing resonator. The detector is configured to receive the electromagnetic wave emitted from the sensing resonator to recognize an intensity variation of the electromagnetic wave and issue a signal indicative of a characteristic of the target substance. |
| US07973918B2 |
Apparatus and method for pattern inspection
A pattern inspection apparatus includes a pulsed light source configured to emit pulsed light; a stage configured to mount thereon an inspection target object with a pattern formed thereon; a time delay integration (TDI) sensor configured to detect, a plurality of times with a time delay, each pixel value of an optical image of the inspection target object, wherein the optical image is acquired by emitting the pulsed light onto the inspection target object, and to integrate a detected each pixel value for each pixel of the optical image; a light quantity sensor configured to detect a light quantity of the pulsed light after emitting the pulsed light onto the inspection target object; a light quantity measurement circuit configured to input the light quantity detected by the light quantity sensor, and to measure a light quantity of each pulse while being synchronized with a period of the pulsed light; a correction unit configured to input the light quantity of each pulse and an integrated pixel value output from the TDI sensor, and to correct the integrated pixel value output from the TDI sensor, for each pixel of the optical image, using a total light quantity of the light quantity of corresponding each pulse; and an inspection unit configured to inspect whether there is a defect of the pattern, using the integrated pixel value corrected. |
| US07973917B2 |
Method using concentrator for measuring luminous flux of LED
The present invention relates to the technical field of measuring light source, specifically, to the method for measuring the luminous flux of LED. In the present invention, a reflecting cup is used as a collector of the luminous flux of LED. The collector has two sectional openings in the direction perpendicular to the symmetric axis thereof, which are positioned in the front and in the rear respectively, one of them positioned at the bottom end of the collector and having a smaller radius is used to input the light emitted by LED to be measured, the other positioned in the front end of the collector and having a larger radius is used to output the light to the detector placed in this position. Specifically, LED is fixed at the bottom end of the collector with a fixture, the light emitted by LED is directed toward the large opening of the collector, and the photometer is fixed closely at the large opening of the collector to receive light signals. LED is driven with a constant current power supply, and the total luminous flux emitted by LED is concentrated by the collector, collected and measured by the detector, then corrected by using a calibrating coefficient, in order to achieve the numerical readings of the value of the total luminous flux. The method of the present invention is simple and has a high measuring accuracy. |
| US07973906B2 |
Exposure apparatus, exposure method, method for manufacturing device
An exposure apparatus has a projection optical system configured to project a pattern of a reticle onto a substrate, and exposes the substrate to light via the reticle and the projection optical system with a space between the projection optical system and the substrate filled with liquid. The apparatus includes a supply nozzle configured to supply liquid to the space, a supply path configured to supply the liquid to the supply nozzle, a bypass which branches from the supply path, and a supply control valve configured to change a flow rate of the liquid supplied from the supply path to the supply nozzle and a flow rate of the liquid supplied from the supply path to the bypass. |
| US07973905B2 |
Liquid crystal displays using organic insulating material and manufacturing methods thereof
A passivation layer is formed by coating a flowable insulating material on the substrate where a thin film transistor and a storage capacitor electrode, and a pixel electrode is formed on the passivation layer. A portion of the passivation layer is etched using the pixel electrode as a mask to make a groove on the thin film transistor, and then a black matrix is formed by filling an organic black photoresist in the groove. To increase the storage capacitance, a portion of the passivation layer is removed or to form a metal pattern on the storage capacitor electrode. A flowable insulating material is used as a gate insulating layer to planarize the substrate. In the case of the etch stopper type thin film transistor, a photo definable material is used as the etch stopper layer to reduce the parasitic capacitance between the gate electrode and the drain electrode. |
| US07973903B2 |
Liquid crystal panel with protrusions for narrowing gap between substrates thereof and method for manufacturing same
