| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08042532B2 |
Heat-cooking apparatus
A heat-cooking apparatus includes blowing means (100) that blows cooling air to an opening (20a) of a heating chamber (20) when a door (11) is opened after steam is supplied to the heating chamber (20) for preparatory operation before heat-cooking or for heat-cooking itself. More specifically, after steam is supplied to the heating chamber (20), when the door (11) is opened, the blowing means (100) drives a conventionally existing cooling fan (101) to suck in cooling air from outside the apparatus, and deflects the cooling air toward the opening (20a) of the heating chamber (20) with a decoration box (102) so that the cooling air is blown to the opening (20a) so as to pass sideways substantially across it. Thus, the cooling air mixes with high-temperature steam that tends to overflow frontward as soon as the door (11) is opened, and thereby lowers the temperature of the steam. This surely prevents the user from being hurt, as by being burnt, with the overflowing steam. Thus, without use of special exhausting means, it is possible to open the door (11) while ensuring the safety of the user even immediately after a heating medium (for example, steam) is supplied to the heating chamber (20). |
| US08042531B2 |
Portable batting device and method
A portable batting device that includes a housing, a pneumatically operated ball launching assembly partially disposed within the housing, and a funnel-shaped ball capturing assembly positioned on the top side of the housing. The launching assembly launching a first ball upward into a hitting zone so that a batter may attempt to hit the first ball with a bat. The hitting zone is at a predetermined and adjustable vertical height. The ball capturing assembly receives the first ball should the batter swing the bat and not hit the ball and funnels the first ball into position for a subsequent launch by the launching assembly. The batting device may have a ball feeding assembly operatively associated with the ball capturing assembly. |
| US08042530B2 |
Crossbow with removable prod
A crossbow (1) comprises α stock (2) having a detachable, pre-struπg prod (10), with the stock (2) including a recess (20) for receiving the pre-strung prod (10), a latch (24) pivotally attached to the stock (2) adjacent the recess (20) for capturing the pre-strung prod (10) within the recess (20), and a fastener (22) for securing the pre-strung prod (10) to the stock (2). |
| US08042526B2 |
Torsion damping mechanism for a supercharger
A torsion damping mechanism for a rotary blower is provided that includes an input hub adapted to engage a first end of a torsion spring and an output hub adapted to engage a second end of the torsion spring. An intermediate hub is fixed for rotation with a first drive member. A bearing member includes an inner portion connected for rotation with the intermediate hub and an outer portion connected for rotation with the output hub. The bearing member may be a one-way bearing that permits torque to flow from the output hub into the intermediate hub and the first drive member when the output hub is driven in a first rotational direction, and permits the output hub to rotate relative to the intermediate hub with no substantial torque transfer therebetween when the output hub is driven in a second rotational direction. |
| US08042518B2 |
Multi-component transient fuel compensation
A method adjusts fuel injection to account for fuel puddling in the engine intake. The fuel is adjusted based on the ethanol content of the fuel in the puddle, and the make-up of the various fuel components in the puddle. In this way, it is possible to better account for the effects of these parameters on puddle evaporation. |
| US08042515B2 |
Throttle device
A compact throttle device with a short air intake pipe length. A throttle device includes: throttle bodies that define air intake paths; throttle valves that are disposed in the air intake paths and adjust the air flow rate in the air intake paths; a throttle shaft that rotatably supports the throttle valves; a motor that rotates the throttle shaft; and a gear that connects the throttle shaft to the motor. A pin is provided as a protrusion on the peripheral surface of the throttle shaft. The gear externally fitted and fixed to the throttle shaft has, on a fixing ring that is externally fitted to the throttle shaft, a housing groove for housing the pin, the housing groove being impelled against the pin by a spring. |
| US08042514B2 |
Throttle bodies and saddle-type vehicles including valved intake conduits for engine
A throttle body includes first and second intake conduits, first and second valves, and first and second gears. The first and second intake conduits are configured for respective placement in fluid communication with first and second cylinder housings of an engine. The first valve is associated with the first intake conduit and is movable to selectively adjust restriction of the first intake conduit to passage of fluid. The second valve is associated with the second intake conduit and is movable to selectively adjust restriction of the second intake conduit to passage of fluid. The first gear is attached to the first valve and the second gear attached to the second valve. The second gear is engaged with the first gear such that the first and second gears correspondingly rotate. Engines and saddle-type vehicles are also provided. |
| US08042512B2 |
Piston for an internal combustion engine and method for its production
Proposed is a piston (1) for an internal combustion engine having a closed annular duct (4) which is arranged close to the piston head (5) and radially at the outside, which annular duct (4) has, at the piston head side, an annular opening (21) which, in section, has the shape of a trapezium with limbs which taper conically in the direction away from the piston head, and which is closed off by an annular closure element (3) which, in section, has the same trapezium shape as the opening (21), with the closure element (3) being fastened in the opening (21) by means of friction welding. |
| US08042510B2 |
Efficiency enhancement to a laser ignition system
A method for a laser ignition system to operate in at least two modes based on a four-stroke combustion cycle, wherein laser light energy is generated to ignite an air/fuel mixture for combustion and may be additionally used for heating cylinder walls, such as during a cold start, at times other than when the laser ignites an air/fuel mixture for combustion. |
| US08042505B2 |
Internal combustion engine comprising a variable valve drive
The invention relates to an internal combustion engine comprising a valve drive which is arranged in the region of the cylinder head and is used to actuate a valve. Said internal combustion engine comprises a first drive means that can be rotated about a first rotational axis, a connecting rod that is connected to the first drive means in an articulated manner by means of a first connecting rod articulation, and a guiding element which is used to guide the connecting rod, can be pivoted about a guiding axis, and is connected to a second articulation of the connecting rod in an articulated manner. The position of the first rotational axis can be modified in relation to the cylinder head. |
| US08042503B2 |
Variable valve timing apparatus
In a variable valve timing apparatus having a VVT mechanism in each of a plurality of banks, start of a valve timing control is not permitted until reference position learning of valve timing is completed in the corresponding bank and in other banks. Accordingly, the plurality of banks come to have matching valve timing setting at the time of valve timing control, whereby variation in the amount of air introduced to cylinders can be suppressed, and satisfactory combustion characteristics can be maintained. |
| US08042502B2 |
Valve drive for an internal combustion engine, in particular with a decompression brake
A valve drive with a decompression brake for an internal combustion engine, which has a camshaft with a cam, a rocker arm for transmitting the cam stroke to a gas exchange valve, a pivot bearing supporting the rocker arm, and a hydraulic valve play compensating element arranged in force flow between the cam and gas exchange valve. The valve play compensating element is fixed in the engine and valve drive also has a secondary lever with a first and second lever section. The secondary lever is angularly connected, between the lever sections, to a lever support formed on the rocker arm, is supported with the first lever section on the valve play compensating element and actuates the gas exchange valve by the second lever section. The effective lever arm of the first lever section is considerably greater than the effective lever arm of the second lever section. |
| US08042500B2 |
Valve train for internal combustion engine
A valve train of an internal combustion engine is provided with a plurality of camshaft supports arranged on a support member of the engine, and a camshaft is supported on the camshaft supports. The camshaft has valve operating cams thereon for opening and closing engine valves of engine. A torque reducing mechanism is provided to apply a counter torque to the camshaft to suppress torque fluctuation of the camshaft caused by reaction forces applied to the cams by the engine valves. The torque reducing mechanism has a rotating member that rotates together with the camshaft, and a counterforce applying member for applying a counterforce to the rotating member to apply a counter torque to the camshaft. The counterforce applying member is supported on a connecting member connecting adjacent ones of the camshaft supports. The torque reducing mechanism suppresses torque fluctuation of the camshaft, suppresses increase in the weight of the camshaft, and suppresses increase in the size of the engine, ensuring a necessary supporting rigidity for supporting a counterforce applying mechanism included in the torque reducing mechanism. |
| US08042498B2 |
Superheated steam generator
A superheated steam generator includes an introduction section for introducing saturated steam into hollow pipe members arranged as steam flow passages and acting as inductively heated elements, and a discharge section for discharging superheated steam from the flow passages, wherein a turbulence generator is disposed in each of the steam flow passages to accelerate heat transfer to the steam in the pipe members, wherein the turbulence generator is a zigzag bent member disposed in the steam flow passage, and a zigzag bending pitch of the bent member changes from rough to minute from the introduction section to the discharge section. |
| US08042496B2 |
Hot-water supply system having supplementary heat exchanger
Disclosed is a hot water supplying apparatus having an auxiliary heat exchanger. The hot water supplying apparatus comprises: a heat exchanger including an inlet pipe for introducing heating water into the heat exchanger, and first, second, and third heat exchanging pipes connected to the inlet pipe and sequentially arranged; and an auxiliary heat exchanging device installed at an inlet port of the heat exchanger through which the heating water is introduced, the auxiliary heat exchanging device including a first auxiliary heat exchanging pipe connecting the inlet pipe to the first heat exchanging pipe, a second auxiliary heat exchanging pipe connecting the second heat exchanging pipe to the third heat exchanging pipe, and heat transfer fins for transferring heat energy from the second auxiliary heat exchanging pipe to the first auxiliary heat exchanging pipe. |
| US08042493B2 |
Containment vessel for teething and eating
A containment vessel for teething and feeding includes an elongate object having axially opposed end portions and a central portion extending between the end portions, and a mesh pouch attached to the central portion. The pouch has an opening, which can be closed when the pouch is attached to the elongate object. The pouch can have a flap which is wrapped around the central portion and attached to the pouch prior to placing an object in the bag and closing the opening. In an alternative, the opening of the pouch is captured between inside surfaces of a two-part object. The elongate object preferably resembles a bone, the vessel being especially suitable for dogs. |
| US08042491B2 |
Weedless fish structure
The Weedless Fish Structure is a simple, waterproof, hardened acrylic structure that is submerged in water to provide camouflage and shade cover for game and feeder fish in areas where the body of water does not provide adequate cover. The weights within the main tube allow the apparatus to rest on the bottom with little buoyancy. A small air tube edges around the semi-circular bifurcated shade fin and provides buoyancy to the top fin so it remains upright. Two stakes are provided to secure the apparatus to the bottom when desired to prevent currents from moving the device. If the structure is turned over to where the long tube is above the shade fin, the weights will slide down into the shade fin tube and the air will rise into the long main tube, and then by attaching two floats, the structure becomes a surface apparatus. A photo image of underwater vegetation, sandwiched between the acrylic sides of the shade fin provides additional concealment for fish and a more natural appearance to attract fish to hide on either side of the shade fin in sunny or shaded conditions. |
| US08042489B2 |
Animal waste collection sheet
The present invention provides an animal waste collection sheet effectively inhibiting the leakage of urine, the unclean appearance and the damp or chill surface without increasing the thickness and weight of the top sheet unnecessarily, thus improving the handling property thereof. For example, the animal waste collection sheet is planar and is consisted of a top sheet which is liquid permeable, a back sheet which is liquid impermeable and an absorbent sheet disposed between the top sheet and the back sheet. The top sheet is consisted of a non-woven fabric with convex and concave portions on the surface thereof. The top sheet is preferably a non-woven fabric alternately having a plurality of groove portions and a plurality of convex portions formed in a fixed direction. |
| US08042484B2 |
Appliance and method for surface treatment of a board shaped material and floorboard
A device for coating surface portions of a board material with a liquid material. The device includes a wheel which transfers the coating material and compressed air which positions the coating material. A method for surface coating and a floorboard with a finished surface portion. |
| US08042483B2 |
Apparatus for control of stator wakes
The invention as disclosed is an apparatus that controls the wake of stator blades on an underwater vehicle. The apparatus comprises one or more stator blades each with a movable trailing edge that when actuated in a controlled manner produces a periodic flapping motion upstream of a propulsion rotor. The controlled periodic flapping of the trailing edge the fills the stator blade wake enough to overcome the stator blade's own drag and fill its wake deficit. This has the effect of reducing the blade rate tonal noise of the propulsion rotor. |
| US08042481B2 |
Steering unit for small watercraft
A steering unit for a small watercraft, which can positively prevent jolting of a steering shaft relative to a bearing section for allowing smooth rotation of the steering shaft, and makes for improving the installing characteristic of the steering shaft and a collar into the bearing section. A steering shaft is rotatably supported with respect to a watercraft body through a cylindrical bearing section in which the steering shaft is inserted. A plurality of ribs are provided around an inner surface of the cylindrical bearing section and extend in an axial direction of the steering shaft. The steering shaft is rotatably supported by the bearing section with a collar, formed from an elastic material, being provided interposedly between the ribs and an outer surface of the steering shaft. The cylindrical bearing section includes at least three or more ribs are provided. |
| US08042480B2 |
Roll stabilizer
A roll stabilizer (10) is disclosed which comprises a fixed fin portion (12) connected during use to a hull of a vessel so as to extend outwardly of the hull in a substantially non-vertical direction, a flap portion (14) rotatable relative to the fixed fin portion (12), the orientation of the flap portion (14) relative to the fixed fin portion defining the degree of roll stabilizing force generated by the roll stabilizer (10), a shaft (16) connected to the flap portion (14) and extending during use through a vessel hull, a seal assembly (41) arranged to facilitate rotation of the shaft (16) while maintaining water tight integrity, and a first split bearing (18) disposed during use in a vessel hull on the shaft (16). The first split bearing (18) facilitates rotation of the flap portion (14) and comprises a first bearing portion (56), a second bearing portion (58) and operative bearing components (59), wherein access to the operative bearing components (59) and the seal assembly (41) is obtainable by separating the first and second bearing portions from each other. |
| US08042477B2 |
Shelving system with stabilizing brackets and method of assembly
A shelving system includes one or more shelving units. Each shelving unit has posts each post having one or more indents, connectors with slots for mounting the post and one or more shelves. Each shelf has protrusions on a periphery to insert into one of the connector slots. Each shelving unit and shelving system can be assembled, disassembled, and adjusted without the use of tools or other components. The shelving units can be assembled together to create a multiple shelving unit system without the use of tools or other components. |
| US08042475B2 |
Table
A table may include a table top, a frame and one or more legs that may be movable between extended and collapsed positions relative to the table top. Advantageously, the table top may include a generally planar upper surface and a generally planar lower surface. The lower surface of the table top, however, may include a first lip disposed proximate a first end of the table top and a second lip disposed proximate a second end of the table top. The lower surface may also include mounting members that are sized and configured to allow a frame to be connected to the table top. Desirably, the mounting members allow side rails of a frame to be attached to the table top and at least a portion of the side rails are disposed between the first and second lips. This may allow at least a portion of the frame to be exposed and visible when the table is being used. |
| US08042468B2 |
Device for mounting a printing plate on a plate cylinder of a printing press, printing unit having the device and printing press having the printing unit
A device for clamping and tensioning an edge of a printing plate on a plate cylinder of a printing press includes a single actuating shaft for releasing clamping and tensioning forces. The actuating shaft has a control cam for releasing the tensioning forces and a control roller for releasing the clamping forces. A printing unit having the device and a printing press having the printing unit are also provided. |
| US08042467B2 |
Printing press with bearer rings
A printing press includes a first rotary body with a first bearer ring and a second rotary body with an axle which eccentrically supports a second bearer ring. The second bearer ring is in rolling contact with the first bearer ring and is rotatably coupled to the second rotary body. |
| US08042465B2 |
Method and device for switching between single-sided or straight printing mode and perfecting or recto/verso printing mode in a sheet-processing machine and reversing drum having the device
A method and a device for converting a mode of operation from straight printing to perfecting in a sheet-processing machine, includes a cam/follower control for operating a gripper system, in which cam followers are maintained in a position in which they are disengaged from control cams before a conversion of the mode of operation is performed. The method and the device convert a gripper system of a reversing drum between a straight or one-sided printing mode and a perfecting or recto-verso printing mode, by controlling pivoting and opening movements of grippers of the gripper system with a control cam. Initially, a cam follower is locked in a position in which it is disengaged from the control cam. Subsequently, a further cam follower is locked in a position in which it is disengaged from a further control cam. Then the gripper system is converted. |
| US08042462B2 |
Sliding T-shirts printing pallet
A sliding T-shirts printing pallet comprises a main body, two sliding arm plates, and two stretching bump portions. Each of two sliding arm plates is connected to a shoulder blade side of the main body and to slide along the shoulder blade side. The two stretching bump portions are for flattening an armpit portion of the T-shirts. The front surfaces of the two sliding arm plates are aligned with the front surfaces of the parallelogram top portion and the rectangular bottom portion of the main body so as to form a single plane. Each of the two sliding arm plates defines first and second latch position when the sliding arm plate is slid upward or downward respectively. The sleeve side is roughly aligned with the flank sides of the rectangular bottom portion of the main body when the sliding arm plates are at the first latch position. |
| US08042461B2 |
Partial control system for a pneumatic waste compressor
A pneumatic compressor for the compression of waste comprising a cylinder (1) with a piston (2), which via a piston rod (4) activates a compression plate (3), which is slidably mounted in a compression chamber (5) which has a top door (6) through which waste paper is thrown into the compressor, and a bottom door (7) through which a finished bale can be taken out, which compression takes place in a series of compression cycles, which each time is charged with a new portion of waste, until the waste offers a counter pressure corresponding to the pressure which the piston (2) can exert at a pressure of 8 bars. In 80-90% of the compression cycles necessary for the compression of a bale, the piston (2) reaches its bottom position in the cylinder, and each time the pressure reaches a pressure of 8 bars in the cylinder (1). |
| US08042457B2 |
Grill with anti-scald structure
A grill with anti-scald structure is disclosed. The grill has a lower base, an upper bakelite shell and a lower grill pan embedded in the upside of the lower base, an upper grill pan embedded in the underside of the upper bakelite shell, both upper grill pan and lower grill pan having heating devices, and the upper grill pan and the lower grill pan form a reversible connection between them. The upper bakelite shell is covered by an anti-scald decorative panel on the top, and the anti-scald decorative panel and the upper bakelite shell form a heat insulation interstice between them. The heat insulation interstice between the upper bakelite shell and anti-scald decorative panel can insulate the heat effectively, thus the surface temperature of the anti-scald decorative panel is close to normal temperature to avoid the scald, and the anti-scald decorative panel can decorate the grill. |
| US08042454B2 |
Machine for filtered coffee
A machine for filtered coffee comprising a main body having at least a tank containing the water, at least an aperture to access at least the containing tank in order to load the water, and at least a basket, comprising a housing compartment to house members to filter the coffee. The basket is pivoted to the main body so as to be rotatably and selectively disposed between a closed position, in which the basket is comprised in the bulk of the main body, in such a manner that access to the housing compartment is prevented, and an open position, in which the basket makes access available to the housing compartment, and vice versa. The basket, in the closed position, closes the aperture, preventing access to the tank. |
| US08042451B2 |
Hydraulic control apparatus
A hydraulic control apparatus 1 includes a switch valve 11, an adjustment valve 12, and a valve control device 13. The adjustment valve 12 has a fluid chamber 15, a valve body 14, and a back pressure chamber 17. A restrictor is formed between the valve body 14 and a wall defining the fluid chamber 15 and connects the cylinder line 32 to the switch valve line 33. The opening degree of the restrictor changes in correspondence with movement of the valve body 14. When the switch valve 11 is located at a neutral position or a supply position, the valve control device 13 applies the fluid pressure in the cylinder line 32 to the back pressure chamber 17. When the switch valve 11 is located at a drainage position, the valve control device 13 applies a pilot pressure lower than the fluid pressure in the cylinder line 32 to the back pressure chamber 17. |
| US08042450B2 |
Safety apparatus for firearms
Safety apparatus for firearms are described. An example safety apparatus may be used with a firearm having a latch movable between a first position to retain a breech of the firearm and a second position to enable movement of the breech. The safety apparatus includes a biased safety mechanism coupled to the latch and movable between the first position and the second position. Additionally, the safety apparatus includes a safety device moveable between a locking position and a non-locking position. The safety device interacts with the biased safety mechanism when the safety device is in the locking position and the safety mechanism is in the first position to enable the biased safety mechanism to prevent a trigger force from moving the latch to the second position but to enable the latch to be deflected by a returning breech. |
| US08042449B2 |
Vehicle protection system
A structure or vehicle protection system including a removable frame on the structure or vehicle, and a net within the frame and spaced from the structure or vehicle and having a mesh size designed to disarm an incoming threat. |
| US08042448B1 |
Firearm muzzle attachment
A muzzle device configured to be attached to the muzzle region of a barrel. The muzzle device has a compensator region positioned longitudinally rearward from a flash suppression region. The muzzle device further is provided with adjacent compensator ports in communication by a longitudinally extending access vent. |
| US08042447B2 |
Electromagnetic initiator coil
The present invention enables the passive initiation of a deployment sequence for a countermeasure payload. The invention comprises an initiator coil that is positioned inside an electromagnetic countermeasure launcher. When the electromagnetic countermeasure launcher electromagnetically generates propulsive force to propel a payload to its deployment position, inductive coupling between one or more propulsion coils of the launcher and the initiator coil induces current to flow in the initiator coil, which thereby initiates the deployment sequence. |
| US08042446B2 |
Pressure-resistant vessel and blasting facility having the same
An object of the present invention is to improve durability of a pressure vessel for blasting an article to be treated such as hazardous substance or explosive therein. The pressure vessel 10, means for achieving the object, has an external vessel 31 and an internal vessel 32 installed in the external vessel 31. The external vessel 31 has a strength for retaining pressure caused by blasting the article. The internal vessel 32 receives fragments of the treated article 100 to protect the external vessel 31 against the fragments. The internal vessel 32 preferably covers almost entire internal surface of the external vessel 31. |
| US08042444B2 |
Knife holder for microtome blades
A knife holder (1) for microtome blades (2) has a body (3) for reception of the blade (2) against an abutment edge (4) and a pressure plate (5) for retention of the blade, such that in the retained state, only the blade cutting edge (6) protrudes from the body (3), and an ejection apparatus (8), associated with one side edge (7) of the blade cutting edge (6), is connected to the body (3). |
| US08042440B2 |
Punching die for manufacturing seal member and method for manufacturing seal member
A punching die for punching out a seal member from a sheet of an inorganic fiber mat having a contour. The punching die includes a base plate. A first blade is supported on the base plate and has a cutting edge extending to form a loop. The first blade punches out a frame-shaped unnecessary portion, which includes the contour, and a seal member formation portion, which includes the seal member, from the inorganic fiber mat. A second blade, which is supported on the base plate at an outer side of the first blade, partially cuts the frame-shaped unnecessary portion. The at least one second blade forms a perforation in the frame-shaped unnecessary portion to separate the unnecessary portion into a plurality of unnecessary fragments. This improves productivity for production of the seal members. |
| US08042437B2 |
Tool structure
A tool structure contains a first part having an oval end section with regard to an axis of symmetry in a direction of a maximum height and an axis of symmetry in the direction of a maximum width, and a second part having a recess accommodating the end section via mutual contact surfaces. The tool structure has a clamping element for the mutual clamping of the parts and mutual contact surfaces that are restricted to in each case four spaced-apart surface sections. These surface sections are disposed symmetrically with respect to a circumference of the end section such that a center point of a straight connecting line of the starting and end points of the respective surface section is at a normal distance b1 from the axis of symmetry and at a normal distance h1 from the axis of symmetry, h1 being greater than b1. |
| US08042435B2 |
Special articulating tool holder
This is a tool device called a Special Articulating Tool Holder for a Lathe. The device provides a new and unique device to permit deep hollowing of wood or other materials with a controlled, repeatable method. The preferred embodiment of the device is comprised of multiple (two or more) articulating joints—the first of the multiple articulating joints is secured to a tool holder with features to hold cutting tools—and the last of the multiple articulating joints is secured to an essentially vertical mounting post. The mounting post is held in place by a base means which mounts either horizontally or vertically to the machine base as determined by the machine configuration. |
| US08042432B2 |
Oilfield tubular torque wrench
An oilfield tubular torque wrench and a tong therefore is described. In one aspect, a torque wrench is described including an upper tong including a recess for accepting an oilfield tubular positioned along an axis passing through the recess; a lower tong including a recess positioned below the recess of the upper tong so that the axis passes therethrough; pipe gripping dies in the recesses of the upper tong and the lower tong drivable toward and away from the axis; a swivel bearing between the upper tong and the lower tong permitting the upper tong and the lower tong to swivel relative thereto while the recesses remain positioned with the axis passing therethrough, the swivel bearing including a first partial ring mounted to one of the upper tong and the lower tong and a second partial ring mounted on the other of the upper tong and lower tong, the second partial ring being interengaged at a bearing surface to ride along a length of a bearing surface of the first partial ring; and a retainer ring positioned adjacent one of the first partial ring and the second partial ring to act against lateral disengagement of the second partial ring from the first partial ring. In another aspect, dissimilar materials are selected for the first ring and the second ring to avoid galling. In another aspect a tong with adjustable dies is described. |
| US08042430B2 |
Accelerator pedal for a vehicle
A pedal assembly that provides a hysteresis in pedal force-response upon actuation is provided. The pedal assembly includes a housing and a pedal arm that has an end. The end has a rotatable drum that defines a braking surface. The pedal arm is rotatably mounted to the housing. A lever extends from the second end. A brake pad is retained by the housing and has a contact surface that is substantially complementary to the braking surface. The brake pad is adapted to be engaged with the braking surface. A bias spring device is situated between the lever and the brake pad for urging the contact surface of the brake pad into frictional engagement with the braking surface of the drum. A sensor is coupled to the pedal arm to sense the position of the pedal arm. |
| US08042429B2 |
Control switch
A control switch includes a rotary shaft rotatably mounted therein. A switching knob is mounted to the rotary shaft and a surface of the control switch. Also, a stationary shaft is arranged beside the rotary shaft. A driving control disk and a locking control disk are sequentially and rotatably fit onto the stationary shaft so that when the switching knob on the surface is actuated, the rotary shaft is rotated to selectively drive cables through the driving control disk or the locking control disk to thereby effect switching of transmission modes and the function of locking. Thus, the amount of space required for installation is reduced and the chance of malfunctioning is also reduced and further, the costs are reduced. |
| US08042427B2 |
Bicycle shifter
A bicycle shifter is configured to ensure that the position where a main shifter body is attached to a bicycle can be easily varied. The bicycle shifter basically has a mounting bracket, a main shifter body and a fixing mechanism. The mounting bracket is preferably configured be fixed to a handlebar of a bicycle. The main shifter body is mounted on the mounting bracket and has a shifter mechanism in the interior. The fixing mechanism is a mechanism whereby the main shifter body can be fixed in place on the mounting bracket at an arbitrary attachment position between a first position and a second position. |
| US08042426B2 |
Steering column of vehicles
A steering column includes a steering shaft connected to a steering wheel; a block, housing the steering shaft; a column tube, housing the block; a main housing, mounted at an exterior of the column tube, and including a telescoping guide hole for a telescoping operation, and a fixing portion for pressing the column tube; a tilt bracket mounted on the main housing and including a tilt guide hole for a tilting operation; a fixing unit combined with the block through the tilt bracket and the main housing, for fixing a position of the column tube; and an operation lever for controlling an operation of the fixing unit, the operation lever being disposed at an exterior of the tilt bracket and connected to the fixing unit. |
| US08042424B2 |
System for opening/closing a roof panel and a branched driving cable to be used for the system
Reducing number of components in a case where a plurality of locking mechanism is being used. The system includes an input cable (84) driven when pulled by an electric motor (10) via a hook (81); a connecting member (110) rotatably connected to a vehicle body, an output end of the input cable (84) is connected thereto; and a branched driving cable (100) having a first driving cable (503), an input end of which is connected to the connecting member (110) while an output end of which is connected to a link restricting mechanism (500) for transmitting a pulling force of the input cable (84) to the link restricting mechanism (500), and second driving cable (514), an input end of which is connected to the connecting member (110) and an output end of which is connected to the stored state locking mechanism (510) for transmitting a pulling force of the input cable (84) to the stored state locking mechanism (510), wherein the link restricting mechanism (500) and the stored state locking mechanism (510) are driven by the electric motor (10) via the branched driving cable (100). |
| US08042421B2 |
Multi-gear-speed transmission
A multi-gear-speed transmission includes cam rods in sliding contact with an inner peripheral surface of an inner cavity of a gear shaft; pin members inserted in pin holes bored in the gear shaft in the radial directions and which are advanced or retreated by alternatedly making contact with the sliding contact surfaces of the cam rods and cam grooves. Swing claw members are rotatably supported on pivot pins provided in the gear shaft and which are advanced or retracted by the pin members to be engaged with or disengaged from gears (n). The swing claw members and the pivot pins are embedded in recessed parts formed in the outer periphery of the gear shaft, annular bearing collar members externally fitted over the gear shaft are arranged to press the pivot pins from the outer side, and the gears (n) are rotatably borne on the bearing collar members. |
| US08042420B2 |
Twin clutch type speed-change apparatus
A twin clutch type speed-change apparatus for detecting the engagement state of a dog clutch by use of the rotational speed difference between an inner main shaft and an outer main shaft and of a signal outputted from a gear position sensor. A rotational speed difference between an inner main shaft and an outer main shaft is detected by use of inner and outer rotational speed sensors. When the engagement of the dog clutch is to be released, it is judged to complete the release if the signal outputted from the gear position sensor indicates a speed step number after shifting and the rotational speed difference is zero. It is judged as a dog-tip caught state if the signal outputted from the gear position sensor indicates a speed step number before or after shifting and the rotational speed difference is a transmission gear ratio difference. |
| US08042418B2 |
Double-clutch transmission
In a double-clutch transmission, a clutch of an input shaft which is not synchronously rotated with a output shaft is connected to synchronize the speed of rotation of the input shaft with that of the engine, and the rotational speed of the input shaft is measured to thereby detect a engine rotational speed. |
| US08042417B2 |
Actuator
An actuator is described which comprises a rotatable actuator member (14, 114) and a lock arrangement (28, 128) operable to lock the actuator member (14, 144) against rotation, the lock arrangement (28, 128) comprising an axially movable lock member (30, 130, 230a, 230b), the lock member being movable between a locked position in which it co-operates with a stop (34, 136) to resist rotation of the actuator member, and a released position, and an actuation device (62, 162) operable to move the lock member towards its released position. |
| US08042416B2 |
Linear module
A linear module includes a baseplate unit, a table part, a spindle drive device, and a telescoping tube arrangement that encompasses the spindle and that has two tube elements that engage with each other in telescoping fashion in a movement direction, namely a tube element connected to the baseplate unit and a tube element connected to the table part. The tube element connected to the table part is connected to the table part over a portion of its length by at least one bridge piece and the tube element connected to the baseplate unit has at least one slot embodied to accommodate the at least one bridge piece. |
| US08042414B2 |
Wipe sampling assembly
A wipe sampling assembly used for an ion mobility spectrometer is disclosed. The wipe sampling assembly comprises three layers in which the upper layer and the lower layer are protective paper sheets, while the middle layer is a sampling swab. The swab will not be contaminated when not in use as it is covered by the two protective paper sheets. The hand can only contact the protective paper and will not contact the swab while sampling to prevent the swab from being contaminated. The above wipe sampling assembly is used with no need for any additional device, thus making it easy to operate and carry. |
| US08042411B2 |
Small line size vortex flowmeter
A vortex flowmeter and method includes a conduit for process fluid flow and a shedder disposed within the central bore of the conduit. First and second diaphragms are mounted in inner wall portions of the conduit, on opposite sides of the shedder. A sensor is disposed externally to the conduit, and is coupled to each diaphragm with fill tubes. The diaphragms respond to pressure variations generated by vortex shedding, and transmit pulse trains through the fill tubes to a sensor. The pulse trains, which are substantially out of phase with one another, are effectively synchronized with one another by reversing phase of one pulse train. |
| US08042410B2 |
Magneto-inductive flow measuring device
An apparatus for measuring volume- or mass-flow of a medium flowing through a measuring tube in the direction of the measuring tube axis, and includes: a magnet system, which produces a magnetic field passing through the measuring tube essentially transversely to the measuring tube axis; at least one measuring electrode, which contacts the medium in a defined surface region; and a control/evaluation unit, which provides information concerning volume- or mass flow of the medium in the measuring tube on the basis of a measurement voltage induced in the at least one measuring electrode. At least the medium-contacting surface region of the at least one measuring electrode is manufactured of a chemically inert and electrochemically and mechanically resistant material. |
| US08042403B2 |
Apparatus to control a linearly decreasing force
An apparatus provides a linearly decreasing force. The apparatus includes a plurality of links, which can be referred to as swing, seat, fixed, and input/output links. A spring is coupled to each of the seat links, and a rod is positioned in proximity to each spring and through each of the seat links. A load applied to the input/output link will experience a linearly decreasing resistance. |
| US08042401B2 |
Isolation system for process pressure measurement
A process fluid pressure transmitter includes a pressure sensor, transmitter electronics, and an isolation system. The pressure sensor has an electrical characteristic that changes with pressure. The transmitter electronics are coupled to the pressure sensor to sense the electrical characteristic and calculate a pressure output. The isolation system includes a base member, and isolation diaphragm, and a fill-fluid. The isolation diaphragm is mounted to the base member and interposed between the pressure sensor and a process fluid. The fill-fluid is disposed between the isolation diaphragm and the pressure sensor. The base member and the isolation diaphragm are constructed from different materials such that the coefficient of thermal expansion of the isolation diaphragm is larger than the coefficient of thermal expansion of the base member. |
| US08042400B2 |
Pressure sensor
A pressure sensor according to the present invention comprises: a differential pressure diaphragm, which is provided to a center part of a sensor chip; a differential pressure gauge, which is provided to a perimeter edge part of the differential pressure diaphragm and is formed in radial directions; a differential pressure gauge, which is disposed at a position at which it opposes the differential pressure gauge and, together with the first differential pressure gauge, sandwiches the differential pressure diaphragm and is formed in perimeter directions, which are perpendicular to the radial directions; a differential pressure gauge, which is provided in the vicinity of the differential pressure gauge and is provided in the perimeter directions; a differential pressure gauge, which is disposed at a position at which it opposes the differential pressure gauge and, together with the differential pressure gauge, sandwiches the differential pressure diaphragm and is formed in the radial directions; a static pressure diaphragm, which is disposed at a position that lies in the perimeter directions between the differential pressure gauge and the differential pressure gauge; and a static pressure diaphragm, which is disposed at a position at which it opposes the static pressure diaphragm and, together with the static pressure diaphragm, sandwiches the differential pressure diaphragm. |
| US08042397B2 |
Damage volume and depth estimation
In one embodiment, a system to characterize an anomaly in a laminate structure comprises a plurality of actuators to generate a wave signal into a structure being evaluated, a plurality of sensors to collect scattered wave data caused by energy of the wave signal being at least partially reflected or scattered by an anomaly, and a structural health monitoring unit. In some embodiments the structural health monitoring unit executes a scatter imaging algorithm to generate three dimensional image data for the anomaly from the scattered wave data, extracts a scatter volume from the from the scattered wave data, and generates a damage volume estimate and a damage depth estimate from the scattered wave data. Other embodiments may be described. |
| US08042395B2 |
Method for operating a vibrating gyroscope and sensor arrangement
A method for operating a vibrating gyroscope, wherein the vibrating gyroscope is used as a resonator and forms part of at least one control circuit that excites the vibration gyroscope by feeding an excitation signal with its natural frequency. An output signal can be tapped from the vibrating gyroscope from which the excitation signal is deriveable by filtering and amplification. Upon switching on a sensor arrangement that includes such a vibrating gyroscope, the frequency of the excitation signal is adjusted by exciting the vibrating gyroscope, before the excitation signal is fed, to oscillate freely, measuring the frequency of the free oscillation and feeding the excitation signal to the vibrating gyroscope with the measured frequency. |
| US08042393B2 |
Arrangement for measuring a rate of rotation using a vibration sensor
An arrangement for measuring a rate of rotation using a vibration sensor, being excited and measured by means of capacitive drive elements, and the rotation of said sensor in an axis, excited by a rotation in another axis by means of the Coriolis force, being measured by means of capacitive measuring elements. Excitation voltages can be supplied to the fixed electrodes of the drive elements, the frequency of said voltages corresponding to the resonance frequency or the subharmonic of the resonance frequency of the vibration sensor. An alternating voltage having a first measuring frequency which is higher than the excitation frequency can be supplied to capacitive elements for measuring the excited vibration. Alternating voltages having a second measuring frequency higher than the excitation frequency are supplied to the fixed electrodes of the measuring elements can be supplied to drive elements causing a vibration excitation in a direction on the basis of the excitation voltage, being in antiphase with the excitation voltage. |
| US08042392B2 |
Acceleration sensor
An acceleration sensor has a semiconductor acceleration sensor chip and a case. The semiconductor acceleration sensor chip has a fixed portion, a plummet portion surrounding the fixed portion without contacting the fixed portion, and a beam portion connecting the fixed portion and the plummet portion, the thickness of the beam portion being thinner than the thickness of the fixed portion. The case has a cavity housing the semiconductor acceleration sensor chip, and a projection portion formed on the bottom face of the cavity, the bottom face of the fixed portion being fixed to the top face of the projection portion. |
| US08042387B2 |
Methods and apparatus to control a formation testing operation based on a mudcake leakage
