| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08016007B2 |
Method and apparatus for stringing thin film solar cells
The present inventions generally relate to thin film solar cell fabrication, and more particularly, to techniques for interconnecting solar cells based on Group IBIIIAVIA thin film semiconductors. In a particular embodiment, a system is described that positions solar cells and conductive leads with respect to each other so that application of a conductive adhesive and formation of an assembled solar cell string, followed by curing and cooling of the conductive adhesive, can occur in a repeatable manner. |
| US08016003B2 |
Container filling assembly
A container filling assembly includes a plurality of fluid storage containers, a fluid inlet for supplying a fluid to the containers, a vacuum source for creating a vacuum in the containers to draw the fluid into the containers, and a connective structure for connecting the vacuum source and the fluid source in fluid communication with the containers. Preferably, the container filling assembly is a sterile, closed system. |
| US08016001B2 |
Painting material charging device
A painting material charging device may comprise a cartridge attaching unit, a painting material supplying path, a first switching unit, a painting material supplying unit, a discharging path, a second switching unit, a painting material sensor and a controlling unit. The controlling unit may be configured to be connected to the painting material sensor and the second switching unit. The controlling unit may be configured to cause the second switching unit to fully close the discharging path in a case where the painting material sensor detects the painting material. |
| US08016000B2 |
Processes and systems for transferring particulate substances from containers
Preferred processes are provided for unloading a particulate substance from a container using a cover system comprising a cover and a wand extending through the cover. The processes can include installing the cover system on the container so that the cover mates with the container and the wand extends into the particulate substance, connecting a pipe or a hose to the wand, and drawing the particulate substance through the wand and the pipe or hose. |
| US08015989B2 |
Method and apparatus for dampening pressure fluctuations in a fluid delivery system
A method and apparatus are provided for a cost effective pressure dampening device used in a fluid delivery system for substrate processing. In one embodiment, the pressure dampening device is disposed between a mounting substrate and a control valve within a fluid control assembly in fluid communication with a substrate processing chamber. The pressure dampening device is capable of dampening small pressure perturbations in a process fluid which is used for substrate processing. |
| US08015985B2 |
Substrate processing apparatus and substrate processing method using the same
A fluid supply pipe is inserted through a motor supporting member, a spin motor, a rotating shaft, and a plate supporting member. A first flange is integrally formed in the vicinity of a curved portion of a straight portion, extending in the vertical direction, of the fluid supply pipe. The first flange is fixed to a motor supporting member. Thus, the fluid supply pipe is fixed to the spin motor through the motor supporting member. The fluid supply pipe has a configuration in which a gas supply pipe made of resin and a plurality of cleaning liquid supply pipes made of resin are accommodated inside a guide pipe made of stainless. Inside the guide pipe, the one gas supply pipe is surrounded by the plurality of cleaning liquid supply pipes. |
| US08015983B2 |
Surface treatment apparatus
The surface treatment apparatus includes: a supply device for supplying an introduced workpiece to the inside of a treatment cell of a subsequent surface treatment device; a surface treatment device for supplying a surface treatment liquid to the inside of the treatment cell while rotating the treatment cell, thereby performing a surface treatment on the workpiece; a workpiece collection device for inverting the treatment cell, and squirting the inside of the treatment cell with water from below to flow out the workpiece, thereby collecting the workpiece into a collection vessel; a drying device for receiving the collection vessel from the workpiece collection device, and exposing the workpiece within the collection vessel to air, thereby drying the workpiece; and a carrying device for carrying the treatment cell between the surface treatment devices, and between the surface treatment device and the workpiece device, wherein the surface treatment apparatus includes the one or more surface treatment devices. |
| US08015982B2 |
Toothbrush and flossing system
A toothbrush and flossing system comprising a toothbrush having bristles, a handle, and a removable floss cartridge/container. The handle may comprise a cavity for receiving the floss cartridge; the floss container may comprise all or a portion of the handle; or the floss container may slip externally over the toothbrush handle. The floss cartridge may comprise a housing having a closed end and an open end, with a cap adapted to seal the open end and to protrude from the housing and the cavity with a recessed cutter separated from a floss exit opening in the cap. The cap may have a decorative design, such as in the form of a human, animal, cartoon character, or the like. In another embodiment, an ornamental enclosure is provided that attaches to the handle. Toothbrush embodiments for receiving the floss cartridge and floss cartridge embodiments for use with such toothbrushes are also claimed. |
| US08015975B2 |
Spousal positional dependent snoring and positional dependent sleep apnea garment
A garment designed to discourage supine sleep which intensifies snoring and apnea levels in some people. Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Snoring occur when the tongue and throat muscles relax during sleep. At that point they fall back and block the airways causing the apneas and worsening snoring. A significant percentage of snoring and OSA is position related and symptoms worsen by sleeping in a supine position. Garment or other embodiments have a (partial) less than ½ of the circumference mounted pouch which allows the insert to self center and pivot on the spine and have movement between shoulders as the user is sleeping and attempts to move towards the back from his or her side. The placement at lower neck area presses slightly against the spine to influence head to tilt up and slightly close mouth while sleeping thereby increasing the airway opening. The insert while comfortable to sleep against is of enough diameter or depth and made of a cushion type of material to discourage supine and encourage side sleeping without any discomfort to user. The garment or other embodiments have frontal body fasteners for ease of putting on and taking off. |
| US08015974B2 |
System for providing flow-targeted ventilation synchronized to a patient's breathing cycle
An open system provides breath-synchronized, flow-targeted ventilation to augment respiration by a self-breathing patient. A sensor detects a physical property of a patient's respiratory cycle. A processor monitors the sensor and controls a gas source to deliver oxygen-containing gas through a tube extending into the patient's airway with the flow rate varying over each respiratory cycle in a predetermined non-constant waveform synchronized with the respiratory cycle to augment the patient's spontaneous respiration. Gas is delivered at a flow rate sufficient to significantly mitigate the airway pressure the patient must generate during spontaneous breathing and thereby reduce the patient's work of breathing. |
| US08015970B2 |
Respirator, welding helmet, or face shield that has low surface energy hard-coat lens
A personal safety protective device that includes a lens and a support structure onto which the lens is secured. The lens includes a substrate and a hard-coat layer located on the substrate of the lens. The hard-coat layer has a low surface energy outer surface that is derived from a) an additive that includes at least one of i) a perfluoropolyether urethane that includes hydrolysable silane groups, and ii) an acrylate polymer that includes at least one perfluoropolyether moiety and at least one hydrolysable silane group, and b) a silsesquioxane-based hard-coat composition. The provision of such a lens on a personal safety protective device enables the lens to be durable to abrasion and to be easily cleaned without use of solvents that could shorten the service life of the lens. |
| US08015968B2 |
Throwing device
A throwing device includes an approximately straight and elongate shaft extending distally from a proximal end thereof to a distal portion of the device. The distal portion includes projectile retainer and a projectile track extending distally from the retainer to a distal tip of the device. The projectile retainer, when in a closed position, holds a projectile in a fixed position with respect to the device. When the shaft is gripped and swung through an arc, and the retainer opens to release the projectile, the projectile is propelled along the projectile track, by the swinging motion. |
| US08015967B2 |
Air-fuel ratio control apparatus
An air-fuel ratio control apparatus is applied to an internal combustion engine including a variable lift mechanism which changes a lift amount of an intake valve. An oxygen sensor, which outputs a signal indicating an oxygen concentration in exhaust gas, is provided downstream of an exhaust gas purification catalyst in an exhaust passage of the internal combustion engine. Air-fuel ratio control is performed to correct the fuel injection amount command value using the correction amount that is set based on the value output from the oxygen sensor. The relationship among the deviation of the correction amount from its reference value, the learned small lift value, the learned medium lift value, and the lift amount is learned. The learned deviation value is calculated based on the lift amount, using the learned relationship. Then, the fuel injection amount command value is corrected by the correction amount including the calculated learned deviation value. |
| US08015966B2 |
Oil circulating device for internal combustion engine
An oil circulating device for an internal combustion engine including a separating-decanting device, a cylinder housing, a pressurized oil feeding pipe circulating pressurized oil to mobile parts of the engine, and a siphon-forming oil return circuit. The oil return circuit includes a canula with an upper end that opens into the separating-decanting device to collect therein decanted oil and a lower end immersed in an oil tank opening freely into a plane located between the upper and lower ends of the canula. The tank includes an insert tightly inserted in a passageway formed through a wall of the pressurized oil feeding pipe, the insert forming simultaneously a closure plug for the oil feeding pipe and for an oil tank. |
| US08015963B2 |
Fuel pressure control strategy at engine shutdown
A fuel system control method may include determining when an engine transitions from an engine on condition to an engine off condition. The method further includes determining a first fuel pressure in a fuel system of the engine a predetermined time after the determined engine off condition. A fuel injector of the fuel system may be actuated during the engine off condition when the first determined fuel pressure is above a first predetermined pressure limit to bleed fuel from the fuel system and reduce pressure within the fuel system. |
| US08015962B2 |
Aircraft engine crankshaft position and angular velocity detection apparatus
A crankshaft detection system includes a pickup element mounted to an end of a crankshaft and disposed within a rear portion of the aircraft engine's crankcase. The crankshaft detection system also includes pickup element sensor secured to a mounting location formed in the rear portion of the aircraft engine's crankcase and disposed in proximity to the pickup element. As the crankshaft rotates the pickup element relative to the pickup element sensor, the pickup element causes the pickup element sensor to generate a signal indicative of the angular velocity and rotational position of the crankshaft. In order to optimize engine performance, in response to the signal, the controller controls a spark event associated with each the cylinder assembly of the engine such that ignition of the fuel and air mixture occurs within each cylinder assembly at a time prior to each piston of each cylinder assembly reaching a top dead center position. |
| US08015959B2 |
Valve shaft support structure for variable intake manifold
A valve shaft support structure is closed to improve its durability, lower its manufacturing cost and improve its quality, in which a valve shaft interposed between runners is formed as an eccentric shaft integrally formed with a valve. A valve and a valve shaft are formed in a body to support the valve. An eccentric circular protrusion is formed in a center portion of the valve shaft, and divided manifold bodies support the eccentric circular protrusion. The valve shaft and the manifold bodies are repeatedly in contact or non-contact with each other when the valve is opened or closed. |
| US08015958B2 |
Active intake manifold flap cartridge and method
An active intake manifold system includes at least one flap cartridge assembly having a unitary cartridge housing including one or more flap valve housings. A flap valve is rotatable in the aperture of the flap valve housing between an open state and a closed state. A shaft is provided extending through the mounting ear apertures of the flap valves so that the flap valves change state in unison. A plurality of air intake runners provides air flow communication between the outlets of the flap valve housings and the cylinder intake valves of the engine. Each intake runner includes a main runner portion that then splits into a plurality of tracts of differing lengths with each tract tuned to a different predetermined engine speed and having a length and volume selected to optimize engine performance at the predetermined speed. The flap valves may be automatically operated by an actuator under control of an engine control system. |
| US08015948B2 |
Canine protective suit and method of use thereof
A canine protective suit comprising a face mask, a upper body protector and a lower body protector, wherein the face mask is removably secured to the upper body protector, and wherein the lower body protector is removably secured to the upper body protector. The upper body protector comprises elastic bands, wherein the elastic bands secure at least two front leg panels. Similarly, the lower body protector comprises elastic bands, wherein the elastic bands secure at least two back leg panels. To use, a canine's two front legs are placed into the two front leg panels as the upper body protector is placed on the canine. Similarly, the canine's rear legs are inserted into the back leg panels as the lower body protector is installed on the canine. The face mask is then disposed on the canine's face and secured to the upper body protector. |
| US08015947B2 |
Animal harness
A harness for inhibiting an animal from straining against a leash and inducing the animal to come to a halt or to a walk or run at a pace acceptable to the animal handler is provided. The harness may include a longitudinal strap having a set of loop straps extending from the longitudinal strap for placing around the body of the animal. Each loop strap in the set of loop straps may be adjustable to fit the size of the animal on which it is placed so that the harness may be suitable for animals of varying sizes. A continuous cord may be secured to the set of loop straps defining a front restraining member and a back restraining member. Pulling upwards on the cord causes the front and back restraining members to pull inward applying pressure to the front and back legs of the animal to restrain the animal. |
| US08015946B2 |
Cage free nest
A cage free nest has nest bottoms that have raised/rounded portions proximate to the entranceways into the cage free nest. A ramp extends from a surface to connect to the nest bottoms proximate to the entranceway. Both the nest bottoms and the ramp are formed of a non-slip, woven galvanized steel wire. The cage free nest also has upper and lower top panels that make up a roof assembly of the cage free nest. The lower top panels can be moved relative to the upper top panels to an opened/raised position by a cable assembly to allow for visual inspection into the cage free nest through the entranceways. The upper top panels can be moved relative to the lower top panels to an opened/raised position to allow for visual inspection into the cage free nest through the roof assembly. |
| US08015945B1 |
Feeder with adjustable mounting apparatus
An adjustable feeder attachable to a feed hopper includes a base plate that is connected to a motor. A series of recessions are evenly spaced along the outer edge of the base plate, and a plurality of arms are evenly disposed about outer edge of said base plate corresponding to the recessions. Each arm has a proximal end connected to the base plate and a distal end pivotable about the proximal end from a confined position proximate the base plate to an extended position away from the base plate. When the arms are in the confined position, the feeder is easily stored and transported. When the arms are in the extended position, the feeder is connectable to the bottom surface of the feed hopper, with a funnel attached to said base plate being positioned proximate a dispersing aperture in said feed hopper. Feed will travel through the funnel to a spin plate connected to the motor for the spin plate to distribute feed to the area surrounding the feeder. |
| US08015940B2 |
Coater/developer, method of coating and developing resist film, and computer readable storing medium
A transfer flow is produced in accordance with a process recipe of a process to be carried out. In the transfer flow, a type of modules listed in accordance with a substrate transfer order is associated with a necessary staying time from when the substrate is transferred into a module by a substrate transfer unit to when the substrate is ready to be transferred back to the substrate transfer unit after the corresponding process is finished. A cycle limiting time is determined to be the longest necessary transfer cycle time among those obtained by dividing the necessary staying time by the number of the modules mounted in the coater/developer. The number of the modules to be used is determined to be a value obtained by dividing the necessary staying time by the cycle limiting time or a nearest integer to which the value is raised. |
| US08015935B2 |
Watercraft control apparatus
In one embodiment, a watercraft control apparatus according to the present invention includes a control member that operates a power-consuming unit or load. The control member is operably connected to the power-consuming unit or load through a drive member that transmits a control force and/or a displacement from the control member to the power-consuming unit or load. The watercraft control apparatus further includes an actuator for actuating the power-consuming unit and a magnetic unit for transducing the force and/or the displacement of the control member into a corresponding electric/electronic signal for a corresponding operation of the actuator. |
| US08015933B2 |
Apparatus with double-shoot single pass implement
A planting unit for depositing fertilizer and seed in a single pass, double shoot manner includes a rotating disc that cuts a furrow in a planting surface and a trailing seed boot, having a cutting edge, that cuts a vertically and horizontally offset trench in the furrow to form a seed bed in the planting surface. The disc has a mounting frame for mounting the disc to a linkage assembly that is, in turn, coupled to a toolbar mount. The seed boot is also attached to the mounting frame. This common attachment provides a relatively short and compact device without sacrificing fertilizer and seed stratification. |
| US08015931B2 |
Quick and easy assembly shelving unit and method for assembling the same
A shelving unit includes a support frame and a plurality of support boards each mounted on the support frame. The support frame includes a front support bracket, a back board located opposite to the front support bracket, four first connecting tubes each having a first end connected with the respective corner of the front support bracket, and four second connecting tubes each having a first end connected with a second end of the respective first connecting tube and a second end connected with the respective corner of the back board. Thus, the shelving unit can be assembled and disassembled without using tools, thereby facilitating assembling the shelving unit. In addition, the shelving unit can be folded into a smaller overall volume to reduce the cost of packaging, transportation and storage of the shelving unit. |
| US08015930B2 |
Quick and easy assembly shelving unit and method for assembling the same
A shelving unit includes a support frame and a plurality of support boards each detachably mounted on the support frame. The support frame includes a front support bracket, a first connecting bracket having a first end connected with a first end of the front support bracket, a second connecting bracket having a first end connected with a second end of the front support bracket, and a back board having a first end connected with a second end of the first connecting bracket and a second end connected with a second end of the second connecting bracket. Thus, the shelving unit can be assembled and disassembled without using tools, thereby facilitating a user assembling the shelving unit. In addition, the shelving unit can be folded into a smaller volume and reduces the cost of packaging, transportation and storage of the shelving unit. |
| US08015927B1 |
Cleaning tray
A cleaning tray for removably engaging a table outer edge which has a parallelepiped main body having two internal wedges therein, a removable receptacle for receiving trash centered in the main body, and a rectangular compartment for holding cleaning supplies, the compartment attached to a rear side of the main body. |
| US08015923B2 |
Large calibre ammunition loaded via rear
An ammunition comprising a projectile attached to a combustible skirt and enclosed by a base, a linking dome being provided between the skirt and the base, wherein the linking dome includes a first outer wall contacting with the skirt and a second outer wall extending from the first one and contacting with the base, and wherein the dome comprises a unit to ensure its joining with the skirt, the unit being able to be bent back by the base onto an outer wall of the combustible skirt when the base is disposed over the linking dome. |
| US08015917B1 |
Food product carrier
A food processing system includes a food processing chamber for processing a food product, such as meat products such as hot dogs, sausages, poultry, fish, and other food items. A high speed serial to parallel loading station delivery system is provided. The food product is loaded onto a conveyor in the processing chamber having a plurality of two-piece food product cradles having openings receiving the food product at the loading station and discharging the food product at the unloading station and having gaps between food product carriers distally oppositely spaced from the openings and defining food product cavities therebetween, the width of the openings varying during traversal of the conveyor through the chamber from the loading to the unloading stations. |
| US08015916B2 |
Toaster chassis
Provided is a toaster chassis, comprising at least one heating chamber, a pair of steel meshes, a bread-elevating mechanism, a pair of supporting plates, a pair of grooves, a pair of sliding rods and an extension spring; wherein the supporting plates are disposed on both ends of the heating chamber, the grooves are disposed on the supporting plate, the sliding rods are disposed on the steel mesh, pass through the supporting plate and abut against the grooves, the extension spring is disposed below the bread-elevating mechanism, and both ends of the extension spring are connected to the sliding rods. The invention is applicable for breads with different thickness and capable of ensuring uniformity of heat and consistency of colors on both sides and the upper and lower portion of each thereof. |
| US08015915B2 |
Wine fermentation vessel with lees containment apparatus
There is provided a fermentation apparatus that allows the separation of a wine, beer or other brewed or fermented beverage from its lees using a single container. The vessel can be used in wine making operation and is constructed so that the lees that settle out during fermentation may be mechanically trapped at the bottom of the vessel and the wine then removed, typically through a spigot, without contamination by the entrapped lees. |
| US08015914B2 |
Pneumatic lift apparatus
A pneumatic lift apparatus has a main body including a body tube, with a cross-section of the body tube being neither a perfect circle nor a polygon. A restricting device is slidably mounted on the body tube of the main body, with the body tube restricted not to rotate relative to the restricting device. The restricting device is coupled to an end of a housing, with the main body inserted through the restricting device and received in the housing, with the main body fixed in the housing opposite to the restricting device. |
| US08015912B2 |
Diaphragm pump having a twist and lock fastener
A diaphragm pump for a pumped shower waste, comprises a diaphragm housing (12), a diaphragm (34) removably held in the diaphragm housing (12), an openable cover (16) on the diaphragm housing (12) for accessing the diaphragm (34), an electric motor (14), a connecting member (40) positioned in the diaphragm housing (12) and movable by the electric motor (14), and a non-screw-threaded twist and lock fastener (62) which releasably engages the diaphragm (34) with the connecting member (40). The diaphragm (34) can thus be disengaged and removed from the connecting member (40) without the use of a screwdriver. |
| US08015909B2 |
Ballistic armor
A composite armor plate with a layer of pellets in a binder matrix, the pellets having domed front and planar back end and a reduced weight. A method of producing the plate comprises providing front and back layers, applying binder material to the pellets and the layers, and heating the binder material to form the matrix and bind the front and back layers thereto. Each pellet may be coated with a primer adapted to facilitate the binding. |
| US08015903B2 |
Method for cutting braking surface of wheel bearing device equipped with brake rotor
In cutting the braking surface of a brake rotor-equipped wheel bearing device, which includes an outer member having a car body attaching flange in the outer periphery, an inner member having a wheel attaching flange in the outer periphery, a plurality of rows of rolling bodies incorporated between the two members and rotatably supporting the inner member, and a brake rotor attached to the wheel attaching flange, the cutting is performed such that subsequently to assembling the wheel bearing device in its mounted state, the end surface of a wheel pilot formed in the inner member is finish-cut. The brake rotor is then attached to the wheel attaching flange, whereupon the braking surface of the brake rotor is cut with the outer diameter of the wheel pilot gripped relative to the end surface of the wheel pilot. |
| US08015902B2 |
Machine tool and workpiece inner surface machining method using the machine tool
To provide a machine tool including a workpiece inner surface machining tool which is not only capable of machining an inner surface of a workpiece into a spherical shape but also capable of machining a bearing surface which is a flat surface and machining the combination of a spherical surface and a flat surface. A machine tool 1 machines a surface to be machined m1 located on an inner surface of a workpiece 21 by a tool 20 having: a supporting member 22; a cutting tool 23 which is supported to be pivotable about a support shaft 19 located on a plane b′ perpendicular to an axis a of the supporting member 22 and has a cutting edge 23a at one end; a drive shaft 24 pivoting the cutting tool 23 by moving in an axis a direction; and a link member 25. The tool 20 is supported by a tool post 5, the drive shaft 24 is movable in the axial direction by the movable base 4, and an axial position of the movable base 4 and an axial position of the tool post 5 are controlled so as to cause a machining point P by the cutting edge 23a to move along a desired machining line while the workpiece 21 is rotated by the spindle headstock 3. |
| US08015900B2 |
Split-torque gear box
A split torque gearbox system provides a multiple path, three stage power gear train that transmits torque from a high-speed engine to a low speed output shaft, while providing equal gear load distribution with a floating pinion in the second stage of reduction. The number of the split modules in the gearbox depends on gearbox configuration, number of high speed input shafts, and transmitted power. The split modules are located around a last stage output gear that combines power from each module and transmits the power to an output such as a main rotor system. |
| US08015899B2 |
Differential gear assembly and method
An assembly of a crown wheel and a differential casing of a differential gear assembly is adapted to welding. The differential casing has a circular flange with an axially extending lip engaged in a circular groove of the crown wheel, which is further relieved at a radially outer side to give clearance for a high energy welding beam. An interface between the crown wheel and the circular flange is in one example a frusto-conical surface, which presents an oblique angle to the welding beam. |
| US08015895B2 |
Gear shift device
This gear shift device is used in a transmission of an engine, and is provided with: a shift drum that changes a speed change stage of the transmission according to a rotational position about an axis; an actuator having a driving shaft substantially orthogonal to the shift drum; a worm shaped barrel cam that is arranged parallel to the driving shaft of the actuator and that has a plurality of cam grooves on an outer circumference thereof; and a wheel gear that is coaxially fixed on the shift drum and that has a plurality of pins on an outer circumference thereof. At least a pair of each pin of the wheel gear and each cam groove of the barrel cam are engaged with each other, and the shift drum is rotated by the actuator via the barrel cam and the wheel gear, to thereby change the speed change stage of the transmission. The gear shift device is further with a detection device that detects a rotational position of the barrel cam. |
| US08015892B2 |
Bicycle clutch
A bicycle clutch comprises a transmission shaft, at least two gears, at least two slide blocks, at least two clutch blocks, at least two guiding blocks, a switch shaft and a stationary shaft. The gears and the slide blocks are coaxially disposed on the transmission shaft. The sliding blocks, switch shaft and stationary shaft are coaxially assembled. The clutch blocks are disposed on the transmission shaft, the gears and the slide blocks. The guiding blocks are disposed on the switch shaft and the slide blocks. Through angle deflection, the clutch can selectively make one of the gears engage with the driven assembly to change the rotation speed. |
| US08015891B2 |
Engine including speed-change actuator
To lower the center of gravity of the entire engine including a speed-change actuator for realization of the lowered center of gravity of a vehicle in which the engine is mounted and to suppress the effect on an arrangement space for components above the engine. In an engine including a transmission which is provided in a power transmission pathway to a drive wheel, a counter shaft which is an output shaft of the transmission, an engine case in which a crankshaft and the transmission are accommodated, and a speed-change actuator which is attached to the engine case, the speed-change actuator is arranged below relative to the counter shaft. |
| US08015889B2 |
Ballscrew with an integral high-efficiency thrust bearing
A linear actuator includes a thrust bearing that is integral to the actuation member. The actuator includes a translation member and an actuation member. The actuation member is responsive to a drive force to rotate. The translation member is configured to translate in response to actuation member. The thrust bearing is coupled to the actuation member and includes an inner race, an outer race, and a plurality of balls. The thrust bearing is configured as a zero lead ballscrew, with the inner race integrally formed on the actuation member, and the plurality of balls disposed between the inner and outer races. |
| US08015883B2 |
High speed pull test device and method
A device and method for tensile testing of the bond strength of an electrically conductive ball adhered to a substrate. A ball is gripped and moved at a speed in a direction substantially orthogonal to the plane of adherence. The substrate is abruptly halted by an abutment to impose a sudden load on the ball/substrate interface. During the test the substrate is lightly urged toward the ball to eliminate unwanted tensile forces. |
| US08015880B2 |
Pressure sensor
A pressure sensor is arranged on a supply/discharge pipe of a reactive gas to be supplied to or discharged from a fuel cell, and measures the pressure of the reactive gas in the pipe. The pressure sensor is provided with an engaging section which has a screw and engages with a pipe wall of the pipe; a pressure detecting section, which faces a reactive gas channel of the pipe and detects the pressure inside the pipe by displacement; a displacement sensor, which is arranged in the pressure detecting sensor and measures displacement of the pressure detecting section; and a buffer section, which connects the engaging section with the pressure detecting section by sandwiching a buffer layer which communicates with the reactive gas channel of the pipe, and eliminates abnormal displacement of the pressure detecting section by deforming to a stress generated by torque of the screw, at the time when the pressure sensor is engaged with the pipe. |
| US08015876B2 |
Method and apparatus for measuring the structural integrity of a safe-life aircraft component
The structural integrity of a safe-life aircraft component on an aircraft is measured and assessed by a processing unit. The component includes a load-bearing metal element that is free from cracks. In the method, acoustic emissions generated in the metal element are converted into electronic signals. The acoustic emissions converted include relevant acoustic emissions resulting from changes in the structure of the element that make the element more susceptible to the formation of cracks. The electronic signals are set to a processing unit. The processing unit processes over time the signals in conjunction with stored reference data that allows a measure of the structural integrity to be made. Information providing a measure of the structural integrity of the aircraft component is outputted. Thus, deterioration of the structure of the component can be detected and monitored before a crack occurs. |
| US08015871B2 |
Sender unit for sensing the level of remaining fuel in a fuel tank utilizing a non-contacting sensor
The present invention relates to a sender unit for sensing the level of remaining fuel in a fuel tank utilizing a non-contacting sensor. The sender unit for sensing the level of remaining fuel in a fuel tank of a vehicle is fixed in the fuel tank to sense the level of the remaining fuel by detecting the position of a float that floats depending on the level of the liquid surface of the fuel. The sender unit includes a casing; a disk-shaped rotor yoke pivotably received in the casing; a ring-shaped magnet fixed to a lower portion of the rotor yoke; a stator yoke that is a magnetic body including a plurality of horizontal arms spaced apart from a lower surface of the magnet so as to form a closed magnetic circuit together with the magnet; a magnetic sensing element fixed within a gap formed in the stator yoke; a plate which is fixedly received in the casing and to which the stator yoke is fixed; and a rod having one side end connected to the float and the other side end penetrating through the casing and fixed to the rotor yoke. According to the present invention, it is possible to accurately sense the level of fuel remaining in a fuel tank in a non-contacting manner, thereby improving the durability of the device. |
| US08015870B2 |
Flowmeter for measuring a flow rate using a heat exchange principle
Provided is a flowmeter with a flow tube through which fluid flows; a cooling apparatus adapted to cool a part of the flow tube; a first temperature detecting section for detecting the temperature of the flow tube cooled by the cooling apparatus; a second temperature detecting section for detecting the temperature of the cooling apparatus; a third temperature detecting section for detecting the temperature of a non-cooling area upstream of a cooling area in the flow tube; and an information processing section, which controls the cooling apparatus make a difference between the temperature detected by the second temperature detecting section and the temperature detected by the third temperature detecting section to be a prescribed value, and calculates the flow rate of the fluid flowing in the flow tube. |
| US08015863B2 |
Chassis dynamometer having an eddy current brake with adjustable air gap and modular components
A chassis dynamometer is disclosed having a dynamometer drum member, a housing member to house a stator, a shoe member to form a gap with the dynamometer drum member, an extension shaft member to radially vary the gap dimension. The extension shaft member may extend radially from the housing member, and the extension shaft member may include external threads. The extension shaft member may include a smooth portion, and the extension shaft member may cooperate with a collar member. The extension shaft member may include a hole member, and the extension shaft member may include a fastening member. The collar member may include a shoulder member, and the extension shaft member may include a flange member. |
| US08015859B2 |
Nozzle testing apparatus and method
A method for testing the integrity of welds used to secure a nozzle to a vessel and the like comprises forming a sealed space within the nozzle by providing a blind against the flange and a sealing plate within the vessel and filling the space with a pressurizing fluid. The sealing plate is not biased against the flange. As such, the method of the invention simulates normally occurring axial expansion stresses within the nozzle thereby providing a more accurate test. The apparatus of the invention comprises a blind flange for sealing the flange face and a back plate for positioning against the inner surface of the vessel. The apparatus includes a biasing means for urging the back plate against the vessel wall. In one embodiment, the biasing means includes a front plate located outside of the vessel and connected to the back plate. In another embodiment, the biasing means comprises a plurality of magnets for engaging the vessel wall. |
| US08015858B2 |
Electric radiator cap pressure tester
The present invention a portable universal electric radiator cap pressure tester, having a multiple of common radiator cap filler necks fixed on a dash board. The fixed filler necks simulate the filler neck openings on a vehicle's radiator or overflow reservoir. This allows the user the ability to quickly install a common radiator cap on the face of the tool and pressurize the radiator cap to its maximum recommended pressure. This gives the user the knowledge if a used radiator cap will hold its recommend pressure and provide a water tight seal during operation on a vehicle when the engine cooling system is under operating pressure. |
| US08015851B2 |
Dowel forming method for buckle base member
When forming a dowel section by performing press working on each of portions constituting side walls of a buckle base member, a die having a negative clearance with a punch portion (2) is used whose length or diameter is larger than a length or diameter of a die portion (3). The dowel section is required as a guide for a tongue inserted into a buckle and as a load receiver when a latch member is elongated at a time of collision etc. When a ratio C/t of a clearance C between the punch portion and the die portion with respect to a plate thickness t of the buckle base member is set within a range of −(30 to 5) %, no crack is generated in the root of the dowel section, and the dowel section of a shear cross-section length ≧0.25×t, a shear cross-section starting height ≧0.7×t, and a height of (0.70 to 0.95)×t is easily obtained, and the perpenducularity of the dowel section side surface is enhanced. |
| US08015844B2 |
Installation and method for the production of glass stoppers used for sealing bottles
The invention relates to an installation and a method for producing glass stoppers which are provided with a head portion and are used for sealing wine bottles and sparkling wine bottles. The installation comprises a mold for producing glass stoppers, a feeder system for supplying the mold with molten glass, a multistation press, and a removing and handling system for the finished glass stoppers. The mold is formed by a base that comprises a recess corresponding to a first partial length of the stopper, a central part consisting of two partial molding elements which can be displaced relative to each other as well as perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the mold, can be coupled in a self-centering manner, and define a hollow space that corresponds to a second partial length of the stopper and to at least one main area of the head portion when the partial molding elements are coupled and rest against the base, and a top part which seals the hollow space of the head portion and is provided with a central male die that can be displaced in an axial direction relative to the top part so as to embody a recess in the head portion of the stopper, the recess compensating tolerances. |
| US08015839B2 |
Cool air supply structure of storage receptacle for refrigerator
The present invention relates to a cool air supply structure of a storage receptacle for a refrigerator. The present invention comprises one or more box casings detachably installed in a refrigerating chamber, each box casing having a mounting space and a channel through which cool air flows, the cool air being supplied from a cool air supply source through a cool air supply port formed in a side surface of the refrigerating chamber; and one or more storage receptacles, each storage receptacle being withdrawably installed in the mounting space, wherein food accommodated in an accommodation space provided in the storage receptacle is indirectly cooled by the cool air that flows through the channel. According to the present invention, there is an advantageous effect in that the food accommodated in a plurality of storage receptacles can be stored to be fresher by indirectly cooling the food and simultaneously the supply of cool air can be controlled depending on the use or not of the storage receptacles. |
| US08015838B2 |
On-board inert gas generation turbocompressor systems and methods
The present invention provides a system and method for cooling the bleed air supply in an on-board inert gas generation system. The gas generation system cools the bleed air using a turbocompressor in conjunction with heat exchangers. Exhaust from a regenerative heat exchanger providing air to the turbocompressor is ported to a ram air outlet using a flow-restriction/ejector unit. |
| US08015837B2 |
Ice bank of refrigerator
Disclosed is an ice bank of a refrigerator comprising: a casing for storing ice pieces introduced through one side of an upper surface thereof, and a guide unit formed at one side of the casing so as to guide the introduced ice pieces to be stored in the casing with being uniformly distributed therein. According to the ice bank of the refrigerator the present invention, the ice pieces can be uniformly heaped in the ice bank. Accordingly, it is capable of preventing the ice pieces from overflowing resulting from that the ice pieces are heaped up around a spot where the ice pieces fall down in the ice bank and of facilitatingly containing the ice pieces in the ice bank. |
| US08015832B2 |
Refrigerant flow divider of heat exchanger for refrigerating apparatus
A refrigerant flow dividing apparatus of a heat exchanger for refrigerating apparatus is provided with a minimal number of refrigerant flow regulating valves and suppresses increase in the size and costs of the apparatus. Refrigerant is supplied to paths of the heat exchanger for refrigerating apparatus including a heat exchanger for reheat dehumidification via a refrigerant flow divider provided with paths. Each path of the refrigerant flow divider is provided with a refrigerant flow regulating valve, and a predetermined one of the refrigerant flow regulating valves of the paths also functions as a reheat dehumidification valve. |
| US08015831B2 |
Cryocooler split flexure suspension system and method
A cryocooler in which two independently moving flexure systems are split across a single magnetic structure, decreasing package size and increasing resistance to cantilevered mass sag due to external forces. A series of concentrically oriented flexure coupling shafts are provided that allow two independently moving flexure assemblies to be split across a single motor. A series of connectors are included on the forward side of the motor that pass through the outer shaft and allow the inner connecting shaft to be mounted to its flexures without interference. A series of close-out connections are included on the aft flexure stacks that makes assembly possible, providing firm mechanical connections without interference. |
| US08015824B2 |
Method and system for regulating a cooling fluid within a turbomachine in real time
A method and system for regulating a cooling fluid within a turbomachine in real time. The system may an external flow conditioning system for adjusting at least one property of the cooling fluid, wherein the external flow conditioning system comprises an inlet portion and an outlet portion. The system may also include at least one heat exchanger; at least one control valve; at least one bypass orifice; at least one stop valve; and a control system. |
| US08015823B2 |
Endothermic cracking aircraft fuel system
An aircraft system includes a heat source and a passage near the heat source for carrying fluid having a cooling capacity to cool the heat source. The passage includes a catalyst that endothermically cracks the fluid to increase the cooling capacity. |
| US08015817B2 |
Cooling structure for gas turbine transition duct
A transition duct for conveying hot combustion gas from a combustor to a turbine in a gas turbine engine. The transition duct includes a panel including a middle subpanel, an inner subpanel spaced from an inner side of the middle subpanel to form an inner plenum, and an outer subpanel spaced from an outer side of the middle subpanel to form an outer plenum. The outer subpanel includes a plurality of outer diffusion holes to meter cooling air into the outer plenum. The middle subpanel includes a plurality of effusion holes to allow cooling air to flow from the outer plenum to the inner plenum. The inner subpanel includes a plurality of film holes for passing a flow of cooling air from the inner plenum through the film holes into an axial gas flow path adjacent to the inner side of the inner subpanel. |
| US08015815B2 |
Fuel injector nozzles, with labyrinth grooves, for gas turbine engines
A fuel injector for a gas turbine engine of an aircraft, and more particularly a novel and unique heatshield structure for a fuel nozzle wherein a labyrinth seal is uniquely provided in the nozzle to isolate a portion of an insulating gap from an interface whereat fuel may enter the insulating gap, and the insulating gap is provided with a positive purge flow for forcing vapors out of the insulating gap. |
| US08015811B2 |
Method and apparatus for varying flow source to aid in windage heating issue at FSNL
A method and apparatus are disclosed for alleviating the problem of windage heating when flow, in a turbine running at full speed, no load, decreases greatly at the exhaust of the high pressure sections of the turbine. Valves connecting the different pressure levels of a heat recovery steam generator to the input of the turbine are adjusted to mix steam coming from the different pressure levels to create desired steam conditions at the inlet and the exhaust output of the turbine that allow the use of existing steam path hardware and thereby reduce the cost of such piping. In an alternative embodiment for a single pressure HRSG, high pressure saturated steam is extracted from the HSRG evaporator and then flashed into superheated steam when passing thru a control valve, that is then used to create the desired steam conditions at the inlet and the exhaust output of the turbine. |