An exemplary liquid crystal panel includes a first substrate and a second substrate parallel to each other to define a gap therebetween, a sealant disposed around the gap to provide an accommodating space, a liquid crystal layer disposed in the accommodating space, a plurality of signal lines disposed on at least one of the first and second substrates, and a plurality of protrusions at a peripheral side of the liquid crystal layer. The protrusions are configured to narrow the gap thereat. A part of each signal line is disposed between the sealant and the corresponding one of the first and second substrates, and each of the protrusions is arranged between two respective signal lines. A related method for manufacturing a liquid crystal panel is also provided. |
| US07973898B2 |
Array substrate, display panel having the same and a method thereof
An array substrate includes a base substrate, a plurality of gate lines, a plurality of data lines, a plurality of pixel portions and a gate driving section. The base substrate includes a display area, a boundary area surrounding the display area and a light-blocking area surrounding the boundary area. The gate lines extend in a first direction on the base substrate. The data lines extend in a second direction crossing the first direction on the base substrate. The pixel portions are disposed in the display area and electrically connected to the gate and data lines. The gate driving section is electrically connected to the gate lines. A portion of the gate driving section overlaps the boundary area. The gate driving section overlaps the boundary area. |
| US07973897B2 |
Multi-domain liquid crystal display
A multi-domain liquid crystal display includes multiple first and second picture elements and multiple first and second auxiliary electrodes. The first and second picture elements have opposite polarities under the same frame of an inversion drive scheme, and each picture element has a reflective region and a transmissive region. The first auxiliary electrodes are connected to the first picture elements, and each of the first auxiliary electrodes is positioned next to at least one side of one second picture element. The second auxiliary electrodes are connected to the second picture elements, and each of the second auxiliary electrodes is positioned next to at least one side of one first picture element. |
| US07973896B2 |
Array substrate for liquid crystal display device comprising four contact holes in each of the gate pad, data pad, capacitor electrode, and drain electrode
An array substrate for an LCD device and a manufacturing method thereof. The array substrate includes: a gate line, a gate electrode, a gate pad, and a pixel electrode formed on the substrate; a gate insulation layer formed on the substrate to expose the gate line and the pixel electrode; a source electrode connected to a data line crossing the gate line, a drain electrode facing the source electrode with a channel interposed, a data pad formed at one end of the data line, and a capacitor electrode overlapping portions of the pixel electrode and the gate line; a semiconductor layer constituting the channel between the source electrode and the drain electrode; first, second, third, and fourth contact holes formed in the gate pad, the data pad, the capacitor electrode, and the drain electrode, respectively; and first through fourth contact electrodes formed in the first through fourth contact holes, respectively. |
| US07973894B2 |
Liquid crystal display
A transmissive liquid crystal display including a pair of substrates, a common electrode on one of the substrates, a pixel electrode on the other substrate, a liquid crystal sealed between the substrates, a polymer obtained by polymerizing a polymeric component mixed in the liquid crystal, and a pixel region having areas whose electro-optical characteristics are different from each other because of a difference between cell thicknesses. A distance between the pixel electrode and the common electrode, with respect to a direction of the cell thickness, is different in the areas of different cell thicknesses. Also, a liquid crystal display including a pair of substrates provided opposite to each other; a liquid crystal sealed between the pair of substrates; and an alignment film including a polymeric component and a polymerization initiator in a density that varies in each of a plurality of areas in the pixel region. |
| US07973890B2 |
Optical compensation film and liquid crystal display panel using the same
An optical compensation film includes an optical film and a retardation film. The optical film provides a plate retardation in the direction of thickness (Rth), while the retardation film is disposed on the optical film. The retardation film includes first retarders and second retarders, wherein the first retarders are disposed on at least partial areas of the optical film and provide a first planar retardation (Ro1); the second retarders are disposed on partial areas of the optical film but outside the first retarders and provide a second planar retardation (Ro2) and the first planar retardation (Ro1) is different from the second planar retardation (Ro2). The above-mentioned optical compensation film is capable of compensating the displays for different display areas in a liquid crystal display panel. In addition, the present invention also provides a fabricating method of optical compensation film. |