Methods and apparatus to control a formation testing operation based on a mudcake leakage are disclosed. A disclosed example method for use with a downhole tool disposed in a wellbore comprises measuring a property of a mudcake layer at a first location in a wellbore, determining a value representative of an estimated leakage through the mudcake layer based on the property, and determining, based on the value, whether to continue a formation testing operation. |
| US08042385B2 |
Synchronization diagnostic systems and methods for engine controllers
An engine controller diagnostic system includes a cylinder identification (ID) comparison module and a synchronization diagnostic module. The cylinder ID comparison module compares a first cylinder ID associated with a first controller with a second cylinder ID associated with a second controller. The synchronization diagnostic module determines a synchronization status of the first controller based on a comparison between the first cylinder ID and the second cylinder ID. |
| US08042383B2 |
Digital Q control for enhanced measurement capability in cantilever-based instruments
A digital system for controlling the quality factor in a resonant device. The resonant device can be any mechanically driven resonant device, but more particularly can be a device that includes a cantilever within its system, such as an atomic force microscope. The quality factor can be digitally controlled to avoid noise effect in the analog components. One of the controls can use a direct digital synthesizer implemented in a way that provides access to the output of the phase accumulator. That output is a number which usually drives eight lookup table to produce a cosine or sign output wave. The output wave is created, but the number is also adjusted to form a second number of the drives a second lookup table to create an adjustment factor. The adjustment factor is used to adjusts the output from the cosine table, to create an adjusted digital signal. The adjusted digital signal than drives a DA converter which produces an output drive for the cantilever. |
| US08042381B2 |
Knocking determination apparatus and knocking determination method for internal combustion engine
A knocking judgement method for an internal combustion engine, in which an engine ECU executes a program judging whether or not such ones of integrated values calculated by integrating the output of a knock sensor at every five degrees of a crank angle are larger than a tentative knock judgement value, in vibrations of a fourth frequency band containing the resonance frequency of the engine, tentatively judging that a knocking has occurred, in case the integrated value larger than the tentative knock judgement value is a predetermined number or more, and judging that no knocking has occurred, in case the integrated value larger than the tentative knock judgement value is not more than the predetermined number. |
| US08042380B2 |
Gas sensor
A gas sensor has a sensor element, extending axially, that detects a particular gas component in a gas under measurement, a metal housing causing the end of the sensor element to protrude farther than the end thereof to expose it to the gas under measurement and that surrounds the periphery of the sensor element and an outer tube disposed at the rear end inside the metal housing and a seal member that is disposed farther to the rear than the detection element and also inside the rear end of the outer tube, and that has formed therein a atmosphere-introduction hole passing therethrough in the axial direction, the gas sensor further having a crimped part, formed in the outer tube, for the purpose of holding the seal member a hollow-cylindrical member in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the atmosphere-introduction hole so as to oppose the crimped part, and a metal filter that joins to the hollow-cylindrical member at the rear end of the hollow-cylindrical member and also farther to the rear than the crimped part. |
| US08042377B2 |
System and method for testing of transducers
A transducer test system for testing accelerometers or velocity transducers includes a signal conditioner and a shaker that can be used in a field environment, for example by an avionics technician at an aircraft. A test transducer and a reference transducer, which is a known-good version of the test transducer, are mounted onto the shaker and electrically connected to the signal conditioner. The technician shakes the two transducers simultaneously by manually shaking the shaker. The signal conditioner receives and compares the signals output from the test and reference transducer in order to determine the operating condition of the test transducer. |
| US08042369B2 |
Tools, machines and processes for deburring cut edges on workpieces
A tool for deburring cut edges on workpieces has a pressure body in the form of a rolling body, by means of which, as relative longitudinal movement of rolling body and workpiece takes place, pressure can be applied to the burr on the relevant cut edge in the direction towards the workpiece while the rolling body rolls along the cut edge.A machine for deburring cut edges on workpieces is provided with a tool of the above-mentioned kind.In the course of a process for deburring cut edges on workpieces, a rolling body is moved along the relevant cut edge with a rolling motion. In that movement, pressure is applied by means of the rolling body to the burr on the cut edge in the direction towards the workpiece. |
| US08042362B2 |
“Kibol's module” plant for producing inorganic fibers of rocks
A plant for producing inorganic fibers from rocks includes a furnace for obtaining a melt connected to a feeder, working aperture and a warmed feeder with draw dies located below a working aperture. A transition chamber is installed on the feeder exit, the transition chamber intended for creation of a thin layer melt flow. An enclosure contains the working aperture. The transition chamber has a heater, a threshold installed at an entrance of the transition chamber and a plate rigidly fixed to an adjustable damper located over the threshold and adapted to move up and down together with the adjustable damper, with the plate surface being parallel to the bottom of the transition chamber. The plant is intended for obtaining the melt flow of a desired thickness and quality. |
| US08042359B2 |
Methods and apparatus for heat treating glass sheets
Methods for heat treating glass sheets (13) are disclosed in which the sheets (13) are held in a vertical orientation in a treatment container (15) during the heat treatment. The container (15) includes a support system for the glass sheets (13) that comprises a bottom support (17), two side supports (19a, 19b), and a top support (21). The sheets (13) are slid into the container (15) without contact between their side edges (23a, 23b) and the side supports (19a, 19b). The top support (21) is then slid onto the tops of the sheets (13) without contacting the sheets' top edges (25). In certain embodiments, flushing air which has been HEPA filtered and pre-heated is passed through the container (15) during the heat treatment. Apparatus for practicing the methods of the invention are also disclosed. |
| US08042357B2 |
Hydrogen liquefaction method and liquefier
The present invention provides a method of liquefying a hydrogen feed stream and a liquefier for carrying out such a method in which ortho-species of hydrogen contained in a hydrogen feed stream is converted to the para-species in higher and lower temperature catalytic converters. An adsorption unit, located between the higher and lower temperature catalytic converters, adsorbs a portion of the ortho content of the feed stream. The adsorbed portion is desorbed during regeneration of an adsorbent bed of the adsorption unit and is recirculated back for treatment in the higher temperature catalytic converter to reduce the degree to which the ortho-species are converted to the para-species in the lower temperature catalytic converter and at lower temperatures. |
| US08042356B2 |
Beverage container drinking surface enhancement
A thermally conductive polymeric drinking surface for a beverage container is provided. The thermally conductive polymeric drinking surface may be an insert for a bottle or other covering configured to be formed around the mouth of a drinking container, such as a cup. The high thermal conductivity of the drinking surface contributes to the transfer of the temperature of the contents of the container to the mouth or lips of the consumer by reducing the time and energy consumption of the chilling processes being applied via the beverage or an external cooling mechanism. |
| US08042350B2 |
Apparatus for controlling cooling device and cooling system
A cooling device controller for controlling a cooling device is provided. The cooling device controller includes: a capacitor for supplying an output voltage through a first terminal; a first switch between a first input terminal and the first terminal of the capacitor; a predetermined reference voltage applied to the first input terminal; a second switch between a second input terminal and the first terminal of the capacitor, wherein a temperature-sensing voltage is applied to the second input terminal, the temperature-sensing voltage varying according to a first sensed temperature; and a switch controller to receive a first voltage waveform having a duty ratio, the duty ratio dependent on a second sensed temperature, wherein the switch controller is operable to turn on and off the first switch and the second switch according to the duty ratio. |
| US08042349B2 |
Device to control the ventilation and air conditioning of aircraft on the ground
New ecological operating mode that limits ventilation and air conditioning in the cabin (3) of the aircraft when the ecological operating mode has been selected, the aircraft is stationed on the ground, the engines are off, the engines' start up system has not been activated, the pneumatic or electrical energy supply system that typically controls ventilation and air conditioning in the aircraft has been activated and is supplying air, to provide a new method of operating at an established minimum limit independent of the difference between the selected temperature and the temperature measured, saving energy, and reducing pollutant emissions and noise. |
| US08042345B2 |
Outdoor unit and air conditioning system using the same
An air conditioning system comprising: an indoor and an outdoor unit connected through common power supply lines The indoor unit comprising a first communications circuit in communication with the outdoor unit through first and second communication lines independent of the supply lines; and a second communication circuit that communicates through one of the supply lines and a third communication line. The outdoor unit comprising a third communication circuit in communication with one of the first and second communication circuits; a switch that connects or disconnects a communication terminal with one of the common power supply lines based on a connection status between the third communication circuit and the first and second communication circuits; and a judging circuit that controls the connection and disconnection, and judges, based on the presence of an acknowledge signal, whether the first and the second communication circuit is connected to the outdoor unit. |
| US08042344B2 |
Automatic ice making machine and operation method therefor
To restrict the deposition of stain on an ice making unit, and prevent damage to resin components or the like. The above problems are solved by the followings. Ice making water is supplied to the front surface of an ice making plate cooled by refrigerant supplied to an evaporation tube during an ice making cycle to produce ice blocks. During a deicing cycle, deicing water is supplied by opening a water feed valve WV to the rear surface of the ice making plate to be heated by hot gas supplied to the evaporation tube. When a water feed time has elapsed, the water feed valve WV is closed to temporarily stop deicing water supply. After the water feed time elapsed, a cycle, in which the water feed valve WV is opened as much as an intermittent water supply time every time an intermittent stopping time has elapsed to intermittently supply deicing water, is repeated until a deicing cycle completes. |
| US08042341B2 |
Turbojet engine accessory gear box driveshaft; modular additional accessory
An accessory gear box driveshaft in a turbojet engine with intermediate casing, designed to be mounted in a radial arm of the intermediate casing is disclosed. The shaft is mechanically connected, at a first end, to a an engine shaft of the turbojet engine, and is mechanically connected, at a second end, to a gear box. The shaft includes a bevel gear between the two ends, to provide mechanical transmission to an additional accessory. This shaft is notable in that, together with the gear, it is contained in a case forming an oil circuit sealed against the arm. The accessory includes a drive shaft collaborating with the gear of the transmission shaft and forming a modular assembly therewith. |
| US08042340B2 |
Method and system for modulating the modified wobbe index of a fuel
A method and system for modulating the Modified Wobbe Index (MWI) of a fuel is provided. A variety of industrial components, which may require a gas fuel, such as but not limiting of, a heavy-duty gas turbine; an aero-derivative gas turbine; or a boiler may utilize the method and system. The method and system may provide an industrial component comprising at least one steam injection system, wherein the at least one steam injection system injects steam into at least one fuel supply line upstream of a combustion system to modulate the MWI of at least one fuel. The method and system may also determine whether the MWI of the at least one fuel is outside of a predetermined range; and utilize the at least one steam injection system to automatically inject the steam at a flowrate for adjusting the MWI of the at least one fuel. |
| US08042337B2 |
Method and apparatus for solar tracking and energy collection
This invention relates to the sun location tracking method and apparatus of solar heat or photovoltaic collectors which are composed of a solar heat comparison collector for tracing the sun, a solar heat collector for reverting the collectors to sunrise position, and a turbine driven instrument of differential gear for mechanical driving of the tracking system so the tracking is accomplished by itself, and a heat exchanger and a water tank are provided to improve efficiency. The sun location tracking is performed by kinetic force of the steam turbine which driven by the steam from the solar heat comparison collector that generating steam with the solar energy only, so the most solar heat or photovoltaic energy to be obtained at the collectors while tracking the sun location from sunrise to sunset as driving one or more solar heat or photovoltaic collector(s) with interlocking movement manner. |
| US08042328B2 |
Exhaust gas purifier
The present invention provides an exhaust gas purifier capable of appropriately purifying harmful components discharged even from an internal combustion engine or a combustion instrument operated mainly in excess-air conditions. Particularly, the exhaust gas purifier is capable of appropriately removing nitrogen oxides, particulate matters including soot, etc. and in addition, capable of maintaining its purification capability without reduction. the exhaust gas purifier has, in the exhaust passage (2) of an internal combustion engine (1), a nitrogen oxide adsorbent (4) for temporarily adsorbing nitrogen oxides and desorbing the adsorbed nitrogen oxides in a temperature-increased environment or a reducing environment, an adsorbed substance desorbing means (3) being disposed on an exhaust gas upstream side of the nitrogen oxide adsorbent (4), the adsorbed substance desorbing means (3) heating the exhaust gas or air or converting the exhaust gas or air into a reducing atmosphere, a combustion apparatus (5) being disposed on an exhaust gas downstream side of the nitrogen oxide adsorbent (4), the combustion apparatus (4) including air supply means (15), fuel supply means (6), and ignition means (7); and a filter apparatus (40) being disposed on an exhaust gas downstream side of the combustion apparatus (5) to be able to capture a particulate substance contained in the exhaust gas. |
| US08042322B1 |
Single shaft driven multiple output vehicle
A vehicle comprising a frame with an electric power source secured to the frame. The vehicle further comprises an electric motor driven by the electric power source and secured to a deck and having at least a first side and a second side formed opposite the first side. The vehicle has a first shaft located within the electric motor housing and driven by the electric motor, the first shaft has a first end, which extends from the electric motor housing first side, and a second end, which extends from the electric motor housing second end. The vehicle further comprises a first output assembly driven by the first end of the first shaft and a second output assembly driven by the second end of the first shaft. |
| US08042321B2 |
Magnetic connection of driving and driven connection for a reel mower
A rotating mechanical apparatus, such as would be used in a reel mower assembly, comprises a drive member rotatably mounted in a frame about a shaft axis. The drive member has a drive face oriented perpendicular to the shaft axis. A driven member has a driven shaft rotatably supported in the frame about the shaft axis, and a driven face oriented parallel to and bearing against the drive face. A bulb extends outward from one of the drive face and the driven face and into a corresponding recess in the other. Magnets force the drive face to bear against the driven face such that the driven shaft rotates with the drive member. One of the drive face and the driven face are movable along the shaft axis to disengage the bulb from the recess. A height adjustment mechanism moves ground rollers closer together or farther apart to vary cutting height. |
| US08042317B2 |
Double auger system and method for filling bags with slurry
A slurry product is packaged into a plastic bag using a modified form-fill-seal apparatus and method of using it. The apparatus has preferably been modified to select the appropriate amount of product slurry by weight. Bags are filled using a dual auger system that includes a bulk auger and a precision auger that fill a bag simultaneously. The augers work together for a first period to rapidly load slurry into a large part of the bag. During a second period, the bulk auger shuts down, allowing the precision auger alone to top-off the bags. The periods are determined either by time or by the volume or weight of the product that has entered the bag. |
| US08042314B2 |
Construction for buildings protected against radiation
In a construction with walls, ceilings, and/or floors as parts of the building, especially for buildings protected against radiation, the parts of the building are made of reinforced concrete. One part of the building may be a sandwich design wherein one layer is made of a material that protects against radiation, and at least one layer is made of concrete. |
| US08042313B2 |
Compression post for structural shear wall
A compression post for a shear wall includes a plate mounted to the bottom of an end post of a shear wall. The plate is sized to conform to the lower end of each end post. An extended portion (e.g., a cylinder) is positioned perpendicularly to the plate. The extended portion has a cross section sized to fit through a hole in a mudsill of the shear wall and has a length selected to conform with a thickness of the mudsill. When the shear wall is mounted on a structural support (e.g., a footing or foundation), forces applied to the end post pass through the plate and the extended portion to the structural support. The extended portion may be secured to the plate (e.g., by spot welding, press fitting, bolting, or threaded engagement) or the two portions may be independent. The two portions may also be a cast unitary body. |
| US08042310B2 |
Fastening member and external wall construction structure
The present invention aims to provide a fastening member excellent in strength of fastening a decorative external panel and capable of constructing an external wall surface excellent in design appearance, and an external wall structure. The fastening member 1 is used for fastening the decorative external panel 6 to a plurality of the underlying panels 5 disposed in front of the construction frame 3 of a building. This fastening member 1 has a base plate portion 11, a supporting portion 13, an upper panel engaging portion 131, and a lower panel engaging portion 132. The base plate portion 10 has, at its portion above the supporting portion 13, a first screw hole 110 and a second screw hole 120 differing in the distance from the supporting portion 13. A first base plate portion 11 of the base plate portion 10 in which the first screw hole 110 farther away from the supporting portion 13 is formed and a second base plate portion 12 of the base plate portion 10 in which the second screw hole 120 closer to the supporting portion 13 is formed form an obtuse angle therebetween. The first base plate portion 11 is inclined rearward with respect to the second base portion 12 toward an upper side of the first base portion 11. |
| US08042305B2 |
Deployable structural assemblies, systems for deploying such structural assemblies
A deployable structural assembly is provided along with associated deployment mechanisms and associated methods of forming and deploying the structural assembly. In one exemplary embodiment, the structural assembly includes a plurality of structural side elements formed from furlable truss structures. The truss structures may include spaced apart longitudinal members, members extending substantially transversely between the longitudinal members, and diagonal members extending between the longitudinal members at an acute angle relative thereto. A plurality of interlocking elements are located along the edges of the longitudinal members and are configured to engage interlocking elements of an adjacent structural side element. In one embodiment the truss structures may be formed to include at least one material layer having the longitudinal members, the cross-members and the diagonals formed as an integral structure. In another exemplary embodiment one or more of the structural side elements may include electronic components integrated therewith. |
| US08042295B2 |
Underwater gun comprising a barrel adapter including a barrel seal
An apparatus and method for sealing the barrel of an underwater gun between firings is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an adapter that attaches to the barrel and includes a physical adaptation that is capable of sealing the barrel. In some embodiments, the physical adaptation is actuated to un-seal the barrel via combustion gases from firing of a round. |
| US08042294B2 |
Ornamental album frame
An album frame is provided having an outer frame. The outer frame has a back side and an outer periphery. A mounting plate is attached to the back side of the outer frame. A support shelf extends frontwardly from the mounting plate along a first portion of the inner periphery. The support shelf is adapted to support a binding of an album. In addition, the outer frame may have a recessed groove in a second portion of the inner periphery. The second portion is located opposite the first portion of the inner periphery. Furthermore, the outer frame may include a first guiding ramp on a third portion of the inner periphery and a second guiding ramp on a fourth portion of the inner periphery. The first guiding ramp and the second guiding ramp allows an edge of an album cover to be guided into the recessed groove. |
| US08042293B1 |
Article encircling band with removable coupon or ticket
A combination article encircling band and coupon or ticket wherein the band is formed by overlapping and contacting spaced adhesive areas formed on opposite surfaces of a strip of material and the coupon or ticket is severable along a line of weakness in the strip material from the band. The combination may be use for advertising and promoting purposes such that information indicia on the band may be related to information indicia on the coupon or ticket. |
| US08042292B2 |
Cable tensioning apparatus and method for securing a sheet to a frame
A cable tensioning system for mounting a vinyl sheet to a billboard frame, comprising a cable secured on a frame at one end and secured to a spring-loaded cable tensioning device at the other end. A plurality of cable guides are mounted at intervals around the frame, each of the cable guides having a channel adapted to receive the cable. Portions of the edges of a sheet are secured within a plurality of locking clips around the perimeter, each clip also having a channel to receive the cable. The sheet with the clips affixed is secured to the frame whereby cable travels through the channels in the locking clips and is guided around the perimeter of the frame by the channel guides and secured to the spring-loaded cable tensioning device. The spring-loaded cable tensioning device is deployed to tighten the cable around the frame and secure the sheet to the frame. |
| US08042291B2 |
Scent releasing picture changer
An aroma visual message carrier is shaped into a card device for carrying multisensory messages to deliver two interchangeable images with a scent releasing mechanism linked to the very act of image change by a recipient. The carrier comprises an image changing frame including a still image member with a first image printed on it and a sliding image member with a second image print partially interlaced with the still image member so that a manual sliding action of the still image member brings the two images interchangeably fade in and out laterally through each other. The still image member has a deposit of scent material formed rearward of its visual side. |
| US08042289B2 |
Article of footwear with gripping system
An article of footwear with a gripping system is disclosed. The gripping system helps to enhance the wearer's ability to contact an athletic ball during kicking. The gripping system can be centered about a region where the wearer tends to kick the ball, and the gripping system can be distributed in a pattern that provides an even or symmetric contact area with the ball. |
| US08042285B2 |
Laundry dryer with a holding device
A laundry dryer comprising a housing and a rotatably mounted laundry drum. A carbon contact holder assembly including a supporting part and includes a receptacle having a longitudinal axis disposed at an angle α with respect to a perpendicular cross sectional plane of the laundry drum. The supporting part includes an integrally supporting arm extending in a direction of the longitudinal axis of the receptacle. The supporting arm includes an attachment section configured to attach to the housing and a clamp strap configured to hold cables. A carbon contact is disposed in the receptacle and movable against a spring force along the longitudinal axis in a radial direction of the laundry drum. The dryer includes a latching receptacle disposed on the supporting part that includes a plug-in contact connected to the carbon contact by a flexible lead. |
| US08042283B2 |
Washer-dryer
A blower 31 has a blower fan 35, a fan motor 36 for driving the blower fan 35 into rotation, and a shaft 52 having one end portion coupled to the blower fan 35 and the other end portion coupled to the fan motor 36. Washing liquid fed into the water tank during washing process or rinsing process is intruded inside the fan case 34, and the one end portion of the shaft 52 is immersed in the washing liquid. |
| US08042275B2 |
Scoop and blade guard for hedge trimmer
A blade guard for a hedge trimmer that can cut trimmings from a hedge includes a cutting arm member with a first set of the cutting blades that extends laterally from the cutting arm member. The blade guard generally includes a first housing member and a second housing member movable between an open condition and a closed condition. A connecting member on the blade guard member that is operable to releasably couple to the cutting arm member. The first housing member and the second housing member in the open condition establish an opening between the first housing member and the second housing member. The blade guard in the open condition is operable to catch the trimmings in the opening between the first housing member and the second housing member. The blade guard in the closed condition is operable to cover the first set of the cutting blades. |
| US08042273B2 |
Slitter with mechanical holding finger
A slitter for slitting a guide catheter is assembled from a handle, a blade assembly coupled to the handle, and a holding mechanism coupled to the handle. The blade assembly includes a shroud for receiving an elongated body of a medical device and a slitting blade having an exposed cutting edge to slit the guide catheter. |
| US08042272B2 |
Method of aligning a thrust bearing
A thrust bearing assembly includes an upper thrust bearing and a lower thrust bearing for an engine assembly of a vehicle and which, are preferably, identically configured. The thrust bearings each include an arcuate bearing shell with a concave inner surface and a convex outer surface, and each includes a pair of axially spaced flanges extending radially outwardly of the bearing shells. The flanges may be formed as one piece with the bearing shell, and one flange is thicker than the other flange. The thicker flanges are load bearing and preferably contoured, whereas the thinner flanges are not. The bearings are installed with the thick flange of each bearing matched radially opposite the thin flange of the companion bearing to minimize fatigue and failure normally attributed to repeated seating and unseating of bearing assemblies having flanges of equal thickness caused by changing bending loads imparted by a shaft. |
| US08042268B2 |
Method of producing a turbine component with multiple interconnected layers of cooling channels
A method for making a gas turbine component (100). A central core (20) is positioned to occupy a space that will define a central channel (42), and an outer channel core (30) is positioned spaced apart from the central core (20). A mold (35) is formed around the central core (20) and the outer channel core (30), so that an exterior wall (32) contacts the mold (35). A substrate material, such as a metal alloy (247) in liquid form, is added to the mold (35) to form an internal volume (41) of the component (100). The central core (20) and the outer channel core (30) are removed, and interconnect channels (44) are formed between the thus-formed central channel (42) and the inner portion (49) of the outer channel (62) thus far formed. A preform (55) is placed into the inner portion (49) and may have a desired outer surface (57) shape. An overlay material is applied to form an outer layer (60), thus defining the remainder of the outer channel (62), which is obtained upon removal of the preform (55). |
| US08042264B2 |
Method of fabricating an electroactive polymer transducer
The invention describes rolled electroactive polymer devices. The invention also describes employment of these devices in a wide array of applications and methods for their fabrication. A rolled electroactive polymer device converts between electrical and mechanical energy; and includes a rolled electroactive polymer and at least two electrodes to provide the mechanical/electrical energy conversion. Prestrain is typically applied to the polymer. In one embodiment, a rolled electroactive polymer device employs a mechanism, such as a spring, that provides a force to prestrain the polymer. Since prestrain improves mechanical/electrical energy conversion for many electroactive polymers, the mechanism thus improves performance of the rolled electroactive polymer device. |
| US08042263B2 |
Process for manufacturing circuit board
According to the present invention, there is provided a process for manufacturing a circuit board wherein a first substrate having a conductor post and a second substrate having a conductor pad for receiving the conductor post are laminated through an interlayer adhesive, and the conductor post and the conductor pad are electrically connected, comprising, as a first step, bonding the conductor pad with the conductor post by thermocompression under predetermined first conditions while the first and the second substrates are arranged such that the conductor pad faces the conductor post through the interlayer adhesive; thermocompressing the first substrate and the second substrate under predetermined second conditions while the conductor pad is bonded with the conductor post; and thermocompressing the first substrate and the second substrate under predetermined third conditions while the conductor pad is bonded with the conductor post, wherein the first, the second and the third conditions are different from each other. |
| US08042262B2 |
Temporarily fixing device
A temporarily fixing device includes a frame-shaped structure member having a hole in its central part and a stepped portion around the hole; a board mounted on the stepped portion of the frame-shaped structure member; a simultaneously-pressing member into which a base pressing the board to the stepped portion and a pressing portion pressing at least one or more circuit components onto the board are unitized in its connection part; a shaft provided on the frame-shaped structure member so as to rotatably and vertically movably support the base of the simultaneously-pressing member; and a pressure member normally pressing the simultaneously-pressing member to the surface of the frame-shaped structure member. |
| US08042261B2 |
Method for fabricating embedded thin film resistors of printed circuit board
A method for fabricating the embedded thin film resistors of a printed circuit board is provided. The embedded thin film resistors are formed using a resistor layer built in the printed circuit board. In comparison with conventional discrete resistors, embedded thin film resistors contribute to a smaller printed circuit board as the space for installing conventional resistors is saved, and better signal transmission speed and quality as the parasitic capacitive reactance effect caused by two contact ends of the conventional resistors is also avoided. The method for fabricating the embedded thin film resistors provided by the invention can be conducted using the process and equipment for conventional printed circuit boards and thereby saving the investment on new types of equipment. The method can be applied in the mass production of printed circuit boards and thereby reduce the manufacturing cost significantly. |
| US08042259B2 |
Method of manufacturing a magnetic recording head
A magnetic recording head and a method of manufacturing the same. The magnetic recording head includes a stack containing a main pole and a return pole. The stack includes a first magnetic layer having a groove formed therein; an insulating layer covering a surface of the groove; and a second magnetic layer pattern filling the groove covered with the insulating layer. |
| US08042258B2 |
Method for producing superconducting acceleration cavity
A method for producing a superconducting acceleration cavity having a stabilized quality, by which production cost is reduced by reducing the number of welding points. A dumbbell-shaped dumbbell cell (3) is formed by forming a recessed iris portion (3b) around the central part of a cylindrical pipe made of a superconducting material, a cup-shaped half cell (2) is formed by enlarging one opening and reducing the other opening of the cylindrical pipe made of a superconducting material, a plurality of dumbbell cells (3) are coupled by welding, and the each half cell (2) is welded to the opposite ends of the plurality of dumbbell cell (3), thus producing a superconducting acceleration cavity (1). |
| US08042257B2 |
Method for manufacturing a stator core for an axial air-gap electronic motor
There is provided a method for manufacturing a stator core for an axial air-gap electronic motor, in which core sheets are laminatedly fixed while being shifted with predetermined intervals. The method includes a step in which first side surfaces in the circumferential direction (first slot surfaces 25) of the first to nth (n is a positive integer) core sheets are blanked out of a mother sheet 60 by moving first blanking punches 360 with predetermined intervals via a first control means 700; and a second blanking step in which second side surfaces in the circumferential direction (second slot surfaces 26) of the first to nth (n is a positive integer) core sheets are blanked in succession by moving a second blanking punch 460 with predetermined intervals via a second control means 700. |
| US08042255B1 |
Rapid fabrication techniques for arbitrary shape piezoelectric transducer sensors
The present invention provides methods for making an acoustic transducer. In one possible embodiment, a rigid inner shell is provided with a conductive exterior surface. Masking material is applied onto a first location on the conductive exterior surface of the rigid inner shell. Piezoelectric material is deposited over the conductive exterior surface of the rigid inner shell and the masking material. Conductive material is deposited onto the piezoelectric material. The masking material is removed. A first signal lead is attached to the first location on the conductive exterior surface of the rigid inner shell. A second signal lead is attached to the conductive material. |
| US08042254B1 |
Method for improving edge handling chuck aerodynamics
An edge-handling chuck, a system for holding and rotating a test substrate at a high speed and a method for chucking a rotating substrate are disclosed. The Chuck includes a plate having a central axis, a fluid opening and a top surface with a varied topography characterized by symmetry about the central axis. The topography is such that a volume flow rate of fluid between the fluid opening and a periphery of the top surface sufficient to counteract substrate sagging is significantly less than a volume flow rate needed for a similar but flat-surfaced chuck to similarly counteract such sagging. The system may further include a spindle motor and a gas system that supplies gas through the fluid opening to a gap between the top surface and a back surface of the substrate. A radial velocity of the fluid through the gap is approximately constant. |
| US08042253B2 |
Method of manufacturing a golf club head, of the wood type, by assembling welding, and finish grinding the weld joints
A club head manufacture method has steps of: (a) providing a sole base, a crown cover and a striking face plate; (b) assembling a club head; (c) fore-welding the club head; (d) post-welding the club head; and (e) grinding an outer surface of the club head. When the club head is fabricated, the sole base and the crown cover are respectively mounted on the striking face plate and aligned precisely to save the fabricating time of the club head and increase fabricating accuracy. Therefore, the method can save manufacturing cost. Furthermore, it can increase the accuracy and constancy for the manufacturing processes. |
| US08042252B2 |
Pipe coupling and method for installation
The coupling includes a mandrel and a coupling outer sleeve. In a method for installing the coupling on a pipe, the mandrel is inserted into the inner diameter of an end of pipe with an outboard end of the mandrel protruding from an end of the pipe. Then the outer sleeve is positioned over the pipe to form a length of substantially concentrically arranged, overlapping parts of the mandrel, the pipe and the sleeve. Then the sleeve is crimped over at least a portion of length, which engages the pipe between the sleeve and the mandrel. Either before or after sleeve is crimped over the pipe, the sleeve is connected to the outboard end of the mandrel. |
| US08042249B2 |
Motor vehicle body assembly apparatus
A method and apparatus for providing motor vehicle sub-assemblies with unrestricted model mix and quick changeover between models. The apparatus includes a track; a carriage mounted for longitudinal movement along the track between first and second positions; and first and second turrets rotatably mounted on the carriage at longitudinally spaced locations and each including a plurality of circumferentially spaced individual faces and unique tooling fixtures on the respective faces for receiving unique work piece components corresponding to a plurality of motor vehicle body styles. |
| US08042247B2 |
Method for assembling a two-piece punch into a tool
A tool for use in a powder metal process is disclosed. The tool includes an upper tool and a lower tool. The upper and lower tools may include multiple members for each tool. The lower tool having a predetermined cross sectional profile that continuously expands outward from or near a center point of the lower tool. The lower tool is also secured within a press for the powder metal process via a fastening mechanism. |
| US08042242B2 |
Mechanical device for spreading flanges apart
The device is based on using a thrust bolt in a modified C-clamp design to push a pressure plate to pry apart two intersecting flanges of a profile. The device is primarily used for on-boat repairing of aluminum extrusion profile boat toe rails that have segments of their vertical flanges crushed inward. It has utility for bending any flanges apart that are greater than 20 and less than 160 degrees apart to start with. It has utility for bending flanges apart that are made from any material, such as metal, that has an elastic limit and enough plastic flow to permanently bend without rupture. |
| US08042241B2 |
Two phase protective car seat cover for child and infant safety chairs
There is provided a seat cover for accommodating a child safety chair upon a seat. The seat cover comprises a lower protective member which is disposable upon a seating portion of the seat. This lower member can accommodate the child safety chair when positioned in a rearward-facing direction to prevent it from permanently compressing the seating portion. The seat cover further comprises an upper protective member that is disposable against a seat-back portion of the seat. This upper member is selectively attachable with and detachable from the lower member. By doing so, the upper member can further prevent the chair from permanently compressing the seat-back portion when it is repositioned in a forward-facing direction and placed in contact therewith. |
| US08042239B2 |
Piezoelectric/electrostrictive element and method of manufacturing the same
A piezoelectric/electrostrictive element with improved moisture resistance while having less degradation in its piezoelectric/electrostrictive properties and a method of manufacturing such a piezoelectric/electrostrictive element are provided. A laminated vibrator of a piezoelectric/electrostrictive element has a structure in which an electrode film, a piezoelectric/electrostrictive film, another electrode film, another piezoelectric/electrostrictive film, and another electrode film are laminated one above the other. In the manufacture of the piezoelectric/electrostrictive element, the laminated vibrator and a counter electrode are immersed in an electrodeposition coating fluid containing a coating component so that the electrodeposition coating fluid is brought into contact with the surfaces of the laminated vibrator and the counter electrode. Thereafter, voltage is applied between an internal electrode film and the counter electrode to induce electrophoresis of the coating component toward a surface-exposed defect, whereby the coating material is selectively electrodeposited on the surface-exposed defect. |
| US08042234B2 |
Clamping device with reinforced clamping lugs
Disclosed is a clamping device including a collar having at least one pair of projecting lugs and tightening means co-operating with said lugs. Each lug of a pair is equipped with reinforcement means suitable for opposing deformation of said lugs under the action of the tightening means. Each lug has a connection portion via which it is connected to a belt portion of the collar, which connection portion is upstanding relative to said belt portion, and a tightening wall, with which the tightening means come into engagement and which is folded back towards the belt portion. A space is formed between the connection portion and the tightening wall. |
| US08042228B2 |
Adjustable hinge mounting block
An adjustable hinge block includes first and second complementary members, each defining therein a first and a second slit respectively. The members are adapted to mate with each other such that the first and second slits at least partially align with each other to define a third slit. First and second wing members protrude from the members respectively such that the wing members lie on opposite sides of the third slit when the members mate with each other. The wing members each define therein a first and a second aperture respectively, which first and second apertures are adapted to receive a fastener. First and second side members, each define therein a third and a fourth aperture respectively, such that the third and fourth apertures is adapted to align with the first and second apertures respectively. |
| US08042210B2 |
Articulating bed system
A mechanism for activation of an articulating bed incorporates at least one mattress support plate and a pair of side rails. A rack is attached to each side rail and a torque tube extends between the side rails with a pinion gear at each end engaging a respective one of the racks. An actuator imparts translational motion to the torque tube perpendicular to its axis. Elevation bars connected to the torque tube and the support plate are angularly displaced by translation of the torque tube. |
| US08042207B2 |
Holding mechanism for foldable side rails
The conventional holding mechanism for foldable side rails have such problems that the release lever can be accidentally pressed for release action and that if a double lock is employed for preventing it, automatic holding action cannot be performed.This invention proposes a holding mechanism for foldable side rails, characterized in that the holding mechanism 4 is provided at an end of an upper horizontal rail member 1u and comprises a mechanism support member 5 connected with the stanchion member provided at said end; the mechanism support member 5 has a stopper pin set 12 capable of advancing and receding; the stopper pin set 12 is biased in the advancing direction by a spring 13; the stanchion member has a fitting hole 10 allowing the stopper pin set 12 to be fitted in it when the stanchion member is kept erect; the mechanism support member further has a release lever 6 engaged with a mechanically driven trigger site 15 provided in connection with the stopper pin set for making the stopper pin set recede against the force of the spring; a play mechanism is provided between the release lever and the mechanically driven trigger site; and the mechanism support member further has a release prevention mechanism for preventing the movement of the release lever in the release allowing direction. |
| US08042206B2 |
Bed exit alarm
A bed exit detecting system cooperable with a mattress includes a pair of bolster air cells respectively positionable adjacent opposite sides of the mattress. A pressure source is provided in fluid communication with the bolster air cells, and a pressure sensor is connected to the air cells. A signal processor communicating with the pressure sensor and the pressure source includes an alarm that is activated when a predetermined pressure change in one of the air cells is detected by the pressure sensor. |
| US08042205B2 |
Compact foundation unit kit and method of making same