| US08015809B2 |
Recirculation of exhaust gas condensate
Systems for operating on an internal combustion engine coupled to an exhaust conduit and an intake conduit include an exhaust gas recirculation conduit in fluid communication with the exhaust conduit, a heat exchanger coupled to the exhaust gas recirculation conduit to cool at least a portion of the amount of exhaust, a liquid accumulator adapted to accumulate liquid from at least a portion of the amount of exhaust, and a condensate conduit coupled to the liquid accumulator. Methods of operating an engine include: receiving an exhaust gas recirculation stream from a main exhaust stream, cooling the exhaust gas recirculation stream, removing at least some condensate from the exhaust gas recirculation stream after cooling, and adding at least some of the condensate removed from the exhaust gas recirculation stream to the main exhaust stream and/or to an inlet charge of the engine. |
| US08015807B1 |
Sphere circulating apparatus
A sphere circulating apparatus capable of extracting a falling motion energy of a plurality of spheres circulating with repeatedly falling and rising within the apparatus, in which each sphere falls in a falling chamber, dives into liquid at a second liquid surface formed at a lower end of the falling chamber and rises in a rising chamber by the buoyancy force while pushing upward-opening check valves open one after another; each sphere then rises up to a first liquid surface formed at an upper end aperture of the rising chamber and pushes another sphere at the upper end aperture out from the first liquid surface; each sphere pushed out further shifts to an upper end aperture of the falling chamber and falls in the falling chamber toward the second liquid surface. |
| US08015805B2 |
Method for regenerating an exhaust aftertreatment system
A method for regenerating an exhaust aftertreatment system, in particular a particulate filter of an internal combustion engine, situated in a vehicle, having regeneration cycles controlled by a control device. An optimized regeneration of the exhaust aftertreatment system is achieved by supplying information relating to the travel route to the control device and controlling the regeneration cycles, taking the information into consideration. |
| US08015804B2 |
Secondary air supply apparatus and control method for the same
An ECU executes (300) a program including a step (S202) of opening an electromagnetic ASV (232) while a vacuum pressure ASV (1) and a vacuum pressure ASV (2) are controlled so as to be closed, and an air pump (200) is controlled so as to be stopped in a case where an air amount GA that is an amount of air introduced into an engine (100) is equal to or larger than a predetermined air amount GA (0), and a coolant temperature TW at the starting time of the engine is equal to or higher than a predetermined coolant temperature TW (0) (“YES” in step S200); a step (S204) of detecting a pressure; a step (S206) of closing the electromagnetic ASV; and a step (S402) of determining that failure has occurred in at least one of the vacuum pressure ASV (1) and the vacuum pressure ASV (2), that is, one of the vacuum pressure ASV (1) and the vacuum pressure ASV (2) remains in an opened state and cannot be closed when there is a pulsation of the pressure that is detected while the electromagnetic ASV is opened (“YES” in step S400). |
| US08015802B2 |
Exhaust gas purification device for internal combustion engine
An inlet chamber 40 and outlet chamber 50 for exhaust gas are integrated as an inflow/outflow section 80, and a first post treatment device 10 equipped with a DPF 13 at its central portion and second post-treatment device 20 equipped with a urea DeNOx catalyst 23 on its outer periphery side are integrated as a catalyst installation section 70. The catalyst installation section 70, the inflow/outflow section 80, and a communication chamber forming section 30 are provided separately and detachably from one another, and the catalyst installation section 70 is made installable in a reversible manner. As a result, by reversing the catalyst installation section 70, it is possible to easily reverse the DPF 13 without having to extract it from the central part. Further, since the urea DeNOx catalyst 23 is reversed simultaneously, it is possible to change the direction in which the exhaust gas flows therein, thereby enabling to prevent unbalanced deterioration of the urea DeNOx catalyst 23. |
| US08015800B2 |
Internal combustion engine
An engine exhaust passage has an SOx trapping catalyst (11), a particulate filter (13) holding an NOx storing/reducing catalyst, and an NOx storing/reducing catalyst (15) forming a post-treatment system and a fuel feed valve (17) for feeding fuel for post processing in the post-treatment system arranged inside it. When any catalyst has a degree of degradation exceeding a predetermined degree of degradation, the method of feeding the post-treatment fuel is reset so that the post-treatment fuel required for purification of the exhaust gas can be fed into the catalyst with the lowest degree of degradation to make the catalyst with the lowest degree of degradation handle the purification action of the exhaust gas. |
| US08015799B2 |
Multicylinder internal combustion engine
There is provided a multicylinder internal combustion engine. Branches of an exhaust manifold are connected to a common exhaust gas sensor via respective exhaust communication passages. The exhaust gas sensor detects the exhaust air-fuel ratio of each cylinder. The distance from exhaust ports of the engine to the exhaust gas sensor is set to be shorter than the distance from the exhaust ports to a catalyst disposed in an exhaust pipe. |
| US08015798B2 |
Geared counter-rotating gas turbofan engine
A gas turbine engine includes a gear system driven by a first and second counter rotating low pressure shaft and a fan driven by the gear system. |
| US08015796B2 |
Gas turbine engine with dual fans driven about a central core axis
A gas turbine engine includes a compressor section, a combustor section and a turbine section, all arranged about a central axis. A turbine rotor drives a driveshaft for rotation on the central axis. The driveshaft in turn drives at least two fan rotors on axes parallel to, but spaced from, the central axis. The fan rotors each deliver a portion of the air they move into a central inlet for delivering the air to the compressor section. In addition, the majority of the air moved by the plurality of fan rotors passes between a cowl and an outer periphery of a housing for the central core of the engine. This bypass air provides propulsion as is known in the turbojet art. |
| US08015792B2 |
Timing control system for pulse detonation engines
An engine timing input system is described for pulse detonation engines that allows for accurate engine timing when rotary or cylindrical valves are used to distribute an air/fuel mixture for combustion. The invention uses a profile disk having a predetermined circumferential edge corresponding to valve position to provide for accurate engine timing. A frequency wheel is used in conjunction with the profile disk to provide a more accurate representation of valve position by partitioning the valve position into multiple pulses during each rotation of the rotary or cylindrical valve. The profile disk and frequency wheel when used with programmable timing circuitry signal fuel valve timing and ignition relative to the rotating valve. |
| US08015791B2 |
Fuel control system for gas turbine and feed forward control method
A fuel controller for a combustion system in a gas turbine having a combustion system, a fuel supply, a pressure control valve proximate the combustion system and a first pressure sensor proximate the pressure control valve, the fuel controller including: a proportional-integrated (PI) logic unit generating a control command for the pressure control valve and receiving input signals representing a desired fuel pressure at the pressure control valve and an input signal from the first pressure sensor representing an actual fuel pressure at the pressure control valve, and a plurality of control gains stored in electronic memory of the controller, wherein each control gain is applicable to a predefined operating condition of the gas turbine, and wherein the controller determines which set of control gains is to be applied by the PI logic unit based on an actual operating condition of the gas turbine. |
| US08015787B2 |
Clustered inlet particle separator
A particle separator for a gas turbine engine is disclosed. The particle separator includes flow dividers operable to divide flow in a gas turbine engine particle separator and flow scavengers operable to scavenge flow in a gas turbine engine particle separator. |
| US08015786B2 |
Guide member for a lawnmower
A lawnmower including a cut grass storage container for storing cut grass. The lawnmower also includes a cutting blade, a downwardly-opening housing, and a cut grass conveyor passage. The cut grass storage container is provided to the cut grass conveyor passage. Grass that has been cut is delivered to the cut grass conveyor passage while revolving about a shaft inside the housing. A guide member is provided inside the housing. The guide member guides the revolving grass to the cut grass conveyor passage while guiding the grass to the outer periphery of the housing. |
| US08015783B2 |
Form-fill-seal machine
A form-fill-seal machine for manufacturing pouches of a plurality of types having different shapes includes a tubular part, a conveying part and a sealing part. The tubular part is replaceable according to a shape of the pouch to be manufactured. The conveying part is configured and arranged to convey tubular packaging material along the tubular part with an internal surface of the packaging material facing an external surface of the tubular part. A position of the conveying part with respect to the tubular part is selectively movable according to the shape of the pouch to be manufactured. The sealing part is configured and arranged to seal a prescribed position on the packaging material conveyed by the conveying part. |
| US08015780B2 |
Portable food dispenser
A portable food dispenser includes one or more containers. A first container is capable of being only partially opened to provide access to food or a second container. The second container includes a cover that can be opened to provide access to food. |
| US08015778B2 |
Method for filling containers with piece goods
In a method for filling bulk goods into containers designed to accommodate a certain number of bulk items, at least one bulk goods conveyor is used to transport the bulk goods towards at least two pickers which are consecutively arranged in the direction of transport. The pickers are used to fill the bulk goods into empty spaces in containers, transported on at least one container conveyor. When the supply of bulk goods decreases or is discontinued, the at least one picker arranged downstream in the direction of transport of the bulk goods conveyor gives preference to containers with a high filling level. Completely empty containers are preferably no longer filled. Thus the bulk goods conveyor can be emptied within a short period and almost all bulk goods are packed without necessitating manual filling of the containers. |
| US08015765B2 |
Canopy-like decorative structure
A decorative structure is provided that is suspended within a space and includes a flexible panel maintained in a flexed configuration. The decorative structure includes a cable that supports the flexible panel and that is connected to a biasing member. The biasing member cooperates with a portion of the flexible panel to maintain the panel in a flexed configuration. A method of configuring a decorative structure with a flexed panel is also provided. |
| US08015764B2 |
Window having means for treating water generated by dew condensation
The present invention discloses a window which treats effectively dew-water generated on a window glass to prevent dust, stain and bad smell from being generated and capable of storing dew water in a means for treating dew-water for a certain time to maintain properly an indoor humidity and enhance the air-tightness, water-tightness and adiabatic property.The window according to the present invention comprises a window frame including a vertical frame for supporting a vertical side of a window glass and a horizontal frame for supporting a horizontal side of the window glass; and a dew-water treating means including a dew-water flow passage provided on the horizontal frame and a drainage trap provided on the window frame for discharging dew water introduced from the dew-water flow passage and stored therein to an outside. |
| US08015761B2 |
Re-orientable storage assembly supported on base
A storage assembly structured to be supported on a base is presented, wherein the base includes a plurality of spaced apart beams. At least one embodiment of the storage assembly includes a platform and at least one mounting device attached or otherwise connected to the platform. The mounting device(s) comprises an attachment mechanism which is structured to be removably engaged with the base and/or one or more beams thereof. Further, in at least one embodiment, the mounting device(s) is disposed and structured to removably support the platform in a predetermined spaced relation to said base. |
| US08015756B2 |
Exterior siding mounting brackets with a water diversion device
An exterior siding mounting bracket used in conjunction with siding placed over sheathing of an exterior wall has a base member having a base flange fastened to the sheathing. A wall arrangement projects laterally outward from the base flange and away from the sheathing. A trim member of the bracket has a partition arrangement that preferably snap fits to the wall arrangement and a trim flange constructed and arranged to cover cut edges of the siding that cover in-part the base flange. Integrated at least into the trim member is a water diversion device that diverts water away from the base flange and sheathing. Preferably, the water diversion device has an elongated trough supported by the trim member and projecting laterally inward from the trim flange and toward the base flange and above the wall and partition arrangements. The trough preferably has a face that defines a channel opened upwardly for receipt of the falling water and a hole communicating through the face for drainage of the water out of the water out of the trough. |
| US08015755B2 |
Integrated housing mounting system
The present invention is an integrated housing mounting system for mounting ornamentation to buildings. Mount components are attached to a building in place of J-channel, J molding, drip edge, gutter apron or siding. Rail components are assembled to the desired length using connector components and lights or signage are attached to a rail component using hooks. A guide member is placed at each end of the assembled rail and the rail is guided through an opening in the mount component securing the lights or signage to the building. The rail components are then guided through an opening in the mount component. |
| US08015753B2 |
Gutter cover with barrier over water channel
The gutter cover to be utilized with a gutter that is attached to a building below a roof comprises a first section, a second section, a third section, a fourth section, a water channel, and a barrier. The first section may be installed over or under roofing material. The second section may be coupled to the first section and generally overlies the open portion of the gutter. The third section may be coupled to the second and may include a hem along the length of the gutter cover. The fourth section may be coupled to the third section and may include cutouts for water to drain into the gutter. A lip may also be coupled to the fourth section and may engage the upper front portion of the gutter. The water channel may be formed between the third section and the lip. The barrier may couple with the hem to cover the water channel and allow water to flow into the channel while blocking debris from entering the water channel. |
| US08015751B2 |
Compressed packaged articles and methods of making, transporting, shipping and using same
The present invention relates, in general, to articles that are packaged in a compressed state relative to an uncompressed fully articulated state and methods of making and using same. In a specific embodiment, but not to be considered as limiting, the articles so packaged in a compressed state are plant covers that are either substantially rigid and/or substantially flexible. |
| US08015746B2 |
Device for connecting two fishing lines
The invention involves a fishing device used for operatively connecting a first fishing line and a second fishing line from a first fishing rod and a second fishing rod, respectively, to a hook. The fishing device includes a spreader bar having a first connector at a first end, a second connector at a second end, and a third connector interposed between the first end and the second end. The first connector is shaped to connect with the first fishing line. The second connector is shaped to connect with the second fishing line. The third connector is shaped to operatively connect with the hook. The spreader bar is shaped to remain streamline when pulled through a body of water. The spreader bar thereby acts to inhibit the first fishing line from entangling with the second fishing line. |
| US08015745B2 |
Trapped air strike indicator and fly
A fishing device for indicating a lure strike from fishes is disclosed. The device may be a strike indicator that may include a hollow body filled with trapped air, where the strike indicator includes a tab having an opening formed therein and a grommet made from a hard, durable material seated in the opening. Alternatively, the device may be a fishing lure that may be attachable to a fishing hook and having a hollow body filled with trapped air and an attachment mechanism for attaching the lure to the fishing leader and/or fishing line. For example, the fishing lure may be a fishing fly having a hollow body filled with trapped air. In either embodiment, the device may be made from a lightweight, resilient material, for example ethylene vinyl acetate or other similar thermoplastic material. Further, in either embodiment, the hollow body may be substantially sealed with a substantially water tight seal without any inlet or outlet to the hollow body, such that substantially no liquid can displace the trapped air. |
| US08015734B1 |
Machine bucket assembly
A machine bucket may include an upper pin hole and a lower pin hole. The machine bucket may also include a bottom section. A distance between the lower pin hole and a tip of the bottom section may have a first length. The machine bucket may also include a top section. A distance between the lower pin hole and a tip of the top section may have a second length. A ratio of the first length to the second length may be equal to a value between approximately 0.95 and 1.05. The machine bucket may further include a middle section located between the bottom section and the top section. At least a portion of the middle section may be curved. |
| US08015731B2 |
Interchangeable fashion covering for a high heel shoe
An interchangeable glove-like covering for the toe end of a woman's high heel shoe that is used to change the visual appearance of the shoe. The covering has an upper portion and a lower portion that are mated to each other so as to form a closed end and an open end in the shape of the front end of the shoe. The upper portion is used to cover the top part of the toe end of the shoe and the lower portion is used to cover the sole of the shoe at the toe end. The lower portion has a slit extending from the open end and ending before the closed end to facilitate pulling the covering over the toe end of the shoe. |
| US08015728B2 |
Shoe insert for heating and cooling foot
A shoe insert to be used for heating or cooling the foot. They are to be manufactured and sold as pairs of left and right shoe inserts. The insert has a number of components forming a sandwich within a sandwich. The outer sandwich has the shape of a shoe, and is partly adjustable in size to fit a range of shoe sizes. So, the inserts may be sold in sizes, for example, small, medium, and large, and these sizes may then be fine tuned to fit a sub-range of shoe sizes. The inner sandwich is smaller than the outer sandwich. The inner sandwich is a pouch positioned at the instep which ruptures when pressure is applied. This pouch contains a liquid that can then flow into a cushioned region. The cushioned region contains a chemical, which when combined with the liquid from the pouch, emits heat (exothermic reaction) or absorbs heat (endothermic reaction). An exothermic reaction would heat the foot while an endothermic reaction would cool the foot. The bottom component of the cushioned layer has round dimples into which a dry chemical can be placed. Alternatively the cushioned layer can have a liquid different from that in the pouch. Heating can be accomplished, for example, by precipitating a supersaturated solution of sodium acetate in water. Cooling can be accomplished, for example, by combining ammonium nitrate with water. |
| US08015727B2 |
Dryer rack
A dryer rack for use with an apparatus for drying an object inside a drum is disclosed, wherein the dryer rack includes a platform for having an upper surface for supporting the object. The platform may include at least one grip for loading and unloading the dryer rack into an interior space of the drum. The at least one grip is flush with the upper surface of the platform. The at least one grip is formed in a forward portion of the platform, to be near an access point of the drum. |
| US08015724B2 |
Heating blower with electrostatic atomizing device
This heating blower has a housing 1, a fan 2, a heater 3, and an electrostatic atomizing device 5. The electrostatic atomizing device 5 is provided in the housing 1 and discharges nanometer-size ion mist to the outside. The electrostatic atomizing device 5 comprises a discharging electrode 50, an opposed electrode 52 disposed opposite the discharging electrode 50, a cooling part 53 which cools the discharging electrode 50 to generate moisture from ambient air near the discharging electrode, and a high voltage applying part 55 which applies a high voltage between said discharging electrode and the opposed electrode to atomize water generated near the discharging electrode. Therefore, this heating blower can discharge nanometer-size ion mist to the outside without replenishment of water. |
| US08015721B2 |
Coordinate measurement machine with improved joint
In one embodiment, a coordinate measurement apparatus includes an articulated arm having a first end and a second end with at least a first arm segment and a second arm segment therebetween. Further, the apparatus can comprise at least one ball and socket joint connecting the first arm segment to the second arm segment, with the ball and socket joint including a ball member and a socket member, and a measurement probe attached to the first end of said articulated arm. |
| US08015720B1 |
Mitre tool guide
A tool and method for making precision cuts with conventional saws and other woodworking machines. The shape of an inside or outside corner of a construction, such as a wall construction, is obtained with the tool, and the tool is used to as a guide to set the blade of the cutting apparatus to the proper cutting position. The tool may be used to indicate the miter cuts for both inside and outside wall corners without having to measure the angle with a measuring tool and determine the precise degrees of the angles to be cut. |
| US08015717B2 |
Variable shaft sizing for measurement targets
A measurement targeting apparatus comprises a target body, a vessel with a channel, a fluid located within the channel in the vessel, and a pressurization system. The target body is selected from one of a photogrammetry target, a theodolite target, a construction ball, a touch probe target, a coordinating measurement machine probe target, a laser tracker target, and a laser projector target. The vessel has a centerline, has a substantially cylindrical portion capable of being received in a hole in a part, and is comprised of a material selected from steel, aluminum, and plastic. The vessel is capable of expanding when the fluid within the channel in the vessel is pressurized. The pressurization system is capable of pressurizing the fluid within the channel to cause the vessel to expand around the centerline. |
| US08015711B2 |
Razor having two slideable shaving heads
A razor that includes an elongated hollow handle having a front end and a back end. The razor also includes a first razor head and a second razor head, which are both mounted on a support the support being mounted in the handle and slideable along the length of the handle between a first use position and a second use position. The first use position allows the first razor head to project outward from the front end of the handle to allow shaving, while the second razor head is retracted within the handle; the second use position allows the second razor head to project outward from the back end of the handle to allow shaving, while the first razor head is retracted within the handle. The use positions are preferably attained by a manually operable actuator for moving the razor head from one position to the other. |
| US08015708B2 |
Method and apparatus for manufacturing tonewheel for vehicles
A method and apparatus for manufacturing a tonewheel for vehicles. The method includes machining a material into a tonewheel shape, manufacturing a semi-finished tonewheel product having a sensing part in which a plurality of sensing holes is formed at regular intervals in a circumferential direction of the sensing part, by machining the tonewheel shape manufactured at the forming step, and manufacturing a finished tonewheel product having a sensing part of which deformation is recovered, by processing the sensing part of the semi-finished tonewheel product, which is deformed to be curved at the sensing-hole machining step, through a restrike mold. The apparatus is capable of performing the method. |
| US08015707B2 |
Method of fabricating a combustion chamber
A welded assembly of combustion chamber elements is disclosed. Two subassemblies of the combustion chamber are fabricated by butt-welding, and a first subassembly has an intermediate connection ring welded thereto suitable for performing final welding with the second subassembly. |
| US08015705B2 |
Spar and shell blade with segmented shell
A turbine rotor blade with a spar and shell construction, where the shell has an airfoil shape and is formed of two shell segments with an upper shell half and a lower shell half. The upper shell half is radially supported by a tip of the spar while the lower shell half is radially loaded by an attachment so that its load is not carried by the upper shell half and the tip of the spar in order to reduce overall stress levels. |
| US08015704B2 |
Method and device for removing chip of connecting rod
A method and a device for removing the chips of a connecting rod. The large end part of the connecting rod is placed on the step part of a pedestal, and the small end part thereof is placed on a pedestal formed of a vibration damping material. An air vibrator is energized to continuously supply compressed air to vibrate the large end part together with the pedestal until the vibrated large end part is brought into contact with a contact plate member. When chips fall from the rod body and the cap part of the connecting rod, the chips are collected to a transparent collection bag through a suction hose by a dust collector. The operations above are performed in a sound isolation box closed by a cover member. Then, the chips are separated from the broken-out sections of the rod body and the cap part by using, for example, a brush. |
| US08015703B2 |
Method of manufacturing a wired circuit board
A method of manufacturing a wired circuit board including a metal supporting board. An insulating layer is formed on the metal supporting board in a pattern in which concave portions are formed. A conductive pattern in a pattern having terminals for connecting with external terminals via a molten metal is formed on the metal supporting board and the insulating layer. The terminals include shoulder portions corresponding to the concave portions and are concaved downward from an upper surface. First through holes penetrate the terminals in a thickness direction thereof Second through holes are formed communicating with the first through holes in portions of the insulating layer corresponding to the terminals by removing the concave portions to expose a lower surface of the terminals such that the second through holes penetrate the insulating layer in a thickness direction thereof and have a diameter larger than that of the first through holes. |
| US08015696B2 |
Device for mounting light emitting element
A method and apparatus for mounting a light emitting element, enabling positioning on an object with precision with reference to the optic axis of a light emitting element, and mounting the element. A suction head is inserted between a first camera and a second camera having relatively fixed optic axes, a head reference mark of the suction head is captured with the first camera, the end face of a light emitting element suctioned by the suction head is captured with the second camera, the light axis emitted by the light emitting element is captured with a third camera, a stage is inserted between the first camera and the second camera, a board held on the stage is captured with the first camera, a stage reference mark of the stage is captured with the second camera, the relative position between the light emitting element and the suction head and the relative position between the board and the stage are calculated using the image information from both cameras, the suction head and the stage are moved to a mounting position, the head reference mark and the stage reference mark are recognized with the first and second cameras, and the suction head and the stage are subjected to position correction based on the relative position information. |
| US08015692B1 |
Method for providing a perpendicular magnetic recording (PMR) head
A method for providing a perpendicular magnetic recording head includes providing a metal underlayer and forming a trench in the metal underlayer. The trench has a bottom and a top wider than the bottom. The method also includes providing a PMR pole. At least a portion of the PMR pole resides in the trench. The method also includes providing a write gap on the PMR pole and providing a top shield on at least the write gap. |
| US08015691B2 |
Apparatus for manufacturing laminated core block
A laminated core block includes a plurality of core members made of magnetic sheets stacked one on top of another, the plurality of core members including first and second core members which adjoin in a laminating direction, and a thermoplastic resin strand placed between the first and second core members. The thermoplastic resin strand is arranged to pass along one side surface of the first core member, between the first and second core members and along a side surface of the second core member on a side opposite to the aforementioned side surface of the first core member in this order. The first and second core members are bonded to each other by melting and curing the thermoplastic resin strand. |
| US08015690B2 |
Shield method for electronic component enclosure and shield material
The objective of the present invention is to provide a shield method and shield material enabling to hold a flexibility degree with an enclosure shape and to make electronic component enclosures small and thin types. The shield method for electronic component enclosures in the present invention comprises a process in which a conductive layer is formed at a basic sheet and a shield sheet forming a non-hardening adhesive layer at the counter face to the basic layer is punched out to fit in individual electronic component enclosures for forming the shield materials, a process in which the shield material is attached to said electronic component enclosure, and a process in which a conductive adhesive is formed between a ground electrode set at said electronic component enclosure and the conductive layer to connect electrically. |
| US08015685B2 |
Method for producing a puncturing and measuring device
The invention relates to a method for producing combined puncturing and measuring devices for detection of an analyte in liquid. The combined puncturing and measuring devices generally comprise a support and a detection element. Recesses which define puncturing points are formed on one face of the band-shaped support material. A detection element is applied to the band-shaped support material. Individual puncturing/measuring disposable bodies are separated either singly or in groups from the band-shaped support material at a separating line. |
| US08015683B2 |
Pulley removal system, method, kits and components thereof
A pulley removal system used to remove a pulley attached to an internal combustion engine includes a plurality of puller jaw members adapted to be detachably and radially connected to a hub member. Each jaw member comprises an elongated body having a top surface, an underside surface, and first and second opposed ends. The first end is adapted to be attached to the hub member, and the second end has hooked tip free to grasp a flange of a pulley. The hooked tip has a terminal edge with predetermined dimensions that enable it to fit within different sized recesses in the flange of the different pulleys and an underside arcuate surface extending from the terminal edge and merging with the underside surface to form a bite that receives the flange when the terminal end fits within the recess in the flange. The thickness of the elongated body gradually decreases between the first and second opposed ends so the underside surface inclines towards the hooked tip and the thickness of the body is greater near the first end than near the second end. |
| US08015682B1 |
Method and device for forcible entry
A breaching device (100) includes an elongated main body (4) that forms an outer surface (2) and has a front end (24). The elongated main body (4) divides along a length and forms substantially equal upper (20) and lower (22) portions. A first curved handle (6) is attached to the outer surface (2) and extends a first height (21) over a portion of the upper portion (20). A partition (10) is attached to the outer surface (2) between the first curved handle (6) and the front end (24), and extends a second height (15) over the upper portion (20) and generally transverse to the length of the elongated main body (4). The second height (15) is greater than the first height (21). |
| US08015681B2 |
Pressing device
Pressing device for relative axial displacement of two parts arranged coaxially with one another and displaceable towards one another only by means of high pressure, such as, for example, collet chucks or clamping sleeves, into corresponding bores of tool or collet chuck holders. The device has an outer housing which coaxially encompasses the parts to be pressed and is hinged along an axial plane. Insert halves which in each case comprise two fixed plates having engaging edges for engaging one of the parts to be pressed and an axially moveable press plate having an engaging edge for engaging the second part to be pressed can be inserted into the housing. |
| US08015675B2 |
Clamp for supporting bar of components of conveyors of articles
A clamp adapted to clamp a bar, particularly supporting components such as guides of conveyors of articles. The clamp includes: a clamp body, adapted to accommodate the support bar for supporting the components, with the possibility of adjusting the relative position of the bar with respect to the clamp by longitudinally sliding the bar; positioning means arranged to have a first working position in which the positioning means are elastically urged in abutment against the bar to engage at least positioning notch, provided on the bar, upon reaching a predetermined position, so as to essentially prevent a further longitudinal sliding of the bar once said predetermined position is reached. The clamp further includes tightening means, distinct from said positioning means and adapted in use to hold the bar in position against displacements with respect to the clamp body. |
| US08015672B2 |
Tightening band
An upright portion of an inner band section is inserted into an elongated hole in an outer band section, and a tab stopper of the outer band section is inserted in a cutout hole on the base end side of the upright portion. As a result, a band member is temporarily held in a ring shape. When an inner and an outer pulling claw are pulled together, a fixing hole in the outer band section engages a fixing claw of the inner band section and the tab stopper engages a stopper receiving hole. This results in the band member being fixed with its diameter reduced. |
| US08015671B2 |
Strap with enhanced stiffness
A plastic strap particularly useful for automated strapping machines is formed with an integrated, longitudinally disposed rib for enhancing the stiffness of the strap. The strap is formed with at least one rib extending longitudinally from a first end of the strap to a second end of the strap. The rib preferably extends upwardly from the top surface of the strap and comprises, preferably, a slight arcuate profile. The profile of the rib, the number of ribs, and the location of the ribs on the strap may vary depending upon the desired longitudinal stiffness of the strap and the desired width and thickness of the strap. The ribs may be centered across the width the strap or offset. The strap further comprises side panels that are parallel to the longitudinal plane of the strap and outer edges that are generally perpendicular to the longitudinal plane of the strap. The geometry of the strap prevents the strap from twisting and permits overlapping sections of the strap to interlock and self-align during sealing. The rib is formed by passing the heated strap through a rolling mechanism configured to form the desired rib profile in the strap while exerting compressive forces on the side panels of the strap. |
| US08015665B2 |
Spring hinge
A spring hinge comprises a frame leaf, door leaf, upper and lower tube sections to fixedly connect with frame leaf, and middle tube section to fixedly connect with door leaf, wherein middle tube section is internally made with a hydraulic damping speed reducing device; lower tube section is internally installed with a torsion spring device, wherein torsion spring being completely sleeved on the exterior of spindle rod is affixed to the spring seat at the lower end thereof, and an upper and lower clutching device is installed between middle tube section and torsion spring device thereby allowing middle tube section and torsion spring device to be separated or combinedly moved, wherein torsion spring and hydraulic damping speed reducing device are packagely used to close door slowly while releasing spring energy after closing to set angle to precisely close the door. |
| US08015663B2 |
Fungible furniture glide
A three component swiveling and rolling glide device, of which two components comprise the mounting assembly and one is an exchangeable base. The mounting assembly is designed to accept multiple fasteners such as screws, bolts, pins or nails. The glide base is removable by finger pressure only without the need for tools enabling the easy interchangeability of the glide base and the fastener as desired. This glide also has a tandem swiveling and rolling capability and will adapt to a singular rolling function in deep carpets or whenever the glide is at maximum tilt. The hard base has a unique base design to encourage the swiveling and rolling action of the glide. The soft base can accept different materials for the specific need, such as, felt to protect hardwood or tile flooring or rubber for a non-skid function. This glide is designed to combine all the above functions, allowing it to adapt to multiple furniture and flooring styles. |
| US08015655B1 |
Windshield wiper apparatus
The windshield wiper apparatus provides superior windshield cleaning and wiping. The spaced apart dual blades provide superior windshield wiping. The pliable scrubber disposed between the blades scrubs debris, bugs, and other undesirable elements from the windshield, and the blades carry it away. The apparatus dispenses liquid to the windshield wiper scrubber. The windshield wiper apparatus uses existing automobile windshield liquid delivery systems to supply the wiper apparatus. The apparatus replaces existing wipers without wiper arm modification due to the mounting flange design. |
| US08015654B2 |
Hand and fingernail cleaning apparatus
An apparatus for washing hands and/or fingernails includes a brush assembly attached to a water faucet. The brush assembly includes a backplane with two opposed brushes attached to the backplane such that the bristles on each brush face outward from the backplane. A clamping mechanism removable attaches the brush assembly to the faucet. The clamping mechanism is pivotable on the faucet so the user can move the brush assembly into the water stream to use the brushes and out of the water stream for rinsing. |
| US08015651B2 |
Continuous adhesive roller
A device (20) for cleaning surfaces is provided utilizing a web (94) of a tackified sheet material movably secured between rollers (56, 58) on the device (20) that enable the web (94) to be moved over the surface in opposite directions. The device (20) includes a supply roller (56) and a take-up roller (58) secured to opposed ends of the web (94) of adhesive sheet material, with at least one roller (56, 58) including a biasing mechanism (82) disposed within the roller (56, 58). The web (94) can be engaged with the surface by passing over a number of idler rollers (98) positioned between the supply roller (56) and take-up roller (58). The biasing mechanism (82) is designed to bias the movement of the web (94) onto the take-up roller (58), such that the mechanism (82) can be selectively operated to advance the web (94) from the supply roller (56) to the take-up roller (58) to expose a clean section of the adhesive sheet material (94). A synchronization mechanism (41) is also connected between the rollers (56, 58) to enable the rollers (56, 58) to rotate in a synchronous manner, regardless of the amount of the web (94) that is positioned on the rollers (56, 58) to continually tension the web (94) a proper amount. |
| US08015645B2 |
Washing machine and a method of controlling the same based on measured hardness of water
A method for controlling a washing machine is provided. The method includes setting a washing pattern in a present operation of the washing machine in consideration of a hardness of water calculated in a previous operation of the washing machine, operating the washing machine based on the set washing pattern, and calculating and storing a hardness of the water in the present operation of the washing machine to set a next washing pattern in the next operation of the washing machine, thereby having the optimum washing or rinsing capacity of the washing machine in consideration of different characteristics of water by regional groups. |
| US08015637B2 |
Patchwork baby blanket
The patchwork baby blanket is especially adapted for use by infants and toddlers. The blanket incorporates patches or sections that are detachably connected to create the blanket. The sections are fabricated from soft, pliable, washable material. The sections are decorated with colors and designs that are pleasing to infants and toddlers. Fasteners are provided around the perimeter of each section so that the sections can be easily interlocked. |
| US08015634B1 |
Insulator for water closet of a toilet
An insulated cover for toilet water closets intended to prevent condensation and its associated damaging properties is herein disclosed. The water closet section of the toilet is covered on the bottom and all four (4) side surfaces up to a water line with a preformed foam covering. The foam is envisioned to be of a closed cell design similar to that used on insulating sleeves for glasses and canned beverages. The foam is approximately one-quarter (¼) inch thick and available in a wide variety of colors to match all bathroom decors. The foam covering would be made in halves that meet in a shiplap joint on the sides of the water closet. Finally, the cover would be held in place on the water closet with multiple strips of hook and loop fastener material, thus allowing it to be easily removed for replacement or cleaning. |
| US08015628B2 |
On-tank toilet dispenser
Disclosed is a dispenser for dispensing a composition in response to level changes in a liquid in a tank. The dispenser includes a container for holding the composition, a discharge conduit in fluid communication with the container, an air inlet in fluid communication with the container, and a level sensing member mounted to the dispenser such that a lower end of the level sensing member contacts the liquid in the tank and senses its level. In use, a rise of the liquid in the tank between a lower liquid level and a higher liquid level causes the level sensing member to alter air pressure in a headspace of the container above the composition and thereby cause a controlled discharge of the composition from the discharge conduit; and a fall of the liquid in the tank between the higher liquid level and the lower liquid level causes the level sensing member to alter pressure in the headspace and thereby causing air to be vented into the headspace from the air inlet. |
| US08015627B2 |
Urinary transfer system and associated method of use
There is a urinary transfer system and associated process that includes a urinal capable of receiving urine from a patient, urine holding container, a first conduit connected between the urinal and the urine holding container, a pump, and a second conduit connected between the urine holding container and the pump. Preferably, there is a retainer that is associated with the urinal and a removable lid associated with the urine holding container. The urinary transfer system can be powered by any type of electrical power supply and/or battery. Optimally, there is a receiver electrically connected to the pump to be able to turn the pump on and off and can preferably control the operation of the pump based on input received from a transmitter. An external male catheter can also be utilized in conjunction with the urinary transfer system. |
| US08015622B1 |
Sterile glove with touchless donning
A sterile glove that includes a hand and finger portion, a cuff having an inside surface and an outside surface, and a cuff rim. The cuff is adapted to be folded over at a fold when the glove is packaged, and a portion of the inside surface of the cuff becomes an outer facing surface when it is folded over. The glove further includes a detachable tab that is coupled to the inside surface and includes a free end and a non-free end. The glove further includes a detachable shield covering at least a portion of the outer facing surface when the cuff is folded over at the fold. |
| US08020214B2 |
Transmitter, receiver, and content transmitting and receiving method
According to one embodiment, a transmitter is configured to transmit content to a receiver. Available dubbing count is set in advance for the content such that the content can be dubbed a plurality of times. The transmitter includes a key exchanger, an encryption processor, and a dubbing management module. The key exchanger performs key exchange to share a common key with the receiver. The encryption processor encrypts, in response to a content request received from the receiver, the content with the common key to transmit the content to the receiver. The dubbing management module reduces, upon receipt of a right transfer request related to the use of the content from the receiver, the available dubbing count by dubbing count indicating the number of times of dubbing of the content. The dubbing count is contained in the right transfer request. |
| US08020209B2 |
System and method of monitoring and controlling application files
A system and method for updating a system that controls files executed on a workstation. The workstation includes a workstation management module configured to detect the launch of an application. A workstation application server receives data associated with the application from the workstation. This data can include a hash value. The application server module can determine one or more categories to associate with the application by referencing an application inventory database or requesting the category from an application database factory. The application database factory can receive applications from multiple application server modules. The application database factory determines whether the application was previously categorized by the application database factory and provides the category to the application server module. Once the application server module has the category, it forwards a hash/policy table to the workstation management module. Upon receipt of the hash/policy table, the workstation management module applies the policy that is associated with the launched application to control access to the application on the workstation. |