| US07973889B2 |
Liquid crystal display having interval adjustment layer between substrates and method of producing the same
In a normally black mode liquid crystal display, the liquid crystal display and the method prevents the light leakage arising from existing the step for adjusting the thickness of the liquid crystal layer between the reflective electrode and the transparent electrode and that high contrast displaying can be possible. The interval adjustment layer is formed between the first substrate that the reflective electrode is formed in the reflective region and the transparent electrode is formed in the transmissive region, and the second substrate that is fixed at predetermined interval from the first substrate. This interval adjustment layer is adjuster of the thickness of the liquid crystal layer in the reflective region on the second substrate, and the thickness of the liquid crystal layer in the reflective region is preferable to be set approximately the thickness of the liquid crystal layer of the transmissive region. |
| US07973885B2 |
Display apparatus having a color layer interposed between substrates and having a plurality of microcapsules formed by encapsulating polarity particles
Disclosed is a display substrate including a pixel electrode and a thin film transistor formed thereon. The thin film transistor includes a gate electrode, a source electrode, and a drain electrode, and the pixel electrode is formed by extending the drain electrode thereby reducing the required number of process steps and photo masks. |
| US07973880B2 |
Illumination device and liquid crystal display device
A transparent substrate 2, into which light from a light source 9 is introduced through at least one side, includes a transparent first glass substrate (substrate body) 5a and a low refractive index layer 6 that is disposed on the first glass substrate 5a and has a lower refractive index than the first glass substrate 5a. Moreover, a high refractive index layer 7 having a higher refractive index than the low refractive index layer 6 is disposed on the low refractive index layer 6, thereby preventing the generation of light that leaks from the first glass substrate 5a to the outside through the low refractive index layer 6. |
| US07973879B2 |
Backlight unit and liquid crystal display device having first and second diffusion layers that have different haze values
A backlight unit for a liquid crystal display device includes a reflection sheet, at least one lamp arranged over the reflection sheet, a diffuser plate over the at least one lamp, the diffuser plate including a base plate of a transparent material, a diffusion layer at a first surface of the base plate facing the at least one lamp, and a light concentrating layer at a second surface of the base plate opposite to the first surface and formed of a same material as the base plate, and optical sheets over the diffuser plate. |
| US07973877B2 |
Illumination device and liquid crystal display apparatus
An object of the invention is to provide an illumination device that can make it easy to detect a disorder of a light emitting element, and a liquid crystal display apparatus including the illumination device. Each light emitting element array (S) is constituted by light emitting elements (T) which are connected in series. To the light emitting elements (T) are individually connected in parallel current bypass elements (U) that are changed from a disconnected state where no current flows to a connected state where current flows when a predetermined voltage higher than that applied to the light emitting elements in an lighting state is applied thereto. Each power source unit (P) is connected to each light emitting element array (S) in series, and supplies constant current to each light emitting element (T). Terminal units for voltage detection (11) are connected to an anode (A) of each light emitting element (T). |
| US07973876B2 |
Backlight module having frame accommodating light source driver and liquid crystal display using same
An exemplary backlight module (2) includes a light guide plate (23), a light source (25), a light source driver (27), and a frame (21). The light source is provided adjacent to the light guide plate. The light source driver is directly connected with the light source. The frame includes an upper frame (211) and a lower frame (212). The upper frame and the lower frame cooperatively form a space to accommodate the light guide plate, the light source, and the light source driver. |
| US07973874B2 |
Flat panel display and backlight module thereof
A flat panel display and backlight module thereof. The backlight module comprises a frame, a flexible printed circuit board, and at least one electrical connection port. The flexible printed circuit board is encircled by the frame. The electrical connection port is disposed on the flexible printed circuit board, connecting the flexible printed circuit board and an external printed circuit board. |