A compact foundation unit kit and a method of making a foundation unit from the kit. The kit comprises at least three elongated, generally flat truss rails, four generally flat end caps and a plurality of generally flat cross slats, with the truss rails, end caps and cross slats oriented together with their longitudinal dimensions aligned in a generally parallel orientation and with their flat sides in contact. A binding maintains the truss rails, end caps and cross slats in that orientation. The method includes providing the kit, opening the kit and orienting the truss rails in a parallel, spaced position, then affixing one of the end caps to each end of the truss rails, inverting the partially formed foundation, and affixing the last two end caps to opposite ends of the truss rails, then finally affixing the cross slats to the truss rails in a spaced, parallel orientation. The foundation can then be finished in a conventional fashion. |
| US08042201B2 |
Body pillow for spa or bathtub
A bathtub cushion for configured to be disposed within a bathtub at least partially filled with a liquid for providing comfort and support to a user superposed thereon. The bathtub cushion includes a plurality of integrated sections with at least one of the sections being non-buoyant to substantially inhibit the section from floating. The sections further include three layers with one layer being comprised of a non-buoyant gel. The bathtub cushion further includes a plurality of suction cups for releasably securing the bathtub cushion within a bathtub. Additionally provided is a lumbar support pad for supporting the lumbar region of a user superposed on the bathtub cushion. |
| US08042198B1 |
Headguard with independently adjustable upper and lower bands
A protective headguard comprising a front pad, rear pad and left and right, upper and lower bands. The front pad protectively covers at least a portion of a human forehead. The left and right, upper and lower bands extend in opposite lateral directions from opposite sides of the front pad. The upper and lower bands form first and second tensioned circumferential lines of retention. The upper bands do not cooperatively interact with the lower pair of bands such that the upper and lower pairs of bands are independently adjustable so as to permit the first and second tensioned circumferential lines of retention to be separately and independently fitted to a human head. |
| US08042197B2 |
Cyclist trousers with protection pad
Cyclist trousers (12, 112), made from elasticised material and equipped with a least two shaped protection pads (20, 120) for the area for resting on the saddle (14, 114), comprising a substantially unstretchable portion (30, 130), that connects said pads (20, 120) to keep them correctly positioned during use. |
| US08042195B1 |
Combination beach towel and changing enclosure
A combination privacy enclosure and beach towel includes a hollow sleeve formed of a front panel and a rear panel each having two opposing side edges that are joined to the corresponding side edges of the other panel. The top end of the sleeve includes a small neck opening for receiving a wearer's head while the bottom end of the sleeve is completely open. The sleeve is flattened to form a dual-layer beach towel. To form a privacy enclosure for changing clothing, a user inserts his or her head through the neck opening and drapes the sleeve over the user's body. To convert the device to a tote bag, each end of the sleeve is bundled and an accompanying shoulder strap is secured thereto. |
| US08046841B2 |
Steganographic method and device
An apparatus and method for encoding and decoding additional information into a stream of digitized samples in an integral manner. The information is encoded using special keys. The information is contained in the samples, not prepended or appended to the sample stream. The method makes it extremely difficult to find the information in the samples if the proper keys are not possessed by the decoder. The method does not cause a significant degradation to the sample stream. The method is used to establish ownership of copyrighted digital multimedia content and provide a disincentive to piracy of such material. |
| US08046838B1 |
Using a modulation transfer function of a device to create digital content for the device
A modified modulation transfer function of a device is determined. The modified modulation transfer function includes intentional deviations from a nominal modulation transfer function of the device. A digital content object is modified based on the modified modulated transfer function to optimize playback of the digital content object on the device, and the modified digital content object is distributed to the device. |
| US08046836B2 |
Method for device quarantine and quarantine network system
A network quarantine management system eliminates registration or updating work of a quarantine-exempted device and prevents a fraudulent device from abusing authorized network information registered as a quarantine-exempted device and from impersonation.When a quarantine management system detects network connection of a new device, the system judges the type (printer, NAS, etc.) of the device by port scanning. The system enables the device to communicate with another device coupled to a business network without an inspection for connecting the device to the business network, if the newly coupled device is judged to be of an authorized type. The device type judgment is conducted whenever a connection is made and is repeatedly conducted after establishment of the connection to check that the type is of an authorized type and, if the type is found to be an unauthorized type, the device is isolated for inspection. |
| US08046829B2 |
Method for dynamically and securely establishing a tunnel
A system and method is disclosed for dynamically and securely establishing a tunnel for a mobile device. In the preferred embodiments, the system and method operate to dynamically assign one or more tunnel endpoint addresses to a client which is not on the same IP-link as an authentication agent depending on an authentication result based on using an authentication protocol source port number in order to address communications. |
| US08046823B1 |
Secure application bridge server
Systems and methods are provided which implement a bridge server to provide user access to one or more secure applications. A bridge server of embodiments is disposed between a user and a secure application and invokes bridge server security protocols with respect to the user and secure application security protocols with respect to the secure application. In operation according to embodiments, client applications will link into a bridge server, the user will be authenticated by the bridge server, and a valid user will be correlated to an account of the secure application by the bridge server. Bridge servers of embodiments facilitate providing features with respect to secure application user access unavailable using the secure application security protocols. |
| US08046822B2 |
Electronic apparatus, function selection method of electronic apparatus and management system of electronic apparatus
An electronic apparatus includes a first apparatus that carries out a plurality of functions, and a second apparatus that is coupled to the first apparatus. The second apparatus comprises a control unit that includes a processing unit for supplying commands to the first apparatus for carrying out the selected one of the plurality of functions: a display driver for displaying on a display a screen utilized to select one of the plurality of functions; and a memory slot operable to receive a memory stick that includes a key file for activating at least one other function. When the key file is uninstalled, the plurality of functions executable by the first apparatus include basic functions, and alternatively when the key file is installed, the plurality of executable functions include both the basic functions and at least one other function upon the processing unit validating authorization data stored on the key file. |
| US08046821B2 |
Mechanism and method for controlling network access to a service provider
Described are methods and mechanisms for controlling data access to a service provider. The method includes receiving an instruction at a proxy from a service provider to initiate a session and the instruction. The instruction includes service provider authentication data. The method further includes initiating the session at the proxy responsive to the received instruction. The session provides communication between the proxy and a customer device. The method additionally includes receiving a request for service from the customer device. The request includes customer identification data and customer transaction data. The method further includes producing protected data based on the service request, providing the protected data to a transaction buffer, and passing the protected data from the transaction buffer to the service provider. |
| US08046819B2 |
Methods and systems for determining security requirements for an information resource
Systems and methods for determining security requirements for an information resource may comprise determining a sensitivity level and a criticality level associated with the information resource. In addition, the systems and methods may include determining the security requirements for the information resource based on at least one of the sensitivity level and the criticality level. Moreover, the systems and methods may include determining a recovery time objective for the information resource and insuring that information used in determining the security requirements adheres to privacy requirements. The sensitivity level may be derived from privacy requirements of information maintained by the information resource. For example, the sensitivity level and resulting security requirements may be based on a need to meet privacy requirements by protecting confidentiality or integrity of the information resource. |
| US08046814B1 |
Systems and methods for formulating and delivering video having perishable information
A system and method for dynamically formulating and delivering a video program that includes perishable information is provided. The system includes a video server that creates a video program using one or more recent video segments in combination with other video segments. The recent video segments are typically generated in a studio, whereas the other video segments are obtained from a variety of sources, including databases and live feeds. An audio system stores pre-recorded audio and is used to create audio for certain video segments. The video server enables an organization to deliver more customized video programs to more users and to update those video programs more frequently without requiring additional studio time or resources. |
| US08046810B2 |
Method and apparatus for delivering subscription service content to roaming users
A subscriber or other user is provided with access to a subscription service of a signal distribution system at a roaming location remote from a home location of the user. The home and remote locations are serviced by respective first and second head ends of the system. The subscription service comprises a plurality of selectable channels available to the user at the home location. The second head end obtains content for at least one channel of the subscription service available to the user at the home location, and inserts the content into a program stream utilizable for delivery of content to an interface device at the remote location to thereby make the channel accessible to the user at the remote location. In one embodiment, responsive to a channel change command initiated by the user via an interface device at the remote location, the second head end first determines if content for the newly-selected channel is already available in the second head end as a result of subscription services provided to any other user serviced by the second head end. If the content for the newly-selected channel is already available in the second head end, the second head end immediately makes that content accessible to the user at the remote location without obtaining it from the first head end. |
| US08046808B2 |
Communication of TV-Anytime CRIDs
A method of creating an audio-video stream comprises multiplexing a video component, an audio component, a content reference identifier, and a semantic data packet containing information on the relationship between the video component and the content reference identifier. Apparatus for receiving the audio-video stream, and apparatus for transmitting the audio/video stream are disclosed. |
| US08046807B2 |
Information-processing system, information-processing apparatus, and information-processing method
In an information-processing system shown in FIG. 1, a server (106) for delivering remote-operation control information in accordance with an audio/video instrument (110) and an information-processing apparatus (103) with a remote-operation screen display function for remote-controlling the audio/video instrument (110) based on control information acquired from this server (106) are connected to each other through the Internet (105) etc. The information-processing apparatus (103) makes a request to the server (106) to deliver the remote-operation control information in accordance with this audio/video instrument (110) and, based on the control information delivered from the server (106) owing to this delivery request, performs display processing of a remote-operation screen and, based on remote-operation information input by operations on the remote-operation screen, remote-controls the audio/video instrument (110). |
| US08046806B2 |
Multiroom point of deployment module
Systems and methods are disclosed for providing downstream signals to a plurality of receiver networks. A receiver network (i.e., a networked multimedia system) includes a splitter/isolation module (SIM), a primary set-top terminal (STT), and at least one point of deployment module. The point of deployment module communicates with the primary STT via the SIM over coaxial cable. Accordingly, the point of deployment module and connected television utilize some or all of the features including hardware and software that are included in the primary STT via the networked multimedia system. |
| US08046803B1 |
Contextual multimedia metatagging
A multimedia distribution system is provided that includes a multimedia distributor and a customer device. The multimedia distributor is in communication with a multimedia producer. The multimedia producer produces multimedia content. The multimedia distributor encodes the multimedia content with a metatag. The customer device is in communication with the multimedia distributor and is configured to present the multimedia content to a customer and provide the customer with a plurality of options for the customer to obtain additional information about a subject of the metatag. The multimedia distributor encodes the multimedia content with the metatag based on information about the customer. |
| US08046798B1 |
Profiling and identification of television viewers
Profiling a television viewer by monitoring and processing, locally at a television viewing environment, the viewer's interactivity (e.g., via a remote control unit) with the television viewing environment. Generating one or more profiles for each viewer based on one or more of the multitude of interactions of each viewer and on, in general, the viewing habits and preferences of the viewer. Automatically and reliably, detecting or inferring at a particular time, which specific individual or individuals, are actually interacting with the TV in household comprising more than one individual. Such viewer identification and profile generation can be used to facilitate the delivery of targeted content, including targeted advertising. |
| US08046797B2 |
System, method, and software application for targeted advertising via behavioral model clustering, and preference programming based on behavioral model clusters
The method and system for TV user profile data prediction and modeling allows accurate and narrowly focused behavioral clustering. A client-side system classifies television consumers into representative user profiles. The profiles target individual user advertising and program preference category groups. A contextual behavioral profiling system determines the user's monitor behavior and content preferences, and the system may be continually updated with user information. A behavioral model database is queried by various system modules. The programming, including targeted advertising for television and interactive television is based on the profile data prediction, modeling and preference determination. The system is enabled to present a complete program sequence to the viewer based on the preference determination and stored programming. The latter is referred to as automatic program sequence (virtual channel) creation and the virtual channel can be presented as a separate channel in an electronic programming guide (EPG). |
| US08046790B2 |
Media projector system for preventing the display of on-screen display information
A system comprising a media player configured to play media content, a projector operatively coupled to the media player, and a control unit operatively coupled to the media player and the projector is provided. The control unit is configured to detect an on-screen display condition associated with the media player, and the control unit is configured to prevent first information associated with the on-screen display condition and provided by the media player from being displayed by the projector in response to detecting the on-screen display condition. |
| US08046784B2 |
Optical disc record system and method, and an optical pickup actuator unit for such a system
An optical disc record system comprising an optical pickup actuator unit for transferring data to and/or from a rotating optical disc. The optical pickup actuator unit comprises a fixed part (1) and a movable part (2) carrying an objective lens (4) for focusing a light beam on the optical disc. The movable part (2) is connected to the fixed part (1) by a number of substantially parallel elastic suspension wires (5). The movable part (2) is provided with a number of coils (8, 9, 15, 16, 17) of electrically conductive wires, which coils (8, 9, 15, 16, 17) are at least partly present in a magnetic field generated by magnets (10, 11, 18). At least one electrically conductive stranded wire (22, 23) is present between said fixed part (1) and said movable part (2) in order to feed electric current to at least one coil (16, 17). |
| US08046774B2 |
Job completion notifying device providing notification of completion of a job when job execution is completed
It is determined whether a job stored in an image forming apparatus is completed or not. When a result is YES, it is determined whether an uncompleted job of the same user as the completed job is present in a queue of the jobs. When a result is YES, it is determined not to perform notification. When the result is NO, it is determined to perform the notification. Thereby, completion notification is performed only when the last job is completed in the case where the queue contains the plurality of jobs of a certain user. |
| US08046773B1 |
Object oriented communication between isolates
A computer-implemented method and computer-readable medium for providing object-oriented communication between isolates is described. A request is received from a requesting Xlet for a remote reference to an exported object in a first isolate, the exported object having been exported by an exporting Xlet. A plurality of object registries are searched for the remote reference, each of the object registries being in a respective isolate. The remote reference is retrieved from one of the object registries and the remote reference is forwarded to the requesting Xlet. |
| US08046771B2 |
Generating and using constraints associated with software related products
A computer implemented method and apparatus is provided for generating and using constraints that are associated with software programs or other software entities intended for use in a specified data processing system or environment. One embodiment is directed to a method that includes the step of extracting metadata pertaining to the one or more software programs from at least one database. The extracted metadata is selectively processed to generate a set of constraints that affect the use of the one or more programs in a specified environment, wherein such processing includes transforming the extracted metadata to provide the set of constraints in a prespecified constraint language. The method further comprises detecting a proposed action of a user that is associated with the one or more software programs, and determining whether the proposed action would violate any constraint in the set. |
| US08046770B2 |
Methods, systems, and computer program products for managing productivity
Exemplary embodiments relate to methods, systems, and computer program products for managing productivity. Methods include establishing a planned execution time for performing a task. The task is assigned a unique identifier. Methods further include comparing the planned execution time with an actual execution time for performing the task and, based upon the results, calculating an efficiency rating. The actual execution time is extracted from a task dispatch system via the unique identifier. Methods also include associating the efficiency rating with one or more of: an individual performing the task, a supervisor of the individual performing the task, a group of individuals with which the individual performing the task is associated, and an organization associated with the individual performing the task. |
| US08046769B2 |
Load state monitoring apparatus and load state monitoring method
A load monitoring apparatus is provided to monitor a load state of one or more information processing apparatuses in a network and to control the load of such an information processing apparatus based on the monitoring result. Such a load monitoring apparatus comprises a measured value storage unit which stores both measured values and measurement time of performance information (for example, a queue length, a response time and the like) of each information processing apparatus; a fluctuation calculation unit which reads a plurality of measured values measured in a given time from the measured value storage unit for each information processing apparatus, and calculates a fluctuation of the plurality of measured values; and a load state judgment unit which compares the fluctuation calculated with a given threshold to judge the load state of each information processing apparatus. Using a fluctuation, the load state of an information processing apparatus in the network can be detected more accurately. |
| US08046759B2 |
Resource allocation method and system
A method of executing a bag of tasks application in a cluster over a distributed computing system, the cluster having a cluster resource manager. The method includes requesting that the cluster resource manager authorize access by a remote user of the distributed computing system to any idle nodes of the cluster, submitting a bag of tasks slave process to the cluster resource manager, loading the bag of tasks slave process in one of the idle nodes without an allocation operation, sequentially scheduling tasks from the bag of tasks to the bag of tasks slave process, and executing the bag of tasks slave process either until finished or until the node in which the bag of tasks slave process is loaded is required owing to a local allocation request. |
| US08046756B2 |
Multifunction processing apparatus and control method thereof
A program that is to be preferentially loaded into a memory is stored in a specific memory and the program stored in the specific memory is changeable to another program. Thus, the program that is to be preferentially loaded into the memory is thereby made changeable. |
| US08046750B2 |
Disco: a simplified distributed computing library
Core commands and aggregations of such commands are provided to programmers to enable them to generate programs that can be parallel-processed without requiring the programmer to be aware of parallel-processing techniques. The core commands and aggregations abstract mechanisms that can be executed in parallel, enabling the programmer to focus on higher-level concepts. The core commands provided include commands for applying a function in parallel and distributing and joining data in parallel. The output of each core command can implement an interface that can enable underlying mechanisms to stitch together multiple core commands in a cohesive manner to perform more complex actions. |
| US08046745B2 |
Method to examine the execution and performance of parallel threads in parallel programming
The present invention relates to compiler generated code for parallelized code segments, wherein the generated code is used to determine if an expected number of parallel processing threads is created for a parallel processing application, in addition to determining the performance impact of using parallel threads of execution. In the event the expected number of parallel threads is not generated, notices and alerts are generated to report the thread creation problem. Further, a method is disclosed for the collection of performance metrics for N threads of execution and one thread of execution, and thereafter performing a comparison operation upon the execution threads. Notices and alerts are generated to report the resultant performance metrics for the N threads of execution versus the one thread of execution. |
| US08046744B1 |
System and method for measuring latency in a continuous processing system
The present invention provides a system and method for measuring latency in a continuous processing system. The invention involves generating “tracer” messages that are specifically designed for measuring latency. A tracer message is configured to pass through and be outputted by each primitive in the tracer message's path regardless of the function of the primitive and without changing the state of the primitive. Tracer messages are not filtered by filter primitives or delayed by time-delay primitives. Tracer messages are detected and discarded within loops. These rules provide for predictable behavior of tracer messages, thereby making them reliable indicators of latency and liveness in the continuous processing system. A tracer message is inserted into the continuous processing system at a desired start point for measuring latency. At a desired end point for measuring latency, latency is measured by calculating the amount of time the tracer message took to travel from the start point to the end point. |
| US08046742B1 |
Self-assembling software generator
A technique to generate an executable task includes inspecting a task specification data structure to determine what software entities are to be generated to create the executable task, inspecting the task specification data structure to determine how the software entities will be linked after generating the software entities, inspecting the task specification data structure to determine logic to be executed by the software entities, and generating the software entities to create the executable task. |
| US08046739B2 |
System and method for enabling a graphical program to propagate attributes of inputs and outputs of blocks
A system and method for creating a graphical program. A function block may be displayed in a graphical program. The graphical program may include a plurality of interconnected blocks which visually indicate the functionality of the program. Additionally, the function block may be operable to perform a first function and may include one or more inputs and one or more outputs. User input specifying an attribute behavior for the function block may be received, e.g., via a menu which allows selection or definition of attribute behaviors, a graphical wizard, or another graphical program, among other methods. The attribute behavior specified for the function block may be usable to determine at attribute of at least a subset of the one or more outputs of the function block based on an attribute of at least one of the one or more inputs to the function block. |
| US08046735B1 |
Transforming graphical objects in a graphical modeling environment
In a graphical modeling environment, one of a selection of transformation operations is performed on a graphical object by first selecting the graphical object. A user may select a particular transformation operation to be executed on the graphical object from a list of transformation operations displayed to the user. A transformed graphical object derived from the selected graphical object may be then automatically created without retrieving the transformed graphical object from a library or other source. |
| US08046729B1 |
Method and apparatus for composing and decomposing low-skew networks
A logic device includes a low-skew network that feeds a subset of elements on the logic device. The low-skew network includes a selector that can select from a plurality of signal sources which includes a first signal source and a second signal source, wherein the second signal source can reach at least one element outside of the subset. |
| US08046727B2 |
IP cores in reconfigurable three dimensional integrated circuits
The invention describes IP cores applied to 3D FPGAs, CPLDs and reprogrammable SoCs. IP cores are (a) used for continuously evolvable hardware using 3D logic circuits, (b) applied with optimization metaheuristic algorithms, (c) applied by matching combinatorial logic of netlists generated by Boolean algebra to combinatorial geometry of CPLD architecture by reaggregating IP core elements and (d) used to effect continuous recalibration of IP cores with evolvable hardware in indeterministic environments for co-evolutionary reprogrammability. |
| US08046724B2 |
Method of timing criticality calculation for statistical timing optimization of VLSI circuit
Provided is a method of optimizing statistical timing of an integration circuit, the method including applying subtle changes of mean arrival times with respect to each of nodes in a timing graph of an integrated circuit to ADD operations and MAX operations of a block-based statistical static timing analysis (SSTA) method and approximating the corresponding operations; generating Jacobian matrixes between each node by using matrix components including differential coefficients calculated during linear approximation of the operations; calculating changed arrival time values of the circuit by propagating the Jacobian matrixes from a virtual sink node to a virtual source node; and calculating timing yield criticalities, which are variances of timing yield of the circuit due to subtle changes of mean arrival times with respect to each node, based on values obtained by the propagation. Accordingly, timing yield criticality is calculated based on linear approximation of ADD operations and MAX operations of statistical static timing analysis (SSTA), and thus the calculation complexity is linear with respect to the total number of nodes, and critical nodes significantly affecting the timing yield of a circuit can be extracted more accurately. |
| US08046723B2 |
Method for correcting layout with pitch change section
A method for correcting a layout with a pitch change section may include disposing a pattern layout with the pitch change section having a first pattern and a second pattern at a pitch relatively larger than that of the first pattern, measuring the pitch change from the pattern layout, a step of measuring an aerial image intensity by performing a simulation operation on the area with the pitch change section; modifying the pitch of the layout in the pitch change section based on a threshold intensity value at which the pattern is formed; and processing the layout correction to cause the pitch to exist within the threshold range by comparing the image intensity of the modified layout with the image intensity of the reference area. |
| US08046716B2 |
Creating, displaying, and editing a sub-process within a process diagram
Technologies are described herein for creating, displaying, and editing a sub-process within a process diagram. A diagramming application provides for the grouping of existing process operations of a process diagram into a sub-process. The sub-process is displayed within the process diagram as a container that may be expanded and collapsed in-place within the diagram to display or hide the corresponding sub-process operations without leaving the context of the process diagram. Similarly, a single process operation within a process diagram may be selected for the creation of an associated sub-process. An expanded container including the newly created sub-process operations and a collapsed container representing the sub-process operations replace the single process operation and are concurrently hidden and displayed according to a user selection of a collapse or expand control. |
| US08046711B2 |
Virtual cubic display template for search engine
A graphic rendering of searchable fields of a database, which rendering simulates a geometric solid having a plurality of facets. Each facet, which has its own thematic identity, can accept search inquiries and display results. Virtual manipulation of the geometric solid will expose a succeeding facet to direct view, which succeeding facet may reflect both data uncovered from a prior search inquiry and also related data which was not directly requested. The facets enable the user to organize data according to the various thematic identities of basic facts. The geometric solid assists in enabling the user to intuitively grasp how best to retrieve and interrelate data from the database. Subsidiary geometric solids more limited in content than the original geometric solid may be generated and displayed. |
| US08046708B1 |
Reversed links from graphical diagram representation
A method includes performing an analysis or synthesis operation on a graphical model representation, producing a report from the analysis or synthesis operation and generating associations representing elements of the graphical model representation with corresponding elements in the report and using these associations as a way to reposition viewer based on actions to the graphical model representation. |
| US08046706B2 |
Apparatus for providing multiple screens and method of dynamically configuring multiple screens
An apparatus for providing multiple screens and a method of dynamically configuring multiple screens are provided. The apparatus for providing multiple screens includes a service processing module producing at least one of logical screens and display screens for displaying a service, and an output module mapping the logical screens to arbitrary locations on the display screens and providing the display screens to a plurality of physical display devices. |
| US08046705B2 |
Systems and methods for resolution consistent semantic zooming
Systems and methods according to the present invention provide a control framework for organizing, selecting and launching media items including graphical user interfaces coupled with an optional free space control device for collection of the basic control primitives of point, click, scroll, hover and zoom which permit for easy and rapid selection of media items, e.g., movies, songs etc., from large or small collections. The remote control maps natural hand movements and gestures into relevant commands while the graphical display uses images, zooming for increased/decreased levels of detail and continuity of GUI objects to provide easy organization, selection and navigation among the media items by a user. |
| US08046704B2 |
Compliance monitoring
A system and method for determining compliance for one or more information technology services may generate on the spot compliance reports based on real-time data. Compliance data may be retrieved or received from a variety of sources including incident diagnostic utilities, manual data entry and third-party software or applications. A compliance system and method may monitor the data being generated from each of the various sources in a real-time fashion, generating compliance information based thereon. |
| US08046701B2 |
Peer to peer gesture based modular presentation system
A peer-to-peer modular presentation system is disclosed for providing improved presentations. The system includes a plurality of displays. Each display is associated with an input device, processor and input/output port. The plurality of displays may include static or mobile wherein each display is aware of the displays immediately surrounding it or of the displays in a remote site during a teleconference. A propagation direction may be configured for at least two of the displays in the system. Propagation may be initiated for multiple displays by generating a gesture input at one display. The gesture input will cause content to be presented in the particular display, and initiate propagation of content along the configured direction in neighboring displays. Content may be fed to a particular display through a stack or other memory that is associated with the display. |
| US08046697B2 |
System and method for customizing an interface related to accessing, manipulating and viewing internet and non-internet related information
A system and method are disclosed for accessing, generating, presenting and manipulating Internet and non-Internet related information, data and content, including information netcast over the Internet. The system is also capable of controlling operatively connected, privately networked devices. A number of graphical user interfaces are utilized to facilitate user access, manipulation and control of information, data and content and networked devices. Some of the graphical user interfaces are time and topic oriented, are customizable by the user, and allow for the manipulation of information, data, content and operatively connected networked devices from the graphical interfaces themselves. The system is preferably enhanced through the use of an intelligent, dynamically updated user profile that is fully integrated with the system. |
| US08046688B2 |
System for and method of adjusting tempo to match audio events to video events or other audio events in a recorded signal
The system and method herein adjust tempo of an audio recording to match audio events to video events or other audio events in an audio-visual recording. The process of fitting an audio segment to a video or audio segment can include receiving a reference indicating a location in a recorded signal where the reference indicates a desired audio tempo change location in the recorded signal and providing a tempo for an audio recording to be at least partially included in the recorded signal. The tempo is provided to fit the audio recording to a section of the recorded signal marked by the reference. |
| US08046685B2 |
Information display device in which changes to a small screen area are displayed on a large screen area of a display screen
An information display device having a large display screen which enables a user to operate an object displayed at a position distant from a user operation position is provided. The information display device has the display screen with a touch sensor, and enables a remote control of the display screen through a touch operation on the small screen area which is set to display a demagnified version of an image displayed on the display screen, by shifting a touch operation position in the small screen area to a position on the display screen. Hence an operation on the display screen and that on the small screen can be executed as the operations corresponding with each other. |
| US08046683B2 |
Structural editing with schema awareness
A markup language document has data entry fields corresponding to markup language nodes that are arranged in a hierarchical structure of parents having child nodes. The hierarchical position of each markup language node in the hierarchical structure is expressed as a corresponding fragment of the markup language. For each parent, a markup language fragment is formed so as to have a plurality of portions each corresponding to the fragment of a respective child node without repeating any fragment of the respective child nodes. Portions that respectively correspond to the child nodes are used for data entry with the data entry fields, where an electronic form is displayed on a user interface for interactive data entry. The electronic form has one or more data entry fields each corresponding to one of the data entry fields of the structured markup language document and into which data can be entered. |
| US08046681B2 |
Techniques for inducing high quality structural templates for electronic documents
Techniques are disclosed herein to automatically learn a template that describes a common structure present in documents in a training set. The structure of the template is compared to the structure of the documents (or at least a part of each document) in the training set, one-by-one, and generalized in response to differences between the template and the document to which the template is currently being compared. If the structure of any particular document is considered too dissimilar from the structure of the template, then the template is not modified. Various generalization operators are added to the template to generalize the template. One such generalization operator is an “OR”, which indicates that only one of “n” sub-trees below the “OR” operator in the template is allowed at the corresponding position in a document. |
| US08046680B2 |
Method and device for generating reference structural patterns adapted to represent hierarchized data
Generating reference structural patterns representing hierarchized data, by extracting primary structural patterns. Each primary structural pattern represents a set of pieces of structural information. The degree of use of extracted primary structural patterns is determined based on of the number of hierarchized pieces of data able to be represented by the primary structural patterns. Primary structural patterns are grouped based on the degree of use and a distance between primary structural patterns. One reference structural pattern per group is determined, the reference structural pattern representing the primary structural patterns of the associated group. The degree of use favors grouping of a primary structural pattern with other primary structural patterns even if it has numerous structural differences if the primary structural pattern has few occurrences, and favors creation of a separate group containing the primary structural pattern even if it has few structural differences if the primary structural pattern has many occurrences. |
| US08046672B2 |
Method and system for delivering technology agnostic rich media content within an email, banner ad, and web page
The present invention plays rich media presentations included in an email, banner ad, and web page. Rich media presentations may be automatically played within an email, banner ad, and web page. When a video banner (Vbanner), video email (Vmail), or video page (Vpage) is included in a requested page, the requesting device receives the necessary rich media presentations, including a virtual player, presentation packages, and media packages, necessary to play the presentation. When the banner ad is downloaded, the rich media presentation begins to automatically play within the page on supported devices. Many options may be set controlling the operation of the Vbanner, Vmail and Vpage. A virtual player is created that includes code to play media files. A presentation package is created that sets the presentation attributes for the multimedia experience. A media package is created that instructs the virtual player what multimedia content to play. |
| US08046671B2 |
Method and apparatus for adapting data to a transport unit of a predefined size prior to transmission
An apparatus and a method for adapting data in a communications system to be transmitted from a sender to a receiver, to a transport unit of a predefined size involve representing said data as a combination of bits over a finite field, wherein said data comprises of an information part and a control part; adapting said represented data to fit said predefined size of said transport unit, by expressing both said information and control parts with bits, wherein said bits are less in number that said represented combination of bits and a number of removed bits is known to said receiver, said removed bits comprise of bits from both said information and control parts. |
| US08046666B2 |
Combined DC restoration double detection and loops
A method of double detection in a perpendicular magnetic read channel is disclosed. The method generally includes the steps of (A) generating an intermediate signal by performing a first detection on an input signal of the perpendicular read channel, the first detection having a first error rate, (B) generating a statistics signal based on the intermediate signal, the statistics signal conveying noise statistics that depend on data in the input signal and (C) generating an output signal by performing a second detection on the input signal using the noise statistics to reduce a second error rate of the second detection compared with the first error rate, wherein the first detection is independent of the second detection. |
| US08046664B2 |
Information processing apparatus and program for controlling the same
An information processing apparatus is configured to be backed up by a battery so that information in a main memory of the apparatus can be retained when a power supply for the apparatus is stopped. The apparatus stores kernel information in a kernel information table at a time of an initial program loading so that the kernel information stored in the kernel information table can be delivered to a kernel for restarting a program. The program can be started by receiving the kernel information from the kernel information table without retrieving the program from a memory medium or re-generating the kernel information. The apparatus with an operating system that has a relocation function for use in a vehicle can thus have a reduced system startup time. |
| US08046661B2 |
Symbol error correction by error detection and logic based symbol reconstruction
Methods and apparatus for creating codewords of n-valued symbols with one or more n-valued check symbols are disclosed. Associating the codewords with a matrix allows for detection of one or more symbols in error and the location of such symbols in error. Methods to reconstruct symbols in error from other symbols not in error are also disclosed. Systems for using the methods of error detection and error correction by symbol reconstruction are also disclosed. Using two or more matrices to determine check symbols is also provided. |
| US08046657B2 |
Decoding method and apparatus
According to a method and apparatus taught herein, a decoding circuit and method decode linear block codes based on determining joint probabilities for one or more related subsets of bits in received data blocks. The use of joint probabilities enables faster and more reliable determination of received bits, meaning that, for example, joint probability decoding requires fewer decoding iterations than a comparable decoding process based on single-bit probabilities. As a non-limiting example, the decoding circuit and method taught herein provide advantageous operation with Low Density Parity Check (LDPC) codes, and can be incorporated in a variety of communication systems and devices, such as those associated with wireless communication networks. |
| US08046656B2 |
Rendering and correcting data
Rendering and correcting data. Data is received. The data is stored at a memory. The data is rendered for presentation at an output device. Defects in the data stored at the memory are determined. The defects in the data stored at the memory are corrected, wherein at least a portion of the correction of the defects is performed after transmitting the data. |
| US08046654B2 |
Image data test unit, image apparatus having the same, and method of testing image data using the same