| US08020199B2 |
Single sign-on system, method, and access device
A system, method, and access device enabling a user to securely access a plurality of password-protected servers with a single entry of the user's User ID and associated password. When the access device receives the User ID and password from the user, it sends only the User ID to each of the password-protected servers. The servers each return a unique index value to the access device. The access device uses each index value to retrieve different password modification information from a database or lookup table. The access device then creates a plurality of modified passwords based at least in part on the password modification information. The access device then transmits each of the modified passwords to the corresponding password-protected server. |
| US08020195B2 |
Systems and methods for user login
Systems and methods for login a user into a computing system are shown and described. The method can include receiving a request for an anonymous user login, creating an identifying tag responsive to the received request, creating a user account incorporating the identifying tag, and providing to the computing system the created user account to log into the computing system. |
| US08020186B1 |
Methods and systems for distributing on-demand programming
Methods and systems are provided for distributing programming. A fixed linear programming schedule identifying an order of transmission for multiple programs is generated. The programs are transmitted in the order of transmission. An on-demand flag is embedded in at least one of the programs to identify it as available on an on-demand basis. An electronic program guide for the linear schedule displays the programs available on-demand with an on-demand identifier. The identified programs are then made available on an on-demand basis. |
| US08020183B2 |
Audiovisual management system
A system for structuring usage history for audiovisual materials. |
| US08020180B2 |
Digital video signature apparatus and methods for use with video program identification systems
Digital video signature apparatus and methods for use with video program identification systems are disclosed. The disclosed apparatus and methods identify a video program using a sequence of signatures. Each of the signatures includes a set of centroids corresponding to one of a plurality of frames of the video program. The apparatus and methods compare the sequence of signatures to a set of reference sequences of signatures and identify the video program based on the comparison of the sequence of signatures to the set of reference sequences of signatures. |
| US08020179B2 |
Methods and apparatus to adaptively select sensor(s) to gather audience measurement data based on a variable system factor and a quantity of data collectible by the sensors
Methods and apparatus to adaptively gather audience information data are disclosed. The disclosed methods and apparatus monitor system factor(s) and select one or more sensors from a plurality of sensors positioned to gather audience measurement data based on the monitored factor(s). Thus, the disclosed methods and apparatus adapt to the conditions they face by selecting an amount and/or type of audience measurement data they gather. |
| US08020173B2 |
Method and system for associating parameters of containers and contained objects
A system and method for establishing associative relationships between properties of a contained object and corresponding parameters of a container application is disclosed herein. In one embodiment the present system contemplates the establishment of both mutual and unilateral associative relationships, with a particular relationship being specified via a user interface created upon instantiation of the contained object. The associative relationships may be advantageously established without modification of the code comprising the contained object. |
| US08020171B2 |
System and method for creating and deploying applications with new container types
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention applications are configured with custom modules. A deployment descriptor of an application includes a definition for a new container type and modules of the new container type. A deployment system reads the deployment descriptor and implements the modules of the new container type. The new containers are then available to assist in the deployment of the application. |
| US08020166B2 |
Dynamically controlling the number of busy waiters in a synchronization object
An embodiment of the invention provides an apparatus and a method of dynamically controlling the number of busy waiters in for a synchronization object. The apparatus and method perform the steps of increasing a number of allowed busy waiters if there is a waiter in a sleep state and there are no current busy waiters when a requester releases the synchronization object, and decreasing the number of allowed busy waiters if a busy waiter moves from a busy waiting state to the sleep state. |
| US08020163B2 |
Heterogeneous multiprocessor network on chip devices, methods and operating systems for control thereof
Network on Chip (NoC) Devices, especially Heterogeneous Multiprocessor Network on Chip Devices are described, that optionally contain Reconfigurable Hardware Tiles, as well as Methods and Operating Systems (OS) for Control thereof. In accordance with an aspect of the present invention the Operating Systems handle either (a) run-time traffic management methods or (b) task migration methods, or a combination of these methods. The Operating Systems may be partly distributed but with a centralized master. The traffic management methods and apparatus of the invention use a statistical QoS approach. A system is described having an at least dual Network on Chip as well as methods of operating the same. The system has at least an on-chip communications network, comprising a first on-chip data traffic network (data NoC) and a second on-chip control traffic network (control NoC), having a control network interface component (control NIC) and a data network interface component (data NIC). |
| US08020162B2 |
Employing a resource broker in managing workloads of a peer-to-peer computing environment
A resource broker is used in managing workloads of a peer-to-peer distributed computing environment. The broker is responsible for distributing to a plurality of clients of the peer-to-peer distributed computing environment tasks of one or more workloads of one or more issuers of the environment. The tasks are processed by the clients using a runtime environment provided by the broker. The runtime environment of a client is generic to the one or more issuers and independent of an operating system of the client. |
| US08020160B2 |
User-level read-copy update that does not require disabling preemption or signal handling
A user-level read-copy update (RCU) technique. A user-level RCU subsystem executes within threads of a user-level multithreaded application. The multithreaded application may include reader threads that read RCU-protected data elements in a shared memory and updater threads that update such data elements. The reader and updater threads may be preemptible and comprise signal handlers that process signals. Reader registration and unregistration components in the RCU subsystem respectively register and unregister the reader threads for RCU critical section processing. These operations are performed while the reader threads remain preemptible and with their signal handlers being operational. A grace period detection component in the RCU subsystem considers a registration status of the reader threads and determines when it is safe to perform RCU second-phase update processing to remove stale versions of updated data elements that are being referenced by the reader threads, or take other RCU second-phase update processing actions. |
| US08020159B2 |
System and apparatus for and method of downloading a program, image formation apparatus, and computer product
Programs for executing downloading of a program are stored in an area, i.e a non-rewritable boot area, of a rewritable flash EEPROM. Control programs for the apparatus are stored in the remaining area of the EEPROM. The programs for executing the downloading of the program, which are in the boot area, will not be lost, even if a power disconnection occurs during rewriting of the control program(s) and thus redownloading can be carried out. Information, regarding whether the downloading has failed or how far the program has been downloaded before it failed, is stored. Redownloading can be executed automatically when the power is turned on based on the stored information. |
| US08020157B2 |
Dependency notification
Communication devices that include one or more software components can determine whether a software component is missing, notify a computer server of a software component determined as missing, and request a download of the missing software component to the device. |
| US08020155B2 |
Mechanism for optimizing function execution
A mechanism is provided for managing the referencing of at least two versions of a function. A first version is a single threaded version that does not ensure multi-thread safety. A second version is a multi threaded version that does ensure multi-thread safety. The mechanism determines whether a set of executable code (e.g. a program) is currently executing in single-threaded mode or multi-threaded mode. If the executable code is executing in single-threaded mode, then the mechanism causes the executable code to reference the first version of the function. If the executable code is executing in multi-threaded mode, then the mechanism causes the executable code to reference the second version of the function. By doing so, the mechanism ensures that the additional overhead of ensuring multi-thread safety is incurred only when it is needed. In this manner, the mechanism makes execution of the function more optimal. |
| US08020149B2 |
System and method for mitigating repeated crashes of an application resulting from supplemental code
Provided is a method for mitigating the effects of an application which crashes as the result of supplemental code (e.g., plug-in), particularly a plug-in from a source other than the source of the operating system of the device or the source of the application that crashes. The method includes executing the application. As the application is running, it may be monitored to determine if normal execution of instructions ceases. When that occurs, the system will make a determination if code from a supplemental code module was the cause of the crash, and will make an evaluation if that supplemental code module is from a source other than the source(s) of the operating system and application in question. In some implementations, remedial steps may be provided, such as providing information on subsequent executions of the application. |
| US08020139B1 |
Method and apparatus for implementing a dataflow circuit model using application-specific memory implementations
Method, apparatus, and computer readable medium for implementing a circuit model in an integrated circuit are described. In some examples, the circuit model includes a communication channel between actors. Data portions of at least one data object passed between the actors over the communication channel are identified. An implementation is generated for the circuit model in which data portions are assigned to either local queue storage of the communication channel or centralized shared storage of the communication channel based on levels of access thereof by the actors. |
| US08020138B2 |
Voltage island performance/leakage screen monitor for IP characterization
A method is provided for characterizing performance of a chip having at least one voltage island and at least one performance screen ring oscillator (PSRO). An on-chip performance monitor (OCPM) is incorporated on the voltage island. Performance measurements of the voltage island are generated with only the voltage island under power. Performance measurements of the performance screen ring oscillator (PSRO) are generated with only the voltage island under power. Performance measurements of the performance screen ring oscillator (PSRO) is compared to the performance measurements of the on-chip performance monitor (OCPM) to determine a systematic offset due to the voltage island. Performance models are adjusted using the systematic offset due to the voltage island. |
| US08020136B2 |
Device and method for high-level synthesis
A high-level synthesis unit creates a first register transfer level circuit from an operation level description. A circuit creating unit creates a second register transfer level circuit based on circuit information for creating an additional circuit to be added to the first register transfer level circuit. A circuit connecting unit connects the first register transfer level circuit with the second register transfer level circuit, based on connecting information describing a connecting relation between a signal in the first register transfer level circuit and a signal in the second register transfer level circuit. |
| US08020134B2 |
Method and apparatus for parallel processing of semiconductor chip designs
In one embodiment, the invention is a method and apparatus for parallel processing of semiconductor chip designs. One embodiment of a method for processing a semiconductor chip design includes flattening a netlist corresponding to the semiconductor chip design, performing logic clustering on one or more logic elements incorporated in the flattened netlist to generate one or more clusters, partitioning the semiconductor chip design in accordance with the one or more clusters, and designing the individual partitions in parallel. |
| US08020133B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit with multi-cut via and automated layout method for the same
A semiconductor integrated circuit according to an embodiment of the invention includes a single-cut via 60 and a multi-cut via 30 that includes a first via 30a and a second via 30b. An overhang (OHa or OHb) with respect to at least one of the first via 30a and the second via 30b is smaller than an overhang OH with respect to the single-cut via 60. |
| US08020130B2 |
Timing analysis apparatus and method for semiconductor integrated circuit in consideration of power supply and ground noises
In a timing analysis apparatus for use in a semiconductor integrated circuit, which analyzes operation timing of a semiconductor integrated circuit having a logic gate circuit including a plurality of logic gates, a controller detects at least one of a power supply voltage and a ground voltage of a power supply, decomposes the noise waveform into frequency components, classifies the frequency components into low-frequency components lower than a predetermined threshold frequency and high-frequency components higher than the threshold frequency, calculates a static delay time of each of the logic gates due to the low-frequency components, calculates a dynamic delay time of each of the logic gates due to the high-frequency components, and determines a delay time of each of the logic gates by synthesizing the calculated respective delay times. |
| US08020126B2 |
Links and chains verification and validation methodology for digital devices
The links and chains (LNC) of this invention is an applications verification and validation (AVV) methodology. LNC is a hierarchical and systematic approach emphasizing conservation and reuse of effort expended. LNC creates objective metrics for validation. This invention ensures that the device will work in a system environment. LNC is an independent and complementary validation of the design before committing release to tape-out. The chip support library (CSL) and diagnostics used by LNC are natural outputs of the validation and are thus gating items to tape-out release. This ensures a fully tested device. |
| US08020118B2 |
Presentation of items arranged in a hierarchy
An aspect of the present invention provides a computer-implemented method for presenting items in a hierarchy comprising parent items and sub-items. The method comprises the steps of: identifying one or more parent items in the hierarchy, wherein all sub-items of the identified parent items possess a particular property; and presenting the hierarchy in a manner to indicate that all sub-items of the identified parent items possess the particular property. |
| US08020116B2 |
System and method for visualizing a multi-screen workspace on a single display screen
A system (200) and method (600) for visualizing on a single display screen (SDS) a first plurality of display screen windows (FPDSWs) displayed on display screens (234, . . . , 240) of a multi-screen workspace. The method involves determining a relative placement pattern (RPP) for the FPDSWs (250, . . . , 272). The method also involves selecting at least one size reduction factor (SRF) to reduce a combined total area of the FPDSW to fit within a viewing area provided by SDS (224). The method further involves displaying a second plurality of display screen windows (SPDSWs) on the SDS using the SRF and RPP. The SPDSWs (250′, . . . , 272′) are presented such that the FPDSWs having a reduced combined total area is simultaneously viewable on the SDS in the RPP. Notably, the SPDSWs can comprise substantially similar content and attributes of respective display screen windows of the FPDSWs. |
| US08020114B2 |
Enter-then-act input handling
The present invention utilizes input handling to provide enter-then-act capability for user inputs. User inputs are received, and a set of one or more secondary applications are executed using the input. A priority rating may then be calculated for each of the one or more secondary applications in the set, the priority rating indicating how pertinent the input was to a corresponding application. |
| US08020113B2 |
Method and system for synchronizing a display context
A display system automatically presents a format in accordance with a prerecorded display configuration, upon a change of format on a screen of the display system. |
| US08020107B2 |
Web interface for providing system-status on-demand
An Internet web application interfaces to a machine to give users information about the status of the machine. The information on the status of the machine is constantly changing. This design only dynamically builds a web page when the page is requested for viewing. Once built, the page is retained so that the next time it is requested, if the information it contains has not changed, the page can be served without having to be rebuilt. If the information has changed, the design will not update the page until the page has been requested. In addition, the page is only built in the human language requested. |
| US08020105B1 |
Unified user interface for instant messaging and email
The present invention relates to a unified user interface for instant messaging and electronic mail. In one aspect, a single user interface is provided to allow a user to view email and instant messages. Instant messages and email are received and displayed within a common window within a single application. In one aspect, an instant messaging input field is associated with an email message. For example, in one aspect, when a user associated with an email message is available for instant messaging, an input field appears in a preview pane for the email message. In another aspect of the present invention, instant messages may be managed like an email, e.g. filed, printed, forwarded, stored in folders, etc. For example, in one aspect, a transcript of an instant messaging session may be forwarded as an email. |
| US08020101B2 |
User specified transfer of data between applications
A method, information processing system and computer readable medium for transferring data between applications on a computer is disclosed. The method includes selecting data from a first application and selecting a copy-to command for copying the data selected from the first application. The method further includes selecting a second application as a destination for the data selected. The method further includes copying the data selected to a location in the second application. |
| US08020095B2 |
Force feedback system including multi-tasking graphical host environment
A force feedback system provides components for use in a force feedback system including a host computer and a force feedback interface device. An architecture for a host computer allows multi-tasking application programs to interface with the force feedback device without conflicts. One embodiment of a force feedback device provides both relative position reporting and absolute position reporting to allow great flexibility. A different device embodiment provides relative position reporting device allowing maximum compatibility with existing software. Information such as ballistic parameters and screen size sent from the host to the force feedback device allow accurate mouse positions and graphical object positions to be determined in the force feedback environment. Force feedback effects and structures are further described, such as events and enclosures. |
| US08020094B2 |
Editing web pages via a web browser
A browser-based web authoring tool that enables locally editing and rendering web pages comprising a master page and at least one content page and/or style sheets. Techniques are employed in one embodiment to identify areas of the web pages that correspond to master and content pages, such that when a user edits an element within an area, the browser-based web authoring tool can track whether the edit is made to the master page or one of the content pages. |
| US08020089B1 |
Rendering hypertext markup language content
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including medium-encoded computer program products, for rendering hypertext markup language content. In one aspect, a method includes receiving a document specifying a hierarchy of HTML elements, each HTML element having a representation in a first visual representation of the document; translating the HTML elements into a hierarchy of vector object primitives, at least one of the HTML elements being translated into a corresponding vector object primitive; and generating the first visual representation of the document by rendering the hierarchy of vector object primitives. |
| US08020088B2 |
Visual responsibility matrix for technical designs or solutions
A visual responsibility matrix is provided that communicates the scope of a technical design or solution used to perform a service. The visual responsibility matrix is a spreadsheet that contains a logical diagram that is representative of components that are in the scope of the technical design or solution. A matrix contains a listing of each of the components that are in the scope of the technical design or solution and a listing of services that are performed for each of the components. The matrix further includes a name of a party in that has the responsibility to perform the service associated with the component. In addition, the matrix provides the costs associated with fulfilling each responsibility. |
| US08020081B2 |
Multi-level cell memory devices using trellis coded modulation and methods of storing data in and reading data from the memory devices
A multi-level cell (MLC) memory device may include: a MLC memory cell; an outer encoder that encodes data using a first encoding scheme to generate an outer encoded bit stream; and a trellis coded modulation (TCM) modulator that applies a program pulse to the MLC memory cell to write the data in the MLC memory cell. The program pulse may be generated by TCM modulating the outer encoded bit stream. A method of storing data in a MLC memory device, reading data from the MLC memory device, or storing data in and reading data from the MLC memory device may include: encoding data using a first encoding scheme to generate an outer encoded bit stream; and applying a program pulse to a MLC memory cell of the MLC memory device to write the data in the MLC memory cell. The program pulse may be generated by TCM modulating the outer encoded bit stream. |
| US08020080B2 |
Receive circuit
A method and a circuit for decoding a coded signal including a first decoding system capable of receiving the coded signal and of providing a first signal comprising portions considered correct and a second decoding system capable of providing a second signal from the coded signal and from portions considered correct of the first signal. |
| US08020078B2 |
Methods and apparatus for reducing error floors in message passing decoders
An iterative message passing decoder, e.g., an LDPC decoder, operating in conjunction with a soft input-soft output signal processing unit, e.g., an ISI detector, has an error floor performance region influenced by the decoder's sub-optimal message passing nature. Error floor reduction is achieved by a simple message re-initialization mechanism. Decoder edge states, e.g., constraint to variable node messages in decoder memory, are reinitialized, e.g., for an iteration, during the decoding after soft values provided by signal processing unit have improved. During the message re-initialization and for some subsequent amount of iterative decoder processing, extrinsic information fed back from the decoder to the signal processing unit and/or soft values delivered to the decoder from the signal processing unit, in an outer communications loop, is temporarily frozen, e.g., using a switch and a buffer. Then, the outer communications loop is restored as the decoding continues, achieving improved decoding performance. |
| US08020077B1 |
Forward error correction with self-synchronous scramblers
Systems and methods correct multiplied errors generated by feedback taps in self-synchronous descramblers. The multiplication of errors degrades the performance of most linear cyclic error check codes. Disclosed techniques are general applicable to multiplied errors even when those errors are not confined to a single block. Disclosed techniques permit a reduction in the amount of forward error correction used. For example, in general, to correct t errors, a linear cyclic error correction code requires a Hamming distance of at least 1+(2t)[wt(s(x))]. Embodiments of the invention allow correcting the multiplied errors with a Hamming distance of only 1+(t)(1+wt(s(x))) over the block size n, wherein wt(s(x)) is the weight of the scrambler polynomial s(x). |
| US08020076B2 |
Information recording/reproducing apparatus, and information recording medium
In an information recording, a first data processor divides input data into a plurality of frames so as to arrange the plurality of frames for each unit block. The unit block is a unit of error-correction with respect to the input data and the frames include first identification information, respectively. A second data processor inserts a linking block on a boundary portion between unit blocks in the record data. The unit blocks are adjacent to each other. The linking block includes a second identification information and the second identification information is different from each of the first identification information. A controller controls to record the unit block and the linking block on the information recording medium. |
| US08020066B2 |
DTV transmitting system and receiving system and method of processing broadcast data
A DTV transmitting system includes a frame encoder, a randomizer, a block processor, a group formatter, a deinterleaver, and a packet formatter. The frame encoder builds an enhanced data frame and encodes the frame two times for first and second error correction, respectively. It further permutes a plurality of encoded data frames. The randomizer randomizes the permuted enhanced data, and the block processor codes the randomized data at a rate of 1/N1. The group formatter forms a group of enhanced data having one or more data regions and inserts the data coded at the rate of 1/N1 into at least one of the data regions. The deinterleaver deinterleaves the group of enhanced data, and the packet formatter formats the deinterleaved data into enhanced data packets. |
| US08020064B2 |
Decoding apparatus and method
A decoding apparatus and method are described. The decoder includes N successive decoder groups numbered 1 to N arranged in series. Each decoder group includes primary decoding means for decoding the first sequence of codewords in combination with the source sequence of symbols to produce a sequence of primary decoded symbols; intermediate interleaving means for interleaving the sequence of primary decoded symbols using intra-block permutations on the source sequence of symbols and inter-block permutations on each intra-block permuted block across the predetermined number of the intra-block permuted blocks to produce a sequence of intermediate symbols; secondary decoding means for decoding the second sequence of codewords in combination with the sequence of intermediate symbols and a sequence of interleaved source symbols to produce a sequence of secondary decoded symbols; and de-interleaving means for de-interleaving the sequence of secondary decoded symbols to produce a sequence of estimated symbols. |
| US08020063B2 |
High rate, long block length, low density parity check encoder
There is provided a parity check encoder (100) comprising a data memory (PPDM) configured for storing input data, a calculation/parity result data store (CPRDS), and a selector/serializer (SS). The CPRDS (104,106) is coupled to the PPDM (102) and is configured to calculate parity bits in parallel using input data and information contained in a parity check matrix H. The SS (108) is coupled to the PPDM and CPRDS. The SS is configured to generate an encoded output sequence using the input data and parity bits. The matrix H is formed of a plurality of sub-matrices. Each sub-matrix of the sub-matrices is an all zero (0) matrix, an identity matrix, or a circular right shifted version of the identity matrix. A portion B of the matrix H includes a plurality of rows having two (2) ones (1), except for a first row which includes a single one (1). |
| US08020062B2 |
Apparatus and method of encoding/decoding block low density parity check codes in a communication system
An apparatus and method of encoding a block Low Density Parity Check (LDPC) code in a signal transmission apparatus is disclosed. The method includes generating a block LDPC codeword by encoding an information vector using a second parity check matrix when a code rate to be used in the signal transmission apparatus is a second code rate less than a code rate of a first parity check matrix as a first code rate. |
| US08020061B2 |
Method for detecting errors and supporting reconfiguration decisions in mobile radio networks comprising reconfigurable terminals, and corresponding network elements and components
A respective agent platform in network elements and producer-specific agents that are installed directly on platform or by way of agent proxies of agent providers. The agents then receive raw information on arising operating errors by way of a defined interface of the agent platform, and, together with producer-specific information on the respective terminals or types of terminal that are known only to the respective producer, from corresponding compressed decision information for evaluating cases of error and/or for optimizing reconfiguration decisions. The agents then provide the information for the network element or the network operator and/or the agent provider or the terminal producer, via the defined interface. This leads to a higher reliability of the interoperability of terminals and network elements in mobile radio networks including reconfigurable terminals. |
| US08020060B2 |
Method of arranging data in a multi-level cell memory device
A method of storing data includes storing a first portion of data in bit positions of a non-volatile memory having a first probability of error; storing a second portion of the data in bit positions of the non-volatile memory having a second probability of error, wherein the second probability of error is lower than the first probability of error; storing error correction parity bits with the data; and applying an error correction scheme to read data using the error correction parity bits, wherein at least one bit of the first portion is checked for correction before any bit of the second portion is checked for correction. The error correction scheme is stopped before checking for correcting of all the data. |
| US08020058B2 |
Multi-chip digital system having a plurality of controllers with self-identifying signal
The present invention provides for a system. The system includes a plurality of controllers, each controller comprising at least an output pin and a plurality of input pins and configured to receive self-identify control signals through one or more of the plurality of input pins and to transmit a controller self-identify signal through the output pin based on the self-identify control signals. Each output pin is coupled to an external system. A processor couples to a first input pin of the plurality of input pins of each of the plurality of controllers and is configured to generate self-identify control signals and to transmit the self-identify control signals to the plurality of controllers. |
| US08020057B2 |
Comparator circuitry connected to input and output of tristate buffer
A test controller applies test stimulus signals to the input pads of plural die on a wafer in parallel. The test controller also applies encoded test response signals to the output pads of the plural die in parallel. The encoded test response signals are decoded on the die and compared to core test response signals produced from applying the test stimulus signals to core circuits on the die. The comparison produces pass/fail signals that are loaded in to scan cells of an IEEE 1149.1 scan path. The pass/fail signals then may be scanned out of the die to determine the results of the test. |
| US08020056B2 |
Memory channel with bit lane fail-over
Memory apparatus and methods utilizing multiple bit lanes may redirect one or more signals on the bit lanes. A memory agent may include a redrive circuit having a plurality of bit lanes, a memory device or interface, and a fail-over circuit coupled between the plurality of bit lanes and the memory device or interface. |
| US08020055B2 |
Method and apparatus for testing the connectivity of a flash memory chip
In one embodiment of the invention, circuitry and hardware for connectivity testing are fabricated on an IC, and in particular an IC containing a flash memory array. This testing circuitry is electrically connected to the bond pads of the IC. In some embodiments, the testing circuitry includes a boundary scan cell connected to each bond pad, allowing for rapid connectivity testing of flash memory chips in accordance with testing standards such as the JTAG standard. The invention further includes methods in which the pins and/or memory cells of a flash memory chip are sequentially sent a series of data so as to test the connectivity of portions of the IC. The sequentially-sent data is then retrieved and compared to the original data. Discrepancies between these sets of data thus highlight connectivity problems in the IC. |
| US08020054B2 |
Test apparatus and test method
A test apparatus provided in common for a plurality of memories under test, comprising an address generating section that sequentially generates addresses to be tested in the memories under test and a plurality of buffer memories that are provided to correspond respectively to the memories under test and that each store addresses to be independently supplied to the corresponding memory under test. The test apparatus (i) compares block data output by a memory under test in response to a read command to an expected value of this block data, for each generated address, (ii) sequentially stores, in the corresponding buffer memory and in response to detection of a discrepancy in the comparison, the address generated for reading the block data, and (iii) writes, in parallel to the plurality of memories under test, disable data that includes, as individual addresses, the addresses stored in the buffer memory. |
| US08020052B2 |
Fault analysis result generating system and method
A fault analysis result generating system includes an extracting unit, a converting unit, a determining unit, and a result generating unit. The system extracts fault analysis files, converts the fault analysis files to a first predetermined file format which is easy to be processed, converts the fault analysis files with the first predetermined file format to a second predetermined file format, and then transfers the fault analysis files with the second predetermined file format to a learning sharing module. |
| US08020051B2 |
Message handling in a service-oriented architecture
A service call to a backend system is initiated by a user interface in a service-oriented architecture. Thereafter, a service answer is received from the backend system encapsulating a backend error object. The backend error object is mapped to a front end error object. A front end error message can later be presented to a user in the user interface that is derived from the front end error object. Related apparatus, systems, techniques and articles are also described. |
| US08020050B2 |
Validation of computer interconnects
A method of validating multi-cluster computer interconnects includes calculating a cable interconnect table associated with the multi-cluster computer, and distributing the cable interconnect table to a first transceiver in the first computer cluster and a second transceiver in the second computer cluster. The method also includes connecting a first end of a cable to the first transceiver and a second end of the cable to the second transceiver, transmitting a first neighbor identification from the first cluster to the second cluster, and a second neighbor identification from the second cluster to the first cluster, comparing the first neighbor identification with a desired first neighbor identification from the cable interconnect table to establish a first comparison result and the second neighbor identification with a desired second identification from the cable interconnect table to establish a second comparison result, and generating an alert based on the first and second comparison results. |
| US08020049B2 |
Detection of and recovery from an electrical fast transient/burst (EFT/B) on a universal serial bus (USB) device
An Electrical Fast Transient/Burst (EFT/B) detection and recovery system for a Universal Serial Bus (USB) device. The system includes a USB core and a burst controller. The USB core provides serial communications with a host device through a USB data channel. The burst controller is coupled to the USB core. The burst controller detects an EFT/B event and automatically reconnects the USB core to the host device in response to recognition of a suspend state of the USB core by the host device. |
| US08020044B2 |
Distributed batch runner
Method and systems for allocating test scripts across a plurality of test machines is described. A set of test scripts may be maintained where the set of test scripts includes a plurality of test scripts for allocation to a plurality of test machines. A first request for a first test script task may be received from a first test machine of a plurality of test machines. A determination may be made as to whether each test script within the set of test scripts has been allocated. If not, a first unallocated test script to allocate to the first test machine may be determined, and a first test script task may be allocated to the first test machine where the first test script task includes the first unallocated test script. The first unallocated test script then may be identified as an allocated test script in the set of test scripts. |
| US08020042B2 |
System and method for supporting compensation work
A method for supporting compensation work comprises the steps of associating a data structure with a compensation function, and associating the data structure with the at least one event that can be encountered during execution of a forward work. The data structure contains a pair of pointers, which includes a first pointer to a code to be executed for the compensation function, and a second pointer to a stack frame of a closest lexically enclosing scope of a declaration of the compensation function in a computer program text. |
| US08020041B2 |
Method and computer system for making a computer have high availability
A method and a computer system for making a computer achieve high availability. The method includes running a host virtual machine on a host virtual machine container; running a servant virtual machine on the servant virtual machine container; and synchronizing the host virtual machine and the servant virtual machine by using an I/O instruction. The system includes at least two computers including a host computer and a servant computer, each computer including a virtual machine container; a virtual machine running on the virtual machine container; and a communication channel making the virtual machine container execute a virtual machine synchronization operation. The virtual machine synchronization operation of the virtual machine container is triggered by the virtual machine executing I/O instructions. |
| US08020040B2 |
Information processing apparatus for handling errors
In the event of occurrence of an error in a memory in an information processor, a first processor that is one of a number of processors executes an error handler program stored in a first memory that is one of a number of memories. If the first processor fails in correctly operating the error handler program, a second processor different from the first processor executes an error handler program stored in a second memory different from the first memory. |
| US08020035B2 |
Expander circuit for a solid state persistent storage device that provides a plurality of interfaces to corresponding storage controllers
A system includes a solid state persistent storage device, and a plurality of storage controllers to manage access of the solid state persistent storage device. An expander circuit is connected to the solid state persistent storage device and has a plurality of computer-based bus interfaces connected to the corresponding plurality of storage controllers. |
| US08020031B1 |
System and method for customizing a SCSI error response received from a SCSI target in a storage network environment
A system and method for customizing a SCSI error response received from a SCSI target in a storage network environment is disclosed. In a method for customizing a SCSI error response received from a SCSI target in a storage network environment, a SCSI command is received from a SCSI initiator by a SCSI to ATA bridge. The received SCSI command is translated to provide an ATA command. The ATA command is then sent to an ATA drive. The ATA command is executed by the ATA drive. During execution, if an error occurs, an ATA error response is sent by the ATA drive to the SCSI to ATA bridge. The received ATA error response is translated to a SCSI error response. The SCSI to ATA bridge then obtains a customized SCSI error response using an error look-up table. Further the customized SCSI error response is sent to the SCSI initiator. |
| US08020029B2 |
Method and apparatus for rendering game assets in distributed systems
The invention includes a method and apparatus for attempting to synchronize delivery of information at a plurality of receiving systems. The method includes generating, at a sending system, a plurality of current messages adapted for rendering an asset within an application space of a respective plurality of receiving systems, determining an accumulated export error for each of the receiving systems, transmitting the current messages toward the respective receiving systems in a manner adapted to reduce the accumulated export errors. The accumulated export error for a receiving system includes an estimated current message export error for a current message generated by the sending system for the receiving system and an accumulated previous message export error for at least one previous message generated by the sending system for the receiving system. |
| US08020018B2 |
Circuit arrangement and method of operating a circuit arrangement
A circuit arrangement is provided comprising a first partial circuit to receive a supply voltage, a second partial circuit to receive an output signal of the first partial circuit and a first clock signal, the second partial circuit to store the output signal of the first partial circuit depending on the first clock signal, and a control unit to decouple the supply voltage from the first partial circuit for a time period that is shorter than a cycle duration of the first clock signal, wherein the control unit is configured to receive a second clock signal which is derived from the first clock signal by delaying. |
| US08020012B2 |
Power auto-detection apparatus
A power auto-detection apparatus is applied to a power supply of a personal computer or applied to an adapter of a notebook computer. The power auto-detection apparatus has a voltage stabilizing unit, an over-current protective unit, a voltage regulating unit, a signal processing unit, and a regulating resistor. The over-current protective unit provides an over-current protection for the power auto-detection apparatus. The voltage regulating unit electrically connects to a non-ground terminal of the regulating resistor and outputs a first regulating voltage and a second regulating voltage. The signal processing unit electrically connects the voltage regulating unit and receives the second regulating voltage to output a power detection signal to the computer system to automatically detect the output power of the power supply or the adapter. |
| US08020010B2 |
Memory power controller
A memory power controller comprises a clock generation circuitry for generating a first clock signal and a second clock signal responsive to a source clock and a determination that the source clock has a period greater than a predetermined value. The first clock is generated responsive to a determination that the source clock has a period greater than the predetermined value and the second clock is generated responsive to the determination that the source clock has a period less than the predetermined value. Memory time-out circuitry generates a memory enable/disable signal to control operation of an associated memory responsive to the clock signal and the determination that the source clock has a period greater than the predetermined value. The memory time-out circuitry further synchronizes the memory enable/disable signal with the source clock. |
| US08020007B1 |
System and method for obtaining identities
A system and method identifies one of several security token services that can be used to convert an identity token into one containing content, a format and having a signature corresponding to a signing key name that a software service can use. The identification of the security token service that may be used to perform the conversion is made using machine readable information about the signing key name that the software service can use. |
| US08020003B2 |
Creation of electronically processable signature files
Systems and methods can automatically generate and process signature files for an electronic signature list. Data records can be periodically searched for signature-relevant status changes. A multiplicity of documents in paper form can be provided. Each document can contain a predefined blank region for receiving a personal signature and also control information items assigned to the signature. The multiplicity of documents that have received the personal signatures can be scanned-in in a batch processing operation. At least one signature containing the personal signature in electronically processable form and a representation of the assigned control information items file can be generated for each document. The assigned control information items of each document can be independent of their corresponding personal signature in its electronically processable form. The signature files can be dispatched via a communications network controlled by the control information items. |
| US08019999B2 |
Wireless receiver device revocation management
A method of carrying out wireless video communication involves at a wireless receiver (WR) device, providing a digital certificate, the digital certificate containing a High-Bandwidth Digital Copy Protection (HDCP) Key Source Vector (KSV), a device identifier for the WR device, and a digital signature cryptographically binding the identifiers; at the WR, responsive to an initiation of a wireless communication session from a wireless transmitter (WT) device, sending the digital certificate to the WT device; the WT receiving the digital certificate and having the identities in the digital certificate checked against a revocation list; and if one of the WR device's identities has been revoked, halting the wireless communication session. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract. |
| US08019996B2 |
Method for encrypted communication with a computer system and system therefor