| US07973873B2 |
Liquid crystal display module including light-blocking tape
A liquid crystal display module includes a cover bottom, a reflection sheet over the cover bottom, a light guide plate over the reflection sheet and including at least one first protrusion, a lamp at a side of the light guide plate, optical sheets over the light guide plate, a support main surrounding the light guide plate and the optical sheets and including a projected part at an inner surface thereof, a liquid crystal panel disposed supported by the projected part of the support main, a light-blocking tape between the projected part and the liquid crystal panel, the light-blocking tape including at least one second protrusion corresponding to the at least one first protrusion, and a top cover covering edges of a front surface of the liquid crystal panel and combined with the support main and the cover bottom. |
| US07973871B2 |
Active matrix substrate, method for correcting a pixel deffect therein and manufacturing method thereof
The present invention provides an active matrix substrate of comprising on the substrate: a plurality of scanning signal lines and data signal lines; a thin film transistor provided at an intersecting point of the signal lines and comprising a gate electrode connected to the scanning signal line, a source electrode connected to the data signal line; and a pixel electrode electrically connected to a drain electrode of the thin film transistor, wherein the active matrix substrate comprises a structure having an at least partly multilinear data signal line and an interconnection electrode for correction. |
| US07973870B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and manufacturing method thereof
A liquid crystal display (LCD) device and a manufacturing method thereof, capable of preventing vertical crosstalk caused by a deviation of a parasitic capacitance, includes a first pixel electrode formed in a first gray scale region of each subpixel region divided into first and second gray scale regions, and a second pixel electrode formed in the second gray scale region separated from the first pixel electrode and encompassed by the first pixel electrode. |
| US07973868B2 |
Active matrix substrate, reflection type liquid crystal display apparatus and liquid crystal projector system
An active matrix substrate for a reflection type liquid crystal display apparatus has an image display region 10 including a plurality of pixels 1 each having a reflection electrode 4a and a switching element 2, a black display region 11 including a plurality of pixels for providing only a black display each having a reflection electrode 4b, a wiring layer 111 between the switching elements 2 and the reflection electrodes, a light shielding layer 113 between the wiring layer 111 and the layer forming the reflection electrodes, a through hole 112a between the wiring layer 111 and the light shielding layer 113 in the image display region 10 for electrically connecting the reflection electrode 4a to the switching element 2, and a through hole 112b between the wiring layer 111 and the light shielding layer 113 in the black display region 11 and electrically isolated from the switching element 2. |
| US07973867B2 |
Transmission liquid crystal display and method of forming the same
A method for cleaning a hole in a layered structure having a planarized transparent organic surface comprises the step of exposing said hole to sputtered particles or plasma particles in the presence of a transparent protection layer which covers said planarized transparent organic surface, except within said hole, for protecting said planarized transparent organic surface from said particles. |
| US07973865B2 |
Thin film transistor display plate and liquid crystal display having the same
A thin film transistor (“TFT”) display plate, capable of reducing a load on a gate line, increasing an aperture ratio and preventing light leakage, includes an insulating substrate, a gate line formed on the insulating substrate, a storage electrode line spaced apart from the gate line and formed on an insulating substrate, a data line insulated from the gate line and the storage electrode line and intersecting the gate line, a pixel electrode formed for each pixel defined by the gate line and the data line, a thin film transistor (“TFT”) connected to the gate line and the data line to apply a voltage to the pixel electrode, and a storage electrode formed on the same layer as the data line and connected to the storage electrode line to form one terminal of a storage capacitor along with the pixel electrode as the other terminal of the storage capacitor. |
| US07973862B2 |
Television capable of performing reminder function
A television capable of performing a reminder function is disclosed. The television includes a reminder sound displaying unit and a processor. The processor is electrically connected to the reminder sound displaying unit. The processor is responsible for determining whether a reminder time is reached or not. After the reminder time is reached, the processor controls the reminder sound displaying unit to generate a reminder sound. |