An image data test unit includes a data acquisition unit configured to acquire image data having individual frames, an image data temporary storage unit configured to receive the acquired image data from the data acquisition unit to store a certain amount of the image data, and a test calculation unit configured to sequentially receive the image data from the image data temporary storage unit to store a certain amount of the image data, and compare the stored image data with pre-set test elements. In addition, an image apparatus having the image data test unit and a method of testing image data using the image data test unit are also provided. |
| US08046650B2 |
TAP with control circuitry connected to device address port
The disclosure describes a novel method and apparatus for making device TAPs addressable to allow device TAPs to be accessed in a parallel arrangement without the need for having a unique TMS signal for each device TAP in the arrangement. According to the disclosure, device TAPs are addressed by inputting an address on the TDI input of devices on the falling edge of TCK. An address circuit within the device is associated with the device's TAP and responds to the address input to either enable or disable access of the device's TAP. |
| US08046649B2 |
Scan circuits formed peripheral of core circuits with control leads
An integrated circuit carries an intellectual property core. The intellectual property core includes a test access port 39 with test data input leads 15, test data output leads 13, control leads 17 and an external register present, ERP lead 37. A scan register 25 encompasses the intellectual property core and ERP lead 37 carries a signal indicating the presence of the scan register. |
| US08046648B1 |
Method and apparatus for controlling operating modes of an electronic device
A method and apparatus allows controlling a plurality of test operations in an electronic device, and in particular a volatile or non-volatile memory device in which a test mode has already been established, without the need for additional device connections. One such operation may be switching device operation from test mode to functional mode, the normal operating mode of the device. Other test operations include support of continuity testing by external circuitry, support of externally accessing device identification with which the device has been previously programmed, support of built in self-test, support of self-repair and support of other operations determined as needs arise. |
| US08046638B2 |
Testing of distributed systems
In an embodiment, a method is provided for tracking a test. In this method, a test session identifier is transmitted to a test system. The test session identifier identifies a particular test session. A test of a component is triggered at the test system, and this test provides test results, which are received from the test system. The test results include the test session identifier, which allows the tests to be associated with the particular test session. |
| US08046636B2 |
Methods and apparatus for event logging in an information network
Methods and apparatus for logging, analysis, and reporting of events such as reboots in a client device (e.g., consumer premises equipment in a cable network) using applications. In one aspect, an improved event logging and monitoring system is provided within the device with which the application(s) can interface to record event or error data. In one exemplary embodiment, the client device comprises a digital set-top box having Java-enabled middleware adapted to implement the various functional aspects of the event logging system, which registers to receive event notifications (including resource exhaustion data) from other applications running on the device. The network operator can also optionally control the operation of the logging system remotely via a network agent. Improved client device and network configurations, as well as methods of operating these systems, are also disclosed. |
| US08046635B2 |
Data processing device and data control circuit for use therein
When data that has been saved outside a circuit is restored, a data control circuit, before resuming the processing that an electronic circuit had been performing before the data was saved, performs particular processing different from that processing. Moreover, the data control circuit has a data saving control function whereby it, via a debugging port (or a general-purpose data input/output port) of a volatile memory storing data to be processed by the electronic circuit, saves that data (or sends an instruction to save that data). |
| US08046631B2 |
Firmware recovery in a raid controller by using a dual firmware configuration
A system comprising a first memory, a second memory, and a controller. The first memory may be configured to store a first firmware. The second memory may be configured to store a second firmware similar to the first firmware stored on the first memory. The controller may be configured to (i) operate the first firmware stored on the first memory, (ii) discontinue operating the first firmware in response to a failure of the first firmware, and (iii) begin operating the second firmware after discontinuing operation of the first firmware. |
| US08046630B2 |
Storage control apparatus, storage control method, and computer product
A controller updates a partition arrangement table and a backup-disk management table. The controller also creates, in a first disk, a logical memory area for storing a backup directory that has been stored in the first disk and that corresponds to a primary directory stored in a second disk of a processing element in which a failure has occurred. |
| US08046629B1 |
File server for redundant array of independent disks (RAID) system
A redundant array of independent disks (RAID) system comprises N storage arrays, wherein each of the N storage arrays comprise a target processing module and 1 to M hard disk drives, where M and N are integers greater than 1. A data processing module selectively assigns error checking and correcting (ECC) processing for data blocks to selected ones of the target processing modules in a non-overlapping manner. A switch module provides communication paths between the data processing module and the N storage arrays and between each one of the N storage arrays and others of the N storage arrays. |
| US08046625B2 |
Distributed fault tolerant architecture for a healthcare communication system
A healthcare communication system includes a first plurality of computer devices, such as patient stations, staff stations, and a master station, that are operable as a nurse call system. The first plurality of computer devices may have core nurse call functionality residing on an embedded computing platform. At least one of the first plurality of computer devices may have a graphical display screen. A second plurality of computer devices may be operable to provide the first plurality of computer devices with additional functionality via software plug-ins that are transmitted to the first plurality of computer devices. The first plurality of computer devices may be interconnected logically and/or physically in a tiered architecture arrangement to provide fault isolation among the tiers so that faults occurring in computer devices of one tier don't affect the operability of computer devices in other tiers and so that faults occurring in any of the second plurality of computer devices don't affect the core nurse call functionality of the first plurality of computer devices. |
| US08046619B2 |
Apparatus and methods for data distribution devices having selectable power supplies
A network apparatus includes an independent power supply providing a first power signal, and a data distribution device which is operably coupled to the independent power supply and a remote data distribution device, where the remote distribution data device exchanges data and provides a second power signal to the data distribution device, and further where the data distribution device selects the first power signal or the second power signal for operational power. A method includes scanning a plurality of sensors, each coupled to a plurality of power inputs, to ascertain if a power signal is present, determining whether a power signal associated with an independent power supply is present at a power input, sourcing power from the independent power supply if the power signal is associated with an independent power supply, and sourcing power from an alternative supply if the power signal is not associated with an independent power supply. |
| US08046607B2 |
Method, device and system for providing information from a computing device when the computing device is in a hibernate or power off state
In a computing network containing multiple computing devices, a network card in a computing device provides the ability for the computing device to transmit specific types of information while the computing device is in an inactive state. The network card contains processing capabilities that enable it to detect and receive an inquiry directed to that device, process the inquiry, retrieve the requested data which is stored in the network card and transmit that information to the requestor. The ability of the network card to perform this enables system administrators to perform certain system maintenance functions while a computer may be in a power off or hibernate state instead if having to power on the computing device. |
| US08046606B2 |
Host computer with shared storage device
A host computer formed of a motherboard, a power supply unit with a power switch, a data storage device and an external interface is disclosed to have a transfer switch switchable between a first switch position and a second switch position, the transfer switch having three contacts in the first switch position for electrically connecting the motherboard to the power supply unit and the data storage device to the power supply unit and the motherboard to the external interface, and two contacts in the second switch position for electrically connecting the data storage device to the external interface through a data transmission interface and the data storage device to said power supply unit respectively. This design allows access to the data storage device, achieving the effect of sharing the data storage device without booting the computer system. |
| US08046604B2 |
Power sharing between portable computer system and peripheral devices
A method and apparatus that allows for controlling operating time of a portable computer system and a peripheral device. A portable computing system that includes a rechargeable power supply and that includes a connection mechanism for coupling to a peripheral device is used to control operating time of the portable computer system and the peripheral device. In one embodiment, a user can choose between maximizing the operating time of the portable computer, maximizing the operating time of the peripheral device, or maximizing the life of the entire system (maximizing the operating time of the portable computer system and the peripheral device). When operating time of the portable computer system is to be maximized, power is sent from the peripheral device to the portable computer system to extend the operating time of the portable computer system. Similarly, when operating time of the peripheral device is to be maximized, power is sent from the rechargeable power supply of the portable computer system to the peripheral device to extend the operating time of the peripheral device. When operating time of the entire system is to be maximized, power is moved such that the operating time for the portable computer system is equal to the operating time of the peripheral device. |
| US08046596B2 |
Reset-tolerant authentication device
An authentication device comprises a processor having a reset input, a trigger source coupled to the reset input of the processor, and interface circuitry for outputting codes generated by the processor. The trigger source may comprise, for example, a trigger button having an associated switch that when actuated supplies a reset to the reset input. The processor is configured to analyze a given reset applied to the reset input to determine if the reset is an inadvertent reset or a reset generated by the trigger source. The processor generates a code responsive to the reset if the reset is determined to be a reset generated by the trigger source. The code may be supplied to a host device which communicates the code to an authentication server for authentication. |
| US08046593B2 |
Storage device controlled access
Access to a storage device, such as a disk, is controlled by performing a disk operation using a single cryptographic engine. Keys associated with each layer of a layered structure associated with controlling access to the storage device are combined. The resultant of this combination is used as the key to the cryptographic engine. Data to be retrieved from and written to the storage device are operated on by the cryptographic engine utilizing the combined key. Keys are combined by combining functions associated with layers of the layered structure. A combining function can include an exclusive or function, a cryptographic hash function, or a combination thereof. |
| US08046591B2 |
Method of and apparatus for reproducing information, and security module
An information reproducing apparatus of the present invention includes a secure module and a main memory. The information in the secure module can not be accessed from outside. The secure module reads, using a direct access method, information relating to software stored in the main memory. The secure module checks a falsification of the software by comparing the information read with the information stored in advance in the secure module. |
| US08046587B2 |
Method off-line authentication on a limited-resource device
One feature provides a method for granting authenticated access to off-line, limited-resource mobile devices. A public-private key pair is generated by a service provider and the public key is used to digitally sign a username and (possibly) access privileges to obtain a password for technician. The public key is securely distributed to mobile devices. When off-line, a mobile device may authenticate access to restricted functions of the mobile device by a technician. The technician provides its username, access privileges and password to the mobile device. The mobile device then uses the public key, username and access privileges to verify the password. To invalidate an old username and password, the service provider replaces the public-private key pair with a new public-private key pair. |
| US08046585B2 |
Verifying authenticity of an attribute value signature
A method and apparatus for verifying authenticity of a digital signature for an attribute value. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving a message including an attribute value of an attribute from a Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) repository entry and a digital signature, and verifying that the digital signature authenticates the attribute value. |
| US08046584B2 |
Message authentication device
Method for checking the signature of a message. The message, signature, and a certificate are sent by a signer having a public key to a recipient having a message storage device. The certificate is checked by a protected device connected to the message storage device and a checking result data element is sent for checking to a display device connected to the protected device. When the certificate is verified, a reduction of the message is calculated in the protected device and the message is recopied onto the display device. The signature is decrypted using the public key in the protected device, and the decrypted signature is compared with the reduction carried out. According to the comparison, a message is sent from the protected device to the display device indicating whether the signature conforms or does not conform to the message or to the public key of the signer put forward. |
| US08046581B2 |
Method and apparatus for secure immediate wireless access in a telecommunications network
A wireless telephone and messaging system provides Secure Immediate Wireless Access (SIWA) to wireless telephones onto existing wireless networks. The SIWA protocol uses existing wireless network messaging to exchange information between wireless devices and a network server, referred to herein as an Intelligent Service Manager (ISM). The ISM acts as a gateway between wireless devices and wireless service provider, and provides the wireless devices with an immediate limited or unlimited access to the wireless network. The ISM can also deny access to the wireless network from unauthorized wireless devices. |
| US08046580B2 |
Data processing apparatus and method for generation of protection compression encoded data
An encoding data processing apparatus is described which is operable to generate protected compression encoded data representative of protected media signals. The apparatus comprises a data analyser which is operable to receive compression encoded data representative of the media signals and to select low perceptibility data bits in the compression encoded data which when altered would have a relatively low perceivable effect on the media signals recovered from compression decoding the compression encoded data after the selected bits had been altered. The bits are selected in accordance with predetermined criteria. The apparatus also comprises an information validation engine which is operable to form a normalised version of the compression encoded data by setting the selected data bits in the compression encoded data to a predetermined value and to generate a secure hash value of the normalised version of the compression encoded data. The information validation engine then forms the protected compression encoded data by replacing the selected data bits of the normalised compression encoded data with the data bits of the secure hash value. By generating a secure hash of the normalised bitstream rather than the original bitstream, subsequent authentication of the bitstream to verify that the bitstream has not been changed becomes possible without increasing the size of the bitstream. |
| US08046574B2 |
Secure boot across a plurality of processors
Boot code is partitioned into a plurality of boot code partitions. Processors of a multiprocessor system are selected to be boot processors and are each provided with a boot code partition to execute in a predetermined boot code sequence. Each processor executes its boot code partition in accordance with the boot code sequence and signals to a next processor the successful and uncompromised execution of its boot code partition. If any of the processors does not signal successful completion and/or uncompromised execution of its boot code partition, the boot operation fails. The processors may be arranged, with regard to the boot operation, in a daisy chain, ring, or master/slave arrangement, for example. |
| US08046572B2 |
Booting system, boot program, and method therefor
A booting system, a boot program, and a method therefor are provided. A boot source device and a boot target device are connected to each other via a transfer interface. The transfer interface is an interface where booting is supported by a BIOS of the boot target device. The boot source device transfers a first object corresponding to booting data which allows the boot target device to establish and use a connection including an interface other than the transfer interface, which is not supported by the BIOS, via the transfer interface. After the boot target device is enabled to use the interface other than the transfer interface, the boot source device transfers a second object corresponding to booting data for booting up an OS of the boot target device or the like via the transfer interface and transfer interfaces and to the boot target device to boot the boot target device. |
| US08046568B2 |
Microprocessor with integrated high speed memory
The present invention relates to the field of (micro)computer design and architecture, and in particular to microarchitecture associated with moving data values between a (micro)processor and memory components. Particularly, the present invention relates to a computer system with an processor architecture in which register addresses are generated with more than one execution channel controlled by one central processing unit with at least one load/store unit for loading and storing data objects, and at least one cache memory associated to the processor holding data objects accessed by the processor, wherein said processor's load/store unit contains a high speed memory directly interfacing said load/store unit to the cache. The present invention improves the of architectures with dual ported microprocessor implementations comprising two execution pipelines capable of two load/store data transactions per cycle. By including a cache memory inside the load/store unit, the processor is directly interfaced from its load/store units to the caches. Thus, the present invention accelerates data accesses and transactions from and to the load/store units of the processor and the data cache memory. |
| US08046567B2 |
Multi-threaded processor architecture
A multi-threaded processor that is capable of responding to, and processing, multiple low-latency-tolerant events concurrently and while using relatively slow, low-power memories is disclosed. The illustrative embodiment comprises a multi-threaded processor, which itself comprises a context controller and a plurality of hardware contexts. Each hardware context is capable of storing the current state of one thread in a form that enables the processor to quickly switch to or from the execution of that thread. To enable the processor to be capable of responding to low-latency-tolerant events quickly, each thread—and, therefore, each hardware context is prioritized—depending on the latency tolerance of the thread responding to the event. |
| US08046565B2 |
Accelerator load balancing with dynamic frequency and voltage reduction
Systems and methods for accelerators which may execute a program in conjunction with a PC are disclosed. In one embodiment, an accelerator includes a plurality of calculation units, each calculation unit operable to execute the program in parallel, an operation control unit configured to control an operation capability or a processing capability of at least one of the plurality of calculation units, and a control unit configured to determine a corresponding operation capability or processing capability for the plurality of calculation units based on load information on the program to be executed and control the operation control unit accordingly. |
| US08046564B2 |
Reconfigurable paired processing element array configured with context generated each cycle by FSM controller for multi-cycle floating point operation
Techniques, systems and apparatus are described for providing a processing element (PE) structure forming a floating point unit (FPU)-processing element. Each processing element includes each of two multiplexers (MUXes) to receive data from one or more sources including another PE, and select one value from the received data. The processing element includes an arithmetic logic unit (ALU) in communication with the two multiplexers to receive the selected value from each multiplexer as two input values, and process the received two input values to generate results of the ALU. |
| US08046563B1 |
Virtual architectures in a parallel processing environment
An integrated circuit includes a plurality of processor core. Processing instructions in the integrated circuit includes: managing a plurality of sets of processor cores, each set including one or more processor cores assigned to a function associated with executing instructions; and reconfiguring the number of processor cores assigned to at least one of the sets during execution based on characteristics associated with executing the instructions. |
| US08046557B2 |
Apparatus and method for on-demand in-memory database management platform
A method and apparatus for constructing a memory-based database service platform, in which database can be on-loaded and off-loaded or unloaded as needed, and can reserve schedule and size of memory and other resources, including CPUs, network, backup, mirroring and recovery recourses. With the service platform, multiple different types of databases can be chosen by specifying data storage type and data operation interfaces, such as Relational Database (RDB), Biometric Database (BDB), Time Series Database (TDB), Data Driven Database (DDDB) and File-based Database (FDB) etc. Database types can be chosen either by user directly or by platform automatically or semi-automatically based on data types and data operation characteristics. |
| US08046555B2 |
Method of mirroring data between clustered NAS systems
Data of a global file system spread over multiple local NAS systems may be consolidated as a copy into a single remote NAS system. When remote copy is set up, the local NAS systems replace referrals within the global file system with directories and send these in place of the referrals to the remote NAS system. Then, other local NAS systems referred to by the referrals send files and directories under the directories replacing the referrals on the remote NAS system. Alternatively, to split copy data of a locally-stored global file system amongst multiple remote NAS systems, the local NAS system replaces specified directories with referrals, and sends the referrals with the data to one of the remote NAS systems. Then, the local NAS system sends files and directories under the directories replaced with referrals to one or more other remote NAS systems as referred to by the referrals. |
| US08046551B1 |
Techniques for processing I/O requests
Described are techniques executed in a data storage system in connection with processing an I/O request. The I/O request is received. It is determined whether the I/O request is a write request. If the I/O request is a write request, write request processing is performed. The write request processing includes: copying write request data of the write request to cache; destaging the write request data from the cache to a primary storage device; and copying, in accordance with a heuristic, the write request data from the primary storage device to an asynchronous mirror device including an asynchronous copy of data from the primary storage device, wherein the asynchronous mirror device is write disabled with respect to received write requests requesting to write data thereto, the asynchronous mirror device used for servicing data requested in connection with read requests upon the occurrence of a cache miss. |
| US08046550B2 |
Systems and methods for performing backup operations of virtual machine files
Backup systems and methods are disclosed for a virtual computing environment. Certain examples include a system having a backup management server that communicates with a host server having at least one virtual machine. The management server coordinates with the host server to perform backup copies of entire virtual machine disks from outside the guest operating system of the virtual machine. In certain examples, such backup systems further utilize a volume shadow copy service executing on the host server to quiesce virtual machine applications to put data in a consistent state to be backed up. The backup system then utilizes hypervisor snapshot capabilities of the host server to record intended changes to the virtual machine disk files while such files are being copied (e.g., backed up) by the host server. Such recorded changes can be later committed to the virtual machine disk files once the backup operation has completed. |
| US08046548B1 |
Maintaining data consistency in mirrored cluster storage systems using bitmap write-intent logging
Techniques for maintaining mirrored storage cluster data consistency can employ write-intent logging. The techniques can be scaled to any number of mirror nodes. The techniques can keep track of any outstanding I/Os, data in caches, and data that has gone out of sync between mirrored nodes due to link failures. The techniques can ensure that a power failure on any of the storage nodes does not result in inconsistent data among the storage nodes. The techniques may keep track of outstanding I/Os using a minimal memory foot-print and having a negligible impact on the I/O performance. Properly choosing the granularity of the system for tracking outstanding I/Os can result in a minimal amount of data requiring transfer to synchronize the mirror nodes. The capability to vary the granularity based on physical and logical parameters of the storage volumes may provide performance benefits. |
| US08046544B2 |
Garbage collection barrier with direct user mode traps
A computer system includes a processor; and a memory coupled to the processor, configured to provide the processor with a plurality of instructions including a set of garbage collection instructions configured to perform one or more garbage collection barrier operations and a subsequent instruction that immediately follows the garbage collection instruction; wherein the processor is configured to execute the set of garbage collection instructions, including by: evaluating a memory reference to determine a condition associated with the set of garbage collection instructions; and in the event that the condition is met, while maintaining the same privilege level, saving information that is based at least in part on the current value of a program counter, and setting the program counter to correspond to a target location that is other than the location of the subsequent instruction. |
| US08046543B2 |
Selectively retaining a topmost subpool expansion to prevent thrashing
A method and program product to selectively retain or discard subpool expansions. When a subpool has been tuned to its limit (a maximum extension size is established), then a subsequent expansion allocation of this tuned expansion is queued on top of a memory subpool. Otherwise, expansions are queued on the bottom of the subpool. All expansions other than the topmost one, which is retained by the system, are rapidly returned to the system when their storage is no longer needed by the various processes that have finished. The topmost expansion is retained as long as the subpool remains tuned to the maximum extension size. By permitting the topmost expansion to remain available to the subpool for storage allocation, the topmost expansion is retained beyond a short term period typical of expansions, which allows the topmost expansion to stay around for a sufficient time to prevent subpool thrashing. |
| US08046542B2 |
Fault-tolerant non-volatile integrated circuit memory
Apparatus and methods are disclosed, such as those that store data in a plurality of non-volatile integrated circuit memory devices, such as NAND flash, with convolutional encoding. A relatively high code rate for the convolutional code consumes relatively little extra memory space. In one embodiment, the convolutional code is spread over portions of a plurality of memory devices, rather than being concentrated within a page of a particular memory device. In one embodiment, a code rate of m/n is used, and the convolutional code is stored across n memory devices. |
| US08046539B2 |
Method and apparatus for the synchronization of distributed caches
A method and apparatus for the synchronization of distributed caches. More particularly, the present invention to cache memory systems and more particularly to a hierarchical caching protocol suitable for use with distributed caches, including use within a caching input/output (I/O) hub. |
| US08046538B1 |
Method and mechanism for cache compaction and bandwidth reduction
A method and mechanism are managing caches. A cache is configured to store blocks of data based upon predictions of future accesses. Each block is partitioned into sub-blocks, and if it is predicted a given sub-block is unlikely to be accessed, the sub-block may not be stored in the cache. Associated with each block is a mask which indicates whether sub-blocks of the block are likely to be accessed. When a block is first loaded into the cache, the corresponding mask is cleared and an indication is set for the block to indicate a training mode for the block. Access patterns of the block are then monitored and stored in the mask. If a given sub-block is accessed a predetermined number of times, a bit in the mask is set to indicate that the sub-block is likely to be accessed. When a block is evicted from the cache, the mask is also transferred for storage and only the sub-blocks identified by the mask as being likely to be accessed may be transferred for storage. If previously evicted data is restored to the cache, a previously stored mask is accessed to determine which of the sub-blocks are predicted likely to be accessed. The lower level storage may then transfer only those sub-blocks predicted likely to be accessed to the cache. |
| US08046536B2 |
Apparatus and method for managing a plurality of kinds of storage devices
A storage system including a memory unit having a disk management program, plural disk controllers each having a SAS port which can be attached to either a SAS disk drive or a SATA disk drive, and a LAN port which communicates with a user interface program in a management console. Upon receiving a request from the user interface program requesting what kinds of disk drives are attached to the disk controllers, the disk management program communicates with each disk controller to determine what kind of disk drive is attached to the disk controller, selects based on a result an appropriate protocol for the disk drive, sends a request to the disk controller to retrieve detailed information of the disk drive using the selected protocol, and sends the detailed information received from the disk controller back to the user interface program for display on a monitor of the management console. |
| US08046534B2 |
Managing snapshots in storage systems
Embodiments include methods, apparatus, and systems for managing snapshots in storage systems. One method includes logically linking a plurality of snapshots to a logical disk in a storage network; and splitting the snapshots from the logical disk to form a snapshot tree that includes the snapshots split from the logical disk. |
| US08046533B2 |
System and method for sector remapping
Disclosed herein is an improved sector remapping method that maps logical sectors into physical sectors in storage disks such as SATA (Serial ATA) drives without reducing either storage capacity or I/O performance efficiency. Under this sector remapping method, logical sectors of data can be written into the physical sectors of a storage device through control frames having padded data or information associated with the padded data, as well as data frames having real data to be stored. With the padded data to be added to the real data, the frames provide multiple physical sectors to be transmitted into the storage device in a single write operation. The sector remapping method can be implemented in a storage bridge coupled to a storage device such as SATA drives. |
| US08046531B2 |
Storage apparatus, management apparatus, and method of controlling storage apparatus
In a storage apparatus comprising a communication interface that receives an I/O request sent from a host apparatus, a storage device controller that performs writing and reading of data with respect to a storage device, and a cache memory that stores data to be written in the storage device or data read from the storage device, a journal volume operated as a volume for which update writing is prohibited and write once is permitted is provided, on the basis of a storage area provided by the storage device, and a virtual volume is provided as a volume accessible from the host apparatus, the journal volume being the entity of the virtual volume, the virtual volume being a volume for which an attribute (Read/Add) that permits only reading and write once is settable. |
| US08046530B2 |
Process and method for erase strategy in solid state disks
An embodiment of the invention relates to a nonvolatile mass storage device such as a flash memory device formed with erase blocks partitioned into memory management blocks. An erase block is identified containing at least a minimum number of management blocks marked invalid, from which data is copied, merged, and stored in a new management block. The erase block is then erased. Erase blocks containing at least the minimum number of invalid management blocks may be erased until a minimum amount of management blocks is free. Alternatively, all erase blocks containing at least the minimum number of invalid management blocks may be erased. A management table listing the number of invalid management blocks in erase blocks may be included in the mass storage device. Preferably, the new management block for storage of the merged data is located in an erase block different from the identified erase block. |
| US08046529B2 |
Updating control information in non-volatile memory to control selection of content
To control selection of content in a non-volatile memory, control information is stored in the non-volatile memory, where the control information is to control selection of content in the non-volatile memory. An algorithm is used to update the control information in the non-volatile memory to cause different content in the non-volatile memory to be selected, wherein the algorithm sets the control information to an initial value that enhances use of programming of the non-volatile memory to update the control information, and reduces use of erasing of the non-volatile memory to update control information. |
| US08046528B2 |
Data writing method for flash memory, and flash memory controller and storage device thereof
A data writing method for a block of a multi level cell NAND flash memory including upper page addresses and lower page addresses is provided, wherein a writing speed at the lower page addresses is higher than that at the upper page addresses. The data writing method includes receiving a writing command and determining whether an address to be written with new data in the writing command is the upper page address of the block. The method also includes copying old data previously recorded on the lower page addresses of the block as an old data backup when the address to be written in the writing command is the upper page address of the block and then writing the new data to the address to be written. Thus, old data may be protected while writing data to the upper page address of the multi level cell NAND flash memory. |
| US08046527B2 |
Apparatus and method for using a page buffer of a memory device as a temporary cache
An apparatus and method are provided for using a page buffer of a memory device as a temporary cache for data. A memory controller writes data to the page buffer and later reads out the data without programming the data into the memory cells of the memory device. This allows the memory controller to use the page buffer as temporary cache so that the data does not have to occupy space within the memory controller's local data storage elements. Therefore, the memory controller can use the space in its own storage elements for other operations. |
| US08046526B2 |
Wear leveling method and controller using the same
A wear leveling method for a non-volatile memory is provided. The non-volatile memory is substantially divided into a plurality of blocks, and these blocks are grouped into at least a data area, a spare area, a substitute area, and a temporary area. The wear leveling method includes selecting blocks from the spare area according to different purposes and executing a wear leveling procedure. |
| US08046525B2 |
Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device with advanced multi-page program operation
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device for an efficient program of multilevel data includes a memory cell array having a plurality of banks and a cache block corresponding to each of the plurality of banks. The cache block has a predetermined data storage capacity. A page buffer is included which corresponds to each of the plurality of banks. A programming circuit programs all of the plurality of banks except a last of said banks with page data. The page data is loaded through each page buffer and programmed into each cache block such that when page data for the last bank is loaded into the page buffer, the loaded page data and the page data programmed into the respective cache blocks are programmed into respective corresponding banks. Accordingly, the time taken in programming can be reduced without increasing a unit of program in a multilevel flash memory, thereby improving performance in a multilevel program of a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device. |
| US08046524B2 |
Managing processing delays in an isochronous system
Command cycles incorporate mechanisms to inform a host processor in advance of a need to service the memory so that the host can respond when it suits the host, but in time for the service to be performed before a catastrophic failure. The regular host cycle need not be interrupted for such notification. |
| US08046522B2 |
Use of a direct data file system with a continuous logical address space interface and control of file address storage in logical blocks
Data files are assigned addresses within one or more logical blocks of a continuous logical address space interface (LBA interface) of a usual type of flash memory system with physical memory cell blocks. This assignment may be done by the host device which typically, but not necessarily, generates the data files. The number of logical blocks containing data of any one file is controlled in a manner that reduces the amount of fragmentation of file data within the physical memory blocks, thereby to maintain good memory performance. The host may configure the logical blocks of the address space in response to learning the physical characteristics of a memory to which it is connected. |
| US08046514B2 |
Broadcasting data across a bus in which data transmission can be delayed if a snooping device is not ready to receive
A system and method of broadcasting data to multiple targets across a system bus, such as the peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus, that does not normally support broadcast transfers, in which one target responds to the bus transaction and the remaining targets listen in on the bus transaction to receive data from the system bus. The responding target stalls the bus transaction when any of the listening targets communicate to the responding target that they are temporarily unable to accept the data on the bus. |
| US08046511B2 |
Implementing signal processing cores as application specific processors
Methods and apparatus are provided for efficiently implementing signal processing cores as application specific processors. A signal processing core, such as a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) core or a Finite Impulse Response (FIR) core includes a data path and a control path. A control path is implemented using processor components to increase resource efficiency. Both the data path and the control path can be implemented using function units that are selected, parameterized, and interconnected. A variety of signal processing algorithms can be implemented on the same application specific processor. |
| US08046510B2 |
Physical layer device having a SERDES pass through mode
A physical layer device (PLD), comprising: a first serializer-deserializer (SERDES) device having a first parallel port; a second SERDES device having a second parallel port; a third SERDES device having a third parallel port; and a path selector being selectively configurable to provide either (i) a first signal path between the first and second parallel ports, or (ii) a second signal path between the first and third parallel ports. |
| US08046509B2 |
Commonality factoring for removable media
Systems and methods for commonality factoring for storing data on removable storage media are described. The systems and methods allow for highly compressed data, e.g., data compressed using archiving or backup methods including de-duplication, to be stored in an efficient manner on portable memory devices such as removable storage cartridges. The methods include breaking data, e.g., data files for backup, into unique chunks and calculating identifiers, e.g., hash identifiers, based on the unique chunks. Redundant chunks can be identified by calculating identifiers and comparing identifiers of other chunks to the identifiers of unique chunks previously calculated. When a redundant chunk is identified, a reference to the existing unique chunk is generated such that the chunk can be reconstituted in relation to other chunks in order to recreate the original data. The method further includes storing one or more of the unique chunks, the identifiers and/or the references on the removable storage medium. |
| US08046505B2 |
Systems for implementing SDRAM controllers, and buses adapted to include advanced high performance bus features
A memory controller including an address incrementer and a page crossing detect logic. The address incrementer may be configured to generate a next address in a burst from a current address in the burst. The page crossing detect logic may be configured to determine whether the burst will cross a memory page boundary based on the current address and the next address. The memory controller may be configured to automatically split bursts crossing page boundaries. |
| US08046501B2 |
Vehicle control and interconnection system
An integrated system to control peripherals in a vehicle includes a control and interconnection system having a supervisory processor and/or supervisory control. The control and interconnection system is responsive to feedback from peripherals associated with the vehicle. Moreover, the supervisory processor supervises a plurality of peripherals in communication with the control and interconnection system, where at least one of the plurality of the peripherals includes a controller and is associated with at least one of the: vehicle dynamics, vehicle power train and vehicle body, of a corresponding vehicle. Still further, the supervisory processor provides control information to each of the plurality of peripherals to coordinate performance characteristics based upon at least one operating condition that is determined by the control and interconnection system. |
| US08046498B2 |
Data synchronization protocol
Among other things, techniques and systems are disclosed for syncing data between a client device and a server. Synchronizing data includes initiating a sync session by negotiating a sync mode between a client device and a server for each of one or more dataclasses. A status code is generated based on a result of the negotiating. Based on the generated status code, the client device and the server exchanges one or more data items to be updated for the one or more dataclasses using the negotiated sync mode for each dataclass. The exchanged one or more data items are updated at the client device or the server The updated one or more data items are committed at the client or the server. |
| US08046492B1 |
Offset independent filtering
A device facilitates offset independent message filtering, and receives a filter registration request from a control software element, where the filter registration request includes at least a field name and a filter value. The device also identifies an offset value associated with the received field name, and filters a message based on the filter value and the identified offset value. |
| US08046491B2 |
Method for exchanging content between communication devices
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a communication device having a controller to request from an alternate communication device a log of subscribed content acquired by the alternate communication device from an alternate source, identify from the log a desired portion of the subscribed content, and transmit to the alternate communication device a peer-to-peer request for the desired portion of the subscribed content according to one or more available subscriptions. Additional embodiments are also disclosed. |
| US08046490B1 |
System and method for enhancing network security