To solve problems in that a load on a VPN device is large in a case where the number of terminal devices increases in encrypted communication using a VPN technique, and that only communication between the terminal device and the VPN device is encrypted, thus disabling end-to-end encrypted communication, a communication system is provided, including: a terminal device; a plurality of blades; and a management server that manages the blades, in which: the management server selects a blade, authenticates the terminal device and the selected blade, and mediates encrypted communication path establishment between the terminal device and the selected blade; the terminal device and the blade perform encrypted communication without the mediation of the management server; and the management server requests a validation server to authenticate each terminal. |
| US08019992B2 |
Method for granting user privileges in electronic commerce security domains
An electronic commerce system supports web sites including on-line stores that are accessible by a set of customers and organizations to which stores may belong. Organizations may be defined in accordance with a tree structure. Users accessing a web site are provided with access roles for organizations. The access roles for a user define the portions of the web site for which the user has access privileges. The tree structure of the web site is used to define security domains for users. Users may have access roles of registered customer or administrator. Users without any roles in a security domain are accorded guest privileges within that domain. |
| US08019990B2 |
Authority-neutral certification for multiple-authority PKI environments
A method for facilitating electronic certification, and systems for use therewith, are presented in the context of public key encryption infrastructures. Some aspects of the invention provide methods for facilitating electronic certification using authority-neutral service requests sent by an application, which are then formatted by a server comprising a middleware that can convert the authority-neutral request into certification authority specific objects. The server and middleware then return a response from a selected certification authority back to the service requesting application. Thus, the server and/or middleware act as intermediaries that facilitate user transactions in an environment having multiple certification authorities without undue burden on the applications or the expense and reliability problems associated therewith. |
| US08019989B2 |
Public-key infrastructure in network management
A method of granting a public-key certificate to a managed node in an IT network is provided. A request from the managed node to grant the certificate is received at a certification server. It is ascertained whether an initialization-to-request time interval between an initialization time of the managed node and a request time assigned to the request is within a maximum time interval for automatic certificate grant. The requested certificate is automatically granted if the initialization-to-request time interval is within the maximum time interval. |
| US08019988B2 |
Security protocols for hybrid peer-to-peer file sharing networks
In a hybrid peer-to-peer file sharing network including a receiver peer and a provider peer, the receiver sends the provider a ticket [710] obtained from a server authorizing the receiver to obtain a data object O. The receiver obtains a root value of a hash tree for the object, verifies its digital signature, and sends the provider peer a request for a block of data object O and a request for a corresponding set of hash values from the hash tree [714]. The receiver receives from the provider peer the block of O and the corresponding set of hash values of the hash tree [716] that do not contain any hash value in the local hash tree. The receiver sends the provider an acknowledgement of receipt [718], obtains a block key from the provider [720], decrypts the block, verifies the integrity of the block using the subset of hash values and the local hash tree for O, and updates the local hash tree by adding the subset of hash values to the local hash tree, as well as any newly calculated hash values [722]. The provider may submit to a server the acknowledgements as proof of its service to the receiver. |
| US08019976B2 |
Memory-hazard detection and avoidance instructions for vector processing
A processor that is configured to perform parallel operations in a computer system where one or more memory hazards may be present is described. An instruction fetch unit within the processor is configured to fetch instructions for detecting one or more critical memory hazards between memory addresses if memory operations are performed in parallel on multiple addresses corresponding to at least a partial vector of addresses. Note that critical memory hazards include memory hazards that lead to different results when the memory addresses are processed in parallel than when the memory addresses are processed sequentially. Furthermore, an execution unit within the processor is configured to execute the instructions for detecting the one or more critical memory hazards. |
| US08019973B2 |
Information processing apparatus and method of controlling register
An information processing apparatus and a method of controlling the same that employs a register window system and a Simultaneous Multithreading method for reducing circuit areas by sharing a data transfer bus between threads, said bus connecting a master register and a work register provided for each thread and for avoiding interference in instruction execution with other threads caused by a conflict between accesses to a register between threads. An information processing apparatus and a method of controlling the information processing apparatus employing a register window system for register reading, in which a master register and a work register are held for each thread and a bus for transferring data from the master to the work register is shared by threads in order to realize Simultaneous Multithreading. |
| US08019972B2 |
Digital signal processor having a plurality of independent dedicated processors
A digital signal processor uses a number of independent sub-processors that may be controlled by a master programmable controller. For example, a specialized input processor may process input signals while a specialized output processor may process output signals. Each of these processors may also accomplish math functions when input and output processing is not necessary. The various processors may communicate with one another through general purpose registers which receive data and provide data to any of the processors in the system. Math processors may be added as needed to accomplish desired mathematical functions. In addition, a RAM processor may be utilized to hold the results of intermediate calculations in one embodiment of the present invention. In this way, an adaptable and scaleable design may be implemented that accommodates a variety of different operations without requiring redesign of all the components. |
| US08019968B2 |
3-dimensional L2/L3 cache array to hide translation (TLB) delays
Embodiments of the invention provide a look-aside-look-aside buffer (LLB) configured to retain a portion of the real addresses in a translation look-aside (TLB) buffer to allow prefetching of data from a cache. A subset of real address bits associated with an effective address may be retrieved relatively quickly from the LLB, thereby allowing access to the cache before the complete address translation is available and reducing cache access latency. |
| US08019967B2 |
Robust index storage for non-volatile memory
A non-volatile memory data address translation scheme is described that utilizes a hierarchal address translation system that is stored in the non-volatile memory itself. Embodiments of the present invention utilize a hierarchal address data and translation system wherein the address translation data entries are stored in one or more data structures/tables in the hierarchy, one or more of which can be updated in-place multiple times without having to overwrite data. This hierarchal address translation data structure and multiple update of data entries in the individual tables/data structures allow the hierarchal address translation data structure to be efficiently stored in a non-volatile memory array without markedly inducing write fatigue or adversely affecting the lifetime of the part. The hierarchal address translation of embodiments of the present invention also allow for an address translation layer that does not have to be resident in system RAM for operation. |
| US08019964B2 |
Dynamic address translation with DAT protection
What is provided is an enhanced dynamic address translation facility. In one embodiment, a virtual address to be translated and an initial origin address of any one of a region first table, a region second table, a region third table, or a segment table are obtained. Based on the obtained initial origin address, a segment table entry is obtained which contains a format control and DAT protection fields. If the format control field is enabled, obtaining from the translation table entry a segment-frame absolute address of a large block of data in main storage. The segment-frame absolute address is combined with a page index portion and a byte index portion of the virtual address to form a translated address of the desired block of data. If the DAT protection field is not enabled, fetches and stores are permitted to the desired block of data addressed by the translated virtual address. |
| US08019952B2 |
Storage device for storing data while compressing same value input data
A storage device for storing data, while compressing same value of input data, includes an input processing unit, a data storage, a first-in-first-out memory, and an output processing unit. The input processing unit is configured to, upon receiving an input value, determine whether a data value stored in the data storage at an address location corresponding to the input value is valid. If the data value is invalid, the input processing unit stores an initial value at the address location and stores the input value in the first-in-first-out memory. If the data value is valid, the input processing unit performs an arithmetic operation on the data value and stores the operation result in the address location corresponding to the input value. The output processing unit is configured to read and output the input value stored at a head of the first-in-first-out memory, as well as reading and outputting the data value from the address location of the data storage corresponding to the input value, if one or more input values are stored in the first-in-first-out memory and if the data value stored at the address location of the data storage corresponding to the input value is valid, and to update the data value after the output. |
| US08019949B2 |
High capacity memory subsystem architecture storing interleaved data for reduced bus speed
A high-capacity memory subsystem architecture utilizes multiple memory modules arranged in one or more clusters, each attached to a respective hub which in turn is attached to a memory controller. Within a cluster, data is interleaved so that each data access command accesses all modules of the cluster. The hub communicates with the memory modules at a lower bus frequency, but the distributing of data among multiple modules enables the cluster to maintain the composite data rate of the memory-controller-to-hub bus. Preferably, the memory system employs buffered memory chips having dual-mode operation, one of which supports a cluster configuration in which data is interleaved and the communications buses operate at reduced bus width and/or reduced bus frequency to match the level of interleaving. |
| US08019948B2 |
Multi-path accessible semiconductor memory device having mailbox areas and mailbox access control method thereof
A multipath accessible semiconductor memory device having a mailbox area and a mailbox access control method thereof are provided. The semiconductor memory device includes N number of ports, at least one shared memory area allocated in a memory cell array, and N number of mailbox areas for message communication. The at least one shared memory area is operationally connected to the N number of ports, and is accessible through a plurality of data input/output lines to form a data access path between the at least one shared memory area and one port, having an access right to the at least one memory area, among the N number of ports. The N number of mailbox areas are provided in one-to-one correspondence with the N number of ports and are accessible through the plurality of data input/output lines when an address of a predetermined area of the at least one shared memory area is applied to the semiconductor memory device. An efficient layout of mailboxes and an efficient message access path can be obtained. |
| US08019943B2 |
High endurance non-volatile memory devices
High endurance non-volatile memory devices (NVMD) are described. A high endurance NVMD includes an I/O interface, a NVM controller, a CPU along with a volatile memory subsystem and at least one non-volatile memory (NVM) module. The volatile memory cache subsystem is configured as a data cache subsystem. The at least one NVM module is configured as a data storage when the NVMD is adapted to a host computer system. The I/O interface is configured to receive incoming data from the host to the data cache subsystem and to send request data from the data cache subsystem to the host. The at least one NVM module may comprise at least first and second types of NVM. The first type comprises SLC flash memory while the second type MLC flash. The first type of NVM is configured as a buffer between the data cache subsystem and the second type of NVM. |
| US08019941B2 |
Loosely coupled mass storage computer cluster having a set of data storage controllers interoperable for reading and writing data objects
A method and apparatus redundantly store data, in particular video data objects, in a distributed computer system having at least three processor systems, each processor system being connected in point to point two way channel interconnection with each other processor system. The data is stored in a redundant fashion both at the computer system level as well as the processor system level. Accordingly, the failure of a single processor does not adversely affect the integrity of the data. The computer system can also overlay a switching system connected in a ring fashion for providing a fault tolerance to the failure of a single connected processor system at the switch level. Accordingly, there results a fault tolerant data distribution system. |
| US08019939B2 |
Detecting data mining processes to increase caching efficiency
Methods and apparatus to detect a data mining process are presented. In one embodiment the method comprising monitoring access of a process to a resource and classifying if the process is a data mining process based on at least one of a plurality of monitored values, such as an access rate, an eviction rate, and an I/O consumption value. |
| US08019935B2 |
Random number generation for a host system using a hard disk drive
A hard disk drive is provided for enhancing random number generation. In particular embodiments, the hard disk drive includes a storage subsystem and a controller. The controller generates a random number based on information associated with the storage subsystem. The controller transmits the random number to a host system. |
| US08019927B2 |
Electronic tag system having bank status and controlling method thereof
An electronic tag system, an electronic tag, and a controlling method thereof according to the present invention include an electronic tag that includes a memory having a divided band and a bank status that stores a status of data stored in the divided bank, a controlling circuit that reads and writes the data from and to the bank and changes the status and a controlling device that allows the controlling circuit connected through the electronic tag and an electronic tag reader/writer to transmit and receive the read and written data from and to the bank and issue an instruction to change the status. |
| US08019925B1 |
Methods and structure for dynamically mapped mass storage device
Methods and structures for mapping of logical to physical block addresses within a disk drive to provide independence of the logical block size and the physical disk block size. The independence of the logical and physical block sizes enables numerous beneficial features to improve disk drive capacity, performance and reliability. In one exemplary aspect, indirect mapping table structures and methods map an LBA to an associated IBA representing a block of the same size as the logical block. The IBA is then converted to a corresponding starting quantum unit of data identified by a QA. The QA is, in turn, converted to a disk block identified by a starting DBA and an offset within that DBA. The disk block may be of variable size and is independent of the size of the identified LBA. Numerous other features are enabled by the logical to physical mapping features hereof. |
| US08019924B2 |
System and method for memory hub-based expansion bus
A system memory includes a memory hub controller, a memory module accessible by the memory hub controller, and an expansion module having a processor circuit coupled to the memory module and also having access to the memory module. The memory hub controller is coupled to the memory hub through a first portion of a memory bus on which the memory requests from the memory hub controller and memory responses from the memory hub are coupled. A second portion of the memory bus couples the memory hub to the processor circuit and is used to couple memory requests from the processor circuit and memory responses provided by the memory hub to the processor circuit. |
| US08019922B2 |
Interruption facility for adjunct processor queues
Interruption facility for adjunct processor queues. In response to a queue transitioning from a no replies pending state to a reply pending state, an interruption is initiated. This interruption signals to a processor that a reply to a request is waiting on the queue. In order for the queue to take advantage of the interruption capability, it is enabled for interruptions. |
| US08019921B2 |
Intelligent memory buffer
A technique reduces cost, complexity and/or power consumption of a memory system by including intelligence in a memory buffer circuit of the memory system. An apparatus includes a memory buffer circuit configured to selectively operate in one of a plurality of modes. In a first mode, the memory buffer circuit is configured to interface to a first type of memory device, is configured to enable an input circuit of the memory buffer circuit, and is configured to drive on a terminal of a memory interface of the memory buffer circuit a version of a signal received by the input circuit during a memory operation. In a second mode, the memory buffer circuit is configured to interface to the first type of memory device, is configured to disable the input circuit, and is configured to drive a signal on the terminal during the memory operation. |
| US08019919B2 |
Method for enhancing the memory bandwidth available through a memory module
A method for enhancing the memory bandwidth available through a memory module of a memory system is provided. The memory system includes a memory hub device integrated in a memory module. The memory system includes a first memory device data interface integrated in the memory hub device that communicates with a first set of memory devices integrated in the memory module. The memory system also includes a second memory device data interface integrated in the memory hub device that communicates with a second set of memory devices integrated in the memory module. In the memory system, the first set of memory devices are separate from the second set of memory devices. In the memory system, the first and second set of memory devices are communicated with by the memory hub device via the separate first and second memory device data interfaces. |
| US08019918B2 |
Information processing apparatus requesting registration with peripheral
In a system in which an information processing apparatus and a peripheral are connected to each other. Initially, the information processing apparatus transmits, to the peripheral, a request to use a service provided by the peripheral. The peripheral determines whether to grant use permission to the received request, and notifies the information processing apparatus which has transmitted the request of the determination result. The peripheral stores information associated with the information processing apparatus to which use permission is granted in response to the request. The information processing apparatus then receives, from the peripheral, a response to the request. |
| US08019917B2 |
Digital video/audio capture device and method thereof
In audio/video (AV) capture, two video streaming adapters (VSAs) receive an original input video signal and a compressed input video signal respectively to generate an uncompressed video streaming and a compressed video streaming respectively. The uncompressed video streaming and the compressed video streaming are transmitted to an external device by way of time division duplex. An interlock mechanism prevents concurrent transmission of the uncompressed video streaming and the compressed video streaming, so that the loss of real-time video streaming is reduced. |
| US08019914B1 |
Disk drive implementing shared buffer memory with reduced interrupt latency
A disk drive is disclosed having a disk, a head actuated over the disk, a buffer memory for storing control routine op codes and control routine data, and a microprocessor for receiving the control routine op codes and control routine data. Control circuitry within the disk drive services an access request generated by the microprocessor by accessing the buffer memory, and monitors at least one interrupt. If the interrupt occurs while servicing the access request, the control circuitry enables the microprocessor to execute an interrupt service routine corresponding to the interrupt. Enabling the microprocessor to execute the interrupt service routine rather than wait for the access request reduces the latency in servicing the interrupt. |
| US08019910B2 |
Transaction flow control in PCI express fabric
A computer-executed method for controlling transaction flow in a network comprises communicating transaction packets among a plurality of devices in a network fabric and subdividing a memory into a plurality of memory segments for storing received transaction cycles according to transaction packet type comprising posted, non-posted, and completion cycles. A plurality of transaction cycles are received in the memory segment plurality at a target device and transaction cycle priority is allocated according to transaction packet type wherein posted cycles have highest priority. Cycles are retrieved from the memory segment plurality in an order determined by priority. |
| US08019905B2 |
Video/graphics port adapter and method thereof
A mode of operation of an information handling system is determined based upon configuration information received at a video/graphics port of the information handling system. In response to determining the mode of operation is a first mode of operation, information is provided from the first video/graphics port that represents only a portion of a video image. In response to determining the mode of operation is a second mode of operation, information is provided from the first video/graphics port that represents all of the video image. |
| US08019904B2 |
Image processing device and control method thereof
An image processing device, which can communicate with a distributor distributing setting information to plural image processors, comprises: a first receiver to receive, from the distributor, start information indicating that the distributor starts distributing the setting information to the plural image processors including the image processing device; a second receiver to receive the setting information distributed by the distributor; a detector to detect that the image processing device is operated by a user; and a controller to, in a case where it is detected by the detector that the image processing device is operated, request the distributor to distribute the setting information if the start information is received and the setting information is not received, and execute a process based on the operation detected by the detector if the start information is not received or the setting information is received. |
| US08019897B2 |
Method for viewing, on a client-side device, documents requested from a server-side device
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. |
| US08019894B2 |
System, method and engine for playing SMIL based multimedia contents
A system for playing SMIL based multimedia contents, comprising: a plurality of SMIL engines for analyzing and interpreting SMIL documents, as well as communicating with and controlling SMIL sub engines, remote media proxies, or local media playing devices; a plurality of remote media proxies for receiving instructions from the upper level SMIL engines, starting or stopping providing media objects to the remote media playing devices, sending back events, and providing basic user interaction capabilities, wherein said a plurality of SMIL engines, a plurality of remote media proxies, and local and remote media playing devices construct a tree-link structure, of which the root node is a SMIL engine, the branch nodes are SMIL engines and remote media proxies, and the leaf nodes are local and remote media playing devices. The corresponding SMIL engines and methods are also provided. The present invention enables the playing of SMIL based multimedia contents on a set of PvC devices, which can be dynamically configured as a new multimedia terminal on demand. |
| US08019890B2 |
Network switch for logical isolation between user network and server unit management network and its operating method
In a network switch including a user network port connectable to a user network, a plurality of down link ports each connectable to one server unit, a server unit management network port connectable to a server unit management network for managing the server unit, a store-and-forward switching unit connected to the user network port, the down link ports and the server unit management network port, and a control unit connected to the store-and-forward switching unit, when a packet that has arrived at one of the down link ports is a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) packet including a network boot option, the control unit operates the store-and-forward switching unit to transmit the packet to the server unit management network port. |
| US08019889B1 |
Method and apparatus for making end-host network address translation (NAT) global address and port ranges aware
Disclosed are methods and apparatus for handling data having an embedded address (and port). In general terms, a host of a private network is operable to obtain from its corresponding edge router a global address (GA) and optionally an additional global port range (GPR). When the host then wishes to transmit data out of the private network, the obtained GA (and GPR) may then be used for an embedded address (and port) within data sent by the host to a public network. The obtained GA (and GPR) may also be used by the host to translate its own source address and port in its IP and/or TCP/UDP header if needed. |
| US08019883B1 |
WiFi peripheral mode display system
A wireless peripheral mode is provided by a host system that communicates to a WiFi infrastructure and, utilizing the same WiFi RF subsystem, also communicates to peripherals. The host system may employ additional RF channels for communicating with high bandwidth peripherals, such as display devices, where high levels of QoS may be managed locally. The host system may be a conventional desktop computer system, a notebook computer system, a multi-media access point, a cell phone, a game machine, a portable game machine, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a smart phone or any other type of device that benefits from accessing both a WiFi infrastructure and local peripherals. |
| US08019881B2 |
Secure cookies
The present invention relates to methods and systems for creating secure cookies. The methods can be used to create, receive, and transmit secure cookies, confidential cookies, and authentication cookies. |
| US08019876B2 |
Correlating information between internet and call center environments
Coordination of information at the network-based level between call centers connectable over a telecommunications network, such as the telephone network, and a packet network, such as the Internet, creates improved integration of and bonding between a customer's interaction with a Web site and with a call center. Information about the customer and the customer's Web interaction are delivered to the call center agent along with the call, leading to increased productivity and efficiency in call handling as well as improved call routing. Calls may be routed to existing call centers based upon information from the Web experience, and information from the user's Web interaction is shared with the call center. Web interaction information is passed to existing call centers using known call center external control methods, such as DNIS signaling. Information about the Web experience may also be “whispered” to the call center agent, and an agent may “push” Web pages for review by the customer. As a result, customer acquisition and sales tools more powerful than a mere click-to-callback tool can be made available with a combined marketing approach using the Web and call centers. |
| US08019875B1 |
Systems and methods for indicating a user state in a social network
Methods and Systems for determining a user state for a member of a social network are described. According to one embodiment, a method comprising receiving in a network of associated users user state information for a first user, wherein the network of associated users comprises user established relationships between users, determining a current user state for the first user; and outputting to a second user the user state information based at least in part on the current user state and a relationship based permission status is set forth. |
| US08019872B2 |
Systems, methods and computer program products for performing remote data storage for client devices
Remote data storage is performed for client devices that are associated with an enterprise, by performing the following automatically at a given client device in response to authorization from the given client device: obtaining metadata about the given client device; uploading the metadata to a remote data storage system and initiating an initial remote data storage to the remote data storage system using the metadata that was obtained. At the remote data storage system, a load balancing program may be executed to programmatically assign a given client device to a subset of remote data storage devices in response to obtaining the metadata about the given client device. |
| US08019870B1 |
Approach for allocating resources to an apparatus based on alternative resource requirements
An approach for allocating resources to an apparatus based on alternative resource requirements generally involves a resource allocator determining that a resource that satisfies a resource requirement is not available, and based on the resource not being available, the resource allocator determines that another resource that satisfies another resource requirement is available. The resource allocator allocates the other resource to the apparatus, thereby allowing the apparatus to be implemented based on the other resource. The resource requirements are alternatives so that if the one alternative resource requirement cannot be fulfilled, the other alternative resource requirement can be fulfilled. Some alternatives can be preferred over other alternatives in a set of alternative resource requirements. In general, in a set of “n” alternative resource requirements, “m” resource requirements can be specified to be fulfilled, where “m” is less than “n” and “n” is two or greater. |
| US08019866B2 |
System and method for detection of aberrant network behavior by clients of a network access gateway
A system and method for detecting aberrant network behavior. One embodiment provides a system of detecting aberrant network behavior behind a network access gateway comprising a processor, a first network interface coupled to the processor, a second network interface coupled to the processor, a storage media accessible by the processor and a set of computer instructions executable by the processor. The computer instructions can be executable to observe network communications arriving at the first network interface from multiple clients and determine when the traffic of a particular client is indicative of malware infection or other hostile network activity. If the suspicious network communication is determined to be of a sufficient volume, type, or duration the computer instructions can be executable to log such activity to storage media, or to notify an administrative entity via either the first network interface or second network interface, or to make the computer instructions be executable to perform other configured actions related to the functioning of the network access gateway. |
| US08019863B2 |
Synchronizing events between mobile devices and servers
A system, method, and computer program product for synchronizing events between a mobile device and a server are described herein. In an embodiment, the method operates by detecting events to be synchronized between a source and a target, wherein the source and target are one of either a mobile device or a server. The method comprises deducing activities that occurred in order to create the detected event, reading data records corresponding to the deduced activities, and creating packets of operations needed to recreate the deduced activities on the target. The method further comprises queuing the packets of operations and data records and receiving event synchronization results at the source after the queued packets of operations have successfully executed on the target, wherein the synchronization results include a synchronization status and a unique record identifier identifying the event. In an embodiment, personal information manager (PIM) events are synchronized. |
| US08019862B2 |
Collaborative speed determination in distributed systems
The described implementations relate to collaborative speed determination in distributed systems. One method estimates upload speeds of a plurality of hosts. The method sends a first bandwidth probe from a first host to a second host. The method receives, at the first host, a second bandwidth probe sent from the second host. The method determines which of the first and second bandwidth probes was relatively slower. The method designates either of the first or second hosts that sent the relatively slower bandwidth probe as a loser and takes a speed of the bandwidth probe of the loser as a first estimate of the loser's upload speed. |
| US08019856B1 |
Automatic mapping and location discovery of computers in computer networks
A scan client in a subnet of an intranet may be designated as a root agent to provide subnet information to a scan server in the intranet. The subnet information may include addresses of computers belonging to the subnet. The scan server may use subnet information collected from various root agents to build a map of the intranet. The intranet map may be forwarded from the scan server to the root agents, which in turn provide the intranet map to scan clients in their respective subnets. The root agents may also receive antivirus modules from the scan server for distribution to scan clients. A scan client may look for computers indicated in the intranet map to determine whether or not it is connected to the intranet. |
| US08019849B1 |
Server-side storage area network management interface
A centralized Storage Area Network (SAN) management system based on a distributed client-server architecture. The SAN management system may include a SAN management server and a browser client. In one embodiment, the browser client may be a “thin” client that may make minimal use of web technologies on the client side. The SAN management server may gather SAN information, render the SAN information into images in an image format suitable for display by the browser client, and provide the images to the browser client for display. The SAN management system, through the browser client, may provide views into a SAN based on host, device, fabric, and/or storage groups, as well as alerts to diagnose and avoid outages. In one embodiment, the browser client may provide an interface to access features of the SAN management system to perform SAN management functions. |
| US08019847B2 |
Topic based loop detection in a publish/subscribe network
When a new broker is connected to a network, a loop detection message is sent over the new connection created by the new broker. The loop detection message includes topics. At each receiving broker, topics that cannot be propagated to a neighbor broker are removed. If the loop detect message contains no topics, the loop detect message is not propagated further. If the loop detection message returns to the new broker, a loop is detected. |
| US08019845B2 |
Service delivery using profile based management
A computer implemented method, data processing system, and computer program product for automatically aggregating entities via a profile-driven management. A profile is created, wherein the profile includes a set of search criteria comprising one or more server attributes. A list of attributes of each server in the data processing system is obtained. Servers in the plurality of servers whose attributes meet the set of search criteria specified in the profile are then grouped to form a profile group. Once the servers are grouped into a profile, an administrative action may be performed on all of the servers in the profile group simultaneously. |
| US08019843B2 |
System and method for defining attributes, decision rules, or both, for remote execution, claim set II
A system of the invention comprises a design module, execution engine, and performance management module. A first computer hosts the design module which enables a user to define attributes, queries, and decision rules transmitted to the execution engine hosted on a second computer remote to the first computer. The second computer can be located at a credit bureau, credit reporting agency, or other data provider. The second computer runs the execution engine to query a data repository with the user-defined attributes and queries, and applies the user-defined decision rules to produce result data transmitted to a third computer hosting the performance management module for monitoring performance of a benefit or offering made with the result data and the corresponding attributes, queries, and decision rules that generated the result data. |
| US08019842B1 |
System and method for distributing enclosure services data to coordinate shared storage
A system and method for distributing enclosure services information is provided. A plurality of storage systems that are operatively interconnected with one or more intermediate networking devices and/or disk shelves are modified to include a target device driver module that is adapted to receive and process target commands from other storage systems to enable the sharing and retrieval of SES information from a storage shelf's master storage system. |
| US08019840B2 |
Storage area network mapping
A computerized method for determining whether a storage device detected in a SAN is associated with a storage array detected in the SAN, where the storage array has one or more storage devices associated therewith. The computerized method includes obtaining identifying information for the detected storage device, obtaining identifying information for the one or more storage devices associated with the detected storage array, and processing the obtained information to determine whether the detected storage device is one of the one or more storage devices associated with the detected storage array. |
| US08019837B2 |
Providing network identity for virtual machines
Techniques for assigning an internet protocol (IP) address to a virtual machine are provided. The techniques include tunneling a request for an IP address to an initialization protocol server, using the server to mask an identity of one or more guest virtual machines and obtain an IP address for the virtual machine based on a media access control (MAC) address of the virtual machine, and tunneling the IP address to the virtual machine. |
| US08019835B2 |
Automated provisioning of computing networks using a network database data model
A framework for automatically provisioning computing devices includes a central database system and a central file system. Information stored in the database comprises a model of the individual devices, as well as the interconnections of the devices. The central file system stores the software components to be installed on the devices. When provisioning is carried out, the database sends commands to agents located on each device which cause them to retrieve and install the software components from the file system, and to configure the components according to the stored model. |
| US08019832B2 |
Network core access architecture
The proposed architecture is integrated in a generic System on Chip (SoC) and can include or consist of an expanded network interface and an infrastructure for accessing Intellectual Property (IP) cores in the system. The architecture enables the system on chip to communicate with a user workstation connected to a communication network. The invention can be used as a simplified network interface for data exchange, which does not require embedded processors and respective software. The invention can be used to temporarily replace the normal data input and output of an IP core with stimuli and responses used for a variety of purposes. |
| US08019828B2 |
System and method for defining attributes, decision rules, or both, for remote execution, claim set III
A system of the invention comprises a design module, execution engine, and performance management module. A first computer hosts the design module which enables a user to define attributes, queries, and decision rules transmitted to the execution engine hosted on a second computer remote to the first computer. The second computer can be located at a credit bureau, credit reporting agency, or other data provider. The second computer runs the execution engine to query a data repository with the user-defined attributes and queries, and applies the user-defined decision rules to produce result data transmitted to a third computer hosting the performance management module for monitoring performance of a benefit or offering made with the result data and the corresponding attributes, queries, and decision rules that generated the result data. |
| US08019824B2 |
Remotely operating computer software applications using low bandwidth
A system for remote operation of the computer software applications, the system including a remote application controller for associating a master control with both a master application and a master action associated with the master application, and a command receiver/implementer for associating a slave control with both a slave application and a slave action associated with the slave application, where the remote application controller commands the command receiver/implementer to perform the slave action in connection with the performing of the master action. |
| US08019822B2 |
Personalized storage accounts in an electronic file delivery system
An electronic file delivery system reduces the bandwidth an electronic mail server must dedicate to large files and decreases the storage space required for attachments in an electronic mail inbox. The system uploads the large file to the recipient's personalized storage account. The recipient receives an electronic notification of the file in their storage account. The recipient may access the file without additional burden on the electronic mail server resources. |
| US08019818B2 |
Communications network system and methods for using same
A communications network system, comprising: a first user device, wherein the first user device uses a first communications protocol; a second user device, wherein the second user device uses a second communications protocol, different from the first communications protocol; and, a server, in operative communication with the first user device and the second user device, and wherein the server comprises a processor for translating the first communications protocol into the second communications protocol. |
| US08019817B2 |
Collaboration support system and control method thereof
In a system having plural terminals including terminals A, B, when the terminal A is editing a data object and editing information is shared among the plural terminals, if the terminal B performs a changeover operation of displayed page, the editing operation in the terminal A is cancelled, and the editing information is deleted in the other terminals. In the terminal A, the editing information by that time is held, and when the data object is restored, the held editing information is transmitted to the other terminals. Then the initial display status is restored in the other terminals. |
| US08019811B1 |
Application state server-side cache for a state-based client-server application
Response delay associated with a state-based client-server application can be reduced with utilization of an application state server-side cache. A server caches data for a set of one or more possible states of a client-server application that may follow a current state of the application. The server rapidly responds to a client request with data that corresponds to an appropriate new state of the application in accordance with the application state server-side cache. The server determines that the application will transition to the appropriate new state from the current state of the application with the application state server-side cache based, at least in part, on an operation indicated by the client request. |
| US08019809B2 |
Tightly-coupled disk-to-CPU storage server
A storage server for efficiently retrieving data from a plurality of disks in response to user access requests. The server comprises a plurality of processors coupled to disjoint subsets of disks, and a custom non-blocking packet switch for routing data from the processors to users. By tightly coupling the processors to disks and employing an application-specific switch, congestion and disk scheduling bottlenecks are minimized. By making efficient use of bandwidth, the architecture is also capable of receiving real-time data streams from a remote source and distributing these data streams to requesting users. The architecture is particularly well suited to video-on-demand systems in which a video server stores a library of movies and users submit requests to view particular movies. |
| US08019807B2 |
Method and system for communication between computer systems
A system for brokering business service requests in a computer network is disclosed. The system is operative to receive a request for information from a requester, transmit the request to a provider, and return a response to the requester. The broker typically comprises the following components. A requester-side processing stage operative to communicate with the requester; a provider-side processing stage operative to communicate with the provider; and a broking stage operative to exchange data between the requester-side processing stage and the provider-side processing stage. In operation of the business service broker, upon receipt of a request for a requester, the broking stage obtains data required to respond to the request by communicating with a provider through the provider-side processing stage. The brokering stage formulates a response and returns it to the requester through the requester-side processing stage. The mechanism by which the response is obtained is abstracted from the requester. |
| US08019806B2 |
Method and apparatus for displaying network fabric data
The invention relates to graphical user interfaces for managing electronic networks, such computer networks, storage area networks (SANs), and the like. Specifically, the invention provides a simplified means of managing large numbers of parameters associated with devices in such networks. In a preferred embodiment, the invention provides a method of displaying devices forming a network. In a first step, a computer system associated with a graphical user interface queries the network to determine what devices are present in the network, and the interconnections of such devices. The results of this determination are stored, as is the time of this determination. Later, a second query is performed and the results are compared to the first query. Symbols representing elements of the network are displayed on the graphical user interface. When changes are detected between the first and second network query, the changes are indicated by altering the manner in which the symbols are displayed that represent the elements of the network that have changed. |
| US08019790B2 |
System and method of dynamically changing file representations