| US07973861B2 |
Universal tuner for mobile TV
A tuner for use in mobile television devices comprises at least one RF front end component comprising a LNA adapted to amplify mobile television signals; a PLL circuit to generate signals; and a pair of mixers to receive the signals from the LNA and the PLL circuit and downconvert the signals; an analog baseband component connected to the RF front end component, wherein the analog baseband component comprises I and Q channel signal paths each comprising a tunable high order impedance filter; at least one signal amplification stage; and a signal filter stage connected to the signal amplification stage, wherein the analog baseband component further comprises a plurality of switches operatively connected to the I and Q channel signal paths, and wherein the plurality of switches are selectively opened and closed in multiple configurations in order to allow the tuner to receive mobile TV signals for all mobile TV standards. |
| US07973860B2 |
Method and apparatus for adjusting contrast of image
This invention relates to an apparatus for processing an input image including M input pixels. Each of the M input pixels respectively has an input gray scale. The apparatus includes a gain generating module, a contrast enhancing module, and a Gamma adjusting module. The gain generating module generates a contrast gain and a minimum input gray scale in accordance with the input gray scales of the M input pixels. The contrast enhancing module adjusts the input gray scales in accordance with the contrast gain and the minimum input gray scale, to generate an intermediate image. The intermediate image includes M intermediate pixels, and each of the M intermediate pixels respectively has an intermediate gray scale. The Gamma adjusting module adjusts the intermediate gray scales lower than a first threshold in accordance with the contrast gain and outputs the adjusted intermediate image as an output image. |
| US07973859B2 |
Apparatus, network device and method for video/audio data transmission
Embodiments of the present invention disclose an apparatus for transmitting video/audio data, including a receiving decoding module, configured to receive remote video/audio data and a stream media transmitted from an IP network, respectively decode the received remote video/audio data and the stream media, input the decoded video data to the video synchronization module, and input the decoded audio data to the mixer; a video synchronization module, configured to combine and a synchronize the received video data; a mixer, configured to mix the received audio data. Embodiments of the present invention also disclose a network device and a method for transmitting video/audio data. Through the technical scheme disclosed in the embodiments of the invention, a user terminal may make an audio/video call while watching a stream media program via the same display screen and speaker. |
| US07973852B2 |
Auto-focus apparatus, image capture apparatus, and auto-focus method
Disclosed is an auto-focus apparatus including an evaluation value calculator periodically calculating evaluation values using high frequency components of image signals in a specific region of a subject image. The auto-focus apparatus further includes a control unit for outputting instruction values provided to a lens driver based on the evaluation values, conducting operation to search the peak of the evaluation values while moving positions of the focus lens, returning the lens to the position corresponding to the point at which the relative maximum has been detected after having detected the relative maximum of the evaluation values, obtaining the evaluation values calculated by the evaluation value calculator, and determining whether or not the evaluation value satisfies a prescribed condition; and a storage for storing determination results. In the auto-focus apparatus, the control unit determines whether or not the auto-focus apparatus includes abnormal portions based on the determination results. |
| US07973843B2 |
Active pixel sensor with reduced fixed pattern noise
An image sensor includes pixels each of which is designed to transfer charge, accumulated in a photoactive region of the pixel during a first period, through a second active region of the pixel to a power supply node, and to transfer charge, accumulated in the photoactive region during a second period, through the second active region to a sense node in the pixel. Passing charge through the second active region prior to transferring it either to the power supply node or the sense node can help reduce fixed pattern noise. The image sensor can be operated in snap-shot mode. |
| US07973842B2 |
High intrascene dynamic range NTSC and PAL imager
The invention provides a new method and apparatus for NTSC and PAL image sensors which employs fusion of adjacent row pixel charge samples to generate image data for a row. A variety of fusion schemes are possible for fusing the pixel signals from the adjacent rows. The rows of pixels are scanned so that each scan takes an odd row signal sample and, in some cases, an adjacent even row signal sample when specified conditions are met. One sampled row of the two adjacent rows integrate an image with a first integration period while the other adjacent row integrates an image with a second integration period. |