A method of transmitting data via a network of computers comprises receiving, at a first node of the network and from a second node of the network, first suggested routing information to a destination node, where the first suggested routing information defines at least one node through which data will be transmitted to the destination node. First data is sent to the destination node via the first suggested routing information, and a processor associated with the first node determines whether the first data was received at the destination node. Further second data may be received at the first node of the network, where the second data is intended to be sent to the destination node, and the second data may be sent to the destination via the first suggested routing information depending on the determination of whether the first data was received at the destination. |
| US08046488B2 |
Dynamically modulating link width
Systems and methods of managing a link provide for receiving a remote width capability during a link initialization, the remote width capability corresponding to a remote port. A link between a local port and the remote port is operated at a plurality of link widths in accordance with the remote width capability. |
| US08046485B2 |
Method and system for implementing URL scheme proxies on a computer system
A method and system for implementing URL scheme proxies. Embodiments of the invention allow URL schemes that are not natively supported by a computer to be supported via proxy, e.g., using a URL scheme that is native to the computer to forward the non-native transport. More specifically, embodiments of the invention allow a first computer system to support a first URL scheme by encapsulating its transport information into another URL scheme that is natively supported by the first computer. The encapsulated information is then forwarded to a second computer system or server which can provide support for the first URL scheme transport. For instance, if the first computer supports http but does not support ftp, then an ftp transport can be encapsulated inside an http transport and then forwarded to an ftp server which can then extract and process the ftp transport. The ftp response can be handled in an analogous fashion. The invention increases the native URL scheme capabilities of a computer system by proxy. In one embodiment, a system registry is used in order to determine which helper code to use for a particular URL scheme. The selection of helper code and whether native or proxy support is selected are tasks that are transparent to the application. The invention can allow a device with no Internet access to act, transparently, as if it has Internet access. |
| US08046484B2 |
Transmitting data across a contention channel in a centralized network
A method of transmitting data is disclosed. The method transmits data from a source device over a contention channel in a centralized network to more than one device on the channel, including a central coordinator. The method then waits for a data acknowledgment signal from the central coordinator as an indicator of successful reception of the data by any device to which the data was transmitted. |
| US08046483B2 |
Apparatus and method for providing pause function of broadcasting streaming in terminal
An apparatus and method for providing a pause function of a broadcasting streaming in a terminal are disclosed. A player of the terminal includes a temporary storage buffer. When a key for a pause of broadcasting streaming is inputted, reproducing of streaming is suspended and broadcasting streaming packet data is continuously received from a network and temporarily stored in the temporary storage buffer. When a pause release key is inputted, the broadcasting streaming packet data starts to be reproduced starting from a time point of the pause. Thus, a pause function is provided for a streaming service of broadcasting content whose reproducing rate cannot be controlled by a user. |
| US08046482B2 |
System and method for managing multiple stack environments
Systems and methods that manage multiple stack environments are provided. In one example, a system may include, for example, a first protocol processing stack, a second protocol processing stack and a mapper. The mapper may be coupled to the first protocol processing stack and to the second protocol processing stack. A first port number may be associated with the first protocol processing stack and a second port number may be associated with the second protocol processing stack. The mapper may store a correspondence between the first port number and the second port number. |
| US08046477B1 |
Configuration validation and ambiguous mapping
A rule engine applies storage area network configuration validation rules to verify whether a proposed storage area network configuration includes compatible resources for use in a storage area network environment. The storage area network configuration validation rules enable a proposed combination of storage area network resources to be validated against compatibility data in a repository even when one or more of the resources in the proposed combination ambiguously maps to multiple possible resources and each of other resources in the proposed combination specifically maps to a single respective known component type. Accordingly, an advisory system herein can provide notification whether a proposed or existing storage area network configuration is qualified for use even though one or more of the resources in the combination is ambiguously mapped to multiple possible storage area network resource types. |
| US08046472B2 |
System and method for expert service providers to provide advice services through unique, empowered independent agents to consumers
The present invention provides techniques for managing, supporting and empowering Independent Agents to offer a method for enabling expert Service Providers to deliver, and charge for, advice to consumers, by connecting two parties in real time. The present invention also provides the method and techniques for expert Service Providers, in turn, to provide their service through a multiplicity of Independent Agent channels without the potential for communication device conflict; thereby ensuring successful connections for consumers. |
| US08046467B2 |
Maintaining client affinity in network load balancing systems
Described is a technology in a network load balancing system (node cluster), by which client affinity is preserved across cluster configuration changes, including for new connections from a previous client. Each node maintains a list of the clients that are to remain (have affinity, or “stickiness”) with that node, including following bucket redistribution resulting from convergence. Each affinity list is communicated during convergence so that other nodes may build an exception list or lists. Via a node's exception list, the node that owns a bucket corresponding to a client knows of the affinity with another node and thus drops any packets from that client. Affinity may expire, whereby the node having affinity with that client releases it and notifies the node owning the bucket for that client that the client is no longer to be treated as an exception. |
| US08046464B2 |
Quality of service resource management apparatus and method for middleware services
A method of managing resources of an information system relative to clients of the system. A quality of service (QoS) message is received from a client expressing QoS requirements as parameter values. A contract is established with the client for quality of service based on the one or more parameter values. One or more resources of the system are allocated to the client based on the contract. This method enables uniform resource management and polymorphic resource allocation across multiple middleware platforms. |
| US08046456B1 |
Using virtual networking devices to manage external connections
Techniques are described for providing managed virtual computer networks that may have a configured logical network topology with one or more virtual networking devices, with corresponding networking functionality provided for communications between multiple computing nodes of the virtual computer network by emulating functionality that would be provided by the networking devices if they were physically present. In some situations, the emulating of networking device functionality includes receiving routing communications directed to the networking devices and using included routing information to update the configured network topology for the managed computer network. In addition, the techniques may further include supporting interactions with devices that are external to the virtual computer network, including remote physical networking devices that are part of a remote computer network configured to interoperate with the virtual computer network, and/or specialized network devices that are accessible via a substrate network on which the virtual computer network is overlaid. |
| US08046451B2 |
Hierarchical tree-based protection scheme for mesh networks
In a hierarchical tree-based protection scheme, a node in a mesh network is designated as a root node of a spanning hierarchical protection tree and subsequently invites each adjacent node to become its child within the tree. If the inviting node provides a more capacious protection path to the root node than is currently enjoyed by the invitee, the invitee designates the inviting node as its primary parent and assumes a new tree position. Otherwise, the invitee designates the inviting node as a backup parent. A node assuming a new tree position invites all adjacent nodes except its parent to become its child. The invitations propagate throughout the network until a spanning hierarchical protection tree is formed. Upon a subsequent failure of a straddling link, the tree may be used to re-route data. Further, given a tree link failure, protection switching is quickly achieved at a disconnected node through use of a backup parent as the new primary parent. Dynamic tree reconfiguration in the event of network topology changes may be limited to the network area surrounding the change. |
| US08046450B1 |
Associating network ports of a computer system with network ports of a network device
Network ports of a computer system are associated with network ports of a network device. Network ports of the computer system are configured to operate as part of a switch. A discovery agent discovers network ports of the network device to which the network ports of the computer system are coupled. Associations are created between the network ports of the computer system and the network ports of the network device. |
| US08046445B2 |
Methods and systems for managing network elements
A system for managing networks includes a gateway capable of receiving a first TARP request from a requesting node and generating a second TARP request based on the first TARP request. The second TARP request includes an NSAP address of the gateway. The gateway is further capable of transmitting the second TARP request to a destination node. The gateway is also capable of receiving a first TARP response from the destination node and generating a second TARP response based on the first TARP response. The second TARP response includes the NSAP address of the gateway. The gateway is further capable of transmitting the second TARP response to the requesting node. |
| US08046442B2 |
Method, a device for configuring at least one firewall and a system comprising such device
A method and a device to configure at least one firewall are provided comprising the steps of (i) transmitting at least one mobility report to a firewall controller; (ii) transmitting at least one session report to the firewall controller; and (iii) configuring the at least one firewall according to the information obtained by the at least one mobility report and by the at least one session report. |
| US08046439B2 |
Method for installing EXT file system
A method for installing EXT (extended) file system from a server to at least a client, the method includes the following steps. The super blocks of original files in a server are read to obtain subarea basic parameters of original files which are then packed into an image file. The reserved nodes and the first data pointing to the reserved nodes are analyzed in sequence. Whether the reserved nodes point to directory files is judged. A directory sequence is created according to the judge result. The nodes and the first data pointing to the nodes is reviewed. A client receives the image file and separates the subarea basic parameters of original files and data blocks from the image file, and calculates the basic data and data blocks for storing them in the client. |
| US08046434B2 |
Data communication apparatus and method, data communication system, information-processing apparatus and method, recording medium, and program
In an AV-data transfer system, AV data stored in a RAID embedded in an AV server is supplied to a client personal computer connected to a network such as the Internet or an intranet by way of the network, and AV data output by the client personal computer is transmitted to the AV server through the network to be stored in the RAID. The AV server makes accesses to the RAID to write and read out data into and from the RAID. In addition to the AV server, the AV-data transfer system also includes another personal computer for exchanging AV data with the client personal computer and receiving a variety of commands from the client personal computer by way of the network in accordance with an FTP (File Transfer Protocol). As a result, it is possible to fast handle access requests made by a larger number of client personal computers. |
| US08046430B2 |
Load balancing network access requests
A method of load balancing network access requests comprises receiving a network access request from a serving node linked to a radio access network. The network access request identifies a mobile node receiving wireless service from the radio access network and identifies a data network to which the mobile node has requested access. The network access request requests a communication channel with the serving node for transporting data communications between the mobile node and the data network. The method further comprising determining one or more gateways providing access to the data network, selecting one of the gateways, and forwarding the network access request to the selected gateway. |
| US08046429B2 |
Service mobility for composed components
A system and method for exchanging components between platforms is described. As a user terminal changes location or preferences, the user terminal may be provided with a new platform that supports desired services. A method and system that relates to migrating one or more components that provide composite services from one communication platform to another is described. A user terminal may receive one or more composite services provided by two or more components existing on platform. As the user terminal switches from one platform to another, the platforms attempt to provide the same services to the user with little to no interruption. Various aspects relate to shifting one or more components from the first platform to the second platform to provide local support for the services desired by the user terminal. |
| US08046426B2 |
Random linear coding approach to distributed data storage
A method and computer program product for providing a random linear coding approach to distributed data storage is presented. A file is broken into a plurality of pieces. For every peer (peer means storage-location with limited storage space), the number of coded-pieces the peer can store is determined. Each of the coded-piece is determined by taking random linear combination of all the pieces of the entire file. The associate code-vector is stored for every coded-piece. The file is retrieved by collecting code-vectors and the coded-pieces from the peers and viewing the collected code-vectors as a matrix. When a dimension of the matrix is equal to the number of pieces of the file, the file is recovered using the collection of code vectors in the matrix. |
| US08046423B2 |
Memory overload protection
A method, system and program product for controlling memory overload for a computer system. The invention determines heap utilization of a server; determines a maximum session lifetime a configured percentile of at least one session; determines a traffic rate (comprised of an average traffic rate received from a proxy server and a variance of traffic rate received from a proxy server); and calculates a maximum traffic rate, wherein the maximum traffic rate determines the heap utilization at a maximum heap percentage. |
| US08046421B2 |
High performance storage access environment
The present invention provides improved techniques for managing storage resources, such as disk drives, I/O ports, and the like in a network based storage system according to a user position within the network. Embodiments according to the present invention can provide a relatively high performance storage access environment for the mobile users moving around a wide area. For example, in one applicable environment, there are several data centers in the wide area, and each data center has a local storage system that is connected to the other storage systems through a network. Copies of a user's volume can be made in some of the storage systems. A remote copy function is utilized for making real time copies of the user's volume. |
| US08046414B2 |
Method for accessing email attachments from a mobile vehicle
A method for accessing email attachments from a mobile vehicle is disclosed. The method enables the user to contact a call center, and receive email attachments in a mobile vehicle telematics control unit. The telematics control unit determines whether the email attachment is audio-only, or whether it includes video elements. The telematics control unit then routes audio-only attachments to an audio device, and attachments having video elements to a display screen. |
| US08046399B1 |
Fused multiply-add rounding and unfused multiply-add rounding in a single multiply-add module
A computer processor including a single fused-unfused floating point multiply-add (FMA) module computes the result of the operation A*B+C for floating point numbers for fused multiply-add rounding operations and unfused multiply-add rounding operations. In one embodiment, a fused multiply-add rounding implementation is augmented with additional hardware which calculates an unfused multiply-add rounding result without adding additional pipeline stages. In one embodiment, a computation by the fused-unfused floating point multiply-add (FMA) module is initiated using a single opcode which determines whether a fused multiply-add rounding result or unfused multiply-add rounding result is generated. |
| US08046397B2 |
Computations of power functions using polynomial approximations
A power function is approximated over an applicable data interval with polynomials determined by means of a Chebyshev minimax approximation technique. In some cases, multiple polynomials may be used to approximate the function over respective ranges of the desirable interval, in a piecewise manner. The appropriate polynomial that approximates the power function over the range of interest is derived and stored. When the power function is to be applied to a particular data value, the data value is first evaluated to determine where it lies within the applicable interval. The constants for the polynomial associated with that range of the interval are then retrieved and used to calculate the power of that data value. |
| US08046396B2 |
Residual Fourier-padding interpolation for instrumentation and measurement
A technique for interpolating a series of samples includes constructing a mathematical model of the series that describes its large signal behavior. The model is subtracted from the original series to yield a residue. A discrete Fourier transform (DFT) is taken of the residue, and the DFT is zero-padded. An inverse DFT of the padded result yields an interpolated residue, which is then added back to the mathematical model to construct an interpolated version of the series of samples. Using this technique, accurate interpolation can generally be attained even when the series of samples is not coherently sampled. |
| US08046395B2 |
Normalization processing apparatus
A normalization processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention can calculate all of normalization processing output values, that is, the output value of the size of a region, the output value of the lowest value in the region, the output value of the number of non-output bits, and an output bit string, at the same time using a shift amount and the prefix and suffix of the output bit string. The shift amount is calculated using an input value of the size of the region. The prefix and the suffix are calculated using an input value of the lowest value in the region and an input value of the number of non-output bits. |
| US08046394B1 |
Dynamic partitioning for an ordered analytic function
In a database system, a query to perforin an ordered analytic function is received. The query contains a clause specifying creation of dynamic partitions, where the clause contains a partitioning condition to specify the dynamic partitions. During processing of the query, the dynamic partitions are identified based on evaluating the partitioning condition. |
| US08046393B2 |
Apparatus and method of data organisation
A method of organizing data items in an n-dimensional space comprises, for each of a plurality of iterations, the step of generating a relative displacement of position for each data item within the n-dimensional space in accordance with a similarity value between each data item and respective other data items, the distance between each data item and respective other data items in the n-dimensional space, and the difference in position within the n-dimensional space between each data item and at least one reference point. |
| US08046388B2 |
Program additional data creating device, video program editing device, and video program data creating device
An apparatus for producing program ancillary data pertinent to each scene of a picture program to be recorded includes a display control unit for demonstrating, on a display picture, an input form having, as an input item, the information pertinent to a scene as an object of preparation, and a program ancillary data generating unit for correlating the information specifying an associated scene with the information as input through the input form, and for outputting the resulting information. |
| US08046387B2 |
System and method for providing intelligence centers
Disclosed herein, among other things, is a system comprising a content repository, a communication portal developer, a content manager, and an analytic engine. The content repository is adapted to store electronic content in a computer-readable storage medium. The communication portal developer includes at least one wizard to create a plurality of customizable portals without coding software. Each customizable portal is accessible to one or more selected visitors through a web browser. The content manager is adapted to publish selectable electronic content to selectable portals. The content manager includes at least one wizard to populate and manage the electronic content within the content repository. The analytic engine analyzes electronic content use and visitor behavior while logged into their customizable portal. In various embodiments, the analytics are provided in real time or near real time. Other embodiments are disclosed herein. |
| US08046385B2 |
Data quality tracking
In general, a method includes determining metric values associated with data quality for one or more child nodes. Metric values are determined for a parent node based on the metric values of at least some of the child nodes, and relationships between one or more parent nodes and one or more child nodes define a hierarchy. The determination of the metric value for the parent node is repeated for multiple instances. |
| US08046381B2 |
IMS network access using legacy devices
A communication network is described that allows legacy devices to access an IMS network. The communication network includes a switching system, an IMS network, and a non-IMS network. The switching system includes a subscriber database that is pre-provisioned with identities of IMS subscribers using legacy devices. When in operation, a calling party places a call through a legacy device. The switching system receives the call and accesses the subscriber database based on a calling party identifier (e.g., a phone number, URL, etc) to determine if the calling party is an IMS subscriber. If the calling party is an IMS subscriber, then the switching system routes the call to the IMS network. If the calling party is not an IMS subscriber, then the switching system routes the call to the non-IMS network. |
| US08046380B2 |
Data storage system
The present invention is directed to an archival data storage system. The archival data storage system includes write once and read many (WORM) capability, data redundancy, error correction, and access control. The combination of these capabilities enable the archival storage system to be secure, error proof, and reliable. Additionally, to provide fast data access time, solid state storage devices are used in place of conventional tape drive. Solid state storage devices such as, for example, flash memory devices are fast, versatile and reliable. |
| US08046369B2 |
Media asset rating system
Improved techniques for assigning ratings to media assets are disclosed. A rating for a media asset collection can, for example, be determined by examining the ratings of all user-rated media assets in that media asset collection. Additionally or alternately, a rating for media assets in a group of media assets can, for example, be determined by examining the rating of the group of media assets. |
| US08046367B2 |
Targeted distribution of search index fragments over a wireless communication network
Identifying portions of an index related to prior search requests sent from a wireless data processing device and transmitting the portions of the index to the wireless data processing device to be used for local searches. Specifically, a method according to one embodiment comprises: collecting information related to a plurality of content located over a network; automatically generating and continually updating an index for the plurality of content as new content is identified; analyzing search requests transmitted from a wireless data processing device; based on the analysis, identifying portions of the index relevant to the search requests; transmitting the portions of the index to the wireless data processing device; and executing subsequent search requests using the portions of the index stored on the wireless data processing device. |
| US08046362B2 |
Statistical record linkage calibration for reflexive and symmetric distance measures at the field and field value levels without the need for human interaction
Disclosed is a system for, and method of, calculating parameters used to determine whether records and entity representations should be linked. The system and method use a symmetric and reflexive function to allow for linking records and entity representations whose field values differ. The system and method apply iterative techniques such that parameters from each linking iteration are used in the next linking iteration. The system and method need no human interaction in order to calibrate and utilize record matching formulas used for the linking decisions. |
| US08046359B2 |
Data processing apparatus, display control method, and display control program embodied on computer readable medium
In order to reproduce the content output before, an MFP includes an HDD to store data which includes a plurality of page data having corresponding page numbers, an instruction accepting portion to accept a page number of one of the page data to be displayed on a projector, a display control portion to cause the page data of the accepted page number to be displayed on the projector, a history storing portion to store, for each of the page data displayed, history information in which the page number of the page data, the actually displayed time of the page data, and the actually displayed order of the page data are associated with each other, and a redisplay control portion to cause the plurality of page data to be displayed on the projector based on the history information on the condition that the history information is designated. |
| US08046357B2 |
Sampling internet user traffic to improve search results
Methods, systems and apparatus for improving Internet search results include monitoring network activity on a communications network, generating a near real-time map of the network activity, and integrating the near real-time map with a search engine. |
| US08046355B2 |
Word decompounder
A word is split into one or more first substrings. A morpheme is applied to the one or more first substrings to create one or more second substrings. The one or more first and second substrings are selected as one or more splittings, and a score is generated for each of the one or more splittings. One of the one or more splittings with a score higher than the other one or more splittings is selected as a keyword. |
| US08046352B2 |
Expression replacement in virtual columns
Techniques are described herein for replacing a part of an expression in a query to a database with a virtual column. A virtual column is defined by the database to contain results of a defining expression. A part of an expression in a query is replaced with a virtual column whose defining expression is equal to the part of the expression in the query. The part of an expression in a query can be the entire expression. When an expression in a query can be replaced with more than one replacement expression involving virtual columns, the replacement expression with the least cost of query processing is selected. |
| US08046348B1 |
Method and apparatus for concept-based searching of natural language discourse
Searching computer-accessible content can be described as the utilization of an automated process to determine occurrences of where a sought-for concept is referred to in natural language discourse. Concept-based search refers to the reliable identification, within computer-accessible content that represents natural language discourse, of instances in which a particular pinnacle concept “C” is referenced. References to pinnacle concepts are not amenable to detection by the use of keywords. For each pinnacle concept “C,” whose reference is to be determined, a set of linguistic features can be compiled that is referred to herein as a “concept feature set.” In general, it is desirable for a concept feature set to be “complete.” A definition of completeness is presented. Concept-based search can be used in conjunction with keyword-based search. When using concept-based search with keyword-based search, it can be useful, from an efficiency perspective, to divide the process into two phases: an indexing phase and a search phase. |
| US08046347B2 |
Method and apparatus for reconstructing a search query
Methods and systems for reconstructing a full query based on a partial query are disclosed. Existing interfaces for search engines may be rigid and require users to submit full queries to perform searched. The methods and systems described herein may solve these problems by allowing a flexible way for users to submit a partial query and reconstruct a full query based on the partial query. A search may then be performed using the reconstructed query. |
| US08046345B2 |
Method and system for managing file metadata transparent about address changes of data servers and movements of their disks
Provided are a method and a system for managing a file metadata, which are independent of a address change of a data server and movements of a disk by using a location of disk where data exists actually as a location information of a file data. The method for managing the file metadata includes determining whether the request of the metadata is valid, verifying information of a disk storing a file data corresponding to the metadata and a data server address in which the file data exists, and transmitting the verified address of the data server to the client. According to the method and the system for managing the file metadata, data services can be continuously provided without modifications of a file metadata even if the data server address is changed. |
| US08046342B2 |
System and method for providing real time answering service by using communication media capable of transmitting and receiving data and voice
The present invention relates to a system and method for providing a real time answering service by using communication media capable of transmitting and receiving data and voice. In accordance with the invention, there is provided a real time answering service system using communication media capable of transmitting and receiving data and voice, the system including: a questioner terminal for making out question information in real time and connecting to a real time answering service server; an answerer terminal for connecting to the real time answering service server in order to make out answer information about the question information inputted from the questioner terminal in real time; an evaluator terminal for making out evaluation information about the answer information inputted from the answerer terminal; and a real time answering service server for storing the question information inputted from the questioner terminal in a question information database; receiving from the answerer terminal the answer information about the question information inputted from the questioner terminal and storing the answer information in an answer information database; and evaluating the answer information through the evaluator terminal and providing the evaluated answer information to the questioner terminal. |
| US08046339B2 |
Example-driven design of efficient record matching queries
Example-driven creation of record matching queries. The disclosed architecture employs techniques that exploit the availability of positive (or matching) and negative (non-matching) examples to search through this space and suggest an initial record matching query. The record matching task is modeled as that of designing an operator tree obtained by composing a few primitive operators. This ensures that record matching programs be executable efficiently and scalably over large input relations. The architecture joins records across multiple (e.g., two) relations (e.g., R and S). The architecture exploits the monotonicity property of similarity functions for record matching in the relations, in that, any pair of matching records have a higher similarity value than non-matching record pairs on at least one similarity function. |
| US08046336B1 |
Systems and methods for managing location dependent transactions
Disclosed herein are systems and methods for managing the distribution and synchronization of data across multiple locations. The invention uses a static, rule-based mechanism that results in fast, successful data updates in a consistent and controlled manner and without the requirement for manual reconciliation. In one embodiment the data relates to financial transactions. |
| US08046334B2 |
Dual access to concurrent data in a database management system
Various embodiments include one or more of systems, methods, software, and data structures that allow dual access to concurrent data in a database management system including uncommitted updated data. Some embodiments include a dual snapshot of data in a multi-version concurrency control style database, but the embodiments described herein are equally applicable to virtually any other type of database and database management system. |
| US08046333B1 |
Incremental dump with a metadata container walk using inode-to-parent mapping information
An embodiment of the invention provides a traversal engine that traverses (walks) through metadata containers (e.g., inodes) in a file system and determines the metadata containers that have been modified (added, changed, deleted, or renamed) within a particular time interval. A modified metadata container corresponds to a data container (e.g., file or directory) that has been modified within the particular time interval. The traversal engine records, into a table, information about the modified metadata containers. The traversal engine also records, into the table, parent information corresponding to an immediate parent of a modified data container. |
| US08046331B1 |
Method and apparatus for recreating placeholders
A method and apparatus for recreating placeholders comprising selecting at least one object of information in an archive, determining a source location for the selected at least one object of information, accessing the selected at least one object of information, and recreating a placeholder from the selected at least one object of information. |
| US08046327B2 |
Partially replicated distributed database with multiple levels of remote clients
A method of and system for collecting, storing, and retrieving data in a data base management system. The database management system includes a master database server (4), at least one workgroup server (315), and a plurality of workgroup user clients (310). The workgroup server (315) is interposed between the master database server (4) and said workgroup user clients (310). The method creating a transaction in a local database resident on one of the workgroup user clients (310), entering the transaction into a transaction log resident on the workgroup user client (310), and creating a transaction file corresponding to the transaction in an outbox of said workgroup user client (310). Next, the transaction file is copied to an inbox identified to the workgroup user client (310) and updating the transaction file into a workgroup database (305) resident on the workgroup server (315). The workgroup database (305) includes a transaction log. |
| US08046326B2 |
Adaptive synchronization of business objects
In some implementations, a method includes changing a master business object that is resident at a first location on a network, generating a change message for changing a replicated business object, the replicated business object being based on the master business object and being resident at a second location on the network remote from the first location, determining an update duration for updating the replicated business object, incorporating the change routine into a synchronization message when the update duration is less than a temporal constraint, and transmitting the synchronization message from the first location to the second location to update the replicated business object based on the synchronization message. |
| US08046324B2 |
Graph pattern recognition interface
In some example embodiments, a system and method are illustrated as including receive pattern data that includes transaction data relating to transactions between persons. Next, the system and method may include building at least one secondary network based upon the pattern data. Additionally, the system and method may include displaying the at least one secondary network. |
| US08046321B2 |
Method and system to analyze rules
A method and system to analyze rules is described. The system receives a query and applies a first plurality of rules to the query to identify a second plurality of rules that respectively identify at least one matching keyword in the query. Next, the system counts the first plurality of rules to identify a total quantity of rules applied to the query and further counts the second plurality of rules to identify a second quantity of rules that respectively identify at least one matching keyword in the query. Finally, the system determines a percentage of coverage for the query based on the total quantity of rules and the second quantity of rules. |
| US08046319B2 |
Methods suitable for optimizing linehaul operations
The methods disclosed comprise the linehaul optimization algorithm which is a hybrid algorithm incorporating the basic structure of the Hungarian Assignment algorithm or equivalent and an improvement heuristic. However, in this particular case there is not a direct application of the existing, well-known Hungarian Assignment algorithm or equivalent in conjunction with a heuristic. The structure of the assignment model being used here is based on the Hungarian Assignment algorithm or equivalent but has been revised and enhanced to identify systematically (by using grouping) a number of equivalent optimal solutions (that give the same optimal, minimum cost for a particular iteration). A heuristic is then used to identify the ‘best’ optimal solution, of the many identified, that would contribute the most incremental cost reduction in future iterations of the heuristic. |
| US08046318B2 |
Automated system for checking proposed human adjustments to operational or planning parameters at a plant
A method (400) for automatically checking proposed adjustments by an individual to at least one parameter at a manufacturing plant includes (401) creating a proposed vector including at least one proposed entry from the individual. The proposed vector represents a proposed adjustment to the parameter. A database of historical vectors including the parameter is searched relative to the proposed vector, wherein a number ≧0 of similar stored vectors is identified in the searching based on respective distances (d) relative to the proposed vector (402). If the number ≧1, a distance measure R is calculated from the (d) for the similar stored vector(s) to indicate of how far or close the said proposed vector is to the similar stored vector (403). An alert is provided if the number=0 or R is above a predetermined threshold value (405). The method can be used for validation of proposed production planning parameters or process control parameters. |
| US08046313B2 |
Ergonomic man-machine interface incorporating adaptive pattern recognition based control system
An adaptive interface for a programmable system, for predicting a desired user function, based on user history, as well as machine internal status and context. The apparatus receives an input from the user and other data. A predicted input is presented for confirmation by the user, and the predictive mechanism is updated based on this feedback. Also provided is a pattern recognition system for a multimedia device, wherein a user input is matched to a video stream on a conceptual basis, allowing inexact programming of a multimedia device. The system analyzes a data stream for correspondence with a data pattern for processing and storage. The data stream is subjected to adaptive pattern recognition to extract features of interest to provide a highly compressed representation which may be efficiently processed to determine correspondence. Applications of the interface and system include a VCR, medical device, vehicle control system, audio device, environmental control system, securities trading terminal, and smart house. The system optionally includes an actuator for effecting the environment of operation, allowing closed-loop feedback operation and automated learning. |
| US08046310B2 |
Community awareness management systems and methods
A system and method links one or more disparate community awareness management (CAM) datasets for a community awareness program (CAP) with one or more spatial layers to create linked CAM datasets. One or more data attributes common to a CAM dataset and a spatial layer are identified, and the link is defined between the CAM dataset and the spatial layer. The spatial layer and the linked CAM dataset then may be queried using a single input query. Features from the spatial layer and features from the linked CAM dataset that match the query are generated for display. In one embodiment, a system and method manage CAP assets, transactions, interest areas for the CAP, and buffer areas for the CAP. An audience utility enables entering and maintaining audience data for the CAP. A journal utility enables making journal entries for one or more audience members, CAP assets, transactions, and/or other CAM data. A link document utility enables linking one or more documents to CAM data. |
| US08046307B2 |
Managing future career paths
A method, system, and computer-readable medium for using competency-related information for individuals to provide a variety of benefits is described. In some situations, competency-related information is used to assist members of an organization in managing future career paths within the organization. An organization member can specify a starting position type and a target future position type, and one or more possible career paths leading from the starting position type to the target future position type (possibly through one or more intermediate position types) are identified. Competency gaps for the member relative to the position types along the career path can be identified, and actions to reduce those competency gaps can be identified for possible inclusion in a future action plan for the member. |
| US08046305B1 |
Gateway to transaction processing network
A method and apparatus for processing credit card transactions over the Internet includes an application program interface (API) that converts a simple ASCII transaction message from the merchant to the message spec required by the transaction processor. The API also encrypts the transaction message so that the transaction is secure over the Internet and manages the message traffic between the merchant and transaction processor. In a second preferred embodiment, a merchant sends a simple ASCII transaction message via a SSL (secure sockets layer) Internet connection. In preferred embodiments, redundant connections are set up between the merchant and the transaction processor, allowing a transaction to continue being processed if one of the connections fails. |
| US08046300B2 |
Automated banking machine system using internet address customer input
An automated banking machine (12) is operative to conduct transactions in response to HTML documents and TCP/IP messages exchanged with a local computer system (14) through an intranet (16), as well as in response to messages exchanged with foreign servers (20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 96) in a wide area network (18). The banking machine includes a computer (34) having an HTML document handling portion (76, 80, 82). The HTML document handling portion is operative to communicate through a proxy server (88), with a home HTTP server (90) in the intranet or the foreign servers in the wide area network. The computer further includes a device application portion (84) which interfaces with the HTML document handling portion and dispatches messages to operate devices (36) in the automated banking machine. The devices include a sheet dispenser mechanism (42) which dispenses currency as well as other transaction devices. |
| US08046299B2 |
Systems, methods, and devices for selling transaction accounts
Systems and methods are configured to facilitate the distribution of transaction accounts through distributors. An exemplary method includes the steps of: issuing a transaction account to a distributor, receiving information from the distributor via the MICR protocol used by the banking and financial services industries, wherein the information reports the distribution of the transaction account, and processing the information via a Travelers Cheque infrastructure. The transaction account may be a pre-paid card and the distributor may be a seller of pre-paid cards. Distribution of the transaction account may be facilitated by use of a sequential number, such as a Travelers Cheque number. Thus, the system may be configured to be compatible with existing Travelers Cheque communication systems already in place. Furthermore, a financial transaction device may include a card that bears a serialized number, such as a Travelers Cheque number, in a manner that can be read by MICR technology. |
| US08046293B2 |
Computer trading system for offering custom financial market speculations