An information handling system is disclosed and can include a processor and a memory in communication with the processor. Further, a file access monitor can be embedded within the memory. The file access monitor can monitor one or more files within the information handling system and dynamically change a file representation associated with each of the one or more files based on access patterns associated with each of the one or more files. |
| US08019789B2 |
System and method of object-oriented persistence
A system and method for handling an application's access of persisted objects for use within a mobile communications device. The device includes a non-volatile storage device that has at least a portion of its storage locations addressable by the application. A reference table contains the addresses of persisted objects contained in the storage device. Via the reference table, an application can locate persisted objects stored in the storage device. |
| US08019787B2 |
Relationship based tree structure with scoped parameters
A system and method of storing information about tree structures. The method includes, for each given tree, identifying the nodes and the relationships between the nodes, and for each parameter, if more than one node of any of the given tree shares the parameter, then defining a scoping for the parameter to cover all of the nodes to which the parameter is applicable. The scoping includes applying one or more scope types having a varying specificity. The resulting information stored about the tree structure is substantially reduced in size in comparison to information about tree structures stored in a conventional manner, thereby reducing storage space requirements. |
| US08019786B2 |
Method and apparatus for displaying data stored in linked nodes
A computer implemented method of storing, manipulating, assessing, and displaying data and its relationships, and a computer system (with memory) programmed to implement such method. The data is stored into nodes, and visualized as a sea of linked nodes. |
| US08019779B2 |
Efficient locking protocol for sub-document concurrency control using prefix encoded node identifiers in XML databases
A system and method for concurrency control of hierarchically structured data is provided. Lock requests on a target node are processed by exploiting ancestor-descendant information encoded into prefix encoded node identifiers (IDs). A set of implicit locks on ancestor nodes along a path from an immediate parent of a target node to a root node is derived from an explicit lock request on a target node. A logical lock tree describing existing lock modes for ancestor nodes is consulted to determine compatibility with the derived set of implicit locks. If existing lock modes for ancestor nodes are compatible with the derived set of implicit locks, a lock request on a target node is granted. Otherwise, the lock request is denied. A lock release request follows the reverse process; a target node in a particular transaction is released, as are subsequent locks on its ancestors made by the same transaction. |
| US08019778B2 |
System, method, and apparatus for searching information across distributed databases
A master node includes a locality determining table that stores data structures of obtained items, types of conditions that the items should meet, and locality information; a plan generating unit that generates a search plan; a determining unit that obtains the locality information corresponding to the data structure of the item obtained as a sequence and the type of condition for the item and determines whether the item is stored in a distributed manner across different databases; an updating unit that removes a request of creating a logical sequence from the search plan and updates the search plan when the item is not stored in a distributed manner across the different databases; and an execution requestexecution requesting unit that notifies a slave node of a search plan execution request. The slave node includes an execution request receiving unit and an executing unit that executes the search plan. |
| US08019776B2 |
Determining device and determining method for determining processing to be performed based on acquired data
The present invention provides a technique for determining processing to be performed at high speed. When processing to be performed is determined through multiple condition judgments and branches, a comparison target extraction circuit extracts from acquired data multiple pieces of determination data used for the condition judgments and branches and connects the pieces to generate comparison target data. A first database and a second database store reference data generated by connecting a possible value of each of multiple pieces of determination data and also store a processing content to be performed, in which the reference data and the processing content are related to each other. A binary search circuit collectively conducts multiple condition judgments and branches by searching the first database for comparison target data and outputs a processing content to be performed. |
| US08019771B2 |
Method for dynamically finding relations between database tables
A method and system are provided for dynamically relating tables in a federated database based upon a data manipulation language in a query transaction. After the start of a transaction has been detected, a data manipulation language from the transaction is extracted and evaluated to determine the table(s) and column(s) referenced by the transaction language. The data relation output unit determines the relationship(s) between the extracted table(s) and column(s) in real-time and conveys this information through a visual display. |
| US08019770B1 |
Dynamic rendering of content that includes query expressions
A rendering engine dynamically renders content that includes query expressions. The query expressions are resolved by extracting data from a data source. The resolutions to the queries are rendered with the content, according to rules associated with the content. |
| US08019769B2 |
System and method for determining valid citation patterns in electronic documents
A system and method are provided for comparing portions of document text with potential citation components, determining if individual portions correspond to a citation component, and determining if a set of portions correspond to a valid citation pattern. A set of valid citation patterns is provided. Each citation pattern may include a specified combination of citation components. The invention further relates to identifying potential citation components from text in a document, analyzing a pattern of the identified citation components by comparing the pattern to a set of stored citation patterns to determine if the potential citation is a type of citation, and if so, is it a valid (and/or invalid) citation pattern. Once citation patterns have been determined in the document, annotations may be inserted into the document, and subsequent action may be taken, for example, generating a list of citations, providing research services, error-handling, and/or providing other options related to the citations. |
| US08019767B2 |
Correlation-based visualization of service-oriented architecture protocol (SOAP) messages
Correlation-based visualization of markup language messages is implemented. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a message manager receives a markup language message exchanged over a network. Correlation logic applies a template to the markup language message. Correlation logic utilizes at least one rule to visually identify correlated message in the markup language message in a tree structure. The message manager outputs the tree structure. |
| US08019766B2 |
Processes for calculating item distances and performing item clustering
Computer-implemented processes are disclosed for clustering items, and for using item clusters to generate and/or present item recommendations. One process involves calculating distances between items based on how the items are categorized within a hierarchical browse structure. These distance calculations may then be used as a basis for forming clusters of items. |
| US08019764B1 |
System and method for internet endpoint profiling
The present invention relates to a method of profiling an Internet endpoint associated with an Internet Protocol (IP) address, the method includes generating a profiling rule using an Internet search engine, obtaining a search result by inputting the IP address to the Internet search engine, and classifying the Internet endpoint based on the search result using the profiling rule. |
| US08019763B2 |
Propagating relevance from labeled documents to unlabeled documents
A method and system for propagating the relevance of labeled documents to a query to unlabeled documents is provided. The propagation system provides training data that includes queries, documents labeled with their relevance to the queries, and unlabeled documents. The propagation system then calculates the similarity between pairs of documents in the training data. The propagation system then propagates the relevance of the labeled documents to similar, but unlabeled, documents. The propagation system may iteratively propagate labels of the documents until the labels converge on a solution. The training data with the propagated relevances can then be used to train a ranking function. |
| US08019757B2 |
Distributed globally accessible information network implemented to maintain universal accessibility
A distributed information network is constructed for gathering information from sites distributed across a globally accessible computer network, i.e., the Internet. The distributed information network preferably includes a root server that stores a list of multiple distributed sites each represented by metadata. A network browser delivers an information search request to the root server, which in response develops a profiled information search request. The information provider of each of the distributed sites stores metadata corresponding to information content that is retrievable in response to the profiled information search request for search results derivable from the information content to which the metadata correspond. A profiled information communication link between the root server and each of the multiple distribution sites enables formation of a path for delivery of the search results to a destination site, from a site or sites represented by the metadata of the profiled information search request. |
| US08019754B2 |
Method of searching text to find relevant content
A method of locating relevant documents wherein documents are given a fingerprint comprising weights associated with particular topic categories of a classification system, each weight representing a degree to which the document relates to the particular topic category, a first piece of text is identified and given a fingerprint comprising a list of other weights associated with similar topic categories, the other weights representing a degree to which the first piece of text relates to the particular topic category. All or a portion of the universe of documents is searched by comparing the fingerprint for the first piece of text with the fingerprint for each document. You select those documents whose fingerprints have a predetermined degree of mathematical overlap with the fingerprint of the first piece of text. A user fingerprint of the user's recently accessed texts can be used in place of the first piece of text. |
| US08019753B2 |
Method and system for generating a dynamic help document
A method for generating a dynamic help document involves obtaining question-answer pairs associated with a client-server application, determining rankings of the question-answer pairs based on user feedback about the question-answer pairs, and determining a first preferred question-answer pair based on rankings of question-answer pairs. The method further involves generating the dynamic help document using the first preferred question-answer pair, updating rankings of the question-answer pairs based on additional user feedback about the question-answer pairs, determining a second preferred question-answer pair based on updated rankings of the question-answer pairs, and updating the dynamic help document by replacing the first preferred question-answer pair with the second preferred question-answer pair. |
| US08019752B2 |
System and method for information retrieval from object collections with complex interrelationships
A data-driven information navigation system and method enable search and analysis of a set of objects or other materials by certain common attributes that characterize the materials, as well as by relationships among the materials. The invention includes several aspects of a data-driven information navigation system that employs this navigation mode. The navigation system of the present invention includes features of a knowledge base, a navigation model that defines and enables computation of a collection of navigation states, a process for computing navigation states that represent incremental refinements relative to a given navigation state, and methods of implementing the preceding features. |
| US08019750B2 |
System and method for automatically generating database queries
A method of tuning a database query includes selecting a database query, parsing the selected database query to determine relationships between portions of the selected database query, selecting an optimization mode from a plurality of available optimization modes, tuning the selected database query by modifying, at least one portion of the selected database query based on the determined relationships and the selected optimization mode and displaying the modified database query. |
| US08019748B1 |
Web search refinement
Similar queries are identified so that suggested search queries may be provided to a user. A first search query having at least one term associated with a semantic weight is received. A second query having at least one term associated with a semantic weight is received. A first vector is generated based on the first query and the at least one semantic weight of the first query, and a second vector is generated based on the second query and the at least one semantic weight of the second query. A similarity measurement between the first and second search queries is made based at least in part on a comparison of the first vector to the second vector. |
| US08019745B2 |
Data retrieval from a plurality of distinct storage devices using an index value
A first processor receives a request for records from a requester. The records include an index field and the records are stored in a plurality of storage devices associated respectively with a plurality of second processors. Individual storage devices of the plurality of storage devices are physically distinct from one another. Subsequent to the receiving of the request, the first processor retrieves the records from the plurality of storage devices using the plurality of second processors. The first processor then arranges the retrieved records in an order based at least on the index field and provides the retrieved records to the requestor in the order. |
| US08019743B2 |
Method of presenting search results to a user of a social network site
Method of presenting search results to a user of a social network site on the Internet, in which each user of the social network site has a user profile with information regarding the user, includes obtaining content items satisfying a search of information on the Internet by a first user. The content items are ranked as a function of the information in the user profile of the first user such that the content items which are related to the information in the user profile of the first user are ranked higher than the content items which are unrelated to the information in the user profile of the first user. The content items according to ranking are then transferred to a display of the first user via the Internet such that higher ranked content items are displayed on the display prior to lower ranked content items being displayed on the display. |
| US08019742B1 |
Identifying related queries
A method includes receiving search queries. Images are generated that represent the volume of each search query relative to all search queries over a period of time. The images are processed to generate wavelets for each image. Related queries having similar increases or decreases in volume are identified by comparing at least some of the wavelets corresponding to a first query to wavelets corresponding to other queries. |
| US08019740B2 |
Communications in an item tracking system
System and methods for communicating tracking information about tagged items. A tagged item is a tangible item that carries a self-identifying tag. The tracking information can be stored in the tag or in a document that is accessible through an item tracking system. The tracking information can be accessible by multiple consumers having different levels of access. The methods include methods for masking redundancies in the tracking information, filtering the tracking information, and controlling access to the tracking information. |
| US08019736B1 |
Systems and methods for combining a plurality of terrain databases into one terrain database
A present novel and non-trivial system and methods for exacting terrain elevation data contained in a plurality of terrain elevation databases or data sets, combining the terrain elevation data contained in each terrain elevation data set to produce a single, combined terrain database of a common resolution. A system is disclosed that could provide a processor with terrain elevation data from a plurality of terrain elevations data sets having differing resolution and accuracy parameters, a per-point error metric data from a plurality of error metric data sets, and a common resolution parameter. A method is disclosed which for combining terrain elevation data sets having difference resolutions into a single, combined terrain elevation data set having a common resolution utilizing a per-point error metric data from a plurality of error metric data sets. A second method is disclosed for combining a plurality of terrain elevation data sets having different resolutions into terrain elevation data of a single, combined terrain elevation data set having a common resolution by transforming the plurality of terrain elevation data sets into a plurality of terrain frequency data sets and filtering the terrain frequency data sets utilizing a Kalman filter. |
| US08019735B2 |
Systems and methods for query caching
A query caching system and method for enabling the caching of software object instances at the granularity of query level. A query component in a container can issue a query to retrieve a query result from a database within a scope of a transaction. The query result includes one or more instances of a class that represents one or more persisted data entries retrieved from the database. A cache management component retrieves the query result for the query in the cache when a query registration component finds out that another query matches the query in the query registry. If the class is expected to remain unchanged within the transaction, the class can be configured to be used concurrently by multiple users, using an optimistic concurrency strategy. The cached query result can be invalidated during the transaction, when any row in any table in the database associated with the cached query result, or a range of any data entry of the one or more persisted data entries in the query is updated or invalidated. |
| US08019734B2 |
Statistical determination of operator error
Various embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for estimating a frequency of errors for data processing operators, but without human inspection of documents typed by the operators and without comparing documents typed by the operators against known transcriptions. |
| US08019733B2 |
Capture and transmit dense diagnostic data of a file system
A processor selects file system metadata. A processor identifies each unit of data in a file system. The processor determines if the unit of data contains file system metadata. The processor writes a unit of data of metadata to a diagnostic file system, provided it was determined that the unit of data contains file system metadata. The processor then determines if the unit of data contains user data. If the unit of data contains user data, the processor writes a sparse object to the diagnostic file. |
| US08019732B2 |
Managing access of multiple executing programs to non-local block data storage
Techniques are described for managing access of executing programs to non-local block data storage. In some situations, a block data storage service uses multiple server storage systems to reliably store network-accessible block data storage volumes that may be used by programs executing on other physical computing systems. A group of multiple server block data storage systems that store block data volumes may in some situations be co-located at a data center, and programs that use volumes stored there may execute on other physical computing systems at that data center. If a program using a volume becomes unavailable, another program (e.g., another copy of the same program) may in some situations obtain access to and continue to use the same volume, such as in an automatic manner in some such situations. |
| US08019731B2 |
Method and system for updating an archive of a computer file
A method and system for updating an archive of a computer file to reflect changes made to the file includes selecting one of a plurality of comparison methods as a preferred comparison method. The comparison methods include a first comparison method wherein the file is compared to an archive of the file and a second comparison method wherein a first set of tokens statistically representative of the file is computed and compared to a second set of tokens statistically representative of the archive of the file. The method further includes carrying out the preferred comparison method to generate indicia of differences between the file and the archive of the file for updating the archive of the file. |
| US08019730B2 |
Method and system for updating an archive of a computer file
A method and system for updating an archive of a computer file to reflect changes made to the file includes selecting one of a plurality of comparison methods as a preferred comparison method. The comparison methods include a first comparison method wherein the file is compared to an archive of the file and a second comparison method wherein a first set of tokens statistically representative of the file is computed and compared to a second set of tokens statistically representative of the archive of the file. The method further includes carrying out the preferred comparison method to generate indicia of differences between the file and the archive of the file for updating the archive of the file. |
| US08019729B2 |
System and method for updating file
Provided is a system and method for updating a plurality of the same files consistently. The file update system comprises a first and a second data servers formed as pipe line type network for storing an original file and a duplicate file of the original file respectively, and for updating both the original file and the duplicate file in response to an update request, wherein the first and the second data servers mutually exchange file update information, correct the file update information so as to prevent overlapped update due to a plurality of update requests for the same file, and then update the original file or the duplicate file according to the corrected file update information. |
| US08019728B2 |
Dynamically quantifying and improving the reliability of distributed data storage systems
Data is stored in a distributed data storage system comprising a plurality of disks. When a disk fails, system reliability is restored by executing a set of reconstructions according to a schedule. System reliability is characterized by a dynamic Normalcy Deviation Score. The schedule for executing the set of reconstructions is determined by a minimum intersection policy. A set of reconstructions is received and divided into a set of queues rank-ordered by redundancy level ranging from a lowest redundancy level to a highest redundancy level. For reconstructions in each queue, an intersection matrix is calculated. Diskscores for each disk are calculated. The schedule for the set of reconstructions is based at least in part on the intersection matrices, the Normal Deviation Scores, and the diskscores. |
| US08019721B2 |
Method and system for enhanced data transfer
A system and method for enhanced data transfer are disclosed, the method being applicable to a system comprising a computing device configured to transfer data from a portable device. In one embodiment, the computing device stores a fingerprint of the newest record downloaded from a portable device and stops downloading records from the device when a downloaded record matches the fingerprint. In another embodiment, the computing device stores a fingerprint of the newest record downloaded from a portable device and fully processes records that are downloaded from the device after a downloaded record matches the fingerprint. The system may include a portable device configured to adapt its operation responsive to a system fingerprint provided by the computing device. The portable device may be a medical device. The system may be a healthcare data management system. |
| US08019715B2 |
Data partitioning and critical section reduction for bayesian network structure learning
In a parallel system, multiple threads operate in parallel to perform network structure learning. A global score cache is partitioned into multiple split score caches, which may in one embodiment include associating a score cache with a node of the structure to be learned. With a split score cache, the learning may be performed in split neighbor scoring loops, with the first loop operating on separate score cache partitions, and warming the score cache partitions for the second loop. |
| US08019712B2 |
Intelligent threat assessment module, method and system for space situational awareness system
Threat assessment modules are disclosed that intelligently review evidence of potential threats posed by detected objects within a region of exo-atmospheric space and generate a most probable threat scenario to facilitate administration of counterspace operations. |
| US08019711B1 |
System and method to provide a customized problem solving environment for the development of user thinking about an arbitrary problem
Preferred embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for facilitating user thinking and developing documentation about an arbitrary problem. Preferred embodiments also provide capabilities to customize or specialize aspects of the facilitation of user thinking and development about a problem or topic. Preferred embodiments of the invention also comprise output to and interface with external or additional computer systems, resources, information sources, agents, and others. |
| US08019705B2 |
Register and active element machines: commands, programs, simulators and translators
In an embodiment, instructions in a computer language are translated into instructions in a register machine language. The instructions in the register machine language are translated into active element machine instructions. The use of the register machine language is optional. In an embodiment, the first translator may translate the instructions into another machine language. In an embodiment, an active element machine may be programmed using instructions for a register machine with elemental register machine instructions, such as push, pop, copy, and jump, and/or using a higher language, such as C, may be emulated with active element instructions executing on an active element machine. |
| US08019703B2 |
Bayesian approach for sensor super-resolution
Bayesian super-resolution techniques fuse multiple low resolution images (possibly from multiple bands) to infer a higher resolution image. The super-resolution and fusion concepts are portable to a wide variety of sensors and environmental models. The procedure is model-based inference of super-resolved information. In this approach, both the point spread function of the sub-sampling process and the multi-frame registration parameters are optimized simultaneously in order to infer an optimal estimate of the super-resolved imagery. The procedure involves a significant number of improvements, among them, more accurate likelihood estimates and a more accurate, efficient, and stable optimization procedure. |
| US08019701B2 |
Training a model of a non-linear process
System and method for modeling a nonlinear process. A combined model for predictive optimization or control of a nonlinear process includes a nonlinear approximator, coupled to a parameterized dynamic or static model, operable to model the nonlinear process. The nonlinear approximator receives process inputs, and generates parameters for the parameterized dynamic model. The parameterized dynamic model receives the parameters and process inputs, and generates predicted process outputs based on the parameters and process inputs, where the predicted process outputs are useable to analyze and/or control the nonlinear process. The combined model may be trained in an integrated manner, e.g., substantially concurrently, by identifying process inputs and outputs (I/O), collecting data for process I/O, determining constraints on model behavior from prior knowledge, formulating an optimization problem, executing an optimization algorithm to determine model parameters subject to the determined constraints, and verifying the compliance of the model with the constraints. |
| US08019700B2 |
Detecting an intrusive landing page
Intrusion features of a landing page associated with sponsored content are identified. A feature score for the landing page based on the identified intrusion features is generated, and if the feature score for the landing page exceeds a feature threshold, the landing page is classified as a candidate landing page. A sponsor account associated with the candidate landing page can be suspended, or sponsored content associated with the candidate landing page can be suspended. |
| US08019699B2 |
Machine learning system
A method for training a classifier to classify elements of a data set according to a characteristic is described. The data set includes N elements with the elements each characterized by at least one feature. The method includes the steps of forming a first labeled subset of elements from the data set with the elements of the first labeled subset each labeled according to whether the element includes the characteristic, training an algorithmic classifier to classify for the characteristic according to the first labeled subset thereby determining which at least one feature is relevant to classifying for the characteristic; and then querying with the classifier an inverted index, with this inverted index formed over the at least one feature and generated from the data set, thereby generating a ranked set of elements from the data set. |
| US08019696B2 |
Method and system to protect and track data from multiple meters on a removable storage medium
A system and method for allowing multiple postage meters to utilize removable storage media to accurately track and protect data generated during use is provided. A unique identifier is provided for each removable storage medium, and the removable storage medium is associated with a single meter. A catalog of additional meters authorized for use with the storage medium is maintained on each medium. When the storage medium is attached to a meter, the meter determines if the storage medium has been authorized for use with the meter or, if allowable, establishes a new entry in the catalog for the meter. Thus, data for a plurality of meters can be maintained on the same storage medium. Any discrepancies that exist between the data stored in the meter and the storage medium can be reconciled by the user, thereby allowing accurate maintenance of the data. |
| US08019690B2 |
Method and system for transacting an anonymous purchase over the internet
A method is provided for transacting an anonymous purchase over the Internet. The method comprises the steps of: (a) acquiring intermediary credit account information (22) from a purchasing intermediary (35, 112); (b) providing transactional purchase information (24), including the intermediary credit account information, to a retailer (16, 128), where the transactional purchase information is provided by the purchaser (134) using a first computing device of a computer-implemented purchasing system (12); and (c) transacting a purchase (26) between the purchaser and the retailer (16, 126) using the intermediary credit account information, thereby maintaining the anonymity of the purchaser (134). A method is also provided for the inexpensive sale of cash cards (40) to a retail outlet (126) and for funding the cash cards (40) upon purchase by a consumer (134). The cash cards (40) are not funded until cash or credit through other credit cards is received from the consumer (134). After the consumer (134) has purchased the cash card (40), the consumer (134) must activate the card, and the purchase intermediary (112) awards commissions. |
| US08019689B1 |
Deriving reputation scores for web sites that accept personally identifiable information
A reputation server is coupled to multiple clients. Each client has a security module that detects submissions of personally identifiable information (PII) from the client to a web site. The security module reports the identity of the web site and the type of submitted PII to the reputation server. The reputation server computes a reputation score for the web site based on the number and type of PII submissions to it. The reputation score represents an assessment of whether the web site is trustworthy. The reputation server provides the reputation scores for the web site to a client. The security module at the client evaluates the reputation score of the web site and optionally generates an alert advising the user not to submit PII to the web site because the site is untrustworthy. |
| US08019686B1 |
Method and system for allowing simultaneous usage of prepaid services
A method and system allows multiple and simultaneous use of a pre-paid calling card. A call management system allows for the completion of multiple calls under one pre-paid calling card account number. Depending on the number of concurrent users, a billing system assigns a portion of the total number of available service units to individualized user accounts. The individualized accounts are debited according to the rate charges for each of the calls and are initially assigned an account balance that allows all concurrent users with the same amount of talk time. |
| US08019680B2 |
Altering card-issuer interchange categories
This document describes tools capable of determining ways in which to alter interchange categories assigned to credit-card transactions. In some embodiments, the tools receive parameters for interchange categories and transaction information for a client (e.g., one or more merchants) that has been charged interchange fees based on some of these categories. The tools may determine, based on these parameters and transaction information, how parameters may be changed to enable similar credit-card transactions to be assigned a lower-cost interchange category and the accompanying potential fee savings. |
| US08019679B2 |
Global compliance processing system for a money transfer system
An improved money transfer system includes a rules database, a customer database, and a transaction processing system. The rules database includes information representative of transaction rules, at least some of which include an aggregation threshold. The customer database includes information representative of customers' transaction histories. The transaction processing system is connected to the rules database and customer database and includes point of entry ports, a customer identifier, a rules coordinator, an aggregation engine, and a transaction rules service. The point of entry ports receive transaction requests from points of entry and provide transaction responses to the points of entry. Based on information received in transaction requests, the customer identifier identifies customers and the rules coordinator determines applicable transaction rules. The aggregation engine determines aggregation values as a function of customers' transaction histories. The transaction rules service determines whether information received in the transaction requests meets the applicable transaction rules and causes the aggregation engine to determine aggregation values if the applicable transaction rules include aggregation thresholds. The transaction rules service generates transaction responses based upon the information received in the transaction requests along with any information received in response to any requests for additional information and any aggregation values, and updates the customer database as a function of the transaction. |
| US08019676B2 |
System and method for dynamically regulating order entry in an electronic trading environment
A system and method are provided for trading a trading strategy defined for at least one tradeable object in an electronic trading environment. More specifically, one example method includes using a first pay-up tick value to determine a first acceptable price level for an order associated with the trading strategy, automatically modifying the first pay-up tick to a second pay-up tick value in response to detecting a predefined condition, and using the second pay-up tick value to determine a second acceptable price level for the order associated with the trading strategy. |
| US08019674B1 |
System and method for creating a market map in an electronic trading environment
A market map interface displays market information and trader-related information associated with at least two tradable objects. In one embodiment, the at least two graphical interfaces may be linked, and a user may define one or more adjustment parameters to be used to adjust the view of information being displayed via the linked graphical interfaces. For instance, a user may initiate repositioning of one of the linked graphical interfaces, thus, effectively, causing other linked graphical interfaces to be repositioned according to the defined adjustment parameters. |
| US08019673B1 |
Implied matrix for tradeable objects
System and methods for displaying implied market data are developed. One example method includes displaying a plurality of indicators corresponding to a plurality of tradeable objects via a graphical interface. Upon identifying a first tradeable object, the method includes determining an implied relationship between the first tradeable object and the at least one of the plurality of tradeable objects. The method further includes displaying a graphical indicator in relation to an indicator corresponding to the first tradeable object and at least one indicator corresponding to the at least one of the plurality of tradeable objects to indicate an implied relationship between the first tradeable object and the at least one of the plurality of tradeable objects. |
| US08019672B2 |
Dynamic price improvement
A system and method is provided to enable traders to price improve on an item at an amount less than a predetermined pricing increment. Traders can improve on the price of the item using different price improvement levels (e.g., four different levels). The price improvement according to the invention is a dynamic price improvement, which enables a dynamic order to maintain a predetermined position in a trading stack relative to other orders in the stack. The dynamic order may maintain its position in the trading stack by adjusting (e.g., increasing or decreasing) its price improvement level depending on market conditions. For example, a dynamic order may increases its price improvement level such that it stays at least one level ahead of the next best order in the trading stack. If the level cannot be further increased, the dynamic order may use its timestamp to maintain its position in the stack. |
| US08019656B2 |
System and method for generating an alternative product recommendation
A method and system for automatically generating a self-updating naturally-reading narrative product summary including assertions about a selected product. In one embodiment, the system and method includes evaluating an existing narrative product summary, comparing an existing attribute name, attribute value, attribute unit, and assertion model, respectively, to a current attribute name, attribute value, attribute unit, and assertion model to determine if one of the comparisons shows a change. The system and method further determines a new attribute associated with the selected product, selects an alternative product, retrieves a new assertion model with assertions that describe the selected product and identify an alternative product in a natural manner. The system and method then generates a naturally-reading narrative product summary by combining the new attribute with the new retrieved assertion model, and by combining the selected alternative product with another retrieved assertion model to recommend the selected alternative product in the narrative. |
| US08019652B1 |
Execution of composite services
Techniques are described for assisting users in dynamically creating and using composite services that are based on other constituent services. In some situations, each constituent service is a Web service (“WS”), and each composite service is a new WS whose execution involves dynamically invoking multiple specified constituent WSes in a specified manner. Such techniques may be used, for example, in conjunction with an electronic WS marketplace via which third-party WS providers make their WSes available to third-party WS consumers who locate and purchase access to those WSes, such as to allow a user to dynamically create a new composite WS that is based on one or more WSes available from other WS providers and that reflects any constraints of the WS marketplace, with the composite WS available for use by other WS consumers. This abstract is not intended for use in interpreting or limiting the scope of the claims. |
| US08019650B2 |
Method and system for producing item comparisons
A method and system for producing an item comparison may initially include obtaining data based on user activity that is indicative of an item and other items likely to be comparable to the item, and recording the data for later access. An item comparison may thereafter present an item of interest to the user along with other items identified based on the recorded data. Prior to producing the item comparison, the user may be provided at least one list of potentially comparable items that can be selected for the item comparison, the list including items in the recorded data that are likely to be comparable to the item of interest. The recorded data may be specific to the user or may include data obtained from other users. Data reflecting user activity with an item comparison may be recorded as additional data indicative of comparable items. |
| US08019646B2 |
Method of providing customer services
Customer services are provided by storing predetermined trigger information in association with predetermined content. A real-time text chat established over a network between at least one agent device and at least one customer device is monitoring for the predetermined trigger information using a monitoring computer. The predetermined content is automatically forwarded to the at least one customer device when the predetermined trigger information is detected in the monitoring. |
| US08019642B2 |
System and process for receiving boosting recommendations for use in providing personalized advertisements to retail customers
A system and process for incorporating recommendation boosting in an automated recommendation system includes presenting a user with a visual electronic interface adapted to receive recommendation boost instructions regarding a boost subject, receiving recommendation boost instructions via the visual electronic interface, wherein the recommendation boost instructions indicate how strongly the boost subject should be recommended or suppressed from being recommended, receiving a set of recommendations from one or more automated product recommendation systems, wherein each recommendation system utilizes one or more selection models or user models and modifying the set of recommendations according to the recommendation boost instructions. |
| US08019640B2 |
Method, apparatus, and program for implementing an automation computing evaluation scale to generate recommendations
An automation assessment tool is provided that defines autonomic technology, processes, organization, and skill sets that apply to autonomic computing. The automation assessment tool provides educational material about autonomic computing and a scale of maturity levels, which is used to assess on-demand preparedness. The automation assessment tool presents a survey and collects answers to the survey questions. The automation assessment tool then determines solutions and recommendations to achieve a target level of on-demand preparedness. |
| US08019638B1 |
Dynamic construction of business analytics
A system and method are provided that enable dynamic construction of analytics for the evaluation of opportunities. A unique decision-focused approach simplifies the evaluation of opportunities and incorporates expertise and future-relevant judgments directly into the decision process, thereby tracking the effectiveness of those decisions with respect to selected metrics. |
| US08019633B2 |
Livestock management systems and methods
This invention relates to systems and methods for managing livestock, such as cattle, from conception to consumption. More particularly, this invention relates to systems and methods in which users, such as producers, feedlot managers, packers, buyers, sellers, and consumers, are brought together through shared information and improved communication. Users may access one or more applications, tools, and/or systems to increase the value of each animal, monitor and track each animal, and improve the efficiency of their operation. |
| US08019631B2 |
System and method for automatically selecting one or more metrics for performing a capacity maturity model integration
A computer implemented method for automatically identifying one or more metrics for performing a CMMI evaluation of an entity, wherein the CMMI evaluation is performed at a particular CMMI level and the method comprises the steps of accessing an electronic database of a plurality of candidate metrics, providing a first list of requirement elements to define a set of specific requirements of the entity, providing a second list of requirement elements to define a set of general requirements of the business field of the entity, searching for a first subset of metrics from the plurality of candidate metrics that match the first list and second list of requirement elements, searching for a second subset of metrics from the first subset of metrics that match with the CMMI level, and outputting the second set of metrics in a user-friendly format suitable for the CMMI evaluation. |
| US08019630B2 |
Dynamic service scheduling
A system includes a number of services and agents interconnected by a communication network. A consumer agent identifies a template specifying one or more events for a task. The consumer agent implements an iterative process in which the template may be further defined and/or refined to provide links to one or more of the services that provide features for fulfilling events within an itinerary. |
| US08019625B2 |
Administrative reports for digital radiology department
A system produces administrative reports for a digital radiology department. The system includes a plurality of digital radiographic systems, each of which has storage for storing digital data in html relating to the use and operation of the system. A computer is in communication with the plurality of digital radiographic systems. The computer has a web browser for collecting digital data relating to the operation and/or use of each digital radiographic system. The computer produces one or more administrative reports based on the collected data. |
| US08019621B2 |
Medical image report data processing system
A system uses a flexible mapping capability in adaptively exchanging image related data between a structured report data format and data formats employed by different types of image processing device. A system provides medical image associated measurement data from different types of imaging device in a particular report format data structure. The system includes an acquisition processor for acquiring measurement data associated with medical images produced by an examination of a particular patient using a particular type of imaging device. A repository of mapping information associates clinical terms used by multiple different types of imaging device with corresponding codes compatible with a particular report format data structure employed for providing an imaging examination report of a particular patient. A data processor uses the repository in converting clinical terms in the acquired measurement data provided using the particular type of imaging device to corresponding codes compatible with a particular report format data structure. The data processor processes the codes corresponding to the converted clinical terms as well as elements of the acquired measurement data for incorporation in the particular report format data structure. |