| US07973837B2 |
Image sensor having a pixel array and associated method
An image sensor may have a pixel array and an imaging lens for forming an image on the pixel array. The sensor may also include a pixel readout unit for enabling individual pixel values to be readout. The sensor may further include a pixel selection unit wherein at least one pixel sub-array is selected according to the pixel values readout and the at least one sub-array is used for reading the image. |
| US07973836B2 |
Camera, image sensor, and method for decreasing undesirable dark current
A method for lowering dark current in an image sensor pixel, the method includes the steps of providing a photosensitive area for receiving incident light which is converted into a charge; providing a gate for transferring charge from the photosensitive area; wherein the gate is held at a voltage which will accumulate majority carriers at a semiconductor-dielectric interface during integration for the photosensitive area. Alternatively, a potential profile can be provided under the gate to drain the dark current away from the photogeneration diffusion. |
| US07973832B2 |
Image pickup apparatus and registration call image pickup mode
An image pickup apparatus having a plurality of setting items related to an image pickup condition, the image pickup apparatus including: a setting unit adapted to set respective setting information of the plurality of setting items; a storage unit; a specification mean adapted to specify a registration target item to set a registration target from among the plurality of setting items in accordance with an instruction operation of a user; a registration control unit adapted to register the setting information set by the setting unit regarding the registration target item in the storage unit as a registration image pickup condition; and a generation unit adapted to call the registration image pickup condition from the storage unit in accordance with a call operation of the user to generate a new image pickup condition which reflects the registration image pickup condition. |
| US07973830B2 |
Imaging apparatus and exposure control method
In a digital camera (10), an imaging sensitivity setting circuit (61) selects a pair of distance range selection parameters “A” and “B” according to a zoom position of a zoom lens (41), to compare an in-focus position of a focusing lens (43) with these parameters “A” and “B”, wherein the parameters “A” and “B” correspond to a farther distance and a nearer distance respectively. If the in-focus position is farther than the parameter “A”, the imaging sensitivity is set to a high level. If the in-focus position is in between these parameters “A” and “B”, the imaging sensitivity is set to a middle level. If the in-focus position is nearer than the parameter “B”, the imaging sensitivity is set to a low level. Based on the set imaging sensitivity level and a measured subject brightness value, a system controller (41) controls the exposure value and the flashlight volume. |
| US07973828B2 |
Red-eye filter method and apparatus
A digital image acquisition system having no photographic film, such as a digital camera, has a flash unit for providing illumination during image capture and a red-eye filter for detecting a region within a captured image indicative of a red-eye phenomenon, the detection being based upon a comparison of the captured image and a reference image of nominally the same scene taken without flash. In the embodiment the reference image is a preview image of lower pixel resolution than the captured image, the filter matching the pixel resolutions of the captured and reference images by up-sampling the preview image and/or sub-sampling the captured image. The filter also aligns at least portions of the captured image and reference image prior to comparison to allow for, e.g. movement in the subject. |
| US07973825B2 |
Image sensor array architecture for improved resolution switching
An image sensor array is provided with: first and second CCD image sensors that output a plurality of first and second signal voltages from first and second output terminals, respectively; a switch circuit selectively connecting one of the first and second output terminals to a signal voltage output terminal; and a timing generator circuit responsive to a basic clock generating first and second control signals and switch control signals. First and second control signals control generation of the first and second signal voltages, respectively. The switch control signals are used for controlling the switch circuit. The timing generator circuit controls the first and second CCD image sensors so that the first and second CCD image sensors alternately output the first and second signal voltages. The timing generator circuit controls the switch circuit to alternately output from the signal voltage output terminal one of the first and second signal voltages. |