A computer trading system for determining a calculated value for a user defined contract on a future characteristic(s) of a financial market comprises a receiving component for receiving a parameter(s) from a user defining the user defined contract and receiving financial market data concerning the financial market. The system includes a calculating component operable to determine a calculated value, such as a price, payout, or odds, for the user defined contract based on the parameter(s) and the financial market data and a transmission component for transmitting the calculated value to the user. The receiving component may also receive an order for the user defined contract from the user based on the calculated value to thereby create an obligation for a bookmaker to pay a payout amount upon the occurrence of the future characteristic(s) of the financial market satisfying the parameter(s). |
| US08046289B2 |
Electronic pitcard for wireless financial exchange
Systems and method for facilitating trading in a financial exchange including generating a pitcard interface on a wireless handheld computer. The pitcard interface includes a plurality of information display windows; a plurality of user input controls; and a view-specific data window, wherein the selection, order and arrangement of data in the view-specific data window is dependent upon the view currently selected by the user. In particular examples the wireless handheld computer allows a user to customize the particular interface components with shortcuts, hints, and/or auto-fill capabilities that enable the user to enter transaction information quickly and efficiently. Because these customizations are selected for a specific user, they support the needs of the specific user and are more efficient than direct entry of all transaction information using keyboard/keypad entry devices. |
| US08046283B2 |
System and method for money management in electronic trading environment
A system and method for money management in an electronic trading environment are presented. According to one embodiment, a trader may configure a plurality of filters, each including at least one filter criteria and filter condition. When a money management module detects a new order, the money management module intercepts the order and determines if the order matches one or more predefined filters. If the order matches one or more filters then conditions associated with the applicable filter(s) are applied to the order. The application of one or more conditions to an order may result in sending a modified order, preventing the order from reaching the exchange, or sending order to the exchange without any modifications. |
| US08046282B2 |
System and method for displaying risk data in an electronic trading environment
An example graphical interface and method for displaying risk related data are described. One example graphical interface includes a data structure comprising a plurality of data nodes and at least one risk data point associated with each node, and further comprises a display grid. The display grid includes one or more cells that are used for displaying selected data nodes and risk data points. Each cell may be associated with a single data node, and may include one or more identifiers corresponding to risk data points of the data node. In one example embodiment, the identifiers are aligned along a single axis, and risk related data corresponding to each identifier is aligned with respect to each corresponding identifier. |
| US08046276B2 |
System and method for managing product reserve
A receiving section receives a supply request for product from a terminal set up at a shop or a terminal used by a client. A first determination processing section determines whether a product in stock can be reserved for an order. A first reserve processing section reserves the product in stock for the order when the first determination processing section determines that the product can be reserved. A second determination processing section determines whether a semifinished product necessary for manufacturing a final product can be reserved when the first determination processing section determines that the product reserve is inadequate. A second reserve processing section reserves the semifinished product for the order when the second determination processing section determines that the semifinished product can be reserved. |
| US08046275B2 |
Synchronizing an allocation table with a procurement system
A system and method for synchronizing an allocation table with a purchase order in a computerized system. The method comprises generating a purchase order having purchase order data, and using the purchase order data in the purchase order to generate an allocation table having allocation table data. The method further comprises detecting a change in at least one of the purchase order data and the allocation table data, and automatically updating the other of the purchase data and the allocation table data to reflect the change. |
| US08046274B2 |
Method for digital color grading of gems and communication thereof
A method of color grading gems by a user by their inherent properties of shape, hue, tone and saturation. Each of the properties is variable over a practical range derived from a database. The database is created by digitally coding gem shapes, hues, tones and colors from digital photographs of gems of different, shapes, hues, tones and saturation. The variable properties are displayed on a screen and the user selects the best matching respective shape, hue, tone and saturation in comparison to the particular gem being graded. Upon receiving the user's selections, an image of the a gem having the shape, hue, tone and saturation selected by the user is displayed on the screen and translated into alpha-numeric code which can be communicated to any other user of the same system, enabling remote discussion and evaluation of the same target gem. |
| US08046272B1 |
Systems and methods for facilitating real-time product inquiries during online shopping
In accordance with a method for facilitating real-time product inquiries during online shopping, a request may be received from a potential buyer of a product for real-time inquiry about the product. In response, a previous customer of the product who has enrolled to participate in a real-time inquiry program may be identified. Real-time communication may be established with the previous customer. |
| US08046270B2 |
System and method for providing image products and/or services
A system and method for obtaining photographic products and/or services comprises bundling image capture and printing technologies into products and/or services that are paid for by a consumer with monthly or yearly subscription fees. The system and method involves selecting a camera and selecting a photographic products/service plan which designates photographic products and/or services which are to be associated with the selected camera. The system and method gives the consumer the option of selecting a specific camera from a menu of cameras, and a specific photographic product/service plan which is to be associated with the selected camera from a product/service menu. As a further option, the consumer can customize his/her product/service plan in accordance with his/her preference. The plan can provide for products and/or services for images captured and/or film exposed by the camera for a predetermined amount of time at a predetermined fee. At the end of the plan, the consumer could have the option of returning the camera, exchanging the camera for a different camera, or keeping the camera at no cost or for a reduced price. The photographic products and/or services provided by the plan could be products and/or services such as film developing, printing, image products, scanning, photo CDs, image storage, etc. |
| US08046269B2 |
Auction based procurement system
A method and system for performing an auction by determining a request for an item based on at least one of (i) an item to purchase, (ii) a performance specification of the item to purchase, and (iii) a term of a request for the item to purchase. The method and system include sending, through a network, the request for the item to an auctioneer machine server. Performance information is collected for each seller. Notice is provided that a performance evaluation has been received for a specific seller, and is on record with the provider of the information. Additional transaction costs may be captured and included as a separate line item in an auto-rebid auction environment. |
| US08046268B2 |
Multi-merchant payment system
A method of payment for multi-vendor gift cards, comprising maintaining a merchandise database comprising records for merchandise and services for a plurality of merchants, enabling a gift card giver to interactively purchase a gift card for a gift card recipient, entitling the gift card recipient to redeem the gift card for items up to a specified spending limit, electronically transferring the money used to purchase the gift card into a card funding account that is used to pay for purchases by the gift card recipient, enabling the gift card recipient to interactively select one or more items from the merchandise database, thereby generating an aggregated selection of items for each merchant issuing orders to each merchant in accordance with the aggregated selected items corresponding to each merchant and paying each merchant the amount of their respective order from the card funding account. |
| US08046266B1 |
Customizing gift instrument experiences for recipients
Personalizing a gift instrument by customizing the presentation and redemption for a gift instrument recipient. A gift instrument purchaser or other data source associates customization information such as redemption recommendations, restrictions, or other content with the gift instrument based on the gift instrument recipient. The customization information is presented to the gift instrument recipient upon redemption of the gift instrument. In an embodiment, information about the redemption by the gift instrument recipient is provided to the gift instrument purchaser. |
| US08046263B1 |
Method of offering home inspection services through retailers
Methods of offering inspection services through retailers are described. Customers may obtain access to qualified home inspectors in a sub-contractor referral service area of a retailer through the use of a kiosk, service desk or similar point-of-purchase display. The retailer may partner with the inspector or inspection company for a fee. The retailer may offer Inspection Services Gift Cards for sale to customers. The retailer may also receive additional business from the inspection company's customers who may return to the retailer to purchase replacement items for those found deficient from the inspection. |
| US08046262B1 |
Coordinating the delivery of two or more packages shipped from different source locations
A release schedule for an order having a single addressee address is described. The schedule specifies, for each of two or more shipments making up the order, each of the shipments having a different origin location, a release time at which the shipment is to be released from its origin location. The indicated release times are selected on the basis of typical carrier delivery durations from each of the origin locations to the addressee address, in order to cause all of the shipments of the order to be delivered to the addressee address at the same time. The release schedule may be used to schedule the release of the shipments of the order. |
| US08046261B2 |
EMV transaction in mobile terminals
A mobile terminal is enabled to conduct an EMV transaction. A wireless access node in the EMV card-reader terminal is provided for connecting a mobile terminal to the card-reader terminal. An EMV-proxy module executing in the card-reader terminal facilitates communication between the mobile terminal and the card-reader terminal. The EMV-proxy module lets the mobile terminal function in essentially the same way as a regular EMV chip card with respect to the card-reader terminal. The card-reader terminal may then conduct EMV transactions on behalf of the mobile terminal without requiring new software and/or hardware at the EMV issuer. EMV data is stored in the mobile terminal in the form of secure dynamic data objects. This Abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b). |
| US08046259B1 |
Method and system for conducting a chat
A method and system for conducting a chat session with multiple chat members. The chat system receives chat comments from the chat members. The chat system attempts to identify a topic or subject of the chat comment. The chat system may then retrieve product or product category advertisements relevant to the identified topic. The chat system then effects the display of the chat comment along with the retrieved advertisements to each chat member. The chat system thus dynamically recognizes the topic of chat comments and displays relevant additional information along with the chat comments. |
| US08046255B2 |
System and method for generating personalized offers through an information gathering system
A method of generating a personalized offer for a user through an information gathering system disposed on the Internet includes storing a plurality of user profiles for a plurality of registered users in a profile database associated with the information gathering system, receiving an information request message at the information gathering system sent in response to the user activating a hyperlink presented on a participating web site, such that the participating web site is operated independently from the information gathering system and where the user activates the hyperlink in order to access an original intended destination distinct from the information gathering system, determining whether the user is one of the plurality of registered users, and retrieving the user profile from the profile database and sending a redirection message if the user is one of the plurality of registered users. |
| US08046251B2 |
Electronic employee selection systems and methods
An automated employee selection system can use a variety of techniques to provide information for assisting in selection of employees. For example, pre-hire and post-hire information can be collected electronically and used to build an artificial-intelligence based model. The model can then be used to predict a desired job performance criterion (e.g., tenure, number of accidents, sales level, or the like) for new applicants. A wide variety of features can be supported, such as electronic reporting. Pre-hire information identified as ineffective can be removed from a collected pre-hire information. For example, ineffective questions can be identified and removed from a job application. New items can be added and their effectiveness tested. As a result, a system can exhibit adaptive learning and maintain or increase effectiveness even under changing conditions. |
| US08046247B2 |
System and method for reselling a previously sold product
A seller, having previously sold a product to an original purchaser subject to a buyout-provision condition, determines if the buyout-provision condition is satisfied. If the buy-out provision condition is satisfied, the seller retakes the product from the original purchaser and resells the product to a subsequent purchaser. |
| US08046244B1 |
Systems and methods for customizing insurance
Systems and methods provide customizable insurance according to consumer preferences. Demand simulators may be used to guide the creation of optimized packages of features, which consumers may select from to form an insurance product appropriate for their particular needs. Packages may be formed with a particular appeal to consumers with common characteristics. In addition, methods are provided for selling insurance products formed through an optimization process and providing corresponding insurance services. |
| US08046239B2 |
Time management system for medical applications, particularly in a hospital setting
For rationalizing medical treatments in the hospital setting, particularly for improving the utilization rate of examination and therapy equipment and to avoid long waiting times, a time management system (1) is disclosed having at least one treatment station (2a-2c) coupled with an appointment-scheduling module (3) for storing appointments (T1, T2) in memory, each of which is assigned to a medical procedure (8a-8c) specified with a view to the treatment station, or a defined treatment station, (2a-2c) and to a predetermined duration (tv). The treatment station (2a-2c) is operative to output a check-back signal (R) to the appointment-scheduling module (3) once a procedure (8a-8c) has been completely performed. The appointment-scheduling module (3) is embodied for dynamically adapting subsequent appointments (T2) on the basis of the check-back signal (R). |
| US08046230B1 |
Automated third party verification system
Methods and computer readable medium for providing third party verification data files to entities authorized to access the data files using a third party verification system. In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes obtaining a data file identifier and retrieving a data file of the data files corresponding to the data file identifier. The data file may be stored in a verification system and contain a digitally stored voice recording of at least one response by an individual to at least one question. From there, the retrieved data file may be transmitted to the authorized entity. |
| US08046228B2 |
Voice activated hypermedia systems using grammatical metadata
This is a voice activated Hypermedia system using grammatical metadata, the system comprising: a speech user agent; a browsing module; and an information resource. The system may include: embedded intelligence in hypermedia source; a means for processing the actions of a user based on the embedded intelligence; a means for returning a result of the actions to the user. In addition, the hypermedia source maybe a HTML page or an instructional module for communicating allowed actions by a user. The system may also include embedded intelligence as a grammar or reference to a grammar. The grammar may be dynamically added to a speech recognizer. In addition, the actions can come from a speech recognizer. Furthermore, the system may include voice activated hypermedia links and intelligent modules that process information from the information resources for allowing actions from the user. Other devices, systems and methods are also disclosed. |
| US08046216B2 |
Method and device for updating status of synthesis filters
A method and device for updating statuses of synthesis filters are provided. The method includes: exciting a synthesis filter corresponding to a first encoding rate by using an excitation signal of the first encoding rate, outputting reconstructed signal information, and updating status information of the synthesis filter and a synthesis filter corresponding to a second encoding rate. In the present disclosure, the status of the synthesis filter corresponding to the current rate and the statuses of the synthesis filters at other rates are updated. Thus, synchronization between the statuses of the synthesis filters corresponding to different rates at the encoding terminal may be realized, thereby facilitating the consistency of the reconstructed signals of the encoding and decoding terminals when the encoding rate is switched, and improving the quality of the reconstructed signal of the decoding terminal. |
| US08046213B2 |
On demand TTS vocabulary for a telematics system
A driving directions system loads into memory a limited subset of prerecorded, spoken utterances of geographic names from a mass media storage. The subset of spoken utterances may be limited, for example, to the geographic names within a predetermined radius (e.g., a few miles) of the driver's present location. The present location of the driver may be manually entered into the driving directions system by the driver, or automatically determined using a global positioning system (“GPS”) receiver. As the vehicle moves from its present location, the driving directions system loads into memory new names from the mass media storage and overwrites, if necessary, those which are now geographically out of range. Based on the current location of the driving, the driving directions system can audibly output geographic names from the run-time memory. |
| US08046207B2 |
Digital effects analysis in modeling environments
An analysis tool analyzes a model to determine the digital effect of the model in a modeling or programming environment. With the analysis tool, a user can determine minimum hardware functionality needed to execute the software generated from the model. The hardware functionality may include the word size of the microprocessor that executes the software appropriately. The hardware functionality may also include the execution speed of the microprocessor executing the software. The hardware functionality may further include the functionality of other hardware elements, such as the word length of an Analog to Digital converter. The analysis tool enables a user to produce a system at a low cost while achieving necessary performance criteria. |
| US08046206B1 |
Method and system using subgraph isomorphism to configure hardware resources
A method of defining a configuration of hardware resources, using a subgraph isomorphism process. The method executes a subgraph isomorphism process to discover possible resources in a hardware resource space that are suitable to implement a function. The hardware resource space may be defined by a target graph and the function may be defined by a subgraph. Next, the target graph is annotated to establish configuration settings for selected resources of the possible resources. The configuration settings may be established based on the subgraph mapping to the target graph. The target graph may also be annotated to specify parameters for the selected resources. This annotation may be performed in response to receiving parameters for the function. |
| US08046197B2 |
Method of designing a joint of adjacent components to minimize a perceived gap and algorithm for a computer-aided modeling system
A method of designing adjacent components is provided that results in a minimum “perceived gap” between the components, i.e., a minimum total distance between a change in curvature of the first component at the gap and a change in curvature of the second component at the gap. |
| US08046195B2 |
Performance testing of enterprise service bus
Performance of an Enterprise Service Bus (ESB) is measured using a service deployed on a server. A client runs a compiler to add an aspect to an archive that provides a service when deployed to the server. The aspect causes the server to timestamp marked messages. The archive with the added aspect, which is the aspectized archive, is deployed to the server. The client measures the performance of the service deployed to the server by using timestamps of the marked messages returned from the server. |
| US08046191B2 |
Method for monitoring performance of a heat transfer device
A method is provided for the monitoring of heat transfer devices. The method includes the acts of receiving data from a heat transfer device, and computing a performance indicator indicative of an incipient anomaly condition of the heat transfer device based upon the received data, and/or computing a normalized efficiency of the heat transfer device. The normalized efficiency represents a corrected efficiency that isolates effects of a process parameter on performance of the heat transfer device. The data represents a measurable process parameter or a change in a measurable process parameter in the heat transfer device. The method receives the data and computes a performance indicator to predict performance degradation of the heat transfer device over time based upon the received data. |
| US08046189B2 |
Motion sensing program and electronic compass with motion sensing program
A motion sensing program for executing a motion sensing based on at least a biaxial output of a magnetic sensor, which includes the steps of determining with respect to execution of the motion sensing based on the output of the specific biaxial output of the magnetic sensor upon its rotation in a predetermined direction, and identifying the rotating direction when execution of the motion sensing is determined. |
| US08046188B2 |
Temperature sensor and temperature measuring method
A temperature sensor for measuring temperature in accordance with a time-of-life of a fluorescent light that is produced by a fluorescent material, and is provided with a light source for imaging an excitation light, a fluorescent material for producing fluorescent light by the excitation light, a photoreceptor element for detecting the fluorescent light and outputting a fluorescent light signal in accordance with the fluorescent light intensity, and a signal processing circuit for calculating a temperature based on the fluorescent light signal from the photoreceptor element, where the signal processing circuit calculates integral values for the fluorescent light signals in the respective intervals A through C that have identical time durations, and then, based on the integral values, for two intervals, calculates a difference value, and then calculates a ratio of two difference values, to be a variable that varies in accordance with the temperature, and then references the relationship between the temperature and the ratio between difference values, stored in advance, to convert the calculated variable into the temperature. |
| US08046182B2 |
Method and system for digital triggering of signals on the basis of two triggering events separated by a time difference
An approach is provided for digital triggering a recording of one or several signals sampled at individual sampling instants on a digital oscilloscope. The triggering is carried out when the interval between two recurrent triggering events is less or greater than a time threshold value. |
| US08046176B2 |
Device and method for determining material moisture by thermogravimetry
A device and a method for determining material moisture by thermogravimetry. Included in the device are: a test chamber (2) delimited by a chamber cover (8); a microwave field that can be generated by a magnetron (5) and supplied to the test chamber by a waveguide (4); a tuning rod (22) arranged in the test chamber; a sample carrier (3) which is operatively connected to a weighing module (6) mounted upstream of the test chamber; and at least one sensor (24) arranged in the test chamber. The tuning rod is arranged centrally on the chamber cover, above the sample carrier, and the at least one sensor is arranged on the free end of the tuning rod, opposing the chamber cover. |
| US08046172B2 |
System and method for tracking and controlling infections
The present invention is a system and method for performing real-time infection control over a computer network. The method comprises obtaining a sample of a microorganism at a health care facility, sequencing a first region of a nucleic acid from the microorganism sample, comparing the first sequenced region with historical sequence data stored in a database, determining a measure of phylogenetic relatedness between the microorganism sample and historical samples stored in the database, and providing infection control information based on the phylogenetic relatedness determination to the health care facility, thereby allowing the health care facility to use the infection control information to control or prevent the spread of an infection. |
| US08046167B2 |
Navigation with contextual color, texture, and structure cues
A method and a processing device may provide navigational information including non-photographic cues, such as, contextual color, texture, and structure cues, corresponding to physical entities visible to a party traveling along a determined route. In one embodiment, the non-photographic cues may be previously stored in a database. In another embodiment, non-photographic cues may be extracted from at least one provided image of a geographic area. In a third embodiment, a sequence of non-photographic cues may be automatically extracted from at least one image of a geographic area and, if the sequence of non-photographic cues was not previously saved, the sequence of non-photographic cues may be saved, along with related information, for later use when the sequence of non-photographic cues corresponds to a desired location. The provided navigational information may be presented in a number of ways including a simplified map, textual instructions, or generated speech. |
| US08046165B2 |
Device for assisting in the navigation of an aircraft in an airport zone
The invention relates to a device for assisting in the navigation of an aircraft in an airport zone comprising a surface navigation system and means of acquiring in real time, while navigating on the ground or in flight, new information or temporary information relating to the navigation in the airport zone. The surface navigation system uses information relating to the navigation in the airport zone. The information is previously stored in a database on board the aircraft. The device includes means for decoding and analysing the new or temporary information relating to the navigation in the airport zone, means of filtering the information according to the airport concerned and the validity date of the information, means of correlating the information with the information previously stored, and means of displaying the information. |
| US08046163B2 |
Interactive pedestrian routing method
The present invention's network-based directions-provision methodology typically features the establishment of two ranking schemes that reversely parallel each other. The “personal” ranking scheme ranks all permitted persons in terms of the degree of access permission with respect to the variously ranked regions of a facility; the lower the personal rank, the fewer the regional ranks to which the person is permitted access. The “regional” ranking scheme ranks all accessible regions in terms of the degree of access permission with respect thereto by the variously ranked permitted persons; the higher the regional rank, the fewer the personal ranks that are permitted access to the region. According to typical inventive practice, a permitted person logs in to request directions, within the facility, from an original location to a destination location; the directions given (textual and/or graphical) are the optimal directions that are consistent with the personal rank of the requestor. |
| US08046162B2 |
Data broadcast method for traffic information
Systems and methods are provided for prioritizing traffic information and broadcasting the traffic information in a prioritized order. The method generally comprises receiving data regarding traffic conditions on various roads, wherein each road can be characterized as being a major, medium, or minor road. In one approach, traffic data regarding major roads are broadcast to vehicles first, followed by traffic data regarding medium roads, while traffic data regarding minor roads are either broadcast last or not at all, depending on the traffic information handling capacities of the vehicles and the traffic information system in general. |
| US08046161B2 |
Transportation planning with rule-based release of trips for execution
A computer, for planning moves of freight automatically receives a plan containing a number of trips to be performed to move freight using vehicles, and partially releases only a portion of the plan for execution instead of releasing the entire plan. The plan portion that is released includes a subset of trips that are selected by the computer from among all trips in the entire plan. Thereafter, the computer simply repeats the just-described acts. Iteratively releasing portions of a plan allows the computer to be instructed to release early certain trips that are satisfactory. Trips that are sub-optimal are re-generated in a next version of the plan, based on changes in orders in the interim. The computer may also be instructed to release a trip even if sub-optimal, if its time-to-departure becomes less than an advance notice needed by a truckload service that is to execute the trip. |
| US08046153B2 |
Compensation for oxygenated fuels in a diesel engine
A fuel compensation factor (FCF) is determined to account for the amount of oxygenated fuel blended in diesel fuel. In one embodiment, the FCF is based on an expected exhaust gas oxygen concentration compared to an actual exhaust gas oxygen concentration. The FCF is used to estimate an amount of oxygenated fuel in the blend. Such estimate can be used to adjust the exhaust temperature model, which is used at least in determining the temperature in aftertreatment devices, the fuel dilution model which affects oil change recommendations, and the diesel particulate filter loading model which affects regenerations. Biodiesels are more prone to waxing at lower temperatures. The estimated amount of biodiesel and the temperature in the injection system are used to prevent and/or delay starting when it is predicted that too much wax exists in the fuel system. |
| US08046152B2 |
Device for controlling internal combustion engines
A device for controlling an internal combustion engine which uses, as the fuel, a heavy fuel, a light fuel, an alcohol fuel and a mixture thereof, comprising a heavy fuel/light fuel ratio detector 39 capable of detecting the ratio of the heavy fuel and the light fuel, and an air-fuel ratio detector 41 for detecting the air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas, wherein the amount of fuel injection is calculated based on the heavy fuel/light fuel ratio detector so that the air-fuel ratio becomes a target air-fuel ratio. The heavy fuel/light fuel ratio detector is diagnosed if it is in an abnormal condition based on a difference between the target air-fuel ratio and the air-fuel ratio detected by the air-fuel ratio detector while the engine temperature is in a particular temperature region. The heavy fuel/light fuel ratio detector can be correctly diagnosed if it is in an abnormal condition even when an alcohol-mixed fuel is used. |
| US08046149B2 |
Brake apparatus for vehicle, and methods of using same
A brake apparatus includes first, second and third solenoid valves (hereinafter SOL1, SOL2 and SOL3) respectively disposed in a first branch pipe, a second branch pipe, and a main pipe connecting a master cylinder and a brake caliper. The brake apparatus also includes first, second and third pressure sensors (hereinafter P1, P2 and P3) respectively disposed between the master cylinder and the SOL3, between the SOL1 and a fluid loss simulator, and between the SOL2 and the hydraulic pressure modulator. The brake apparatus further includes a control unit for detecting output values of P1, P2 and P3. A resolution of P2 is set at a value greater than resolutions of P1 and P3. With SOL1 in an opened state, when detected output value of P2 is less than a predetermined value, the control unit stores output values from the respective pressure sensors as reference values. |
| US08046148B2 |
Traveling safety device for vehicle
A traveling safety device for a vehicle of the present invention includes a brake device, a brake operation detecting device, a storage device, a present vehicle position detecting device, a vehicle state detecting device, a road shape recognizing device, a proper vehicle state setting device, a comparing device, a brake assist control device, a brake assist control device. The brake assist control device calculates an initial brake assist pressure based on a comparison result of the comparing device, and changes a brake assist pressure in proportion to the brake operation of the driver when a change in the brake operation by the driver has been detected after start of brake assist control based on the initial brake assist pressure. |
| US08046147B2 |
Method and driving dynamics control system for stabilizing a car-trailer combination
When swaying motions of a trailer or semi-trailer of a car-trailer combination are encountered, input signals which are taken into consideration to calculate a reference signal frequently include also oscillation components, due to which driving dynamics control for stabilization of the car-trailer combination can become very unreliable. To enhance the reliability of driving dynamics control of this type, a method is disclosed in which an input signal (Y) is sensed that includes signal oscillations which are due to a swaying motion of the trailer or semi-trailer and are superimposed on a base component (YBasis) of the input signal (Y). A reference signal is calculated from the input signal (Y), in which case the calculation is executed in such a way that the reference signal by approximation corresponds to a reference signal which is determined from the base component (YBasis) of the input signal (Y). A correcting variable for influencing the driving behavior of the towing vehicle of the car-trailer combination is then determined depending on a deviation between the reference signal and a detected actual signal. Furthermore, the invention discloses a driving dynamics control system which is appropriate to implement the method. |
| US08046144B2 |
Systems and methods for non-linear proportional and derivative control during vehicle garage shifts
The present disclosure utilizes Non-linear Proportional and Derivative (NLPD) control on a duty cycle of an applying clutch for stationary and rolling vehicle garage shifts. The applying clutch can be engaged by as electrically activated solenoid valve, and the present disclosure utilizes NLPD control to adjust the duty cycle of the solenoid to provide a smooth vehicle garage shift engagement. The present disclosure utilizes a control algorithm based on turbine speed, turbine acceleration, and output speed. The present disclosure can utilize an existing vehicle control unit, such as an engine control unit (ECU), transmission control unit (TCU), or the like, to receive turbine speed measurements, to calculate the solenoid duty cycle using NLPD control on the turbine speed acceleration error, and to adjust the solenoid driver on the solenoid valve. |
| US08046141B2 |
Automatic gear shifting control device of vehicle
An automatic gear shifting control device of a vehicle can execute an automatic gear shifting control in response to a larger rotational speed. The automatic gear shifting control device includes a gear shifting control instruction part that executes an automatic gear shifting operation of an AMT in response to at least vehicle-speed information. First and second sensors detect rotational speed of front and rear wheels. A rotational-speed-difference detector detects the difference in rotational speed between the front and rear wheels based on information from the first and second sensors. The control part is configured to execute an automatic gear shifting control in response to the vehicle-speed information calculated based on the larger rotational speed out of the rotational speed of the front wheel and the rotational speed of the rear wheel when the difference in rotational speed is detected by the rotational-speed-difference detector. |
| US08046138B2 |
Braking control apparatus for vehicle
A braking control apparatus for a vehicle includes four wheel braking apparatuses for applying a braking torque to wheels, a first hydraulic pressure generating apparatus generating a hydraulic pressure, a vacuum booster generating an assist force for assisting a breaking operation, a first hydraulic circuit, a second hydraulic circuit, a second hydraulic pressure generating apparatus generating an assist hydraulic pressure that is added to the hydraulic pressure, a detecting portion for detecting a braking operation variable, a target value determining portion for determining a first assist hydraulic pressure target value and a second assist hydraulic pressure target value to be both greater than zero over a range where the braking operation variable is greater than a predetermined value at which the assist force by the vacuum booster is started, and a pressure regulating portion for regulating the assist hydraulic pressure to match the assist hydraulic pressure target value. |
| US08046135B2 |
Method and system for detecting a vehicle rollover, in particular a soil trip rollover
A method and system for detecting a vehicle rollover or dangerous situations that may precede a rollover, in particular a soil trip type rollover includes the following steps, where the steps are performed in loops, (a) determining a lateral acceleration of the vehicle, (b) calculating an acceleration differential value on the basis of the lateral accelerations determined in at least two steps (a), (c) determining a possibility of a rollover of the vehicle on the basis of the lateral acceleration determined in at least one step (a) and the acceleration differential value calculated in at least one step (b), (d) generating an output activation signal at least on the basis of a possibility of a rollover of the vehicle determined in a step (c). |
| US08046134B2 |
Steering system having multiple strategies and variable deadzone
A steering system for a machine having at least one steerable traction device is disclosed. The steering system may have a steering actuator operatively connected to the at least one steerable traction device, and a travel speed sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a travel speed of the machine. The steering mechanism may also have an operator input device having a deadzone. The deadzone may vary in response to the signal. The steering system may also have a controller in communication with the steering actuator, the operator input device, and the travel speed sensor. The controller may be configured to affect operation of the steering actuator in response to operation of the operator input device only when the operation of the operator input device deviates from the deadzone. |
| US08046133B2 |
Steering apparatus
This steering apparatus is capable of changing and controlling a ratio of a turning angle of a steered wheel to an operation amount of an operation member, wherein the ratio is reduced when an operation speed of the operation member is higher than a predetermined operation speed; and if the operation speed is reduced thereafter, then the reduced ratio is maintained. |
| US08046131B2 |
Vehicular steering apparatus
Provided is a vehicular steering apparatus capable of improving a steering feeling and achieving a reduction in cost. The vehicular steering apparatus according to the present invention is equipped with an assist motor for generating an assist torque, a state quantity detector for detecting a steering shaft reaction torque and a road surface reaction torque, and a control unit for calculating a target current value of the assist motor. The control unit includes a friction compensation portion and a return compensation portion, which calculate a friction compensation torque for compensating for the assist torque and a return compensation torque for compensating for the assist torque from the steering shaft reaction torque and the road surface reaction torque respectively. The control unit compensates for an overall friction torque in a steering mechanism and a gradient of the road surface reaction torque, using the friction compensation torque and the return compensation torque. |
| US08046130B2 |
Motion control system for vehicle
A motion control system is applied to a vehicle, which has front wheel side suspensions with an anti-dive geometry and rear wheel side suspensions with an anti-lift geometry. A degree of an anti-lift effect of the anti-lift geometry is larger than a degree of an anti-dive effect of the anti-dive geometry. Normally, a controller controls a hydraulic unit such that a brake force distribution between front wheels and rear wheels during a braking-period is adjusted to a basic distribution. In contrast, in a state where abrupt application of brakes is started, the controller controls the hydraulic unit such that the brake force distribution is adjusted to a first distribution, at which a brake force respectively applied to the rear wheels is larger than that of the basic distribution only for a predetermined short time period upon starting of the application of the brakes. |
| US08046128B2 |
Method for operating an engine control module under low voltage conditions
A fault clearing system and method for an engine control system includes a plurality of processor modules to control and monitor the engine and set a plurality of faults. The plurality of processor modules includes an electronic throttle control (ETC) module to control and monitor a throttle of the engine, and a plurality of engine sensors and ETC sensors. An ETC diagnostic module monitors the ETC sensors and engine sensors, with the ETC diagnostic module setting a low voltage induced fault. The ETC diagnostic module will also enter one of a plurality of low voltage states in response to the low voltage induced fault. The ETC diagnostic module selectively controls the ETC module and selectively clears the faults in the ETC module and plurality of processor modules upon entry into one of the low voltage states. |
| US08046126B2 |
Cooling device, control method of cooling device, and abnormality specification method
The start control is repeatedly performed for an oil pump that pressure feeds the flow of oil in a motor cooling system. This control is repeated for every specified rise in motor temperature (e.g., every 10° C.) from an initial starting temperature. This arrangement increases the potential for a successful start-up of the oil pump even when the oil has a high viscosity due to a relatively low outside air temperature. In the event of a failed start-up of the oil pump by repeated starting, the start control determines an abnormality exists in the oil pump or its power supply if an outside air temperature is greater than a reference temperature. This arrangement effectively eliminates incorrect detection of an abnormality in the oil pump or its power supply. |
| US08046122B1 |
Control system for a marine vessel hydraulic steering cylinder
A control system for a hydraulic steering cylinder utilizes a supply valve and a drain valve. The supply valve is configured to supply pressurized hydraulic fluid from a pump to either of two cavities defined by the position of a piston within the hydraulic cylinder. A drain valve is configured to control the flow of hydraulic fluid away from the cavities within the hydraulic cylinder. The supply valve and the drain valve are both proportional valves in a preferred embodiment of the present invention in order to allow accurate and controlled movement of a steering device in response to movement of a steering wheel of a marine vessel. |
| US08046121B2 |
Watercraft steering device and watercraft
A watercraft steering device can include at least one of steerage status detection device configured to detect a steerage status following an operation of the steering wheel, running status detecting device configured to detect a running status of the watercraft, watercraft propulsion unit status recognition device configured to recognize a status of an outboard motor such as an installation number thereof, and electric motor status detection device configured to detect a status of an electric motor, and can further include a lower unit turning force characteristic computation device configured to compute a lower unit turning force characteristic based on a detection value from at least one of the device, and an ECU configured to control at least one of a reaction force to the steering wheel, a limit lower unit turning angle, and a propulsive force based on a computed lower unit turning force characteristic and/or selecting the electric actuator to operate. |
| US08046116B2 |
Controlling an adjustable bed and a second system with a modular controller