| US08019617B2 |
System for optimizing transportation scheduling
A computer modeling application is disclosed for finding the optimal solution to maximize total net margin, for the assignment of vehicles (e.g., especially vessels) in an available fleet to perform a set of voyages to transport cargo comprising one or more bulk products during a planning period, as well as an apparatus and method employing the same. The fleet can include term vehicles and spot vehicles. The vehicles, voyages, and cargos can be heterogeneous. In one embodiment, the vehicles are crude carrier vessels and the bulk products are different grades of crude oil. To increase speed, the model is broken into linear programming and mixed integer (linear) programming problems. The model can be run on a real-time basis to support complex scheduling operations. |
| US08019615B2 |
Method and system for decoding GSM speech data using redundancy
Aspects of a method and system for decoding GSM speech data using redundancy are provided. A decoding algorithm in a frame process may be utilized to generate a bit-sequence for GSM speech data received via a burst process. The decoding algorithm may be a modified Viterbi algorithm, for example. The frame process may comprise verifying a CRC for the bit-sequence and/or decrypting the bit-sequence. In some instances, estimates of the bit-sequence may be fed back to the decoding algorithm. A speech stream that satisfies speech constraints may be generated based on the generated bit-sequence. The speech constraints may comprise gain and/or pitch continuity, for example. The generated speech stream may be decoded via a voice decoder that supports full rate (FR), adaptive multi-rate (AMR), and/or enhanced full-rate (EFR) speech coding. Frame process results may be fed back to the burst process to improve decoding of received GSM speech data. |
| US08019610B2 |
Automated sentence planning in a task classification system
The invention relates to a task classification system (900) that interacts with a user. The task classification system (900) may include a recognizer (920) that may recognize symbols in the user's input communication, and a natural language understanding unit (900) that may determine whether the user's input communication can be understood. If the user's input communication can be understood, the natural language understanding unit (930) may generate understanding data. The system may also include a communicative goal generator that may generate communicative goals based on the symbols recognized by the recognizer (920) and understanding data from the natural language understanding unit (930). The generated communicative goals may be related to information needed to be obtained from the user. The system may further include a sentence planning unit (120) that may automatically plan one or more sentences based on the communicative goals generated by the communicative goal generator with at least one of the sentences plans being output to the user. |
| US08019609B2 |
Sonic/ultrasonic authentication method
A method for verifying and identifying users, and for verifying users' identity, by means of an authentication device capable of transmitting, receiving and recording audio or ultrasonic signals, and capable of converting the signals into digital data, and performing digital signal processing. Voice pattern(s) and user(s) information of one or more authorized user(s) are recorded and stored on the authentication device. User(s) identification is verified by inputting to the authentication device a vocal identification signal from a user, and comparing the voice pattern of the vocal identification signal with the recorded voice pattern(s) of the authorized user(s), and if a match is detected issuing an indication that the user is identified as an authorized user. |
| US08019607B2 |
Establishing call-based audio sockets within a componentized voice server
A method of interfacing a telephone application server and a speech engine can include the step of establishing one or more audio sockets in a media converting component of the telephone application server. The audio socket can remain available for approximately a duration of a call. A work unit that requires processing by a speech engine can be detected for the call. An identifier for the audio socket and a data for the work unit can be conveyed to a selected speech engine. Work unit results from the selected speech engine can be received by the media converting component via the previously established audio socket. |
| US08019604B2 |
Method and apparatus for uniterm discovery and voice-to-voice search on mobile device
A method, system and communication device for enabling uniterm discovery from audio content and voice-to-voice searching of audio content stored on a device using discovered uniterms. Received audio/voice input signal is sent to a uniterm discovery and search (UDS) engine within the device. The audio data may be associated with other content that is also stored within the device. The UDS engine retrieves a number of uniterms from the audio data and associates the uniterms with the stored content. When a voice search is initiated at the device, the UDS engine generates a statistical latent lattice model from the voice query and scores the uniterms from the audio database against the latent lattice model. Following a further refinement, the best group of uniterms is then determined and segments of the stored audio data and/or other content corresponding to the best group of uniterms are outputted. |
| US08019603B2 |
Apparatus and method for enhancing speech intelligibility in a mobile terminal
An apparatus and a method for enhancing speech intelligibility in a mobile terminal. A complex spectrum calculator calculates complex spectra of one input frame of an input speech signal by Fourier transform, a speech level calculator calculates its instant levels, an average speech level calculator calculates an average speech level of the speech frame using the instant levels, if the input frame is a speech frame, a scaling factor calculator calculates scaling factors by comparing the average speech level with the instant levels, an HPF characteristic calculator calculates amplitude characteristics using the scaling factors, a HPF high-pass-filters the complex spectra using the amplitude characteristics, a synthesizer converts high-pass-filtered signals to time signals by inverse Fourier transform and synthesizes the time signals, and a combiner outputs an enhanced intelligibility speech signal by combining the synthesized time signal with the input frame. |
| US08019598B2 |
Phase locking method for frequency domain time scale modification based on a bark-scale spectral partition
This invention improves the perceived quality of frequency-domain time scale modification by selection of spectral bands used in phase locking based upon a Bark scale according to the variation in human hearing frequency response. A spectral peak is identified for each band. At these peaks the phases are rotated using the phase vocoder algorithm. For a few spectral lines near these peaks, the phase differences are copied from the non-rotated spectrum. The number selected is preferably 4. Remaining spectral lines within each spectral band located farther from the peak are phase rotated using the phase vocoder algorithm. The boundaries of the spectral bands may be adjusted based upon the digital audio data to maintain important frequency groups within the same spectral band. |
| US08019597B2 |
Scalable encoding apparatus, scalable decoding apparatus, and methods thereof
A scalable encoding apparatus capable of reducing the bit rates of encoded parameters and also capable of efficiently encoding audio signals in which a plurality of harmonic structures are coexistent. In the apparatus, an MDCT analyzer MDCT analyzes an audio signal for converting/encoding processes. A pitch frequency converter determines an inverse of a pitch period to calculate a pitch frequency. A selector selects spectra located at frequencies that are integral multiples of the pitch frequency, and a second layer encoder encodes the selected spectra. |
| US08019596B2 |
Linguistic service platform
Linguistic service platform techniques are described. In implementations, one or more computer-readable media comprise instructions that are executable by a computer to designate a linguistic service having a particular property responsive to an application program interface call specifying the property. Communication may be brokered between the linguistic service and the application so that communication occurs without the application directly communicating with the linguistic service. |
| US08019595B1 |
Computer processes for analyzing and improving document readability
Disclosed are systems and methods for analyzing and improving document readability. For example, a method of reducing writing problems in existing prose is disclosed that can deal with problems related to the word “it” in text. Such a method can include the following steps: scanning prose to determine whether a particular writing problem exists in the prose; determining if at least one sign is present, the sign indicating a possible occurrence or absence of the writing problem, the sign comprising the word “it”; and specifying a proposed edit to a user of the method, the proposed edit changing the prose in a way that addresses the writing problem. Various other rules for improving text are also disclosed. |
| US08019591B2 |
Rapid automatic user training with simulated bilingual user actions and responses in speech-to-speech translation
A system and method for automatic user training in speech-to-speech translation includes integrating an automatic user response system configured to be responsive to a plurality of training items and selecting a training item from the plurality of training items. For the selected training item, in response to an utterance in a first language, the utterance is translated into a second language, and a response to the utterance in the second language is generated. A simulated action corresponding with the response in accordance with a user speaking the second language is also generated. The response and simulated action are output as a learning exercise for learning operations of the automatic user response system. |
| US08019587B1 |
Software upgrade of redundant network components
A method for upgrading redundant network components is disclosed. An application is installed on a network component. The network component is related as a redundant peer with a mate network component operating in an active mode and processing a stable call. The network component is placed in a standby mode. Data of a first version is transferred from the mate network component to the network component. The transferred data is converted from the first version to a second version. The mate network component is switched from the active mode to a standby mode. The network component is switched from the standby mode to an active mode to process the stable call. |
| US08019584B2 |
Method and system for modeling likely invariants in distributed systems
Disclosed is a method and system for modeling invariant relationships between flow intensity measurements in a distributed system. In the method, a measurement is randomly selected from a plurality of flow intensity measurements. The method searched for relationships between the randomly selected measurement and each remaining one of the plurality of flow intensity measurements, and each of the flow intensity measurements having a relationship with the randomly selected measurement is grouped into a cluster with the randomly selected measurement. The method than determines relationships between all of the flow intensity measurements in the cluster. This method is repeated with the remaining flow intensity measurements until all of the flow intensity measurements are grouped into a cluster. |
| US08019583B1 |
Selective functional group simulation of automation control and information systems
A simulation model can individually and selectively simulate sub-processes of a full-scale production system. Such a customized simulator can directly simulate all the processes of a system, any combination of processes of a system, or a single process of a system. The remaining processes of the system are left to be executed by an operator or equivalent software program. The model and corresponding information can be used for test, design, evaluation, adjustment, certification, and training purposes. |
| US08019573B2 |
Drawing conversion assignment and management system
Drawing conversion assignment and management systems are provided that typically include receiving logic, a database, assignment logic, and completion logic. The receiving logic typically receives notification of completion of a land base drawing file. The database creates a drawing conversion job record associated with the land base drawing file. The assignment logic assigns the drawing conversion job record to a draftsman and instructs the database to record the assignment. The completion logic typically receives a request to close the drawing conversion job record, and instructs the database to mark the drawing conversion job record as closed. Methods and other systems are also provided. |
| US08019571B2 |
Abnormality processing system
A system, device, method, and program for informing abnormality, providing a user with abnormality information of equipment in an easy-to-understand manner so that convenience is enhanced. When abnormality occurs in equipment including home electric appliances, abnormality information indicating abnormality is transmitted to a server through an information terminal, and based on a reply from the server, contents of the abnormality are displayed on the terminal. When the abnormality is eliminated, the abnormality display is removed or display on a monitor, etc. are made to inform the elimination of the abnormality. |
| US08019570B2 |
System and method for continuous online safety and reliability monitoring
A system and method for managing a plurality of instrumented function components is disclosed. In one embodiment, operating information about the plurality of instrumented function components is received from an online safety availability application and status information for the plurality of instrumented function components is updated, within an asset management database, based upon the operating information. And based upon the status information, the plurality of instrumented function components are managed. |
| US08019569B2 |
Method for checking a valve
A valve has a valve piston, at least one coil and at least one magnetized component. An induction voltage is induced in the at least one coil, by a movement of the valve piston in the valve through a magnetic field produced by the magnetized component. A reference point is acquired, which is representative of a start of a current activation cycle of the valve. In the current activation cycle a point is determined as a function of a characteristic pattern of the induction voltage, which is representative of an end of a movement process of the valve piston in the valve. A current response time is determined as a function of the point and the reference point. At least one error condition is determined as a function of the response time. An error is identified, when the at least one error condition is satisfied. |
| US08019567B2 |
System and method for evaluating changes in the efficiency of an HVAC system
The invention comprises systems and methods for evaluating changes in the operational efficiency of an HVAC system over time. The climate control system obtains temperature measurements from at least a first location conditioned by the climate system, and status of said HVAC system. One or more processors receives measurements of outside temperatures from at least one source other than said HVAC system and compares said temperature measurements from said first location with expected temperature measurements. The expected temperature measurements are based at least in part upon past temperature measurements. |
| US08019565B2 |
Parameter correction circuit and parameter correction method
In a parameter correction circuit in an LSI, a reference resistor element with high precision having a resistance value set to a target value is connected to an external terminal of the LSI. A constant current from a mirror circuit connected to a current supply flows through the reference resistor element. A voltage value generated in the reference resistor element is measured by a voltage measuring circuit. The constant current also flows through a variable resistor element. The resistance value of the variable resistor element is adjusted so that a voltage generated in the variable resistor element corresponds to the voltage generated by the reference resistor element. |
| US08019564B2 |
Systems and methods for calibrating the loop bandwidth of a phase-locked loop (PLL)
A method for calibrating the loop bandwidth of a phase-locked loop (PLL) is described. At least one resistor in the PLL filter is tuned in accordance with the frequency of an input reference signal. One or more capacitors in the PLL filter are tuned in accordance with the frequency of the input reference signal. Output pulses of one or more voltage controlled oscillators (VCO) are counted. A first charge pump current associated with a target loop bandwidth is counted in accordance with the counted output pulses. A programmable charge pump current is tuned to the calculated first charge pump current. |
| US08019557B2 |
Cavity induced allosteric modification of intermolecular interactions and methods of identifying compounds that effect the same
Method of identifying compounds that modulate intermolecular interactions between a target protein and a modifier are disclosed. Pharmaceutical composition comprising compounds that inhibit intermolecular interactions between a target protein and a modifier are disclosed. Methods of treating individual suffering from inflammatory conditions, undesirable immune responses, immunological conditions and bacterial infections are disclosed. |
| US08019552B2 |
Classification of breast cancer patients using a combination of clinical criteria and informative genesets
The present invention provides prognostic methods for conditions such as cancer, for example, breast cancer, comprising classifying an individual by a plurality of phenotypic, genotypic or clinical characteristics of the condition into a plurality of patient subsets, and analyzing the pattern of expression of prognosis-informative genes identified for that subset in a sample from the individual. The present invention also provides methods for constructing such patient subsets and of identifying prognosis-informative genesets for such subsets. The invention further provides methods of assigning a therapeutic regimen to an individual, microarrays useful for performing prognosis, kits comprising these microarrays, and computer systems and programs for implementing the methods of the invention. |
| US08019551B2 |
Biological dataset profiling of asthma and atopy
Methods and systems for evaluating biological dataset profiles relating to asthma and other atopic conditions are provided, where datasets comprising information for multiple cellular parameters are compared and identified, and used in the evaluation of candidate pharmacologic agents for suitability as therapeutic agents. |
| US08019550B2 |
Drug discovery method
A method of obtaining information about a chemically active area of a target molecule, for example for drug discovery, comprising: providing a set of substantially rigid chemical gauges; reacting said target with a plurality of gauges of said set of gauges; assaying a binding of said gauges with said target to obtain a plurality of assay results; and analyzing said assay results to obtain information about said chemically active area. |
| US08019539B2 |
Navigation system with apparatus for detecting accuracy failures
A navigation system for a vehicle having a receiver operable to receive a plurality of signals from a plurality of transmitters includes a processor and a memory device. The memory device has stored thereon machine-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, enable the processor to determine a set of error estimates corresponding to pseudo-range measurements derived from the plurality of signals, determine an error covariance matrix for a main navigation solution using ionospheric-delay data, and, using a parity space technique, determine at least one protection level value based on the error covariance matrix. |
| US08019538B2 |
System and method for high accuracy relative navigation
A relative navigation system and method are disclosed. The relative navigation system includes a first sensor unit responsive to a motion of a first position, a second sensor unit responsive to a motion of a second position, and a first processing unit associated with at least one of the first sensor unit and the second sensor unit and communicatively coupled to the first sensor unit and the second sensor unit. The first processing unit is configured to generate relative navigation solution information associated with first sensor unit information and second sensor unit information. |
| US08019536B2 |
Methods, devices, and computer program products for geo-tagged photographic image augmented GPS navigation
A method of providing augmented Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation can include detecting movement of a GPS enabled mobile device along a navigational route and displaying a photographic image on a display of the GPS enabled mobile device responsive to detecting movement of the GPS enabled mobile device along the navigational route provided by the GPS enabled mobile device. Related devices and computer program products are also disclosed. |
| US08019534B2 |
Method and apparatus for map-updating of navigation system
A method and apparatus for map-updating of a navigation system by automatically generating point of interest (POI) data that is not registered and automatically generating a POP alias of POI data that is already registered, the method including: logging at least one piece of point of interest (POI) data if the POI data input in order to find a destination is not found in the navigation terminal; and registering the logged at least one piece of POI data as a candidate POI alias of newly input POI data if a destination designated by the navigation terminal according to the newly input POI data is equal to an arrived destination. |
| US08019531B2 |
Navigation device and method for displaying alternative routes
A navigation device has a route re-calculation function. This is activated by the user touching the screen to task away from the normal navigation map mode to a menu screen which displays multiple types of route re-calculation options. |
| US08019530B2 |
Judging method of load distribution
A method of judging the load distribution of a vehicle without providing a specific load sensor on a vehicle is characterized in that the load distribution by the every wheel of a vehicle or the load distribution by every axle is judged by comparing the result of comparing the calculation value of the rotational speeds of wheels in the predetermined two combinations of wheels with the result of comparing the calculation value of the rotational speeds of wheels in the fore-mentioned predetermined two combinations of wheels at a predetermined load when the vehicle is under brakeage. |
| US08019528B2 |
System and method of controlling combustion phasing in an internal combustion engine
A system for controlling combustion phasing in an internal combustion engine is provided that includes, but is not limited to a first sensor positioned within a first variable volume combustion chamber and a vibration sensor positioned outside of the first and second variable volume combustion chambers. A first signal from the first sensor is used to control the combustion process in the first variable volume combustion chamber and a combination of the first signal from the first sensor and the second signal from the vibration sensor is used to control the combustion process in the at least one second variable volume combustion chamber. |
| US08019527B2 |
Method for operating an internal combustion engine, and associated internal combustion engine
In a method for operating an internal combustion engine including inlet valves with variably adjustable opening curves, during part-load operation, the closing time of the inlet valves and the fuel injection time are controlled as a function of the cylinder internal temperature so as to maintain the cylinder internal temperature relatively low in a controllable manner for reducing NOx emissions. |
| US08019526B2 |
Adapter phasor control hold duty cycle system for an engine
A camshaft phasor control system for an engine includes a camshaft position sensor that generates a current camshaft position signal based on position of a camshaft. A first comparator generates a camshaft position signal based on the current camshaft position signal and a crankshaft position. The second comparator generates an error signal based on the relative camshaft position signal and a commanded camshaft position signal. A control module determines a current control hold duty cycle (CHDC) for a camshaft phasor based on an engine state parameter. The control module also generates a correction signal based on the error signal, adjusts the current CHDC based on the correction signal to generate a commanded CHDC signal, and generates another CHDC based on the commanded CHDC signal. |
| US08019516B2 |
Method for measuring the useful load of a telehandler
A method for measuring the useful load of a telehandler including calculation of the useful load from the change of the axle load on the front axle or the rear axle compared with the vehicle in an unloaded condition, the distance of the useful load from the front axle or the rear axle having a defined value or the load-holding device of the telehandler being in a defined position. |
| US08019501B2 |
Vehicle diagnostic and prognostic methods and systems
Method for predicting failures in vehicular components includes mounting sensors on the vehicle which provide data affected by the operation of the components, obtaining data from the sensors, detecting patterns in the obtained data on the vehicle, analyzing the detected patterns to predict failure of any component, and informing the user, owner, dealer and/or manufacturer of the vehicle about the predicted failure to enable preventative and corrective action to be taken. A vehicle with remote telematics capability includes sensors arranged to provide data about conditions of the vehicle or components, a processor for receiving data provided by the sensors and converting the data into an output constituting a signal about a diagnostic condition of the vehicle or component(s), and a communications unit arranged to transmit the signal. The communications unit can establish a communications channel with a dealer or manufacturer of the vehicle at a location remote from the vehicle. |
| US08019494B1 |
Propellant management system and method for multiple booster rockets
Propellant management systems and methods are provided for controlling the delivery of liquid propellants in a space launch vehicle utilizing multiple rockets. The propellant management systems and methods may be configured to enable substantial simultaneous depletion of liquid propellants in each of a plurality of active rockets during operation of various booster stages of the launch vehicle. |
| US08019492B2 |
Operator fine tracking assist using sensor derived inputs
A preferred embodiment of a method for fine-tracking operator assistance for controlling movement of an object toward a target combines an operator input for guiding the object toward the target with a sensor-derived input from sensor measurement of the object's position relative to the target's position. The combined input is separated into low and high frequency content, and a Low Frequency Authority Limit component applies a pre-determined gain over a selected range to the low frequency content, while a High Frequency Authority Limit component applies a pre-determined gain over a selected range to the high frequency content. The low-frequency gain output is combined with the high-frequency gain output as a total control input for control of the object relative to the target. |
| US08019490B2 |
Imaging and display system to aid helicopter landings in brownout conditions
An imaging and display system provides helicopter pilots with an unobstructed display of a landing area in a brownout or whiteout condition by capturing a high resolution image of the landing area prior to obscuration. Using inertial navigation information from the aircraft or an independent system, the system transforms the image to a desired viewpoint and overlays a representation of the helicopter's current position relative to the landing area. The system thus greatly improves orientation and situational awareness, permitting safe and effective operation under zero visibility brownout conditions. |
| US08019489B2 |
Methods and systems for displaying messages from a plurality of sources
Methods and systems for a flight deck display system for displaying text messages are provided. The system includes an alert generator configured to receive message signals from a plurality of aircraft systems and to generate alert messages based on the received message signals, and a flight deck display screen that includes a screen portion that is separately controlled by the alert generator to display messages received from the alert generator. |
| US08019486B2 |
Voice command control of adjustable bed functions
A controller for an adjustable bed can accept voice input, such as spoken commands to control functions of an adjustable bed. The controller can also accept voice commands to control functions of a second system associated with the bed. One or more voice commands can result in both the adjustable bed and the second system functionality being controlled. |
| US08019485B2 |
System and method for controlling the performance of a power generating system
A method and system for energy management in a power system. Target performance standards are calculated and used to measure performance and to comply with regulatory performance standards. The target performance standards are based on probability theory and are used to control power generation. The amount of corrective power necessary is based on the calculated target performance standards and the deviations of current performance values from the target standards. |
| US08019482B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling a sprinkler system
A sprinkler system having a method and computer program comprises one or more sprinklers each comprising a sprinkler valve adapted to regulate an amount of fluid delivered by the sprinkler in response to a control signal; a master unit adapted to transmit digital data; and a sprinkler controller comprising a receiver adapted to receive a signal representing the digital data; a media access controller adapted to obtain the digital data from the signal; and a processor adapted to produce the control signal based on the digital data obtained by the media access controller; and an output circuit adapted to provide the control signal to the sprinklers. |
| US08019478B2 |
Control system and method for controlling multi-stage air conditioners
A method of controlling operation of a pair of two-stage air conditioners. The method monitors a temperature of an area served by the air conditioners; activates a first stage of a first or lead air conditioner when the temperature rises above a first set point temperature; activates a first stage of a second or lag air conditioner when the temperature rises above a second set point temperature; activates a second stage of the first air conditioner only if the temperature remains above the second set point temperature beyond a first selected time period; and activates a second stage of the second air conditioner only if the temperature remains above the second set point temperature beyond a second selected time period. Neither of the air conditioners is operated in their less efficient second stages if both air conditioners are not first operating in their high efficiency first stages so that the entire cooling requirements of the area served by the air conditioners is primarily served by the first high efficiency stage of one or both the air conditioners. |
| US08019473B2 |
Manipulator and method of controlling manipulator
A manipulator includes: a drive section which electrically drives a joint; an instruction input section which executes instruction input; a control section which generates a driving signal in response to the instruction input; a sensor which detects an operation status of the joint or the drive section in time series; a setting section which sets an allowable operation range of the drive section; a determination section which determines whether an operation status signal including a detection signal is within the allowable operation range; and a replacement section which, in a case when the operation status signal is determined as deviating from the allowable operation range, replaces the detection signal with a previous detection signal acquired just before the determination of deviance in order to generate a driving signal. |
| US08019471B2 |
Integrated, non-sequential, remote medication management and compliance system
An integrated medication management and compliance system for enabling a care provider to remotely manage and deliver individual doses of therapeutic products to a patient, in a non-sequential fashion. The system includes delivery apparatus remotely located from the care provider, wherein the apparatus stores a plurality of sealed unit dose packages that are delivered to a patient at a scheduled dosing time. The delivery apparatus is coupled to a control facility and to a computer terminal of the care provider by way of a secure communications network. The system enables the patient's medication regimen to be remotely tailored in real-time to accommodate fluid medical conditions. |
| US08019470B2 |
High capacity drawer with mechanical indicator for a dispensing device
One aspect of the invention relates to an assembly comprising a plurality of bins with a plurality of lids associated therewith. Each of the bins has a lock assembly that includes a catch operable to lock the lid in its closed position and a mechanical indicator responsive to the catch. Another aspect of the invention relates to an automated dispensing cabinet that includes a control computer and a plurality of drawers having a plurality of row assemblies therein. Each row assembly has bins that include a tabbed lid, a lock assembly with a catch operable to engage and disengage the tab, and an indicator responsive to the lock assembly. Methods for dispensing from and restocking the remote dispensing systems are also given, as well as a method for indicating which item is to be dispensed from one of a plurality of bins. |
| US08019467B2 |
Scheduling method for processing equipment
Methods and apparatus for processing substrates using a multi-chamber processing system (e.g., a cluster tool) that has an increased system throughput and repeatable wafer processing history are provided. In one embodiment a first substrate is transferred from a first position to a second position and then the first substrate is transferred from the second position to a third position using a first robot. A second substrate is transferred from a first position to a second position and then the second substrate is transferred from the second position to a third position using a second robot. The movement of the first and second robots is synchronized so that the movement from the first position to the second position by the first and second robot is performed within a first time interval. |
| US08019465B2 |
System and methods for increasing efficiency in rapid prototyping processes
A system and methods for batch sorting objects and mapping the objects on a tray having a fixed dimension along an x-axis and a fixed dimension along a y-axis. Certain aspects of the present embodiments include (a) storing the objects in a queue; (b) sorting the objects in the queue according to a dimension of the objects; (c) mapping the objects sequentially into a first column of a plurality of columns on the tray until the first column is filled; (d) mapping the objects into a subsequent column until the subsequent column is filled; (e) repeating step (d) until only a last column in the plurality of columns remains to be filled, or until no more objects remain in the queue; and (f) mapping the objects into the last column in accordance with a column organization plan. In certain embodiments, at least one of the columns, and not necessarily the last column, includes objects mapped in accordance with a column organization plan. |
| US08019461B2 |
Moulding tool for moulding a ceramic green body and use of said moulding tool
The moulding tool is a near-net-shape negative mould for shaping a ceramic green body for the lens. The mould has a shaping surface, which is described by the following equation B: y 1 = cz 2 1 + 1 - ( k + 1 ) c 2 z 2 + a 1 z 2 + a 2 z 4 + a 3 z 6 + a 4 z 8 + … , ( B ) y1 gives a position on an optical axis; x designates a perpendicular distance from the optical axis to the surface; k, c, and a1, a2, a3, a4, . . . are constants describing a surface of the lens to be moulded and z=|x|+b, wherein b is a constant with a value greater than 0 and less than 0.3 mm, which is a measure of a deviation of the shaping surface from the surface of the lens. |
| US08019458B2 |
Creating multi-layer/multi-input/multi-output (MLMIMO) models for metal-gate structures
The invention provides a method of processing a wafer using multilayer processing sequences and Multi-Layer/Multi-Input/Multi-Output (MLMIMO) models and libraries that can include one or more measurement procedures, one or more Poly-Etch (P-E) sequences, and one or more metal-gate etch sequences. The MLMIMO process control uses dynamically interacting behavioral modeling between multiple layers and/or multiple process steps. The multiple layers and/or the multiple process steps can be associated with the creation of lines, trenches, vias, spacers, contacts, and gate structures that can be created using isotropic and/or anisotropic etch processes. |
| US08019453B2 |
Decimator and decimating method for multi-channel audio
A decimator is used to process a multi-channel audio signal, and includes a memory, a controller and a processing unit. The processing unit is used to decimate each input audio component of a multi-channel audio signal to generate corresponding multi-channel operational data. The controller is used to control read and write actions for each audio component of the multi-channel audio signal and the multi-channel operational data into or from the memory. The memory provides a digital signal process for decimation together with the processing unit. The input of the multi-channel audio and the output of the multi-channel operational data are performed through time division. Compared with conventional decimator circuits, the decimator circuit of the present invention reduces the cost and the power consumption of the hardware circuitry. |
| US08019450B2 |
Playback apparatus, playback method, and recording medium
Audio data are played back by a personal computer a relationship with a playback process recognized easily. Displays showing the contents of play lists are arranged and displayed so that the contents become continuous in sequence in a playback sequence from content that is currently being played back from a display of an operation element that causes an image of a playback process to appear or from a display showing the content which is currently being played back. When the playback of one piece of content of one play list from among a plurality of play lists is terminated and one piece of content of an other play list is played back, at least the content that is currently being played back and content to be subsequently played back are displayed so that the contents can be distinguished. |
| US08019448B2 |
Stage device
The vibrations of a second table supported on a first table that is movable in one horizontal direction can be controlled. A stage device includes an XY axis table movable in the X-direction, a Z-axis table supported by a support portion on the XY axis table, a pair of scales that are arranged apart from each other in the X-direction and detect the Z-direction velocity on the Z-axis table, a pair of motors that are arranged apart from each other in the X-direction and drive the Z-axis table in a vertical direction on the Z-axis-table, and a controller controls the drives of the motors based on the Z-direction velocity detected, in which the behavior of pitching vibrations in the Z-axis table is determined by detecting the Z-direction velocity with the scales, and the motors are driven and then the Z-axis table is rotated in a pitching direction so that the pitching vibrations are cancelled. |
| US08019445B2 |
Method and apparatus for optimization of distributed generation
An energy optimization method and control apparatus may be used in a single building or a group of buildings to optimize utility-supplied and renewable sources in order to minimize the total energy cost. Simultaneously, it may also produce and store energy, such as electricity or hydrogen, that can be used to fuel vehicles, provide a means for independent production of household energy needs, or both. Various factors, such as the production of thermal energy and electricity from the renewable sources, the current store of stored energy, the current and expected thermal and electricity requirements of the building (based on a profile), the current and expected electricity loads of the equipment used to process stored energy, the expected thermal and electricity generating capacity of the renewable sources and other factors can be used to determine the mix of renewable-based and utility-based energy that minimizes the total energy cost. |
| US08019442B1 |
Assembly kit for creating paddle-style lead from one or several percutaneous leads and method of lead implantation
In one embodiment, an assembly for conducting pulses from an implantable pulse generator, comprises: at least one percutaneous lead comprising terminals and at least two groups of electrodes, each group of electrodes possessing an intra-group electrode spacing; a frame member comprising first and second arms, the frame member comprising an inner lumen for removably housing the at least one percutaneous lead, each arm of the first and second arms comprising a plurality of apertures that are spaced according to the intra-group electrode spacing to allow conduction of electrical pulses from the electrodes of the at least one percutaneous lead to tissue of the patient when the lead is positioned within the frame member; and a spring member that is connected to the frame member for maintaining the first and second arms of the frame member at a predetermined distance in the absence of an external force on the spring member. |
| US08019433B2 |
Adaptive interference reduction during telemetry
An implantable medical device has a first module for performing telemetry communications with another device and a second module for delivering a high voltage therapy to a patient. The first module is configured to detect a communication error, and the second module is configured to determine a need for the therapy and to charge a capacitor in response to the need for the therapy. The second module is configured to suspend the capacitor charging in response to receiving a notification from the first module corresponding to detecting a communication error. |
| US08019428B2 |
Video processing methods for improving visual acuity and/or perceived image resolution
A method and apparatus for improving visual acuity when providing a visual image from a “high” resolution input device to a “low” resolution output device. The described invention is of particular use when the output device is an array of electrodes as part of a retinal prosthesis used to restore vision to a visually-impaired patient. In that various limitations may, within the foreseeable future, limit the density of such an electrode array (and thus the resolution of the output image), the present invention teaches techniques to assign processed pixel subsets of a higher resolution image to a single electrode. By varying the pixel subsets, e.g., by jittering, and/or altering the processing criteria, the perceived visual acuity may be further improved. Alternatively and additionally, such processing may be further extended to drive neighboring electrodes in combination to thus stimulate virtual electrode sites and thus further enhance visual acuity. |
| US08019423B2 |
Laparoscopic implantation of neurostimulators
A method for altering operation of a nerve related to a given body condition includes the steps of identifying at least one nerve root of a nerve related to the given body condition; laparoscopically implanting at least one electrode on the nerve root; and operating the electrode to electrostimulate the nerve root and alter operation of the nerve. |
| US08019421B2 |
Blood glucose level control
A pancreatic controller, comprising: at least one electrode adapted for electrifying at least a portion of a pancreas; and a controller programmed to electrify said electrode so as to positively control at least the effect of at least two members of a group consisting of blood glucose level, blood insulin level and blood level of another pancreatic hormone. In one example, the controller controls insulin, glucagon and/or glucose blood levels. |
| US08019414B2 |
Treating cancer using electromagnetic fields in combination with other treatment regimens
Chemotherapeutic treatment for certain cancers may be combined with low intensity, intermediate frequency alternating electric fields that are tuned to a particular type of target cell. When the tuned fields were combined with Paclitaxel, Doxorubicin or Cyclophosphamide, excellent results were obtained against human breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231) and non-small cell lung (H1299) carcinomas in culture. More specifically, cell proliferation inhibition similar to that obtained by drug alone was reached by exposure to the combined treatment at drug concentrations between one and two orders of magnitude lower than for drug-only regimens of treatment. |
| US08019411B2 |
Probes, systems, and methods for examining tissue according to the dielectric properties thereof
The present invention relates to probes, systems, and methods for tissue characterization by its dielectric properties, wherein a physical feature of the probe is designed to define and delimit a tissue volume, at a tissue edge, where characterization takes place. Thus, the probe for tissue-edge characterization comprises: a first inner conductor, which comprises: proximal and distal ends, with respect to a tissue edge, along an x-axis; a first sharp edge, inherently associated with the proximal end; at least one feature, issuing from the first inner conductor, substantially at the proximal end, for forming at least one additional sharp edge, operative to enhance localized electrical fringe fields in the tissue, within a generally predefined tissue volume, at the tissue edge, the tissue volume being generally defined by physical parameters associated with the at least one feature; and a dielectric material, which encloses the conductor, in the y-z planes. |
| US08019403B2 |
Mobile radio transmission unit
The invention relates to a mobile radio transmission unit for transferring data to a control and/or signal processing unit. According to the invention, provision is made for a mobile radio transmission unit for transferring data to a control or a signal processing unit, comprising a sensor arrangement for determining at least one component of a surrounding magnetic field. The sensor arrangement is connected to a monitoring entity which, from the at least one component, ascertains a variable that characterizes the surrounding magnetic field and prevents a transmission by an antenna of the radio transmission unit if the characteristic variable is below a threshold value. |
| US08019397B2 |
Magnetic levitation sliding structure
A magnetic levitation sliding structure including a first slide member, and a first magnetic portion which is disposed in the first slide member to extend along the lengthwise direction of the first slide member and has magnetic poles arranged perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of the first slide member with the lengthwise direction of the first slide member being an extending direction. The structure further includes a second slide member slidingly engaged with the first slide member, and a second magnetic portion which is disposed in the second slide member to extend parallel to the first magnetic portion and has magnetic poles with opposite magnetic polarity to those of the first magnetic portion in order for the first and second magnetic portions to repel each other. |
| US08019394B2 |
Component packaging for handheld communication devices