| US07973823B2 |
Method and system for image pre-processing
An imaging architecture has a memory module to store raw images for the pre-processing stage. The raw image from the output of the pre-processing block may be compressed by a compressor before the image is stored in the memory module. Furthermore, the raw image in the memory is subject to pre-processing as many times as needed or desired. Thus, a decompressor may be operatively connected to the memory module to retrieve the stored image and to decompress the retrieved image before providing the image to the pre-processing block. In the imaging architecture, a loop formed by the memory module, the decompressor, the pre-processing block and the compressor allows the image to be pre-processed multiple times. The imaging architecture can be coupled to the main processor and post-processor in an imaging device for further processing the image data for display or for transmission. |
| US07973813B2 |
Thermal transfer printer and method of removing ink cassette
A thermal transfer printer according to the present invention includes; a head mounting base with a thermal head attached thereto, and disposed so as to oppose a platen roller, a locomotion board including a supporting system for supporting the head mounting base so as to be spaced apart from and approaching to the platen roller, and being movable in an extending direction of the thermal head, a slider provided in connection with the supporting system, and being movable in the extending direction of the thermal head, wherein the head mounting base is spaced apart from and approaching to the platen roller by the supporting system as the slider moves. |
| US07973811B2 |
Display device
An object of the present invention is to lessen a user's feeling that something is wrong when a user watches a display device configured by rectangular pixels. In a display device of the present invention includes a display portion on which a plurality of pixels are arranged in matrix, the display portion has areas configured by rectangular pixels and areas configured by square pixels. |
| US07973808B2 |
Map display apparatus with scrolling text
A map display apparatus includes a display unit, a data access unit accessible to map data, which includes a map image and character strings, and a control unit that allows the display unit to display the map data on a screen in such a manner that each character string is overlaid on a corresponding position on the map image. The control unit interprets the character string having characters, the number of which exceeding a predetermined maximum number of characters, as a scroll character string. The control unit creates a scroll display field in the corresponding position to the scroll character string and causes the scroll character string to scroll within the scroll display field. |
| US07973804B2 |
Image processing with highly threaded texture fragment generation
A circuit arrangement and method support a multithreaded rendering architecture capable of dynamically routing pixel fragments from a pixel fragment generator to any pixel shader from among a pool of pixel shaders. The pixel fragment generator is therefore not tied to a specific pixel shader, but is instead able to utilize multiple pixel shaders in a pool of pixel shaders to minimize bottlenecks and improve overall hardware utilization and performance during image processing. |
| US07973803B1 |
Simultaneous occluding transparency graphics processing
A method, system, and computer-readable storage medium are disclosed for rendering an artwork comprising a plurality of surfaces, wherein the plurality of surfaces comprises a plurality of sets of semi-transparent surfaces. Each of the sets of semi-transparent surfaces may be rendered to a multi-sampling image buffer comprising an array of sub-pixels, wherein each sub-pixel in the array of sub-pixels is indexed to a corresponding one of the semi-transparent surfaces in the set. Each of the sets of rendered semi-transparent surfaces may be multiplied by one or more transparency values of one or more surfaces that occlude the respective sub-pixel in the corresponding semi-transparent surface. Each of the sets of rendered and attenuated semi-transparent surfaces may be added to a second image buffer comprising an array of pixels at a display resolution. |
| US07973801B2 |
Method and device for processing video data for display on a display device
A method for processing video data for display on a display device having a plurality of luminous elements comprising: applying a dithering function based on single ones of said luminous elements to at least part of said video data to refine the grey scale portrayal of video pictures of said video data, computing at least one motion vector from said video data, and changing at least one of the phase, amplitude, spatial resolution and temporal resolution of said dithering function in accordance with said at least one motion vector when applying the dithering function to said video data. |