An adjustable bed is associated with a second system and both the bed and the second system are controlled by a modular control system. The modular controller further facilitates using a global command input to control both the bed and the second system. In an embodiment the modular control system includes a touchscreen for accepting user input to control the bed and the second system. |
| US08046115B2 |
Common control of an adjustable bed and a second system using stored preferences
An adjustable bed is associated with a second system and both the bed and the second system are controlled by a common control system. In one embodiment the control system is integrated, in another it is distributed, in yet another it is a programmable logic controller. The common control system accesses preferences that are associated with the adjustable bed and the second system from a plurality of memory locations that are associated with the control system. |
| US08046114B2 |
Methods and systems of an adjustable bed
Aspects of this invention relate to an adjustable bed that may include one or more articulating portions, and may include one or more components, including an air inflatable mattress associated with the adjustable bed frame, a programmable logic controller, a remote memory storage facility, a remote storage location of user preferences, a cell phone remote control, a modular control device, an air purification facility, a power outlet controller, a Bluetooth remote control, an ultra wide band remote control, a wireless USB remote control, and the like. |
| US08046113B2 |
System and method for cooling a heat-generating device
A method for cooling a heat-generating device, comprising setting a reference surface temperature of the heat-generating device, measuring a temperature of a surface of the heat-generating device, measuring a temperature gradient based on temperature measurements of two or more different locations on the heat-generating device, implementing a closed-loop control based on the reference surface temperature, the measured surface temperature, and the measured temperature gradient of the heat-generating device to compute a rate of application of a cooling material to the surface of the heat-generating device, and providing a command to apply the cooling material to the surface of the heat-generating device at the calculated rate to cool the heat-generating device. |
| US08046110B2 |
Control of active power reserve in a wind-farm
A method and system of active power reserve regulation in a wind farm with a communication network having a plurality of wind turbines that provide an active power reserve in order to support eventual power grid contingencies and to deliver an increase of power in case it is needed. |
| US08046107B2 |
Method and apparatus for optimizing refrigeration systems
A refrigeration system comprising a compressor for compressing a refrigerant, a condenser for condensing refrigerant to a liquid, an evaporator for evaporating liquid refrigerant from the condenser to a gas, an inner control loop for optimizing a supply of liquid refrigerant to the evaporator, and an outer control loop for optimizing a level of refrigerant in the evaporator, said outer control loop defining a supply rate for said inner control loop based on an optimization including measurement of evaporator performance, and said inner control loop optimizing liquid refrigerant supply based on said defined supply rate. Independent variables, such as proportion of oil in refrigerant, amount of refrigerant, contaminants, non-condensibles, scale and other deposits on heat transfer surfaces, may be estimated or measured. A model of the system and/or a thermodynamic model approximating the system, for example derived from temperature and pressure gages, as well as power computations or measurements, is employed to determine or estimate the effect on efficiency of deviance from an optimal state. Various methods are provided for returning the system to an optimal state, and for calculating a cost-effectiveness of employing such processes. |
| US08046106B2 |
Controlling method and system for saving energy of building
A controlling method and a controlling system for saving energy of a building are provided. In the present method, a user environment requirement is obtained first. Then, a plurality of cover ratios of a sunshade device on an opening of a building is defined, and according to an environment parameter and the user environment requirement, a total electricity consumption required by air conditioning equipment and by lighting equipment in the building corresponding to each of the cover ratios is calculated. Finally, a cover ratio that produces the minimum total electricity consumption is obtained, and the sunshade device, the air conditioning equipment and the lighting equipment are adjusted according to the obtained cover ratio, so as to make the building meet the user environment requirement and maintain a status of the minimum total energy consumption. |
| US08046103B2 |
System and method for determining the location of a machine
A system is employed for defining a position (location) of a receiving element inside an area surrounded by a wire loop, along the perimeter (a perimeter wire loop), of a work area or other bounded area. In particular, the system can determine whether the receiver is inside or outside the loop, and evaluate its distance from the perimeter wire. |
| US08046102B2 |
Control method for synchronous high speed motion stop for multi-top loaders across controllers
A synchronous high speed motion stop for a series of multi-top loaders residing on “n” controllers on one rail achieves effective detection of the servo-error status and shut off of the trailing controller's servo power within 3 ITP time. The control method reduces the unnecessary error recovery because it only shuts off its immediate trailing controller without aborting its leading controller, allowing the leading controller to complete the cycle tasks. The cascade control method produces a synchronous high-speed motion stop for the robots across the controllers and effectively prevents the collision between the robots. |
| US08046101B2 |
Cleaning robot system and method of controlling same
Provided is a cleaning robot system and a method of controlling the same for economically cleaning, with high workability, plate-shaped members, such as solar cell panels and reflecting mirrors used in photovoltaic power generation and solar thermal power generation systems. A cleaning robot system (1) for cleaning planar or curved plate-shaped members (4a), (4b) that are panels for photovoltaic power generation or reflecting mirrors for solar thermal power generation includes: a large number of cleaning robots (2) each having a function to travel on each of the plate-shaped members (4) which are to be cleaned and a function to clean the plate-shaped members (4); and an arranging robot (3) having a conveying function to move any of the cleaning robots (2) from a first one (4a) of the plate-shaped members to a second one (4b) of the plate-shaped members. Each of the cleaning robots (2) has a suction mechanism for performing cleaning while attaching onto one of the plate-shaped members (4), and the large number of cleaning robots (2) and a smaller number of the arranging robots (3) than that of the cleaning robots (2) cooperate together to clean the plate-shaped members (4) placed in a photovoltaic power generation or solar thermal power generation plant. |
| US08046099B2 |
Library unit and magazine position detecting method in the library unit
A library unit of the present invention includes a magazine, a cartridge, at least one sensor and an accessor. The cartridge is loaded in the magazine and arranged in a direction in which the magazine is loaded to or unloaded from the library unit. The sensor is provided for the library unit and activated to make an output, when the magazine is pulled out to a predetermined position, whether or not the magazine is positioned facing the sensor. The accessor identifies a position of the magazine according to an output of the sensor and receives the cartridge. |
| US08046097B2 |
Region-based supports for parts produced by solid freeform fabrication
Methods for generating supports (30) for parts (50) produced by solid freeform fabrication (“SFF”) are disclosed. The method includes defining a plurality of layers (L) that make up the part, and for each layer, determining those regions (R) that require support. The method also includes merging the regions for the different layers (L) into one or more common regions that require support, and providing at least one support for each of the one or more common regions. The result is that fewer supports are used as compared to conventional SFF fabrication methods. |
| US08046096B2 |
Analytical server integrated in a process control network
A process control system integrates the collection and analysis of process control data used to perform certain computationally expensive process control functions, like adaptive model generation and tuning parameter generation, in the same control device in which one or more of the process control routines are implemented, to thereby provide for faster and more efficient support of the process control routines. This system replaces a layered approach using multiple processing devices by integrating an analytical server which performs computationally expensive analyses used by one or more control routines directly into the real-time control device in which the one or more control routines are located. This integration provides the ability to analyze large quantities of data for multiple process loops controlled by a particular device in a fast and efficient manner. |
| US08046092B2 |
Apparatus and method of encoding and decoding audio signal
In one embodiment, the method includes receiving the audio signal having configuration information and multi-channels, and reading a first indicator from the configuration information. The first indicator indicates whether or not channel mapping information is included in the configuration information. The channel mapping information is read from the configuration information if the first indicator indicates that the channel mapping information is included in the configuration information. The channel mapping information indicates to which speaker in a reproduction device to map each channel in the audio signal. A second indicator is also read from the configuration information. The second indicator indicates whether or not channel rearrangement information is included in the configuration information. The channel rearrangement information is read from the configuration information if the second indicator indicates that the channel rearrangement information is included in the configuration information. The channel rearrangement information indicates a rearrangement of the multi-channels. The multi-channels are decoded based on the channel mapping information and channel rearrangement information. |
| US08046088B2 |
Dependent power supplying apparatus and electronic instrument
A semiconductor power supplying apparatus driven by a power source includes at least two driven circuits for performing prescribed data processing when electric power is supplied. An electric power supplying circuit is provided so as to convert power from the power source as needed to supply at least two driven circuits with electric power in accordance with voltages that the driven circuits need. A driven circuit power supplying condition signal generating device is provided so as to generate a driven circuit power supplying condition signal for determining a power supplying condition of all of the at least two driven circuits. A power supplying control signal generation circuit is also provided so as to generate a power supplying control signal for controlling operation of the power supplying circuit. The power supplying control signal is generated from the driven circuit power supplying condition signal and determines an order of supplying power to the at least two driven circuits so that the at least two driven circuits can receive dependent power supplying. |
| US08046085B2 |
Controlled vagal blockage therapy
A method for treating at least one of a plurality of disorders characterized at least in part by vagal activity includes positioning an electrode around a body organ innervated by the vagus. An electrical signal is applied to the electrode to modulate vagal activity. The electrical signal is applied at a frequency selected for the signal to create a neural conduction block to the vagus with the neural conduction block selected to at least partially block nerve impulses on the vagus. The application of the electrical signal is discontinued. The application of the signal and the discontinuing of the signal are repeated with durations of the discontinuing and the application selected to treat the disorder. |
| US08046081B2 |
Implanted system with DC free inputs and outputs
An implantable electronic system is described. An implantable power supply includes multiple power input ports for receiving an externally generated power supply signal, and multiple power output ports for developing a detected power signal. An implantable prosthetic processing module includes multiple prosthetic processing input ports connected by wire to the power output ports for receiving the detected power signal, and multiple prosthetic processing output ports for developing a prosthetic stimulation signal output for electrically stimulating target neural tissue. Each of the multiple ports is adapted to operate without developing a dc potential. |
| US08046080B2 |
Telemetry duty cycle management system for an implantable medical device
An implantable medical device comprising a far field RF transmitter and receiver, a controller circuit communicatively coupled to the RF transmitter and receiver, and a wakeup timer circuit integral to, or communicatively coupled to, the controller. The controller is configured to initiate power up of the RF transmitter and receiver during a wakeup interval defined by the wakeup timer circuit, detect a digital key received from a second device during the wakeup interval, transmit a response using the RF transmitter when the digital key is received, and receive a communication from the second device and resynchronize the wake-up timer according to a time of the communication. |
| US08046077B2 |
Selective neuromodulation using energy-efficient waveforms
Methods of selective neuromodulation in a live mammalian subject, such as a human patient. The method comprises applying an electrical signal to a target site in the nervous system, such as the brain, where the electrical signal comprises a series of pulses. The pulses includes a waveform shape that is more energy-efficient as compared to a corresponding rectangular waveform. Non-limiting examples of such energy-efficient waveforms include linear increasing, linear decreasing, exponential increasing, exponential decreasing, and Gaussian waveforms. The parameters for the energy-efficient waveform are chosen to selectively activate neural tissue on the basis of axonal diameter. |
| US08046072B2 |
Prioritization of communications from medical devices
Device data is generated at each medical device in a system including a plurality of medical devices. Priority information is dynamically assigned to the device data at each medical device based on the character of the device data. The device data and the priority information are transmitted from each medical device. Interfering communications of device data and priority information from multiple medical devices are processed successively based on the priority information. |
| US08046063B2 |
Implantable medical device with adaptive operation
An implantable medical device operates with an algorithm that promotes intrinsic conduction and reduces ventricular pacing. The IMD monitors the occurrence of necessary ventricular pacing and takes certain actions based upon whether this occurrence has been relatively high or relatively low. When noise is detected, asynchronous pacing is provided when the occurrence is relatively high and is not provided when relatively low. When atrial threshold testing is performed, the incidence will determine which methodology is utilized. |
| US08046061B2 |
System and method for preventing recurrence of atrial tachyarrhythmia
A system and method for providing pacing pulses after a cardioversion/defibrillation shock, where the pacing pulses have a pacing rate at an initial value. The pacing rate is decreased from the initial value until at least one intrinsic cardiac contraction is detected. In one embodiment, the pacing rate is decreased by a set amount after pacing a set number of cardiac cycles. Providing the set number of pacing pulses and decreasing the pacing rate by the set amount is then repeated until at least one intrinsic cardiac contraction is detected. An intrinsic cardiac rate is then determined from the at least one intrinsic cardiac contraction. The pacing rate is then increased and maintained to be above (i.e., greater than) the intrinsic cardiac rate. |
| US08046055B2 |
Lymph node detector
A sentinel lymph node detecting apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a light source unit 2, illuminating an excitation light 10 and an illumination light 11 onto a biological observation location 20 that includes a sentinel lymph node 21 near a tumor, into which a fluorescent dye that emits fluorescence is injected; an optical filter 3, transmitting a fluorescence image 11 and a normal image 13; an image pickup device 5, disposed integral to the light source unit 2 and picking up the fluorescence image 11 and the normal image 13 transmitted through the optical filter 3; and an image display device 7, displaying the observation images that have been picked up. The wavelength of the illumination light 11 is set to a value close to the wavelength of the fluorescence emitted from the fluorescent dye. |
| US08046054B2 |
Bi-planar fluoroscopy guided robot system for minimally invasive surgery and the control method thereof
Disclosed is a computer-integrated surgery aid system for minimally invasive surgery and a method for controlling the same. The system includes a surgery planning system for creating three-dimensional information from two-dimensional images obtained by means of biplanar fluoroscopy so that spinal surgery can be planned according to the image information and a scalar-type 6 degree-of-freedom surgery aid robot adapted to be either driven automatically or operated manually. |
| US08046051B2 |
Method and apparatus for the observation of a catheter within a vessel system
To observe a catheter (43) advancing in a vessel system, a 3D model of the vessel system is reconstructed with the help of differently oriented X-ray projections (P1A, . . . ) generated by a C-arm system (20) during the injection of a contrast agent. Next, a movement corridor (M) of the catheter (43) is determined from the 3D model. During an examination procedure, current projections (P) are generated showing an image (43′) of the catheter that can be registered with the reconstructed 3D model and/or the movement corridor (M). Based on the registered catheter image and 3D model of the vessel geometry or the movement corridor (M), an optimal projection direction (dopt) is determined and the C-arm system (20) is controlled to orient the next projections in the optimal projection direction. |
| US08046046B2 |
RF array coil system and method for magnetic resonance imaging
A RF array coil system and method for magnetic resonance imaging are provided. The array coil system includes an anterior coil section having a main anterior coil section and at least one secondary anterior coil section removably attachable to the main anterior coil section. The array coil system further includes a posterior coil section having a main posterior coil section and at least one secondary posterior coil section removably attachable to the main posterior coil section. |
| US08046045B2 |
Anatomical feature condition assessment system using tissue displacement characteristics
An anatomical feature condition assessment system includes an acquisition processor for acquiring data representing the velocity and direction measurements of individual segments of an anatomical feature of a patient. A repository contains mapping data associating averaged velocity and direction measurements within a predetermined particular segment of the anatomical feature with a set of values. A data processor averages the acquired velocity and direction measurements within the predetermined particular segment of the anatomical feature and uses the mapping data to identify a set of values associated with the averaged acquired velocity and direction measurements. The data processor uses the identified set of values to derive an assessment of the condition of the anatomical feature of the patient. |
| US08046033B2 |
Mobile terminal
A mobile terminal including an upper body having an upper surface, a display located at the upper body, a lower body having first and second upper surfaces, the upper body being connected to the lower body for movement between a closed configuration in which the upper body completely covers the second upper surface and an open configuration in which the upper body partially covers the second upper surface to expose a portion of the second upper surface, the upper surface of the upper body being substantially co-planar to the first upper surface of the second body in the open and closed configuration, a first camera located at one of the upper body and the lower body, and at least one camera-dedicated key located at said portion of the second upper surface exposed in the open configuration, the at least one camera-dedicated key being configured to control the first camera. |
| US08046031B2 |
Mobile communication terminal and method for controlling broadcast program
A mobile communication terminal and method of controlling a broadcast program are disclosed, by which the inability to view or record a reserved broadcast program is prevented and by which information related to the availability of a reserved broadcast program for viewing or recording with reference to a battery capacity can be provided to a user in real time. |
| US08046030B2 |
Methods, devices and computer program products for operating mobile devices responsive to user input through movement thereof
A mobile device having first and second modes of operation is operated responsive to detection of a predefined localized movement of a housing of the mobile device using a sensor associated therewith. The detected predefined localized movement is associated with first and second functions of the mobile device responsive to a user input assigning the detected predefined localized movement thereto. A first device function is performed responsive to detection of the predefined localized movement in the first mode of operation, and a second device function is performed responsive to detection of the predefined localized movement in the second mode of operation. A predetermined delay time may also be associated with the predefined localized movement, and the first and/or second functions may be performed at the predetermined delay time after detecting the predefined localized movement. |
| US08046028B2 |
Mobile station transmitting feedback signals
A mobile communication apparatus that utilizes multiple base station/mobile station antennas and a mobile communication method performed therein are provided. The mobile communication apparatus includes a base station having at least two antennas and at least two mobile stations having at least one antenna, respectively. The base station restores weight information and channel status information from feedback signals received from the mobile stations, determines downlink investigation information that results in maximum transmission channel capacity based on the restored weight information and channel status information, selects mobile stations for simultaneous transmission based on the downlink investigation information, and processes data to be transmitted to the selected mobile stations based on the downlink investigation information. |
| US08046021B2 |
Communication system, communication apparatus, and communication method to minimize interference by transmission power control
There is provided a communication control technique in which it is possible to avoid interference with another wireless communication system. This invention is characterized by a control station which controls wireless communication of dependent stations. When a dependent station newly starts, the control station determines whether a beacon transmitted by the dependent station is received by another wireless communication network. When determining that the beacon is received by the other wireless communication network, the control station instructs the dependent station to lower the transmission power until the beacon is not received. |
| US08046020B2 |
Control method and device of uplink access transmission power in radio communications system
A control method and device for uplink access transmission power are provided that can control inter-cell interference in a radio communications system. In a radio communications system including a plurality of radio communication devices which control a plurality of cells respectively, each radio communication device detects an uplink access delay in its own cell, compares the uplink access delay with a target delay, and, based on the result of this comparison, controls a value related to uplink access transmission power. |
| US08046019B2 |
Method and system for optimal allocation of uplink transmission power in communication networks
A method for determining transmission power for a user in a network. The method includes receiving a plurality of interference indicators by a user which is associated with a sector. The plurality of interference indicators corresponds to a plurality of sectors respectively each associated with one of a plurality of users and a base station. The method further includes processing at least information associated with the plurality of interference indicators and selecting an interference indicator based on at least information associated with the plurality of interference indicators. The selected interference indictor corresponds to one of the plurality of sectors. Additionally, the method includes determining a gain indicator corresponding to both the user and the one of the plurality of sectors, and processing information associated with the gain indicator. Moreover, the method includes determining a transmission power of the user based on at least information associated with the gain indicator and the selected interference indictor. |
| US08046018B2 |
Non-transitory storage medium with stored instructions for channelization of a dedicated physical channel in a wireless communication system
Method and apparatus for determining a transmission configuration for a dedicated channel in a wireless communication system. In one embodiment, an optimum configuration is determined based on minimizing Peak-to-Average Ratio (PAR) of the channel. The configuration is defined as a transmission pair of transmission branch and spreading code. The transmission branch may be the In-Phase (I) branch or the Quadrature (Q) branch. PAR analysis may be performed off-line to determine the optimum configuration. In operation, if the spreading code of the optimum configuration is used by another channel, the next best optimum code is used. |
| US08046017B2 |
Method and apparatus for random access channel probe initialization using transmit diversity
Embodiments of the present invention extend the benefits of mobile transmit diversity to the initialization phase of communication with a base station over a random access channel. According to a method of the invention, the transmitter may attempt to initiate communication with a receiver by varying a transmit diversity parameter, for example, phase difference, in addition to or instead of varying power settings. |
| US08046016B2 |
Indicating availability of RF resources at a peer base station in a two-way peer-to-peer communication system
A method for indicating availability of outbound RF resources (ORFRs) of peer base stations is provided that uses peer busy indicator (PBI) messages transmitted from one peer base station to other peer base stations. |
| US08046009B2 |
Method and apparatus for integrating multi-media messaging and image serving abilities
A method and apparatus for providing a user inbox on an multi-media service center (MMSC), the user inbox using a central repository for storing multimedia content on the MMSC. |
| US08046007B2 |
Auto sensing home base station for mobile telephone with remote answering capabilities
The present invention discloses in one embodiment a mobile telephone capable of communicating with a home base station through radio signals. The mobile telephone registers with a home base station before beginning to communicate with the home base station. The home base station is capable of sensing the presence of the mobile telephone in its coverage area and subsequently establishing contact with the mobile telephone, if the mobile telephone is registered with the home base station. The home base station can support a plurality of telephone devices, including corded and cordless telephone devices, and provides call placement and answering services to these telephone devices if there is a registered mobile telephone within its coverage area. |
| US08046005B2 |
Dual event slotted paging
A novel and improved method and system for paging a cellular telephone or other wireless terminal using two paging channels that reduces standby mode power consumption described. In one embodiment of the invention, a minimally encoded quick paging channel is established over which short, quick page messages are transmitted during one of a set of quick paging slots. The quick page message indicates that a communications request has been received, and that the receiving communication terminals should process a highly encoded full paging channel over which more detailed, full page messages are transmitted during the next full paging slot. A terminal monitors full paging channel only after a quick page message has been received on the quick paging channel. |
| US08046004B2 |
Mobile terminal with location notification
The level of detail of position information about one's own location is expressed in terms of a disclosure level when announcing one's own location so as to prevent the supply of more information about oneself to the other party than is necessary. A mobile terminal 10 determines, based on a disclosure level L determined with respect to the specific other party, time band, or located area, and based on the provision of location information about the current location or map information that includes such location, generates location information or location display map information, which is transmitted to a communications terminal 50 of other party B, in accordance with the disclosure content specified by disclosure levels L02 to L05. |
| US08046003B2 |
System and method for location transparency
A service that augments a key element of Unified Messaging and Unified Communications initiatives—i.e., Mobile Subscriber Location Awareness—to enhance substantially the value, usefulness, etc. of the presence awareness, place shifting, etc. components of such initiatives. The service may optionally leverage the capabilities of a centrally-located, full-featured Messaging Inter-Carrier Vendor. |
| US08046002B2 |
Apparatus for broadcasting real time information to GPS systems
A system is described herein to broadcast real time information to a particular area. An area of interest is defined by a geographic locale and a remote station monitors activity within the area of interest The remote station includes a monitoring component that monitors events within the area of interest. A protocol converter receives data from the monitoring component to invert data received into one or more standards or protocols. A broadcast element receives data from the protocol converter and emits data within a broadcast radius that is proximate to the area of interest. |
| US08045993B2 |
Fair channel use in a wireless area network
Fair usage of working channels in a wireless network is disclosed. A base station associated with a cell within a wireless community monitors the congestion of the working channel of neighboring communities. Upon determining that the congestion of the working channel of a neighboring community is less than that of its existing working channel, the base station initiates a switch to the neighboring community's working channel. Upon joining the new community, the frame structure and other networking parameters and attributes are adjusted. |
| US08045991B2 |
Method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving common channel in a cellular wireless communication system supporting scalable bandwidth
A method is provided for transmitting a common channel in a cellular communication system that supports a scalable system bandwidth and uses multiple access technology. The transmission method includes determining a system bandwidth of a cell by comparing a reception bandwidth of User Equipments (UEs) located in the cell with the system bandwidth; mapping a first synchronous channel (SCH) sequence to a central band of a system band, which has a bandwidth which is greater than or equal to a minimum bandwidth required for detecting an SCH; if the system bandwidth is greater than twice the reception bandwidth, additionally mapping second SCH sequences to bands having the minimum bandwidth, each of which is spaced from the central band by a predetermined interval; and transmitting to the UEs located in the cell a signal in the frequency domain to which at least one of the first SCH sequence and the second SCH sequences is mapped. |
| US08045990B2 |
Maintenance of channel usage in a wireless communication system
Data is accessed from a network via a wireless communication link. A determination is made as to whether payload data has been received from a subscriber's terminal. If so, then a request is sent for a first set of traffic channels, and the payload data is transmitted over the first set of traffic channels. |
| US08045988B2 |
Softer and soft handoff in an orthogonal frequency division wireless communication system
Transmission patterns for pilot symbols transmitted from a mobile station or base station are provided. The patterns may be selected according to a location of the mobile station with respect to one or more antennas are provided. In some aspects, the pattern may be selected based upon the distance between the mobile station and the one or more antennas. In other aspect, the pattern may be based upon whether the mobile station is in handoff. |
| US08045986B2 |
Cell selection device for wireless communication equipment
A cell selection device (D) is dedicated to a piece of wireless communication equipment (MS) arranged to establish radio communications with a radio communication network comprising radio communication cells and to receive data representative of the cell environment and of service capabilities of each cell of this environment from the network. This device (D) comprises a control means (CM) arranged, when its equipment (MS) needs to access a chosen network service, to access the data received by the equipment (MS) and representative of the cell environment and the corresponding cell service capabilities, to determine whether there is at least one cell in this environment that allows to access the network service, and to order the equipment (MS) either to pursue or to establish a radio communication with the network via a selected one of these determined cells if the selected cell allows at least one chosen radio parameter criterion to be satisfied. |
| US08045974B2 |
Method and system for mobile IP-nodes in heterogeneous networks
A method for establishing an optimized communication link between mobile network nodes. An interface management module of a first mobile network node checks the mobile network node for available network interfaces and establishes a look-up table with the available network interfaces. Based on the look-up table at least one signalling channel is set up for configuration data with communication parameters and/or security parameters via one of the available network interfaces with a second mobile network node. Based on the look-up table with the communication parameters and the security parameters at least one data channel is established between the first mobile network node and the second mobile network node. Both the at least one signalling channel and the at least one data channel are able to be set up via one or more network interfaces. |
| US08045973B2 |
Mobile device subject to a communication restriction responding to a priority call
A mobile device and associated methods are disclosed that allow a mobile device subject to a communication restriction from a wireless network to respond to a priority call. If a call in the wireless network is destined for the mobile device, then the mobile device receives a paging request message for the call from the wireless network. The mobile device then determines if the call is a priority call. If the call is a priority call, then the mobile device determines that it is exempt from the communication restriction. The mobile device may be exempt for this particular call, for a defined time period, etc. The mobile device may then transmit a response message to the wireless network to initiate the setup of the priority call to the mobile device. |
| US08045968B2 |
Method for forming an audiovisual call identifier, a mobile communication Device and a call identifer
In the invention, an audiovisual call identifier including image and sound is formed for a mobile communication device. The call identifier is repeated on the display and in the loudspeaker of the communication device when a call comes in, i.e. it functions in the same way as an ordinary ring tone when it is used. The first step in the method is to take a shot including moving image and sound by a video camera. The shot taken is saved in the memory of the communication device as a video clip and set as a call identifier of the communication device. The video clip can be taken either by a video camera belonging to the communication device or by a separate device. The call identifier can be set as a general notification sign or it can be associated with a certain phone number or numbers in the phone memo of the communication device, in which case the video clip is repeated on the display and in the loud-speaker of the communication device when a call comes from the phone number(s) in question. The call identifier or a part thereof can also be used as a notification of a phone call arrived in the communication device, which has not been answered. |
| US08045967B2 |
Method of managing customer information
A multi-function customer satisfaction survey device, system, and method. A restaurant management system includes a plurality of electronic tip trays and a base unit. Each of the tip trays electronically obtains and stores customer contact information, customer payment information, and responses to a customer satisfaction survey. A data transceiver wirelessly transmits the information to the base unit. The base unit collects the information and sends the contact information to a correspondence server such as an e-mail server. The payment information is sent to an external authorization network and/or the restaurant's POS system. The survey responses are sent to an analysis unit. Particularly adverse or positive responses may be matched through the POS system to a food server and a food order. |
| US08045965B2 |
System and method for venue-to-venue messaging
A system and method is provided for enabling venue-to-venue communication. A message is sent from a messaging device located in a first venue. The system receives the message via a communications network. The system transmits the message via the communications network to a local venue exchange associated with a second venue. The message is presented to an audience present at the second venue. |
| US08045964B2 |
Information distribution system, information distribution server, mobile terminal, and information distribution method
There is provided an information distribution system capable of distributing a content to a mobile terminal in a predetermined area, distributing content guide information to the mobile terminal, and distributing the content selected by the mobile terminal, within the area. The information distribution system includes an information distribution server, a mobile terminal, and a content DB. The content DB contains content information to be provided to the mobile terminal and information on the area to which the content is provided. The information distribution server distributes the content guide information to the mobile terminal. According to this content guide information, the mobile terminal performs a content distribution request. The information distribution server judges the position of the mobile terminal according to position judgment means. When the mobile terminal is in the distribution area of the content requested, the content is downloaded. |
| US08045962B2 |
Railcar transport telematics system
A railcar asset management system proactively issues an alert or task when a pre-determined event occurs. The system may receive information regarding the location and status of a railcar from sensors on the railcar that may include a telematics sensing unit. A database in the railway telematics system stores the data regarding the railcar location and status information. The system determines whether an event has occurred and issues the proactive alerts and/or task. The system may communicate the proactive alert via e-mail, paging, PDAs or by cell phone and may provide interactive preconfigured web pages. |
| US08045961B2 |
Systems for wireless authentication based on bluetooth proximity
A method and apparatus for wireless authentication, secure automatic access to application and to systems and for providing an alarm to users upon detecting that a monitored device is not within a desired proximity using a BLUETOOTH apparatus are described. |
| US08045960B2 |
Integrated access control system and a method of controlling the same
An access control system including a base station located near a stationary target site used to control access to the stationary target site and satellite access station coupled to the exterior of a satellite target site used to control access to the satellite target site. The base station includes an identification device, storage device, a control unit, a user interface and a transceiver. A master database containing a list of access information for all of the satellite access stations is stored in the storage device. Each satellite access station includes a second identification device, a second storage device, a control unit and a second transponder. A satellite database contains a list of access information for the satellite target site. Information contained in the master database for a particular satellite access station is provided to the particular satellite access station and stored in the satellite database. |
| US08045958B2 |
System and method for application program operation on a wireless device
Embodiments described herein address mobile devices with non-secure operating systems that do not provide a sufficient security framework. More particularly, the embodiments described herein provide a set of applications to the device for providing security features to the non-secure operating system. |
| US08045957B2 |
Computer program product to indicate a charge for a call
Embodiments may comprise hardware and/or code within a cellular phone to process data related to charges for a call to indicate the charges to the user. In some embodiments, the charges may be presented in the form of an icon. The icon may indicate whether or not charges apply to the call, a range of charges, and/or a rate of charge. Further embodiments may display characters describing conditional charges for a call. In still further embodiments, the charges for a call may be indicated by an audible alert such as a volume, frequency, pattern of frequencies, or a voice generated. Embodiments may also include hardware and/or code of a cellular phone server such as an MTSO to gather and transmit account information to a cellular phone (or apparatus with similar functionality such as a mobile broadband card). |
| US08045956B2 |
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. |
| US08045954B2 |
Wireless emergency-reporting system
A method of providing emergency related information to and from a centralized location over a wireless network. The method utilizes cellular phones in emergency communications and entails two embodiments that employ location-aware technologies, in portable form, in security applications. One embodiment serves as a modern high-tech “neighborhood watch,” enabling law enforcement access to the many “eyes and ears” of the public simultaneously via available cell phones. Cell phones with embedded digital cameras allow the instant capture and remote submission of suspicious circumstances to law enforcement through pictures or video. |
| US08045952B2 |
Method and device for obtaining playlist content over a network
A network-enabled audio device that provides a display device that allows the user to select playlists of music much like a jukebox is disclosed. The user can compose playlists from disk files, CD's, Internet streaming audio broadcasts, online music sites, and other audio sources. The user can also select a desired Web broadcast from a list of available Web broadcasts. In addition, the user can play standard audio CD's and MP3 encoded CD's and have access to local AM/FM stations. Further, the software, the user controls, and the display in the network-enabled audio device are operably configured and connected such that the user can listen to playlists that include CD's and other audio sources just as the user would choose a playlist in a jukebox. The user accesses a server site via a PC and the Internet. From the server site, the user obtains a list of the devices in his or her Internet Personal Audio Network (IPAN) and what songs are on those devices. The IPAN includes an IPAN server, an IPAN client, and IPAN software stored on the network-enabled audio device. Thus, the network-enabled audio device provides people who are or are not comfortable with computers a way of taking music from various sources and putting it into one place for listening pleasure. In one embodiment, the Personal Computer (PC) is used to compose the playlists, but the user is able to listen to playlists and other audio sources without using the PC. |
| US08045943B2 |
High performance CMOS radio frequency receiver
A high performance radio frequency receiver includes a low noise amplifier with large binary and stepped gain control range, controlled impedance, and enhanced blocker immunity, for amplifying and converting a radio frequency signal to a current; a pulse generator for generating in-phase and quadrature pulses; a crossover correction circuit and pulse shaper for controlling a crossover threshold of the pulses and interaction between in-phase and quadrature mixers; and a double balanced mixer for combining the RF signal with the pulses to generate an intermediate frequency or baseband zero intermediate frequency current-mode signal. The in-phase and quadrature pulses have a duty cycle of 20-35%. The intermediate frequency signal and second order harmonics may be filtered with a high frequency low pass filter and a current injected complex direct-coupled filter. Decreased die size, current drain, cost, and complexity, as well as improvements in gain, 1/f noise, noise figure, sensitivity, and linearity may result. |
| US08045932B2 |
Double search user group selection scheme with range reduction for FDD multiuser MIMO downlink transmission with finite-rate channel state information feedback