A handheld communication device may comprise a first housing and a second housing. The first housing may include a first keypad and a battery. The second housing may include a second keypad, at least one display, and a printed circuit board. The second housing may be rotatable relative to the first housing between an open configuration and a closed configuration. The second keypad may face in a substantially same direction as the first keypad in the open configuration, and the second keypad may face in a substantially opposite direction to the first keypad in the closed configuration. |
| US08019393B2 |
Signal receiver circuit
A signal receiver circuit including a transmission gate, a pull-low unit, a boost capacitor, a voltage division unit, and a receiver unit is provided. The transmission gate determines whether to conduct an input signal according to a control signal. The pull-low unit determines whether to pull down the voltage at a terminal of the boost capacitor according to the control signal. The boost capacitor boosts the input signal of the receiver unit. The voltage division unit sends a divided voltage to another terminal of the boost capacitor according to the control signal. When an input signal is received, the boost capacitor boosts the input signal, for overcoming low current issue caused by high threshold voltage of MOS transistors and accordingly the receiver unit achieves full swing. |
| US08019392B2 |
Handsfree apparatus and handsfree system
A handsfree system includes a handsfree apparatus and a phone. The handsfree apparatus has a database including a primary control program and a model-specific program. The primary control program enables the handsfree phone call when coupled with the phone. The model-specific program is operated to resolve a model-dependent constraint by being incorporated in the primary control program. The model-dependent constraint arises when coupled with the phone. The model-specific program is associated with phone model information and program specification information to specify the model-specific program independent of the phone model information. Phone model information and program specification information are acquired from a phone coupled with the handsfree apparatus. Model-specific program corresponding to the acquired program specification information is retrieved from the database when the acquired phone model information is not included in the database. The retrieved model-specific program is executed by incorporating in the primary control program. |
| US08019391B2 |
In-vehicle handsfree apparatus
An in-vehicle handsfree apparatus establishes a handsfree profile connection with each of a first cellular phone and a second cellular phone at the same time. When the first cellular phone is under telephone call, the second cellular phone receives an incoming call. The in-vehicle handsfree apparatus receives from the second cellular phone a ring tone, which is previously registered in the second cellular phone. Herein, the in-vehicle handsfree apparatus does not output the ring tone registered in the second cellular phone. Instead, the in-vehicle handsfree apparatus generates a ring tone to thereby output it in addition to a reception sound received from the first cellular phone under the telephone call. |
| US08019388B2 |
Main menu navigation principle for mobile phone user
A menu-driven electronic device utilizes a display and a single two-dimensional navigation key. The display is configured to selectively display one of a plurality of menus, including a main menu and a sub-menu. The two-dimensional navigation key is configured to select one of a plurality of main menu items and to select a sub-menu item of the sub-menu associated with a selected main menu item. A portion of the plurality of menu main items is displayed. The main menu and the sub-menu can be accessed by maintaining contact with the two-dimensional navigation key. The device is configured to display a main menu item icon to provide a visual reference to the selected main menu item in a menu tree of the menu being displayed. The device is preferably a cellular phone. |
| US08019385B1 |
Load simulation for testing uplink of wireless networks
Systems and methods of testing a base station are provided. A base station can generate simulated user data and combine this data with data received from mobile stations over an air interface. The combined data can then be evaluated to determine the effect of the simulated user data to the data received from mobile stations over the air interface. |
| US08019380B2 |
Integrated communication apparatus
An integrated communication apparatus is linked to the PSTN or the Internet for making a PSTN call or a VoIP call. The integrated communication apparatus includes a Bluetooth earphone having a signal transmitting terminal, and a body having an earphone receiving slot and a control circuit board. The earphone receiving slot is used for receiving the earphone and the signal transmitting terminal of the Bluetooth earphone is electrically connected with the control circuit board. The control circuit board includes a control module. The control module is connected with a Bluetooth module, a wireless VoIP module, a PSTN module, a voice-signal encoding/decoding circuit, a judging and charging circuit, and a voice-signal switching module for operating and controlling the modules and the circuits. The voice-signal switching module is connected with a speaker and a microphone via an ECHO eliminating circuit. |
| US08019377B2 |
Information notification apparatus and portable communication terminal
An information notification apparatus is provided that receives information defined in an electronic device as information about which a notification is to be given, and notifies an information communication terminal about the information. The information notification apparatus receives information from the electronic device. Receiving the information, the apparatus checks whether or not terminal i can communicate. When the terminal can communicate, the notification apparatus notifies terminal i about the information. If the terminal cannot communicate, the received information is written into a device information buffer. This process is performed for all terminals. Accordingly, the terminals are notified about the information by the information notification apparatus. |
| US08019375B2 |
Transport format combination selecting method, wireless communication system, and mobile station
In a method of selecting a transport format combination according to the present invention, a mobile station calculates the transmission power of a first physical channel using a first TFC with respect to each of first TFCs, and determines whether the mobile station is in a transmission capable state or not. Then, the mobile station calculates the sum of the transmission power of first and second physical channels using first and TFCs, with respect to each of combinations of the first and second TFCs, and determines whether the mobile station is in the transmission capable state or not. Then, the mobile station selects a first TFC from the first TFCs wherein the mobile station is in the transmission capable state. Then, the mobile station selects a second TFC from the second TFCs which are included in combinations wherein the mobile station is in the transmission capable state among the combinations including the selected first TFC. Thereafter, the mobile station transmits data in the first and second physical channels using the selected first and second TFCs, respectively. |
| US08019374B2 |
Radio network relocation
There is disclosed a method for serving radio network subsystem relocation from a first radio network controller to a second radio network controller for an established call to a user equipment, comprising transmitting a transmission power control combination index of a radio link established between the user equipment and the first radio network controller to the second radio network controller. |
| US08019367B2 |
Mobile terminated short message service blocking
A method and system allow a mobile subscriber to block reception of mobile terminated (MT) Short Message System (SMS) messages yet still have the ability to send outgoing mobile originated SMS messages. The method and system include determining whether a MT SMS feature setting is enabled or disabled at an SMS layer of a protocol stack of the mobile device and transmitting a mobile device registration message to a mobile network service center as SMS capable or incapable, depending on the MT SMS feature setting. The mobile device may be registered as SMS incapable by setting certain fields within information elements of registration messages. If a MT SMS message is received and the MT SMS feature setting is disabled, then the SMS layer may increment a blocked message counter and transmit a failure message to the service center. The service center may be included in a base station of the mobile network. |
| US08019363B2 |
Facilitating messaging between a mobile device and a user
A method, system and computer program product for instant message communication in a wireless and non-wireless environment. The invented system includes an apparatus that facilitates conversation with individuals not included in the user's buddy group, non-buddies. The system includes at least one additional routing code reserved for conversing with non-buddies. The first time during a user session that the system receives a message originating from or destined for a non-buddy, before routing the message, the non-buddy's personal identifier is associated with one of the reserved routing codes. The mobile user can then reply to the message using the same automated ‘reply’ function available for replies to buddies. The non-buddy routing code assignment is only for the duration of a user session. When the mobile user signs off from the system, the routing code becomes available for reassignment. |
| US08019356B2 |
Location based tracking
The subject matter disclosed herein relates to obtaining position fixes using a position determination method in response to a change in an RF environment. |
| US08019353B1 |
Method and system for reporting fiber optic delay for use in locating a wireless communication device
A method and system for facilitating location of a wireless communication device communicating via a communication path that includes a fiber optic cable is disclosed. The delay associated with a communication propagating through a fiber optic cable can be used to more accurately determine inputs used when locating a device using triangulation. The delay introduced by the cable may vary with the temperature of the cable. Therefore, the temperature associated with the cable is measured and used to determine a delay associated with the fiber optic cable. An indicator of the delay may then be used by a positioning system to more accurately locate a wireless communication device. |
| US08019351B2 |
Multi-hop communications in a wireless network
Systems and techniques are disclosed relating to wireless communications. The systems and techniques involve wireless communications wherein a module or communications device is configured to select first and second terminal pairs, the first terminal pair having a first transmitting terminal and a first receiving terminal, and the second terminal pair having a second transmitting terminal and a second receiving terminal, schedule a first signal transmission from the first transmitting terminal to an intermediate terminal, the first signal transmission being destined for the first receiving terminal, schedule, simultaneously with the first signal transmission, a second signal transmission from the second transmitting terminal to the second receiving terminal, and schedule a power level for each of the first and second signal transmissions that satisfies a target quality parameter for each of the intermediate terminal and the second receiving terminal. |
| US08019350B2 |
Audio coding using de-correlated signals
A multi-channel signal having at least three channels can be reconstructed such, that the reconstructed channels are at least partly de-correlated from each other using a downmixed signal derived from an original multi-channel signal and a set of de-correlated signals provided by a de-correlator (101) that derives the set of de-correlated signals from the down-mix signal, wherein the de-correlated signals within the set of de-correlated signals are mutually mostly orthogonal to each other, i.e. an orthogonality relation between channel pairs is satisfied within an orthogonality tolerance range. |
| US08019349B2 |
Telephone conversation resumption system, telephone conversation resumption program, telephone conversation resumption method, portable terminal and relay apparatus
In a communication network including a relay apparatus and a call control apparatus, a telephone conversation resumption system includes: a reservation unit, when a judgment unit detects communication impossibility between a portable terminal and the relay apparatus, records terminal identification data that specifies the portable terminal and an other-end terminal in a recording unit; a continuation processing unit that generates a call with the other-end terminal indicated by the terminal identification data and transmits a message to the other-end terminal; and a resumption unit that, when the judgment unit detects recovery of the communication state of the portable terminal, requests the call control apparatus to resume the telephone conversation between the portable terminal and the other-end terminal using the terminal identification data. With this configuration, even when the portable terminal becomes impossible to communicate, the telephone conversation resumption system can resume a telephone conversation easily. |
| US08019348B2 |
Combined base transceiver station and base station controller handoff
A system, method, and computer readable medium for a softer handoff comprises receiving a Pilot Strength Measurement Message (PSMM) to request a handoff by a selector distribution unit (SDU), receiving a softer handoff request message by a channel element control (CEC), receiving a softer handoff request message by a radio call control (RCC), receiving a traffic channel assignment message by the CEC, and receiving an indication of an addition of a new sector for the softer handoff by the SDU. |
| US08019345B2 |
Apparatus and method for performing handover in broadband wireless communication system
An apparatus and method for performing a handover in a broadband wireless communication system is provided. In the broadband wireless communication system, a base station includes: a grouping unit for grouping mobile stations by using information on a movement path of each mobile station and information on a received signal strength of a neighboring base station, thereby constituting at least one group; a controller for modifying hystereses of remaining mobile stations among the mobile stations belonging to the same group, if a predetermined number of mobile stations perform handovers; and a transmitter for transmitting a message including modified hysteresis information to the remaining mobile stations belonging to the group. |
| US08019337B2 |
Aircraft data transmission system for transmitting data between an aircraft and a transmission station located outside thereof
The invention relates to an aircraft data transmission system for transmitting data between the aircraft and a transmission station located outside thereof. The inventive system includes a transmitting/receiving device for transmitting and receiving data messaged from the outside of the aircraft, a message managing device comprising a device for carrying out the PER encoding/decoding of said messages, an interface device for displaying the incoming messages to an operator and enabling said operator to generate outgoing messages, an encoding device carrying out a function of encoding the encoding/decoding device and a recording device for recording all incoming and outgoing data messages related to an internal/external communication, which passes through the message processing device and is encoded, on a recording medium. |
| US08019336B2 |
Slice based architecture for a multifunction radio
An electronic radio system multifunction slice (100) for a electronic radio system (400). The slice (100) includes an antenna interface (102), several multi-band transceivers (106-112), a processor (104), and an avionics interface (114). The antenna interface (102) couples to the antenna preconditioners of the aircraft. The processor (104) is coupled to the multi-band transceivers (106-112) and antenna interface (102), and controls the transceivers (106-112) and antenna interface (102) to provide signal and data processing for at least two independent radio function threads. The processor (104) is also coupled to the avionics interface (114), which connects to the avionics network of the aircraft. Each multifunction slice 100 provides a programmable multifunction radio. |
| US08019335B2 |
Identifying neighboring cells in telecommunication network
A network architecture for Wireless Intranet Office (WIO) applications including a local radio network such as a wireless local area network (WLAN) which comprises a Wireless Mobile Center (WMC) arranged to serve as a WLAN access point; a GSM network which comprises a Mobile Station (MS) in a form of a dual-mode cellular phone to access both WLAN and GSM radio technologies, a Base Station (BS) arranged to convert a radio signal from the Mobile Station (MS) for communication, a Mobile Switching Center (MSC) arranged to establish call connection; and a Handover Module implemented in either the Mobile Station (MS) or the Wireless Mobile Center (WMC) for providing seamless mobility between the GSM network and the wireless LAN, when the Mobile Station (MS) roams between the GSM network and the wireless LAN. |
| US08019333B2 |
Apparatus and methods for product acceptance testing on a wireless device
Apparatus, methods, and programs for testing the communications processing ability, and determining product acceptance, of a wireless device. Embodiments include a product acceptance test application disposed on the wireless device and including simulated communications representative of actual communications with a wireless network. A communications processing engine disposed on the wireless device is operable to process the simulated communications, and thereby generates product acceptance data associated with a product acceptance decision. |
| US08019330B2 |
Methods and apparatus for providing manual selection of a communication network for a mobile station
Methods and apparatus for providing manual selection of a communication network for a mobile station are described. A plurality of communication networks are identified by scanning a coverage area within which the mobile station is operating. A plurality of network identifiers corresponding to the plurality of communication networks are then retrieved from memory of a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) in accordance with an Enhanced Operator Name String (EONS) protocol. Preferably, each network identifier is retrieved based on a Mobile Country Code (MCC), a Mobile Network Code (MNC), and a Location Area Code (LAC). The plurality of network identifiers are visually displayed for user selection, and at least two of the network identifiers may be substantially the same. The user selected communication network is registered with and the network identifier associated with this network is visually displayed. |
| US08019325B2 |
Podcasting on a mobile phone
The field of mobile telephony and, more particularly to accessing podcast content from mobile telephones is disclosed. More precisely, a method and a system for downloading a podcast on a Web server onto a mobile terminal, the method including: a step of a platform storing the address of the podcast at the request of a user on the mobile telecommunications network, a step of the platform verifying the update of the podcast and downloading the updated podcast onto this platform, a step of the platform sending the mobile terminal an address on the platform to allow said downloaded podcast to be downloaded by the mobile terminal via the mobile network, and a step of the terminal actually downloading the podcast stored on the platform via the mobile network. |
| US08019323B2 |
Methods for handling an apparatus terminated communication request and communication apparatuses utilizing the same
A communication apparatus is provided. A first subscriber identity card is with a first address and camps on a first cell. A second subscriber identity card is with a second address and camps on a second cell. A processor determines whether a first communication status of the first subscriber identity card reaches a first limitation, determines whether a second communication status of the second subscriber identity card reaches a second limitation, and determines whether to activate a service instructing the first wireless network to transfer a first apparatus terminated communication request of the first subscriber identity card to the second subscriber identity card according to determination results for the first communication status and the second communication status, wherein the first apparatus terminated communication request is initiated from a peer communication entity to request for establishing wireless communication with the first subscriber identity card. |
| US08019322B2 |
Use limiting apparatus, key, and use limiting system for electronic equipment
A use limiting system of electronic equipment capable of suppressing power consumption while preventing unauthorized use by other people by limiting the use in the case of theft or loss of electronic equipment is provided. A key 10 and a use limiting apparatus 20 built into a mobile telephone 1 start polling at predetermined polling intervals and also periodically check an operation state of the mobile telephone 1. When the mobile telephone 1 is in operation at that time, the polling interval of the key 10 and the use limiting apparatus 20 is increased from T1 to T2 and when the mobile telephone 1 is not in operation, the elapsed time from the nearest operation time is clocked by a timer and the polling interval is gradually decreased from T1 or T2 to T3-T5 according to the clocked time and the polling is performed. |
| US08019320B2 |
System and method of managing contactless payment transactions using a mobile communication device as a stored value device
A method handling payment transactions in a system using mobile communication devices as stored value devices is disclosed. A transaction operations server receives multiple records of the transaction from the stored value device—one via a communication channel through the telecommunication provider network, and another via an independent communication channel. The records are reconciled at the transaction server for transaction verification. |
| US08019307B2 |
Method and related electronic device for adjustment of a radio frequency circuit by impedance loading features
A method for adjustment of a radio-frequency circuit by impedance loading features includes designing a plurality of test fixtures each corresponding to an impedance loading area according to a predefined operating frequency band, coupling each of the plurality of test fixtures to a test point of the radio-frequency circuit for measuring a plurality of radio-frequency characteristic sets, determining an optimal impedance loading area of the radio-frequency circuit according to the plurality of radio-frequency characteristic sets, and adjusting the radio-frequency circuit according to the optimal impedance loading area. |
| US08019306B2 |
Amplifier and communication apparatus
A wide-band amplifier includes a band-pass filter made of an LC parallel resonant circuit and an LCR series resonant circuit. Both the LC parallel resonant circuit and the LCR series resonant circuit are connected in parallel to a current amplifier device. The band-pass filter has a plurality of poles as well as zeros provided therebetween in the s-plane, where some of the zeros are situated at locations other than the s-plane origing to improve a characteristic flatness in a passband. The output terminal of the amplifier device serves as an output terminal for the amplifier, so that the problem of group delay does not occur. A capacitance element between the output terminal of the amplifier and GND absorbs parasitic capacitance as part of constants to prevent degradation of the frequency characteristic. |
| US08019299B1 |
Radio communication device and method
One embodiment includes a system configured to identify a preferred channel for radio communication from a plurality of consecutive integer frequencies including preferred channels and non-preferred channels, the system further to generate a plurality of radio channels corresponding to a plurality of consecutive integer frequencies based on a generation of reference frequencies, identifies preferred channels and non-preferred channels from the plurality of radio channels, where frequency synthesizer settling times of the preferred channels are faster than frequency synthesizer settling times of the non-preferred channels, scan the preferred channels for radio activity, select one of preferred channels responsive to the scanned radio activity; and utilize one of the reference frequencies to generate a radio frequency corresponding to the selected one of the preferred channels. |
| US08019297B2 |
Radio receiver, audio system, and method of manufacturing radio receiver
A radio receiver includes a frequency converter, an oscillation circuit, an A/D converter, and a digital demodulator. The A/D converter digitally samples the intermediate frequency signal by using one of an oscillating frequency, a multiplying frequency, and a dividing frequency of the clock signal as a sampling frequency. The digital demodulator performs a digital demodulation processing by using the intermediate frequency signal digitally sampled and by using the one of the oscillating frequency, the multiplying frequency, and the dividing frequency of the clock signal as an operating frequency. The oscillating frequency is within a predetermined range. The predetermined range is at least one of equal to or more than 37.1 MHz and less than or equal to 37.9 MHz, equal to or more than 54.1 MHz and less than or equal to 64.8 MHz, and equal to or more than 74.2 MHz and less than or equal to 75.8 MHz. |
| US08019291B2 |
Method and system for frequency down-conversion and frequency up-conversion
A method and system is described wherein a signal with a lower frequency is up-converted to a higher frequency. In one embodiment, the higher frequency signal is used as a stable frequency and phase reference. In another embodiment, the invention is used as a transmitter. The up-conversion is accomplished by controlling a switch with an oscillating signal, the frequency of the oscillating signal being selected as a sub-harmonic of the desired output frequency. When the invention is being used as a frequency or phase reference, the oscillating signal is not modulated, and controls a switch that is connected to a bias signal. When the invention is being used in the frequency modulation (FM) or phase modulation (PM) implementations, the oscillating signal is modulated by an information signal before it causes the switch to gate the bias signal. In the amplitude modulation implementation (AM), the oscillating signal is not modulated, but rather causes the switch to gate a reference signal that is substantially equal to or proportional to the information signal. In the FM and PM implementations, the signal that is output from the switch is modulated substantially the same as the modulated oscillating signal. In the AM implementation, the signal that is output from the switch has an amplitude that is a function of the information signal. In both embodiments, the output of the switch is filtered, and the desired harmonic is output. |
| US08019289B2 |
Radio frequency transceiver front end circuit with matching circuit voltage divider
A front end circuit for coupling an antenna to a radio frequency (RF) transceiver for time domain duplex systems is disclosed. The front end circuit includes an antenna port, a power amplifier, a low noise amplifier, and a matching network. The output of the power amplifier and the input of the low noise amplifier are coupled to the matching network and connected in common to the antenna. The power amplifier and the low noise amplifier are activated and deactivated in sequence corresponding to the transmit and receive modes of the transceiver, and the matching network minimizes the effect that one has on the other at the designated operating frequency. |
| US08019288B2 |
Apparatus and method for cooperative relay in a wireless communication system based on relay stations
An apparatus and method for cooperative relay in a multiple-antenna wireless communication system based on relay stations (RSs) are provided. The apparatus includes a serial/parallel converter for dividing data into N number of streams, a channel estimator for calculating a first transmission rate at which a RS performing the cooperative relay can perform decoding and a second transmission rate at which all relay stations performing the cooperative relay can commonly perform decoding, and determining transmission rates for each of the N-number streams, and an adaptive modulation and coding (AMC) unit for encoding and modulating the N-number streams according to their respective transmission rates. |
| US08019287B2 |
On demand antenna feedback
A feedback method in which a notification is received that a transmitting device has scheduled a transmission of data to the receiving device. Antenna feedback is generated in response to receipt of the notification. The antenna feedback is sent to the transmitting device. A mobile device includes a wireless network interface and a processor configured to receive a notification that a transmitting device has scheduled transmission of data to the mobile device, to generate antenna feedback in response to receipt of the notification, and to send the antenna feedback over the interface to the transmitting device. |
| US08019281B2 |
Transmission method and transmission system
A transmission method and a transmission system are provided. The transmission method is for communicating an electronic device and a wireless earphone. The wireless earphone has a normal mode and a sleep mode. The transmission method includes the following steps. If the wireless earphone works on the normal mode, then the wireless earphone continuously transmits the data of synchronization signals to the electronic device. If the wireless earphone works on the sleep mode, then the wireless earphone stops transmitting the data of synchronization signals to the electronic device, and simulates the data of synchronization signals. |
| US08019277B2 |
System and method for playing audio file according to received location information
A system and method for playing an audio file, and for providing a user with information on the other party's location by playing an audio file are disclosed. The system is provided with a first audio player and a second audio player, and each audio player is provided with a transceiver unit to receive a message regarding sharing of an audio file and location information transmitted from the other audio player; a location-sensing unit to sense relative location of the two audio players, i.e., the first audio player and the second audio player, based on received location information; a wireless communication unit to receive the audio file transmitted from the other audio player; and a play-management unit for playing the audio file if the sensed relative location is within a short distance. |
| US08019269B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes a case comprising an opening for feeding a recording sheet into an interior of the case; a cover comprising an actuator unit, the cover capable of being moved between a closed state in which the cover closes the opening, and an open state in which the cover is displaced forward in a conveying direction of the recording sheet so as to open the opening to the interior of the case, and the actuator unit indicating a displacement of the cover; and a detection unit which detects whether the cover is in the open state or the closed state based on the displacement of the actuator. |
| US08019268B2 |
Polarity controlling device, and cleaner and image forming apparatus using the polarity controlling device
A polarity controlling device for controlling polarity of residual material on an image bearing member, including a blade, to which a first voltage is applied and which has a contact edge contacted with the surface of the image bearing member to charge the residual material, wherein the contact edge is covered with a resin layer including an electroconductive material. A cleaner including the polarity controlling device; a brush contacting the image bearing member to electrostatically collect the charged residual material utilizing potential difference; a collection member contacting the brush to collect the residual material; and a cleaning blade contacting the collection member to scrape the residual material therefrom. An image forming apparatus including an electrostatic image bearing member; a developing device developing the electrostatic image using a developer including a toner to form a toner image; a transfer device transferring the toner image onto a receiving material; and the cleaner. |
| US08019265B2 |
Method and apparatus for stripping media from a surface in an apparatus useful in printing
An apparatus and method for stripping media from a surface and useful in printing may include a first member, a fixing belt, a first nip, a second nip, and a stripping device including a curved stripping edge contacting the inner surface of the fixing belt, the stripping edge being defined by a radius of less than about 10 mm, the stripping edge being spaced from the first outlet end of the first nip by a distance of less than about 10 mm, and the fixing belt bending at a stripping angle of about 20° to about 30° at the stripping edge, the stripping device being adjustably movable by a mechanism to vary the distance from the stripping edge to the first outlet end of the first nip, wherein media are stripped from an outer surface of the fixing belt after exiting from the first outlet end of the first nip. |
| US08019263B2 |
Image forming apparatus belt having a detecting portion for position detection
An image forming apparatus belt includes a belt main body; a guiding member that is fixed to the belt main body along at least a side edge on one side of the belt main body; and a detected portion for position detection that is provided in a slit of the guiding member. |
| US08019262B2 |
Belt transporting apparatus, image forming apparatus and belt member transporting method with obilqueness mitigation
A belt transporting apparatus is provided with a belt member that is rotated; a first roll member that holds the belt member; a second roll member that is provided apart from the first roll member by a first distance, holds the belt member together with the first roll member and is movable toward the first roll member; and a third roll member that is provided apart from the second roll member by a second distance and holds the belt member together with the second roll member. The second distance is longer than the first distance. |
| US08019261B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a first image carrying member for carrying a first toner image; a second image carrying member for carrying a second toner image in a maximum amount, of the second toner image carried on the second image carrying member, larger than a maximum amount of the first image carried on the first image carrying member; a first transfer member for electrostatically transferring the first toner image onto a transfer medium in a first transfer nip formed by bringing the transfer medium into contact with the first, image bearing member; and a second transfer member for electrostatically transferring the second toner image onto the transfer medium in a second transfer nip formed by bringing the transfer medium into contact with the second bearing member so that a length of the second transfer nip with respect to a movement direction of the transfer member is longer than a length of the first transfer nip with respect to the movement direction. |
| US08019258B2 |
Developing apparatus
An amount-of-developer regulating apparatus configured to restrict the amount of developer carried on a developer bearing member. The amount-of-developer regulating apparatus includes a flexible developer amount regulation member having a contact portion configured to contact with a developer bearing member, and first and second holding portions configured to hold the developer amount regulation member and to contact with the developer amount regulation member at further upstream and further downstream in a direction where the developer bearing member is rotationally moved than the contact portion. With a pressure distribution of the contact portion as to the developer bearing member, there are a plurality of local maximum values in the direction where the developer bearing member is rotationally moved. Thus, the apparatus can be reduced in size, and also image concentration unevenness after long-term use can be prevented. |
| US08019256B2 |
Multi-mode long life monochrome printing system
A multi-mode, long life monochrome printing system that includes (a) a media supply assembly having a media path (b) a moveable intermediate transfer member for receiving images from image output terminal assemblies and for transferring the images to media on the media path; and (c) a plural number of monochrome image output terminal (IOT) assemblies adjacent the moveable intermediate transfer member, each monochrome image output terminal (IOT) assembly being selectably moveable into and out of image transfer relationship with the moveable intermediate transfer member, and each monochrome image output terminal (IOT) assembly having a development unit including developer material having essentially a same color. |
| US08019248B2 |
Sheet conveying apparatus, and image forming apparatus
An upper conveyance guide is provided at an apparatus main body. A guide surface of a lower conveyance guide is provided facing a guide surface of the upper conveyance guide, and can be drawn out in the direction intersecting the sheet conveyance direction with respect to the apparatus main body. A cleaning unit is provided on the backside in the drawing-out direction of the lower conveyance guide, moves together with the lower conveyance guide when the lower conveyance guide is drawn out from the apparatus main body, and cleans the guide surface of the upper conveyance guide. |
| US08019247B2 |
Fusing device and image forming apparatus which turns on an edge heater
A disclosed fusing device includes a fusing part; a pressing part rotatably pressed against the fusing part to form a fusing nip for fusing a toner image onto a sheet; a capacitor; a center heater for heating a center portion of the fusing part; an edge heater for heating edge portions of the fusing part; an auxiliary heater for heating the fusing part; and a control unit configured to continuously turn off the edge heater and to turn on the center heater and the auxiliary heater to heat the fusing part during a fusing process of one or more small-size sheets having a width less than that of the heat generating portion of the center heater. The control unit is configured to turn on the edge heater to heat the fusing part when the capacitor stops discharging electricity during a consecutive fusing process of multiple small-size sheets. |
| US08019245B2 |
Image forming device, and method and computer readable medium therefor
An image forming device includes an image forming unit forming an image on a sheet with an image forming property, a pattern forming unit forming a pattern on an object, a detection value determining unit determining a first detection value representing the image forming property of the image forming unit through detecting the pattern formed on the object by the pattern forming unit, a storage unit storing thereon the first detection value determined by the detection value determining unit, a correction value determining unit determining a correction value for correcting the image forming property with the first detection value stored on the storage unit and a second detection value that has previously stored on the storage unit, and a control unit controlling the image forming unit to form the image with the image forming property corrected based upon the correction value determined by the correction value determining unit. |
| US08019244B2 |
User-friendly image forming apparatus with current supplier for supplying cleaning current, image forming method and recording medium
An image forming apparatus includes: an intermediate transfer belt for, by rotation thereof, transferring a toner image on a surface thereof; a cleaner for removing toner particles after the transfer by rotation of a cleaning brush which touches the surface of the intermediate transfer belt and rotates during the transfer; a current supplier for supplying a cleaning current having a predetermined value (I2) to the cleaning brush in accord with the transfer; and a controller for controlling the intermediate transfer belt, cleaner and current supplier. The controller obtains a current time T1 and a previous rotation end time T2 of the cleaning brush, and when a time period during which the cleaning brush has not rotated, which is calculated from the current time T1 and the rotation end time T2, is equal to a predetermined time period or longer, sets the cleaning current to “I1”. |
| US08019242B2 |
Image forming apparatus and image forming method for suppressing fluctuation of formed images
An image forming apparatus and an image forming method capable of executing process control at appropriate timing are provided. A control section of an image forming apparatus carries out control for determining execution time of process control and executing the process control. The control section includes a counting section, a determining section and a process control management section. The counting section counts a number of printed sheets. The determining section determines on what time process control is to be executed form the counted number of printed sheets for each time zone. The process control management section manages the process control executed at an image forming section with the whole of the image forming apparatus. |
| US08019238B2 |
Image forming apparatus
In an image forming apparatus, an image forming portion forms an image on a rotator. A storage portion stores change characteristics information relevant to correction parameters corresponding to phase points of the rotator. A designating portion designates a correction parameter from the correction parameters based on the change characteristics information. A correcting portion corrects an image forming position on the rotator based on the correction parameter designated by the designating portion. When a first determining portion determines, based on a detecting phase point of the rotator detected by a detecting portion, that the current phase of the rotator corresponds to a shifting phase point, and further a second determining portion determines that the image forming portion is in inactive time, the designation by said designating portion is shifted to the correction parameter corresponding to the shifting phase point. |
| US08019229B2 |
Apparatus, system, method, and program for visible light communication
A visible light communication apparatus enables an operator to visually recognize a communication state during visual light communication. The apparatus includes a light emitting section which emits visible light and which includes a modulator, a visible light emitter, a light emitting element and an emission control section which includes a controller and which controls an emission state of the visible light from the light emitting section. The apparatus controls the emission state according to the communication state. It is hence possible for the operator to visually perceive the communication state during the visible light communication. |
| US08019227B2 |
Information transmitting system, information decoding apparatus, informing method and recording medium
A digital camera 800 receives from lighting units 120a-120l lights temporarily changing in luminance and produces a coordinates data list 8031 of the lighting units. Decoding unit 804 reads change in luminance at each luminance-point coordinates of the lighting unit to decode information. It is judged based on the decoded information of a data format 900, whether plural luminance-point coordinates having the same guidance point ID information 902 are found. When the plural luminance-point coordinates having the same guidance point ID information are found, a location of the plural luminance-point coordinates is analyzed to draw and display a circumscribed polygon having its vertices at these coordinates on a through image in an overlapping manner. A hatched area is set inside the circumscribed polygon and the decoded information is displayed within the hatched area. |
| US08019223B2 |
Method and device for controlling a remote vehicle
A system and method for controlling a remote vehicle comprises a hand-held controller including a laser generator for generating a laser beam. The hand-held controller is manipulable to aim and actuate the laser beam to designate a destination for the remote vehicle. The remote vehicle senses a reflection of the laser beam and moves toward the designated destination. The hand-held controller allows single-handed control of the remote vehicle and one or more of its payloads. A method for controlling a remote vehicle via a laser beam comprises encoding control signals for a remote vehicle into a laser beam that is aimed and sent to a designated destination for the remote vehicle, and sensing a reflection of the laser beam, decoding the control signals for the remote vehicle, and moving toward the designated destination. |
| US08019217B2 |
Storage system and optical module switching method for storage system
An object of the present invention is to continue to send and receive to/from a host when a failure has occurred in a storage device interface. A storage system includes a host and a storage device connected to the host via a communication line, wherein the storage device comprises a communication controller performing data communication with the host by using optical modules, and wherein the communication controller is provided with first optical modules performing data communication with the host; a second optical module performing data communication with the host, in place of a first optical module; and a controller switching, when a failure has occurred in any of the first optical modules, the first optical module in which the failure has occurred to the second optical module. |
| US08019214B2 |
Camera accessory coupling apparatus
A camera accessory coupling apparatus capable of easily and quickly coupling a camera body to a camera accessory is provided. The camera accessory coupling apparatus includes a holder selectively detachable from the camera body; a locking pin, disposed in the holder, a portion of which may enter the holder or exit from the holder; an elastic member contacting the locking pin and applying an elastic force to the locking pin; and a locking lever coupled with the holder and selectively contactable with the elastic member to control the entering and exiting of the locking pin with respect to the holder. |
| US08019213B2 |
Exchangeable lens and imaging device
An exchangeable lens includes: a cam member; a plurality of lenses; a lens holding frame; a drive motor; a worm screw; a worm wheel; a planetary roller; a first rotating member; a first bearing seat; a second rotating member; and a second bearing seat. |
| US08019212B2 |
Optical module for a photographing apparatus and photographing apparatus having the same
An optical module for a photographing device includes a fixed lens group member arranged along a first optical axis direction that faces an object, a reflection member arranged in the rear of the fixed lens group member and outputting an image light in a second optical axis direction perpendicular to the first optical axis direction by reflecting incident image light. The optical module further includes first and second lens groups and a zoom motor for providing power to change a distance between the first and second lens group members. Thus, the optical module has an efficiently configured structure. |
| US08019211B2 |
Zoom lens system, interchangeable lens apparatus and camera system
A zoom lens system includes a compact focusing lens unit and has a suppressed change in image magnification at the time of movement of the focusing lens unit. The system includes an aperture diaphragm, a first lens unit having negative optical power and being closest to the object side, a third lens unit arranged on the object side relative to the aperture diaphragm and being adjacent to the diaphragm, and a fourth lens unit arranged on the image side relative to the aperture diaphragm and being adjacent to the diaphragm. At the time of zooming, interval between the aperture diaphragm and the third lens unit arranged on the object side relative to the diaphragm and being adjacent to the diaphragm varies, and interval between the aperture diaphragm and the fourth lens unit arranged on the image side relative to the diaphragm and being adjacent to the diaphragm varies. |
| US08019207B2 |
Flame simulator of electric fireplace
An apparatus for flame simulation in an electrical fireplace which improves the realism of leaping and flickering flames, comprising a fixed light source, simulated charcoal, and a flame display screen which is arranged above the fixed light source. The simulated charcoal is located in front of the flame display screen. A twisted-style light reflector is located behind the flame display screen and is driven by a motor mounted inside the wall of the electrical fireplace. By rotating the twisted-style light reflector, light emitted from the fixed light source is reflected onto the flame display screen so the simulated dynamic leaping and flickering flames can be seen. The fixed light source also illuminates the simulated charcoal to produce an effect of burning charcoals. A heater produces warm air that is expelled from the fireplace. |
| US08019206B2 |
Glass manufacturing apparatus and a structural member thereof
A hollow tubular body for molten glass by which local-overheating in the electrode for conduction heating is prevented.A hollow tubular body for molten glass by which local-overheating in the electrode for conduction heating is prevented. A hollow tubular body having a platinum or platinum alloy hollow tube, used for conduction heating is characterized in that a ring electrode is joined to the outer circumference of the hollow tube, at least one lead-out electrode is joined to an outer edge of the ring electrode, and the ring electrode comprises a core portion of electrode of platinum or platinum alloy and a thick portion of platinum or platinum alloy or of a metallic material other than platinum or platinum alloy, provided at an outer side of the core portion of electrode. |
| US08019201B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing a copy-protected video signal
A anti-copy programme signal is provided. Copies of the anti-copy video pulses made on a video recorder experience reduced quality and interference in playback making them unpleasant to watch. The uncopied signal can be viewed without any material effect on picture quality. The signal comprises a pulse added to each line of the signal throughout both the visible picture region and throughout the vertical blanking region, as well as a first modulated wave-form added to the vertical synchronization pulses of the signal and a second modulated wave-form added to several lines of the picture signal before the vertical blanking section. The presence of all three of these features together has been found to provide a surprising accumulative effectiveness in causing interference in the reproduction of the modified video signal during playback of the copied video signal, that is greater than the effectiveness provided by the different features taken separately. |
| US08019193B2 |
Setting rate for recording broadcast transmission according to transmission rate
A digital broadcast, in which video data and audio data are transmitted in the form of a transport stream, is received in a digital broadcast receiver and is decoded to provide a received transport stream. A first interface of the digital broadcast receiver is connected to a corresponding interface of a recording apparatus. Information corresponding to a transmission rate of the received transport stream is determined. A recording rate setting command is generated on the basis of the information corresponding to the transmission rate. The recording rate setting command is transmitted to the recording apparatus through the first interface and the corresponding interface when the connection between the first interface and the corresponding interface is initiated, when a request command is received from the recording apparatus, or periodically after predetermined intervals. |
| US08019191B2 |
Method and device for coupling optical waveguides
A device for coupling optical waveguides includes at least one element for accommodating a cartridge. The cartridge is connected to the at least one accommodating element so as to be movable relative thereto while being provided with at least one mounting element for a coupling element to which at least one of the optical waveguides and at least one other optical waveguide can be connected. The at least one accommodating element is embodied so as to accommodate only one cartridge while encompassing two guiding mechanisms which allow the at least one optical waveguide and at least one other optical waveguide to be delivered to the cartridge. The optical waveguides, which run into the at least one accommodating element from different directions, are delivered to the one cartridge via a different of the two guiding mechanisms. The optical waveguides are connected at the coupling element of the cartridge, said coupling element being disposed on the mounting element of the cartridge. |
| US08019186B2 |
Photonic crystal circuit comprising a guided mode adapter and optical system including said circuit coupled with an optical fiber
The invention relates to a photonic crystal circuit comprising a guide produced in a photonic crystal membrane on the surface of a substrate and a mode adapter coupled to said guide, wherein the membrane includes a central point constituting the mode adapter having a section gradient as termination of said guide, said point being suspended so as to allow the propagation of modes in a symmetrical manner. It also relates to an optical system incorporating said circuit coupled to an optical fiber. |
| US08019184B2 |
Pen system for recording handwritten information
A pen system for recording a track of handwritten information created by a handheld electronic pen. The pen system includes the handheld electronic pen and a second memory unit located in an external data storage device. The electronic pen has an image sensor for optically imaging a position-coding pattern printed on a surface, a processor for recording the handwritten information as digital ink and a first memory unit for storing the digital ink. The first and second memory units are connected in such a way that a transmission of digital ink is caused to occur automatically from the first memory unit to the second memory unit. Receipt of the digital ink by the second memory unit causes the second memory unit to associate the track of handwritten information with a stored description of the surface. |
| US08019182B1 |
Digital image modification using pyramid vignettes
The present disclosure includes systems and methods relating to digital image modification using pyramid vignettes. In general, one aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in a method that includes receiving a request associated with rendering a photorealistic variation of a master digital image at an original resolution, selecting a digital image template from a number of digital image templates comprising image data associated with the master digital image at various resolutions, the selected image data at a different resolution from the original resolution, and rendering the photorealistic variation of the master digital image using the selected template. |
| US08019174B2 |
Image processing system, image processing method, and image processing program product
An image processing system includes an extraction unit for extracting a local region which contains one target region and at least one or more neighborhood regions from an image signal formed of a plurality of color signals from a CCD, a vectorizing unit for obtaining vector signals which contain the plurality of the color signals as components for each of the target and the neighborhood regions, a weighting set unit for setting weighting factors with respect to each of the vector signals in the local region based on the vector signal in the target region, a filtering unit for performing a filtering process using the weighting factors with respect to the vector signals in the local region, and a noise reducing unit for reducing the noise of the vector signal in the target region based on the vector signal through the filtering process. |
| US08019168B2 |
Motion detecting device and search region variable-shaped motion detector
An overall motion detecting device (1) includes a search region variable-shaped motion detector (2) and an overall motion information generator (3). The overall motion information generator (3) controls a surveillance camera (5) which is an external image capturing system and supplies control information of the surveillance camera (5) (such as moving direction, angular speed and focal length) to the search region variable-shaped motion detector (2) as overall motion information (S3). The search region variable-shaped motion detector (2) calculates a motion vector (mv) while renewing, by picture, a search region having a search shape determined by the overall motion information (S3) and a region area suitable for its operational capability. |
| US08019165B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method, defect detection method, semiconductor device manufacturing method, and program
An image processing apparatus which compresses an image, the apparatus includes: a storage unit which stores a code book, the code book being prepared by allocating identification codes to code blocks, the code blocks being formed by executing quantization processing regarding a plurality of first image blocks as multidimensional vectors, the plurality of first image blocks being generated by cutting, in preset sizes, first regions out of a code book preparation image containing a first edge, each of the first regions surrounding and including an edge point of the first edge, the first edge being detected from the code book preparation image; an edge detection unit which detects a second edge from a compression target image containing the second edge; an image block generation unit which cuts, in preset sizes, second regions out of the compression target image to generate a plurality of second image blocks, each of the second regions surrounding and including an edge point of the detected second edge; a search unit which searches the code book stored in the storage unit for code blocks similar to the second image blocks; and an output unit which outputs information on the identification codes of the similar code blocks which have been searched for and information on coordinates of the edge points of the second image blocks. |
| US08019161B2 |
Method, device and computer program of length measurement
A workpiece size measurement method suitable for length measurement of multilayered circuit elements with increased complexities is disclosed. This method employs a technique for changing measurement conditions in a way pursuant to either an image of workpiece or the situation of a target semiconductor circuit element to be measured when measuring pattern sizes on the workpiece image using design data of the semiconductor circuit element. With such an arrangement, adequate measurement conditions are selectable in accordance with the state of workpiece image and/or the state of a circuit element formed on the workpiece, thereby making it possible to improve the measurement efficiency. A workpiece size measurement apparatus using the technique is also disclosed. |
| US08019152B2 |
Color correction data acquiring system, image processing system, color correction data acquiring method, image processing method, and program
A color correction data acquiring system includes: an analysis unit that analyzes a data uniform part in an input image; and an area setting unit that sets a patch data acquiring area based on an analysis result of the analysis unit. The color correction data acquiring system acquires color correction data based on a patch data in the patch data acquiring area of the input image and a patch data in the patch data acquiring area of a read image. |
| US08019151B2 |
Methods and apparatus for image compression and decompression using graphics processing unit (GPU)
The invention provides, in some aspects, methods for image compression that utilize the central processing unit (CPU) of a digital data processor and its associated graphics processing unit (GPU), together, in order to compress an image. In related aspects of the invention, the GPU is adapted to render at least a portion of an image to an associated texture buffer (i.e., a texture buffer of the GPU) and to transform the resulting image values in that texture buffer to a frequency-based representation. The GPU can, further, order coefficients comprising that frequency-based representation and transfer at least a portion of those coefficients to the associated CPU. That CPU can, in turn, effect transfer of the downloaded coefficients to another digital data processor (or image processing apparatus). Still other aspects of the invention provide methods of image decompression that utilize the central processing unit (CPU) of a digital data processor and its associated graphics processing unit (GPU), together, in order to decompress an image. These methods parallel the compression methods discussed above, albeit in substantially reversed order. Other aspects of the invention provide digital data processing apparatus for image compression, decompression and/or remote image display operating in accord with the methods described above. |
| US08019148B2 |
Image processing apparatus and image processing method
By applying identification processing to each index included in a captured image, a set of an identifier, image coordinates, and an image number is acquired for each index, and the acquired set is registered in a data saving unit. The data saving unit manages the numbers of times of previous identification for respective identifiers. A display unit displays the number of times managed in association with an identifier in a set to be registered every time the set is registered. An index position and orientation calculation unit calculates the positions and orientations of indices corresponding to a set group using the set group registered in a memory. |
| US08019147B2 |
Three-dimensional data registration method for vision measurement in flow style based on double-sided target
The present disclosure is directed to a three-dimensional data registration method for vision measurement in flow style based on a double-sided target. An embodiment of the disclosed method that comprises A. Setting up two digital cameras which can observe the entire measured object; B. Calibrating intrinsic parameters and a transformation between the two digital camera coordinate frames; C. A double-sided target being placed near the measured area of the measured object, the two digital cameras and a vision sensor taking images of at least three non-collinear feature points of the double-sided target; D. Removing the target, measuring the measured area by using the vision sensor; E. Respectively computing the three dimensional coordinates of the feature points in the global coordinate frame and in the vision sensor coordinate frame; F. Estimating the transformation from the vision sensor coordinate frame to the global coordinate frame through the three dimensional coordinates of the three or more non-collinear feature points obtained at step E, then transforming the three dimensional data of the measured area to the global coordinate frame; and G. Repeating step C, D, E, F, then completing three dimensional data registration for all measured areas. The present disclosure improves three dimensional data registration precision and efficiency. |
| US08019145B2 |
Legged locomotion robot
A robot capable of performing appropriate movement control while reducing arithmetic processing for recognizing the shape of a floor. The robot sets a predetermined landing position of steps of the legs on a present assumed floor, which is a floor represented by floor shape information used for a current motion control of the robot, during movement of the robot. An image projection area is set, and is projected on each image captured by cameras mounted on the robot for each predetermined landing position in the vicinity of each of the predetermined landing positions. Shape parameters representing the shape of an actual floor partial area are estimated, forming an actual floor whose image is captured in each partial image area, based on the image of the partial image area generated by projecting the set image projection area on the images captured by the cameras for each partial image area. |
| US08019140B2 |
System and method for determining a size of an airway lumen and a thickness of an airway wall
A method for determining a size of an airway lumen and a thickness of an airway wall includes: computing a centerline of an airway; computing a three-dimensional (3D) gradient of a volume of the airway within a first threshold; positioning a tube along the centerline; iteratively expanding the tube by increasing its radius until the radius of the tube reaches the first threshold; determining inner and outer radii of the tube by checking the 3D gradient computed along an x-axis and a y-axis of the tube at a boundary of the tube at each iteration; and fitting the tube to the airway by using the determined inner and outer radii, wherein the inner radius of the fit tube is half a diameter of the airway lumen and the outer radius of the fit tube minus the inner radius of the fit tube is a thickness of the airway wall. |
| US08019136B2 |
Optical sectioning microscopy
Systems and methods for optical sectioning microscopy with structured illumination are provided. A light source generates a light beam with a spatial pattern for successively illuminating a sample at each phase of a plurality of phases. A detector detects a first set of images of the sample at a first axial resolution and a first lateral resolution, each image being associated with a respective phase of the plurality of phases of the illumination. A processor processes the first set of images to generate an enhanced sectioned image of the sample. More specifically, the processor generates data representing a second set of images at a second axial resolution greater than the first axial resolution; and subsequently, performs spectral analysis on the data representing the second set of images to form data representing the enhanced sectioned image of the sample at a second lateral resolution greater than the first lateral resolution. |
| US08019133B2 |
Method and system for display of structures or regions of interest
A system and a method for extracting regions of interest from a medical image in order to obtain an image useable by a user. The system includes a user interface comprising virtual buttons that the user can select using an input, the buttons enabling the user to control a selected region extraction method using a region growth method to extract a region The region extraction method depend on which virtual buttons are selected by the user. The user interface also includes a window in which the result of extraction of the region of interest can be displayed, as the region is being grown. |
| US08019126B2 |
Biometric data acquisition device, biometric data acquisition method and biometric authentication device
A biometric data acquisition device for acquiring data of a living body by irradiating the living body with light includes: a light source unit that emits light to the living body; a plurality of light receiving elements that receive transmitted light or reflected light, which is transmitted through the living body or reflects from the living body, respectively, by irradiating the living body with the light from the light source unit; an openable and closable gate provided for each of the plurality of light receiving elements; and an opening and closing control unit that controls opening and closing of the gate so as to make uniform intensities of light received by the plurality of light receiving elements. |
| US08019121B2 |
Method and system for processing intensity from input devices for interfacing with a computer program
A method and system for determining an intensity value of an interaction with a computer program is described. The method and device includes capturing an image of a capture zone, identifying an input object in the image, identifying an initial value of a parameter of the input object, capturing a second image of the capture zone, and identifying a second value of the parameter of the input object. The parameter identifies one or more of a shape, color, or brightness of the input object and is affected by human manipulation of the input object. The extent of change in the parameter is calculated, which is the difference between the second value and the first value. An activity input is provided to the computer program, the activity input including an intensity value representing the extent of change of the parameter. A method for detecting an intensity value from sound generating input objects, and a computer video game are also described. |
| US08019117B2 |
Method and apparatus for evaluating solar radiation amount
Disclosed is a method and apparatus for evaluating a solar radiation amount that can realize higher accuracy by virtue of consideration of terrain conditions.Static satellite image data 1 and three-dimensional map model 2 are combined, and a mesh 3 based on plane coordinates is set in accordance with a ground resolution of the static satellite image data 1. A shadow area 4 is calculated based on the three-dimensional map model 2 and a solar position specified by photographing chronological data, and whether or not each cell 8 of the mesh 3 belongs to the shadow area 4 is determined. Also, a solar radiation evaluation component 6 of each cell 8 in an area to be evaluated is obtained with reference to a table 7 associating a pixel value 5 of each pixel in the static satellite image data 1 with the solar radiation evaluation component 6 in an area corresponding to each pixel. In addition, when the cell 8 is determined to belong to the shadow area 4, an evaluation component after terrain condition correction calculated by applying a predetermined correction calculation to the solar radiation evaluation component 6 is obtained. |
| US08019115B2 |
Object authentication using a portable digital image acquisition device
A method is provided for determining whether a test object is an authentic object having an authentication image applied to an authentication image area thereof. The method comprises positioning and orienting a portable image acquisition device for selectively viewing and capturing a magnified image of a target surface area of the test object. The target surface area corresponds to the authentication image area of an authentic object. The method further comprises capturing a magnified digital image of the target surface area using the image capture acquisition device. The captured digital image is then processed to obtain a processed digital image and an authentication result is determined based on whether the processed digital image meets predetermined authentication criteria. |
| US08019097B2 |
Thermoacoustic device
A sound wave generator includes one or more carbon nanotube wire structures. The one or more carbon nanotube wire structures produce sound by means of the thermoacoustic effect. |
| US08019095B2 |
Loudness modification of multichannel audio signals
Scaling, by a desired amount sm, the overall perceived loudness Lm of a multichannel audio signal, wherein perceived loudness is a nonlinear function of signal power P, by scaling the perceived loudness of each individual channel Lc by an amount substantially equal to the desired amount of scaling of the overall perceived loudness of all channels sm, subject to accuracy in calculations and the desired accuracy of the overall perceived loudness scaling sm. The perceived loudness of each individual channel may be scaled by changing the gain of each individual channel, wherein gain is a scaling of a channel's power. Optionally, in addition, the loudness scaling applied to each channel may be modified so as to reduce the difference between the actual overall loudness scaling and the desired amount of overall loudness scaling. |
| US08019093B2 |
Stream segregation for stereo signals
Separating a source in a stereo signal having a left channel and a right channel includes transforming the signal into a short-time transform domain; classifying portions of the signals having similar panning coefficients; segregating a selected one of the classified portions of the signals corresponding to the source; and reconstructing the source from the selected portions of the signals. |
| US08019091B2 |
Voice activity detector (VAD) -based multiple-microphone acoustic noise suppression
Acoustic noise suppression is provided in multiple-microphone systems using Voice Activity Detectors (VAD). A host system receives acoustic signals via multiple microphones. The system also receives information on the vibration of human tissue associated with human voicing activity via the VAD. In response, the system generates a transfer function representative of the received acoustic signals upon determining that voicing information is absent from the received acoustic signals during at least one specified period of time. The system removes noise from the received acoustic signals using the transfer function, thereby producing a denoised acoustic data stream. |
| US08019085B2 |
System and method for sending encrypted messages to a distribution list
A system and method for sending encrypted messages to a distribution list that facilitates the sending of such messages only to individuals or other entities associated with the distribution list that will be able to read the message. In one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of: identifying a distribution list address in a message; determining one or more member addresses associated with the distribution list address; for each member address, determining if a public key for a member identified by the respective member address is available on the computing device; encrypting the message to each member identified by the one or more member addresses for which a public key for the respective member is available on the computing device; sending the encrypted message to the distribution list address if each of the one or more member addresses associated with the distribution list identifies a member for which a public key is available on the computing device; and sending the message to each of the one or more member addresses that identifies a member for which a public key is available on the computing device otherwise. |
| US08019081B2 |
System and method for processing encoded messages
Systems and methods for processing encoded messages at a message receiver. A received encoded message is decoded and stored in a memory. The stored decoded message can subsequently be displayed or otherwise processed without repeating the decoding operations. Decoding operations may include signature verification, decryption, other types of decoding, or some combination thereof. |
| US08019080B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing content service
There is provided a method and apparatus for providing a content service. A method of providing a content service includes generating a plurality of pieces of decryption information according to a continuous period of using a broadcasting service with respect to predetermined contents, encrypting the contents, and decrypting the encrypted contents using the decryption information. |
| US08019069B1 |
Method and apparatus for altering participants in a conference call to topics of interest
The present invention provides an indication to a registered participant of a conference call that an agenda item of interest has been reached. The conference call participant registers to receive a notification signal for particular agenda items that are scheduled to be covered during the conference call. During the conference call, transitions from one agenda item to the next are detected. Such transitions may be detected by receiving a selection by the conference call host or other authority of the agenda item that is to be covered next. Alternatively, a client alerter application may automatically determine which agenda item is being covered. In response to the detection of a transition to a new agenda item, a determination is made as to whether any of the conference call participants has registered to receive notification of the new agenda item. A notification signal is then provided to any participant who has registered to receive such notification. |
| US08019065B2 |
Communication device with capability for handling conditional acceptance of meeting requests
Interacting digitally communicating devices cooperate to schedule future meetings include a capability to handle conditional acceptance of meeting requests. For example, a conditional acceptance may be subject to Boolean logic functions of the acceptance status(es) of other meeting invitees (e.g., the condition that another specific one or more invitees also accept the meeting request). |
| US08019060B2 |
Telephone/transaction entry device and system for entering transaction data into databases
Transaction data is entered by the user in response to prompts in a template. The template and entered data are accumulated into data transactions which are exploded and sent to an external database servers for processing and storage. Each database server may explode the data transaction to produce ancillary records which are then stored, and/or forwards the data transaction or some or all of the ancillary records to other database servers for updating other databases associated with those database servers. The database server(s) may also return data streams for use in completing the fields in the data transaction. |
| US08019052B2 |
System and method for providing a customized dialtone
A system and method for customizing telephone communications is presented. The system and method may include a network node configured to communicate pre-dial content to the user of a communications device, rather than a dial tone. |
| US08019051B1 |
Method and apparatus for ordering communications
The present invention provides for the ranking of messages for presentation to a user based on user behavior with respect to previous messages received from ranked communication endpoints. In particular, the percentage of a message played back by a user can be used to assigned a rank for future messages received from the initiating communication endpoint associated with the subject message. Initiating communication endpoints associated with messages that the user has listened to all or a large proportion of are associated with a relatively high ranking that is applied to future messages from those communication endpoints. Initiating communication endpoints associated with messages that the user listens to only the message header or a small proportion of the message itself are assigned a relatively low ranking. Messages received as textual communications or by a unified messaging application may be ranked according to the order in which the user selects the messages for retrieval. |
| US08019050B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing feedback of vocal quality to a user
Embodiments of the invention relate to a feedback mechanism that informs a user of a communication device to adjust the volume, pitch, tone or other characteristic of his voice so as to compensate for noise in the surrounding environment. The feedback mechanism includes feedback circuitry that analyzes audio signals from the microphone and preferably from one or more additional environmental noise sensors. From the analysis, the feedback circuitry determines characteristics of the user's voice and characteristics of the environmental noise, and provides an analysis of how the user might modify his voice to best compensate for environmental noise. This analysis results in an indication to the user, such as through a vibration, a sound, or graphical indication on the device, which tells the user whether and to what extent the user should adjust a characteristic of his voice to best overcome such environmental noise. |
| US08019045B2 |
X-ray imaging apparatus
An X-ray imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit which is rotatable relative to a platform about a shaft portion perpendicular to an X-ray detecting surface, so as to change the orientation relative to a subject. |
| US08019043B2 |
High-resolution X-ray optic and method for constructing an X-ray optic
Described are optical apparatuses and methods for forming optical apparatuses. The optical apparatus includes a plurality of individually fabricated segments and a holder. Each of the plurality of individually fabricated segments include an inner annular surface and an outer contact surface opposite to the inner annular surface. Each of the inner annular reflecting surfaces define a longitudinal segment axis. The holder contacts each of the outer contact surfaces of the plurality of individually fabricated segments. Each of the longitudinal segment axes of the plurality of individually fabricated segments are linearly aligned. |
| US08019042B2 |
Medical imaging processing and care planning system
A system automatically compares radiotherapy 3D X-Ray images and subsequent images for update and re-planning of treatment and for verification of correct patient and image association. A medical radiation therapy system and workflow includes a task processor for providing task management data for initiating image comparison tasks prior to performing a session of radiotherapy. An image comparator, coupled to the task processor, in response to the task management data, compares a first image of an anatomical portion of a particular patient used for planning radiotherapy for the particular patient, with a second image of the anatomical portion of the particular patient obtained on a subsequent date, by image alignment and comparison of image element representative data of aligned first and second images to determine an image difference representative remainder value and determines whether the image difference representative remainder value exceeds a first predetermined threshold. An output processor, coupled to the image comparator, initiates generation of an alert message indicating a need to review planned radiotherapy treatment for communication to a user in response to a determination the image difference representative remainder value exceeds a predetermined threshold. |
| US08019041B2 |
X-ray diagnosis apparatus
An X-ray tube generates X-rays. A detector detects X-rays generated by the X-ray tube and transmitted through a subject. A C-arm is equipped with the X-ray tube and the detector. An arm support mechanism rotatably supports the C-arm. A top is on which the subject is placed. A bed supports the top so as to change a relative positional relationship along a horizontal direction between the C-arm and the top. The bed supports the top so as to change a relative positional relationship along a vertical direction between the C-arm and the top. A mechanism control unit controls the arm support mechanism and the bed so as to a perpendicular extending from a focus of the X-ray tube intersects the top at a predetermined position thereon, and a distance interval between the X-ray tube and the predetermined position is fixed during rotation of the C-arm. |
| US08019040B2 |
X-ray inspection device and production system
An X-ray inspection device includes a conveying unit, an identification part, and an operation control part. The X-ray inspection device irradiates articles with X-rays while the article is being conveyed, and the article is inspected. The conveying unit is configured and arranged to convey the article. The identification part is configured and arranged to identify whether the article is a test piece or an end product. The operation control part is configured to set operation of the X-ray inspection device to a normal mode in which the article is determined to be defective or not defective when the article has been identified as an end product by the identification part, and to a test mode in which a state of the device is assessed when the article has been identified as a test piece by the identification part. |
| US08019034B2 |
Common state-space multi-channel digital sample timing phase control of multiple read channels for correlated signals
Common sample timing control for sample timing of multiple read channels, wherein the signal clocking of the signals received by the multiple read channels are correlated, for example from parallel tracks of magnetic tape that have been written simultaneously. In one embodiment, a common sample timing control comprises multiple phase error inputs, each indicating phase error of one of the read channels. Logic responsive to the multiple phase error inputs is configured to weight and crosscouple the phase error indication of each phase error input with the phase error indication of each other phase error input, and to apply gain related to the variance of noise of the phase error indications. Feedback logic is responsive to the crosscoupling and is configured to provide a sample timing phase estimate for each read channel. |
| US08019032B2 |
Method and system for channel equalization
One embodiment includes a method of receiving a transmitted signal. The method comprises receiving a signal transmitted over a channel. The signal comprises a known signal and an information signal. The method further includes determining at least one indicator of channel characteristics based at least in part on the portion of the known signal. The method further includes generating a first value indicative of the information signal based at least in part on the at least one indicator of the channel characteristics. The first value comprises an error signal. The method further comprises removing the error signal from the first estimate of the signal based at least in part on the portion of the known signal. Other embodiments include systems for performing the method and methods of making such systems. |
| US08019030B2 |
Reconfigurable alamouti/ABBA decoder circuit, system, and method
A decoder apparatus for decoding a first input set of demodulated data elements obtained by demodulating transmitted data elements received over a transmission channel so as to obtain a corresponding output set of decoded data elements. The decoder apparatus includes a first register a first selector coupled to the first register, a second selector coupled to the second register, and a combiner coupled to the first and the second selection circuits and operable to combine selected demodulated data elements with selected channel description elements. The decoder apparatus still further includes a controller coupled to the first and second selectors and to the combiner, that is adapted to generate a plurality of signals defining a control sequence for driving the first and second selectors and the combiner. Said controller is adapted to be configured so as to generate at least two control sequences according to the selected transmission diversity scheme. |
| US08019023B2 |
Low-complexity scalable architecture for concatenation-assisted symbol-level combining
Systems and methods are provided for decoding signal vectors in multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems, where a receiver has received one or more signal vectors from the same transmitted vector. The receiver processes these received signal vectors one by one, and uses information from signal vectors that have already been processed to process the next signal vector. To process a current signal vector, the receiver concatenates the current signal vector with a previously processed signal vector. This concatenated signal vector is decoded using, for example, a maximum-likelihood (ML). To decode the concatenated signal vector, the ML decoder can use a concatenated channel matrix that includes a channel response matrix associated with the current signal vector and a processed version of previous channel response matrices. |
| US08019022B2 |
Jitter-tolerance-enhanced CDR using a GDCO-based phase detector
An embodiment of a clock and data recovery circuit comprising a first clock and data recovery circuit with high bandwidth and a second clock and data recovery circuit with low bandwidth is disclosed. The first clock and data recovery circuit with high bandwidth receives a data signal and a reference signal to demux the data signal into a first signal and a second signal, wherein a second data rate X bps of the first signal and the second signal is half of a first data rate of the data signal. The second clock and data recovery circuit with low bandwidth receives and reduces jitter in the first signal and the second signal to output a first recovery signal and a second recovery signal. |
| US08019015B2 |
Linearization of RF power amplifiers using an adaptive subband predistorter
Predistorting an input signal prior to amplification in an RF power amplifier (206) includes isolating a plurality sub-band signals, each representing a portion of the input signal s(t). The method includes independently modifying an amplitude and a phase of each of the plurality of sub-band signals. The modification of the amplitude and/or phase is performed using a set of signal weighting parameters (weights) w and W, controlling linear and nonlinear modifications respectively, which are determined in an adaptive process by an adaptive controller (224). After modification, each of the sub-bands are summed together to obtain a predistorted input signal for an RF power amplifier (206). |
| US08019013B2 |
Multiple-output multiple-input (MIMO) communication system, MIMO receiver and MIMO receiving method
A receiver that receives a signal from a transmitter, including: a plurality of antennas; a channel estimation unit; a channel accumulation unit; a transmission weight generator; a feedback information transmission unit; and a reception weight generator. The plurality of antennas receive a second signal from the transmitter, the second signal being transmitted by using first feedback information. The channel estimation unit estimates a communication channel state on the basis of the second signal, and then outputs second channel estimation information. The reception weight generator generates reception weight information to be multiplied by the second signal, on the basis of first channel estimation information accumulated in the channel accumulation unit and a first transmission weight. |
| US08019010B2 |
OFDM transmitter and method for multi-user MIMO transmissions
An orthogonal-frequency division multiplexed (OFDM) transmitter is configured to transmit a data unit in accordance with a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) technique over a wideband channel comprising a 20 MHz channel and another channel using a plurality of spatially diverse antennas. The transmitter is further configured to include in the data unit, a parameter indicating a modulation and coding scheme and a parameter indicating number of spatial streams. Each of the spatial streams is encoded and beamformed for receipt by one or more different receiving stations. |
| US08018998B2 |
Low complexity motion compensated frame interpolation method
Video decoding that employs motion compensated frame interpolation (MCFI) is described. The MCFI technique minimizes computations by limiting motion estimation to blocks having motion vectors that do not represent true motion. The MCFI determines these blocks using a sum of absolute differences (SAD) and a boundary absolute difference (BAD) between a current block and a previous block. The current block and previous block are obtained based on a selected interpolated block and an embedded motion vector for a block within the current frame having the same position as the selected interpolated block. If the SAD and BAD measurements do not meet certain thresholds, the embedded motion vector is classified as not representing true motion. Overlapped block bi-directional motion estimation is then performed to obtain a new motion vector. Overlapped block motion compensation is employed to generate the interpolated frame. Vector smoothing may be performed before generating the interpolated frame. |
| US08018997B2 |
System and method for video encoding
A video encoding method and system are provided for encoding a video sequence. The video sequence includes N sub-sequences which each includes a plurality of frames. When the video encoding system encodes the jth frame in the ith sub-sequence of the video sequence, the frames previous to the jth frame in the ith sub-sequence have been encoded. Based on the encoded frames, an initial quantization scale is generated. According to the initial quantization scale, the jth frame of the ith sub-sequence is encoded in the inter-encoded mode. Whether the jth frame in the ith sub-sequence is a “scene change” relative to the (j−1)th frame in the ith subsequence is judged, and if YES, based on the initial quantization scale, an adjusted quantization scale is generated. Moreover, the jth frame in the ith sub-sequence is re-encoded in accordance with the adjusted quantization scale. |
| US08018994B2 |
Selecting encoding types and predictive modes for encoding video data
In some embodiments, a method of determining encoding type and predictive mode(s) selections for a macroblock of a video frame is provided. In some embodiments, a general method 1) selects the encoding type (16×16 or 4×4) that is initially considered for a macroblock using an encoding type selection algorithm (based on an attribute of the macroblock that is easy to compute), 2) if the 16×16 encoding type is selected in step 1, consider the four 16×16 prediction modes that may be used on the macroblock using conventional methods or an improved 16×16 predictive mode search algorithm based on distortion thresholds, and 3) if the 4×4 encoding type is selected in step 1, select the 4×4 prediction mode to be used for each of the sixteen 4×4 blocks of the macroblock using conventional methods or an improved 4×4 predictive mode search algorithm based on the positional relationships between predictive modes. |
| US08018993B2 |
Relay device and signal decoding device
There is provided a relay device capable of simultaneously transmitting various additional information such as audio information, character information, and image information while suppressing the communication cost and the line use ratio without increasing the calculation cost in the decoding process. The relay device includes an encoded information analysis unit (602) which outputs transmission mode information and an additional information flag to an additional processing unit (603) and outputs an information source code of each layer to the additional processing unit (603) according to the transmission mode information. According to the combination of the transmission mode information and the additional mode information, the additional processing unit (603) performs additional processing of the additional information for the information source code of each layer. An encoded information integration unit (604) integrates the transmission mode information, the additional mode information, the additional information flag, and various information source codes inputted from the additional processing unit (603). |
| US08018991B2 |
Apparatus and method for estimating carrier-to-interference and noise ratio in a communication system
An apparatus and method for estimating a Carrier-to-Interference and Noise Ratio (CINR) in a communication system are provided. In the apparatus and method a signal having a traffic allocation available area that includes a preamble allocation available area is generated by Fast Fourier Transform (FFT)-processing a received symbol, power values of preamble tones included in the preamble allocation available area are calculated, a carrier power value is calculated using the power values of the preamble tones, a partial noise-interference power value is calculated using power differences between the preamble tones and power values of remaining tones other than the preamble tones, a noise power value is calculated using power values of tones included in a noise power estimation area being an area except for the preamble allocation available area in the traffic allocation available area, and the CINR is calculated using the carrier power value, the partial noise-interference power value, and the noise power value. |
| US08018986B2 |
Signal receiving apparatus including equalizer, terminal apparatus, signal receiving method, and signal receiving program
A signal receiving apparatus which can reduce a circuit scale to reduce a cost in a mobile wireless communication system which transmits and receives a spread spectrum signal is provided.The signal receiving apparatus includes a filter coefficient updating unit 104 which generates a filter coefficient w on the basis of an input signal x, a transformational despreading unit 101 which performs a despreading process to the input signal x, and an FIR filter 103 which performs multiplication by using a despreading output z output from the transformational despreading unit and the filter coefficient w output from the filter coefficient updating unit 104 as inputs to output a result which the multiplication results are added as a signal data symbol output S. The transformational despreading unit 101 obtains a despreading output by addition and subtraction between the input signal x and a spread code sequence c. |