Aspects of a double search user group selection scheme with range reduction for FDD multiuser MIMO downlink transmission with finite-rate channel state information feedback are provided. The method may comprise maximizing system capacity using feedback information for a plurality of signals in a frequency division duplex system to reduce a search range within which a group of signals having maximum channel gain are located. The feedback information may comprise quantized gain for the signals. Quantized channel direction for the signals within the reduced search range may be requested and received by the transmitter. One or two signals from the reduced search range that maximizes system capacity may be selected. The receivers associated with these signals may then be selected as the user group. |
| US08045929B2 |
Determining presence of radio frequency communication device
A RF data communication device operates in at least two states. In a first state, the device transmits a response to an RF transmission if specific data therein represents an inquiry as to the presence of one or more RF data communication devices and if specific data therein corresponds to a class maintained by the device. The device does not transmit a response if specific data in the RF transmission is not representative of an inquiry as to the presence of one or more RF data communication devices, or if specific data therein does not correspond to at least one maintained class. In a second state, the device does not transmit a response when specific data is included therein that is representative of an inquiry as to the presence of one or more RF data communication devices and specific data therein corresponds to at least one maintained class. |
| US08045928B2 |
Test system for adjusting a wireless communication device by impedance loading features
A test system for adjusting a wireless communication device by impedance loading features includes a power supply for generating a plurality of voltages, a test fixture coupled to the power supply for generating impedances corresponding to a plurality of impedance loading areas, a test equipment coupled to a test point of the wireless communication device via the test fixture for measuring a plurality of radio frequency characteristic sets of the wireless communication device, and a decision device coupled to the test equipment for determining an optimal impedance loading area of the wireless communication device according to the plurality of radio-frequency characteristic sets. |
| US08045925B2 |
Wireless communication system and intermediate frequency signal loss compensation circuit thereof
An exemplary intermediate frequency (IF) signal loss compensation circuit for an outdoor unit of a communication system includes a sending circuit, a detection circuit, a receiving circuit, and a control circuit. The detection circuit detects in substantially real-time the loss of signal transmitted via a cable from the indoor to the outdoor unit, and transmits loss signal to the control circuit. The control circuit compares the loss signal with a pre-stored signal to determine the loss and then, the control circuit gives loss signals of the sending circuit a variable gain compensation according to the loss. The control circuit also gives loss signals of the receiving circuit a variable gain compensation in advance. The IF signal loss compensation circuit can detect the IF signal loss in substantially real-time, giving the IF signal a variable gain compensation for the loss. |
| US08045924B2 |
Apparatus and method for scheduling users in a mobile communication system
An apparatus and method for scheduling users in a mobile communication system are provided, in which a Base Station (BS) calculates scheduling utility values of each Mobile Station (MS) for a plurality of cases of interference from neighbor BSs, forms a candidate MS list by selecting a predetermined number of MSs in a descending order of utility value for each of the cases of interference from the neighbor BSs, transmits the candidate MS list to the neighbor BSs, receives candidate MS lists from the neighbor BSs, calculates the channel transmission rates of candidate MSs included in the candidate MS lists, and selects an MS to be serviced according to the channel transmission rates. |
| US08045917B2 |
System and method for detection of mobile operating through a repeater
A system and method for a network analysis system operating in a wireless communication system with repeaters is disclosed. Embodiments of the system and method enable the network analysis system to determine if signals being received by the network receivers arrive directly from a target mobile appliance or if the signals are passing through a repeater. The repeaters through an augmentation measure attribute of a received signal to a network manager and based on these attributes it is determine whether the signal is served by a repeater or other network device. |
| US08045916B2 |
System of satellite signal down conversion and reception using a time division multiple access method and signal transmission method thereof
A system of satellite signal down conversion and reception comprises a low noise block down converter and a plurality of receivers. The low noise block down converter simultaneously and periodically sends a reference timing command to the plurality of receivers. Each of the plurality of receivers calibrates its timing based on the reference timing command to generate a plurality of data frames. Each of the data frames includes a plurality of time slots, and a time slot is designated to transmit data between the receiver and the low noise block down converter. Furthermore, each of the plurality of receivers uses a different time slot. |
| US08045915B2 |
Apparatus for decurling an advancing sheet, and a printing device containing such an apparatus
An apparatus for decurling an advancing sheet, which contains an endless carrying belt, and multiple rollers for guiding said carrying belt, said rollers including a decurling roller, wherein the mutual orientation between the carrying belt and the decurling roller is adjustable. A printing device is also provided to include such a decurling apparatus. |
| US08045909B2 |
Surface treatment device, image forming apparatus, belt member, and image forming method
A surface treatment device includes a belt member having a surface layer in which plural kinds of rubbers having a different hardness mixedly exist. In the device, a press/heat unit presses a recording medium with a toner image formed against the belt member such that the toner image contacts with the surface layer, and heats the recording medium to melt at least a surface of the toner image. |
| US08045908B2 |
Fixing device and image forming apparatus
A fixing device has a presser member, a slide member and a pressure belt. Both ends of the presser member are positioned outside both ends of the slide member. Both ends of the slide member are positioned outside both ends of the pressure belt. Thereby, the slide member and the pressure belt are improved in service life, so that the fixing device as a whole is improved in service life. |
| US08045903B2 |
Roller for use with image forming apparatus
A developing device of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus has a first roller and a second roller disposed in a peripheral contact with the first roller to define a contact region therebetween so that the first roller is capable of supplying and collecting a toner to and from the second roller in the contact region. The first roller has a core and a polyurethane foam layer. The polyurethane foam has an open ratio of cells of 2% or more and 50% or less and a hardness of 1 gf/mm or more and 6 gf/mm or less, the hardness being defined by a load per unit length in a longitudinal direction of the first roller, the load being determined by forcing the peripheral surface of the polyurethane foam layer against a substrate, measuring a load necessary for the polyurethane foam layer to be compressed by 30% in thickness, and dividing the load by a length of the polyurethane foam layer in the longitudinal direction. The first and second rollers are disposed so that the contact region has a peripheral width of 3 mm or more and 8 mm or less. |
| US08045900B2 |
Developing device, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus that house a developing agent for forming an image
A developing device, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus, have transport members with screw and shaft portions, transporting developer within the device in a longitudinal direction of a circulation path. A supply supplies new carrier to the device. A discharge aperture in a transport path wall of one transport member discharges developer outside the circulation path, when a surface of the developer transported by the one transport member exceeds a predetermined height. A bias path aperture in the transport path wall upstream of the discharge aperture has a bottom at a higher level than a bottom of the discharge aperture, and diverts developer at a level higher than the bottom of the discharge aperture to another transport member. An area in the longitudinal direction of the one transport member has no screw portion, and the discharge aperture is disposed opposite the area and has a length smaller than the area. |
| US08045893B2 |
Developing device and image forming apparatus including inclined transport screw
A developing device that can discharge developer by an amount of developer in the developing device increased by a carrier supplemented into the developing device includes a supply transport screw and a receiving transport screw in a top and bottom positional relationship, the rotational axes of the supply transport screw and the receiving transport screw are mutually parallel in relation to an image support member. The developing device also includes an inclined transport screw arranged at an incline between one end of the supply transport screw and an other end of the receiving transport screw. The developing device also includes a supply unit for supplying new carrier into a casing and a discharge port and discharge unit for discharging part of the developer housed in the casing to the outside, the discharge port provided on a part of the casing corresponding to an upper part of the inclined transport screw. |
| US08045891B2 |
Rotary developing apparatus rotatably accommodating a plurality of developer units, developer unit and image forming apparatus including rotary developing apparatus
In a rotary type image developing apparatus that has a rotary rack accommodating a plurality of developer units and drives the rotary rack to rotate in a predetermined rotational direction so as to bring a targeted one of the developer units to a developing position, each developer unit includes a toner storage in which a first slope is disposed. As the rotary rack rotates, toner that remains upstream of a toner supply opening in a toner flowing direction in the toner storage is guided by a slope surface of the first slope, which enables the toner to be smoothly supplied to a developing chamber. Thus, even when the toner gets low, the toner can be efficiently supplied from the toner storage to the developing chamber with the aid of the first slope. |
| US08045889B2 |
Image forming apparatus, method of allowing driven member to be mounted on apparatus body in image forming apparatus and method of allowing drive force to be transmitted to belt unit in image forming apparatus
The image forming apparatus includes: an apparatus body including a drive source; a driven member detachably attachable to the apparatus body; a first transmission member in the apparatus body, including a base rotatable around a rotation axis, and transmitting drive force from the drive source to the driven member; and a second transmission member in the driven member, including a base rotatable around the rotation axis, and transmitting drive force from the first transmission member to the driven member. Any of the first and second transmission members includes a projection, and the other includes a receiving port. The receiving port receives the projection when a rotation angle between the first and second transmission members is an angle set in advance while not receiving the projection when the rotation angle is out of the angle, at the time of mounting the driven member on the apparatus body. |
| US08045887B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An intermediate transfer unit includes a stand member that is integral with an intermediate-transfer-unit body of the intermediate transfer unit. The stand member stretches below the intermediate-transfer-unit body from a trailing edge to a leading edge of the intermediate-transfer-unit in an attachment direction of the intermediate transfer unit. |
| US08045885B2 |
Processing unit for image forming apparatus
According to an embodiment of the invention, slide rails guided by guide rails of a body frame are provided on an EPU frame. A slidable bolt is provided on a belt unit frame. When the belt unit is attached to or removed from the body frame, the bolt is fitted into an insertion port of the EPU frame and the EPU frame is connected with the belt unit frame. The slide rails of the EPU frame are used to integrally attach and remove the belt unit and the EPU to and from the body frame. |
| US08045883B2 |
Photosensitive-member unit and image forming apparatus
A pressing member applies a pressing force to a trailing end in a direction which intersects a predetermined reference direction, allowing the pressing force to have both a first component in the predetermined reference direction and a second component perpendicular to the predetermined reference direction. A trailing end is pressed in the predetermined reference direction by the first component. In the mounted state, the leading end is in contact with the reference member at two contact surfaces including a first contact surface and a second contact surface. The first contact surface defines a first positioning direction being perpendicular to the first contact surface and intersecting the predetermined reference direction. The second contact surface defines a second positioning direction being perpendicular to the second contact surface and intersecting both the predetermined reference direction and the first positioning direction, allowing the photosensitive-member unit to be positioned with respect to the main body. |
| US08045877B2 |
History information management device of image forming apparatus
A history information management device 100 includes an operation panel 5 having a touch panel 5a, first storage unit 44a, storage operation control unit 45d, and display operation control unit 45e. The operation panel 5 receives a functional configuration. The first storage unit 44a stores the functional configuration as the history information, and the touch panel 5a displays it. The storage operation control unit 45d controls a storing operation for history information in the first storage unit 44a based on a first condition judging whether or not the storage operation control unit 45d controls the first storage unit 44a to store the history information. The display operation control unit 45e controls a displaying operation of the history information on the touch panel 5a based on a second condition judging whether or not the display operation control unit 45e controls the touch panel 5a to display the history information. |
| US08045876B2 |
Fixing device for image forming apparatus to control power of heating source while in a warming-up mode
A fixing device of this invention enables variable control of power to be supplied to a heat roller side or a press roller side in accordance with the temperature of the heat roller and the press roller while each mode is carried out. In a copy mode, the temperature of the heat roller and the press roller is finely controlled. In a copy standby mode, only the power required for maintaining a set temperature is supplied. |
| US08045873B2 |
Image forming apparatus and image density adjusting method
In an image forming apparatus, when photosensitive members 4Y, 4M, 4C are in contact with a transfer belt, then color adjustment is performed. When the photosensitive members 4Y, 4M, 4C are not in contact with a transfer belt, i.e., only a photosensitive member 4Bk is in contact with the transfer belt, then only black adjustment is performed. |
| US08045868B2 |
Recording material determination apparatus and image forming apparatus
A recording material determination apparatus includes a first detection unit configured to detect a characteristic corresponding to a surface condition of a recording material based on a captured image of a surface of the recording material, a second detection unit configured to detect a characteristic corresponding to a grammage of the recording material based on an ultrasonic wave detected via the recording material by irradiating the recording material with an ultrasonic wave, and a conveyance unit configured to convey the recording material. The first detection unit and the second detection unit are located opposite each other with respect to the conveyance unit. |
| US08045864B2 |
Method and apparatus for processing signals of photo-detector in visible light communication system
Disclosed is a method for processing incoming signals of photo-detectors in a visible light communication system. The method includes: dividing symbol duration into divided durations according to an equal time interval to set the divided durations to a plurality of time slots, the symbol duration being a time required to transmit one of a symbol and a bit; receiving visible light signals through a photodiode array in a receiver; determining a gain value of each of the photodiodes during a time slot, in consideration of each photodiode area on the photodiode array during the time slot and the time slot position within the symbol duration; multiplying a gain value of each of the photodiodes by an output value of a corresponding photodiode; and summing up output values of each of the photodiodes by which the gain value has been multiplied and calculating a total of output values of the time slot. |
| US08045863B2 |
Byte-interleaving systems and methods for 100G optical transport enabling multi-level optical transmission
The present invention provides byte-interleaving systems and methods for Optical Transport Unit N (OTUN) (i.e. Optical Transport Unit 4 (OTU4)) and 100 Gb/s (100 G) optical transport enabling multi-level optical transmission. The byte-interleaving systems and methods of the present invention support the multiplexing of sub-rate clients, such as 10 Gb/s (10 G) clients, 40 Gb/s (40 G) clients, etc., into two 50 Gb/s (50 G) logical flows, for example, that can be forward error correction (FEC) encoded and carried on a single wavelength to provide useful, efficient, and cost-effective 100 G optical transport today. Signaling format support allows these two 50 G logical flows to be forward compatible with an evolving OTU4 and 100 G signaling format without waiting for optical and electronic technology advancement. Signaling format support also allows an evolving standard 100 G logical flow (i.e. OTU4, 100 Gb/s Ethernet (100 GbE), etc.) to be carried as 2×50 G logical flows, 4×25 G logical flows, or other lower rate formats on a single wavelength. |
| US08045861B1 |
Method and system for spectral suppression of noise in a communication signal
A method and system for spectral suppression of a noise in a communication signal. The method includes transmitting a communication signal through a plurality of rejection filters to create a plurality of spectral holes over a spectrum of the communication signal. The communication signal with an acquired noise is received. Noise intensities of the acquired noise at the plurality of spectral holes are measured, and the acquired noise over the spectrum of the communication signal is calculated. The acquired noise is subtracted from the communication signal with the acquired noise. |
| US08045860B2 |
Optical transceiver
An optical transceiver stores an output A/D value which is A/D-converted from reference voltage in an EEPROM as correction data in preparing the optical transceiver. The optical transceiver, receiving a request for outputting a monitored value from an external device connected therewith, calculates a variation based on difference between the output A/D value which is A/D-converted from the reference voltage at the timing when the request for outputting the monitored value is received and the correction data stored in the EEPROM. Then, the optical transceiver uses the calculated variation to convert current of light-input power which is input thereinto into voltage, amplify the voltage, and A/D-convert the voltage to thereby correct the output A/D value. The optical transceiver outputs the corrected A/D value to the connected external device as the monitored value. |
| US08045859B2 |
High-speed underwater data transmission system and method
An underwater data transmission system including arrays of nano-meter scaled photon emitters and sensors on an outer surface of an underwater platform. For the emitters, a laser is pulsed to correlate with data packets, providing a beam of photons at a prescribed frequency. Nano-scaled collecting lenses channel the incoming photons to photo-receptors located at a focal plane for the frequency at the base of each lens. A coating on the lenses absorbs photons at the frequency that are not aligned with the longitudinal axes of the lenses or tubes. Nano-wires connect the photo-receptors to a light intensity integrator. The integrator integrates the intensity over a surface area. The output of the integrator is fed to a signal processor to track and process the arriving digital packets. |
| US08045854B2 |
M×N wavelength selective optical switch
A M×N wavelength selective optical switch (WSS) for switching K wavelength channels is disclosed. The WSS has two MEMS micromirror arrays, a M×K array and a 1×N array, for switching any wavelength channel from any input port to any output port, provided that any output port receives optical signals from only one input port. The WSS can be used to build fully reconfigurable, colorless and directionless node of an agile optical network. |
| US08045853B2 |
Mechanism for tracking wavelengths in a DWDM network without specialized hardware
In one embodiment, techniques provide a mechanism for tracking wavelengths in a DWDM network. In particular, embodiments of the present invention also provide for connection tracking using a slowly modulated pilot tone in a DWDM network without dedicated hardware for the generation and the diction of the tone. |
| US08045842B2 |
Information processing apparatus and method, transmission apparatus and method, recording apparatus and method and program
An information processing apparatus includes a conversion section configured to convert one of an SD signal according to a predetermined standard of Standard Definition Television and an HD signal according to a predetermined standard of High-Definition Television into the other one of the signals and output the resulting signal in a predetermined format. |
| US08045839B2 |
Method of controlling the operation of an optical disc recording apparatus, and recording medium on which the control program is recorded
On a host computer (300), writing software for controlling recording and image forming operations of an optical disc recording apparatus (10) is installed. When the writing software is activated, the host computer (300) requests the user to input various settings relating to record information and image information before giving instructions for starting recording and those for starting image formation to the optical disc recording apparatus (10), and, in accordance with various settings which are input in response to the request, determines the recording and image forming operations of the optical disc recording apparatus (10). |
| US08045833B2 |
Cable comprising a shear thickening composition
Shear thickening compositions can function in an energy or communications transmission cable to provide enhanced protection against externally applied forces, e.g., cutting or puncture from a shovel. As a free or bound layer, or when used via impregnation into a substrate used for an internal component or wrap, the shear thickening composition provides protection against mechanical damage that far surpasses conventional technologies. In foamable compositions for cable components, the shear thickening composition provides enhanced integrity of the polymer melt for enhanced foam performance. As a flame retardant component, the shear thickening composition provides an enhanced char formation mechanism for superior flame retardance. |
| US08045829B2 |
Optical waveguide member, optical wiring board, optical wiring module and method for manufacturing optical waveguide member and optical wiring board
The present invention provides a method for manufacturing an optical waveguide. The inventive method includes steps of providing a transfer member comprising a transfer sheet and a first metal film. The transfer sheet and the first metal film are detachable from each other. A laminated body made of a core layer disposed between two clad layers is formed on the transfer member. The invention also relates to optical waveguides produced by the inventive process and devices incorporating the optical waveguides of the invention. |
| US08045827B2 |
Image downsampling during processing
A method of preparing a document for printing may include determining a preferred image resolution for an image on a document. An electronic file may be received. The electronic file may comprise data representing a first embedded image having a nominal resolution. A job may be received. The job may comprise one or more operations to be performed on the electronic file. A computing device may determine an effective resolution for the first embedded image based on the nominal resolution and the one or more operations. It is determined whether the effective resolution for the first embedded image is greater than the preferred image resolution. The first embedded image may be downsampled based on a scaling factor. A printing device may process the job using the downsampled first embedded image. |
| US08045824B2 |
Wavelet transformation-based image encoder, decoder and method for generating thumbnail image
Disclosed are a wavelet transformation-based image encoder, decoder and method for generating a thumbnail image. In the present invention, an original image is tiled according to a preset tiling scheme, and wavelet transformation is performed for each tiled image. An LL image is extracted from the tiled image and range mapping is performed for the color values of each pixel of the extracted LL images. After the range mapping of the color values according to the pixels, a thumbnail image is generated by reconstructing the LL images according to the predetermined tiling scheme. According to the present invention as described above, when an encoder using a wavelet transformation method encodes the original image into a wavelet image or a decoder using wavelet transformation method decodes the wavelet encoded image into the original image, the thumbnail image can be easily generated. |
| US08045816B2 |
Image quantization method and apparatus with color distortion removing quantization matrix
An image quantization method and apparatus are provided in which a block with a high possibility of having color distortion is more elaborately quantized using a predetermined color distortion removing quantization matrix. The image quantization method includes determining a possibility of color distortion in the block using discrete cosine transform (DCT) coefficients and pixel values of the block of predetermined size of an image and performing initial quantization on the block using a predetermined color distortion quantization matrix to remove color distortion if the block has a high possibility of color distortion. |
| US08045814B2 |
Image compression device, compressing method, storage medium, image decompression device, decompressing method, and storage medium
An image compression device having a prediction unit for predicting a value of a compressing target pixel from peripheral values, and quantizing prediction error between a prediction value of the prediction unit and a value of an actual pixel in a predetermined quantizing step, comprising: a specific pixel level difference evaluation unit sequentially calculating the difference value between the level values as a sum of the prediction values corresponding to each of the compressed pixel immediately before the compressing target pixel and peripheral compressed pixels adjacent to the pixel and the quantization value of the prediction error, and evaluating the sameness of the difference value; and a quantization switching unit controlling the quantization in the quantizing step more precise than the quantizing step used when the difference value continuously indicates the same value as a result of the evaluation by the specific pixel level difference evaluation unit. |
| US08045812B2 |
Method and system for initializing templates of moving objects
A method for tracking a moving object in a sequence of images is provided, comprising: partitioning each of said images of said sequence into blocks, identifying blocks which have moved between consecutive images of said sequence, grouping adjacent blocks, which have moved in a same direction by a same distance, into a first group of blocks, initializing an initial template for said moving object with said first group of blocks and tracking said template in said sequence of images. A corresponding system for tracking moving objects is presented as well. |
| US08045811B2 |
Compression and storage of projection data in a computed tomography system
A computed tomography system has a stationary part, a rotatable part mounted for rotation around an object to be examined and an interface between the stationary part and the rotatable part. The rotatable part includes an x-ray source, a sensor array for detecting x-rays passing through the object to produce projection data samples, a compressor that compresses the projection data samples and a storage device that stores the compressed samples. The storage device on the rotatable part can include one or more solid state drives. For image reconstruction, the compressed samples are retrieved from the storage device, transferred across the interface to the stationary part. A decompressor at the stationary part decompresses the received compressed samples and provides decompressed samples to the image reconstruction processor. This abstract does not limit the scope of the invention as described in the claims. |
| US08045808B2 |
Pure adversarial approach for identifying text content in images
A pure adversarial optical character recognition (OCR) approach in identifying text content in images. An image and a search term are input to a pure adversarial OCR module, which searches the image for presence of the search term. The image may be extracted from an email by an email processing engine. The OCR module may split the image into several character-blocks that each has a reasonable probability of containing a character (e.g., an ASCII character). The OCR module may form a sequence of blocks that represent a candidate match to the search term and calculate the similarity of the candidate sequence to the search term. The OCR module may be configured to output whether or not the search term is found in the image and, if applicable, the location of the search term in the image. |
| US08045807B2 |
Pattern edge detecting method and pattern evaluating method
A pattern edge detecting method includes: detecting edge points in an image of an inspection pattern acquired from an imaging device; generating a plurality of edge lines from the edge points using a grouping process; generating a plurality of edge line group pairs, each composed of a combination of first and second edge line groups to be a candidate of any of one and the other of an outside edge and an inside edge of the inspection pattern, the generated edge lines being divided into two parts in different manners; performing shape matching between the first and second edge line groups for each edge line group pair; and specifying, as an edge of the inspection pattern, one of the first and second edge line groups constituting the edge line group pair whose matching score is best of matching scores of the edge line group pairs obtained during the shape matching. |
| US08045803B2 |
Handwriting recognition system and methodology for use with a latin derived alphabet universal computer script
A novel symbollogy derived from the lower-case cursive English alphabet (which is compatible with Latin alphabet derived languages), and a multi-step identification program designed to invoke the strengths of the XY Cartesian coordinate mapping system and a specific multi-step identification criteria designed to work in concert so as to allow absolute identification of each symbol. Each symbol is written onto an electronic tablet capable of identifying and distinguishing each individual symbol from a range of possible stroke patterns and then outputting or storing the symbol's assigned English alphabet counterpart. The combination of this symbollogy and recognition program allows high writing speed with the highest possible recognition potential. |
| US08045801B2 |
Image processing apparatus and method
An image processing apparatus segments an image into a plurality of regions in accordance with attributes of a plurality of types, and acquires feature amount data from image information of a region of a first attribute (an image region) from among the plurality of regions. The apparatus then applies compression processing to the image and acquires compressed data. The apparatus outputs the acquired feature amount data and compressed data as output data of the image. |
| US08045798B2 |
Features generation and spotting methods and systems using same
An image partitioner is configured to find a partition point that divides a received image into four sub-images each having a pre-selected activated pixel count. A recursion processor is configured to (i) apply the image partitioner to an input image to generate a first partition point and four sub-images and to (ii) recursively apply the image partitioner to at least one of the four sub-images for at least one recursion iteration to generate at least one additional partition point. A formatter is configured to generate a features representation of the input image in a selected format. The features representation is based at least in part on the partition points. The features representation can be used in various ways, such as by a classifier configured to classify the input image based on the features representation. |
| US08045791B2 |
System and method for measuring digital images of a workpiece
A system and method measures digital images of a workpiece using a measuring computer and a client computer. The measuring computer reads each of the digital images of the workpiece from a source file, and merges all the images to generate a combined image of the workpiece. An object to be measured is selected from the combined image, and an image of the selected object is extracted from the combined image. The client computer measures the selected object on the extracted image, and displays measuring results of the selected object. |
| US08045790B2 |
Method for automatically de-skewing of multiple layer wafer for improved pattern recognition
A method for processing wafers includes learning a first pattern at a de-skew site on a first wafer layer, saving the first patterns in a recipe for de-skewing wafers, learning a second pattern at the de-skew site a second wafer layer, and saving the second pattern in the same recipe for de-skewing wafers. Learning the first pattern may include determining a score of uniqueness for the first pattern. The method further includes finding the de-skew site on the second wafer layer using the first pattern before learning the second pattern. Finding the de-skew site includes determining a score of similarity between the first pattern and the second pattern. Learning the second pattern is performed when the score of similarity is less than a threshold value. A recipe for de-skewing wafers includes multiple patterns of a de-skew site of a wafer, wherein the patterns include a first pattern at the de-skew site on a first wafer layer and a second pattern at the de-skew site on a second wafer layer. |
| US08045789B2 |
Method and apparatus for inspecting defect of pattern formed on semiconductor device
In the inspection apparatus for a defect of a semiconductor and the method using it for automatically detecting the defect on a semiconductor wafer and presuming the defect occurrence factor using the circuit design data, a plurality of shapes are formed from the circuit design data by deforming the design data with respect to shape deformation items stipulated for respective defect occurrence factor for comparison with the inspection object circuit pattern. The defect is detected by comparison of the group of shapes formed and the actual pattern. Further, the occurrence factors of these defects are presumed, and the defects are classified according to respective factor. |
| US08045786B2 |
Waferless recipe optimization
Disclosed are apparatus and methods for optimizing a metrology tool, such as an optical or scanning electron microscope so that minimum human intervention is achievable during the optimization. In general, a set of specifications and an initial input data are initially provided for a particular target. The specifications provide limits for characteristics of images that are to be measured by the metrology tool. The metrology tool is then automatically optimized for measuring the particular target so as to meet one or more of the provided specifications without further significant human intervention with respect to the metrology tool. In one aspect, the input data provided prior to the automated optimization procedure includes a plurality of target locations and a synthetic image of the particular target. |
| US08045785B2 |
Pattern inspection apparatus and method
A fine pattern, such as a semiconductor integrated circuit (LSI), a liquid crystal panel, and a photomask (reticle) for the semiconductor or the liquid crystal panel, which are fabricated based on data for fabricating the fine pattern such as design data is inspected by a pattern inspection apparatus. The pattern inspection apparatus for inspecting a pattern to-be-inspected uses an image of the pattern to-be-inspected and data for fabricating the pattern to-be-inspected. The pattern inspection apparatus includes a reference pattern generation device configured to generate a reference pattern represented by one or more lines from the data, an image generation device configured to generate the image of the pattern to-be-inspected, a detecting device configured to detect an edge of the image of the pattern to-be-inspected, and an inspection device configured to inspect the pattern to-be-inspected by comparing edges of the image of the pattern to-be-inspected with the one or more lines of the reference pattern. |
| US08045784B2 |
Lockbox imaging system
A system and method for imaging and capturing information from checks and documents contained in a lockbox remittance. A computer workstation is used to generate and print a header sheet that includes information identifying the check. The header sheet is appended to the front of the documents and the document are imaged using a scanner. Identifying information from each of the documents is used to create a data record for each document. In parallel to the scanning of the documents, the checks are scanned and images are created for each of the checks. Additionally, identifying information from each of the checks (e.g., the check number, the amount, etc.) is manually input into a database, thus creating a data record for each check. Once all of the data entry and scanning has been completed, an automatic association process takes place in which the check data records, the check images, the document data records and the document images are all automatically associated and cross-referenced such that the system recreates an electronic version of the original batch of physical papers. All of the associated data and images are contained in a database, from which all of the information for a lockbox customer can be electronically retrieved over the Internet. |
| US08045783B2 |
Method for moving cell detection from temporal image sequence model estimation
A computerized robust cell kinetic recognition method for moving cell detection from temporal image sequence receives an image sequence containing a current image. A dynamic spatial-temporal reference generation is performed to generate dynamic reference image output. A reference based object segmentation is performed to generate initial object segmentation output. An object matching and detection refinement is performed to generate kinetic recognition results output. The dynamic spatial-temporal reference generation step performs frame look ahead and the reference images contain a reference intensity image and at least one reference variation image. |
| US08045779B2 |
Method and device for evaluation of an image and/or of a time sequence of images of tissue or tissue samples
A method for quantitative evaluation of an image and/or of an image sequence of tissue or tissue samples for the presence of pathological changes using a database in which there are stored pattern image data and/or pattern image data sequences of tissue patterns that have been identified as predominantly or definitely benign or malignant, and for each sample a weighting factor is stored which indicates whether the pattern occurs predominantly in benign or in malignant tissue changes; it is then analyzed whether any of the pattern images stored in the database are present, within predetermined tolerances, in the image and/or in the sequence of images; based on the sum of the weighting factors of the patterns present, an evaluation factor is formed and made available for further use or output. |
| US08045776B2 |
Geometry-dependent filtering in CT method and apparatus
A method is provided for processing an image. The method comprises identifying one or more contours or surfaces in a two-dimensional or three-dimensional image generated from a set of projection data. The set of projection data is differentially processed based on the identification of those data points that largely define one or more contours or surfaces. An enhanced image set is reconstructed from the set of processed projection data. |
| US08045774B2 |
Method for creating material-selective volume images
A method for creating material-selective volume images of various material components of an object to be examined is proposed. The method is based on multi-spectral projected images captured from various directions of projection, the images being captured using an X-ray machine, and makes it possible to quantitively exactly determine the material-selective volume images by way of iteration. |
| US08045771B2 |
System and method for automated patient anatomy localization
A method of imaging comprises performing a scout image of an object and aligning major regions of interest within the object by comparing the scout image with a pre-determined atlas image. In a further embodiment, a method of imaging using a computed tomography (CT) scanner is provided and comprises performing a scout image of a subject and aligning major anatomical regions of interest within the subject by comparing the scout image with a pre-determined atlas image. Further, an imaging system for us with a computed tomography (CT) imaging device is provided and comprises a processor configured to perform aligning major anatomical regions of interest within a subject by comparing a scout image with a pre-determined atlas image, and wherein the major anatomical regions are used for automated localization for Scan Range and/or Exam split. |
| US08045768B2 |
Method and device for recognition of natural skin
The invention relates to a method for the recognition of natural skin (5), wherein the skin surface (4) is illuminated at an irradiation point (1) with light from the visible spectrum or the adjacent spectrum, wherein that part of the light entering through the skin surface (4) at the irradiation point (1), scattered in the skin (5), and exiting from the skin surface (4) again, is detected at a detection point (9), using a detector (20), and wherein the signal determined by the detector (20) is passed to a comparator and compared with stored data. Furthermore, a device for carrying out the method is an object of the invention. |
| US08045762B2 |
Surveying method, surveying system and surveying data processing program
There are provided a step of acquiring a main point cloud data on a predetermined measurement range by a laser scanner, a step of detecting a range with no data acquired, a step of acquiring a supplementary image data of the range with no data acquired by an auxiliary image pickup device, a step of preparing a stereoscopic image based on the supplementary image data obtained by the auxiliary image pickup device, a step of acquiring supplementary point cloud data from the stereoscopic image, and a step of supplementing the range with no data acquired of the main point cloud data by matching of the main point cloud data and the supplementary point cloud data. |
| US08045760B2 |
Automatic vehicle exterior light control systems
The present invention relates to various improvements relating to automatic vehicle equipment control systems. |
| US08045758B2 |
Conduct inference apparatus
In a conduct inference process, feature points are extracted from a capture image. The extracted feature points are collated with conduct inference models to select conduct inference models in each of which an accordance ratio between a target vector and a movement vector is within a tolerance. Among the selected conduct inference models, one conduct inference model in which a distance from a relative feature point to a return point is shortest is selected. Then, a specific conduct designated in the selected conduct inference model is tentatively determined as a specific conduct the driver intends to perform. Furthermore, based on the tentatively determined specific conduct, it is determined whether the specific conduct is probable. When it is determined that the specific conduct is probable, an alarm process is executed to output an alarm to the driver. |
| US08045754B2 |
Processor and method for processing image to update information embedded unreadably in a printed document
In a watermark processing system, a watermark detector detects first information represented by a watermark from an image, a watermark encoder decodes and error-corrects the first information and re-encodes it to second information, and a watermark eraser identifies the position of the tint-block pattern included in the watermark according to the second information and produces a watermark-erased image from which the watermark is erased. |
| US08045745B2 |
Edge support for a speaker apparatus comprising multiple ridges
According to an embodiment of the invention, there is provided a speaker apparatus includes: a voice coil bobbin; and a diaphragm that is vibrated by the voice coil bobbin, the diaphragm including an edge portion at an outer circumference of the diaphragm, the edge portion including at least two ridge portions protruding forward. |
| US08045743B2 |
Seat electroacoustical transducing
An acoustic device, including an acoustic enclosure and a first electroacoustical transducing apparatus comprising a motor structure providing mechanical vibration, the vibration having a direction of vibration, mounted in the acoustic enclosure. The acoustic device is constructed and arranged so that first pressure waves are radiated from a first radiation point and second pressure waves are radiated from a second radiation point and so that the first pressure waves and the second pressure waves destructively interfere at observation points relatively equidistant from the first and second radiation points. The acoustic device is further constructed and arranged to be structurally combined with a seating device so that the first radiation point is relatively close to the head of an occupant of the seating device and so that the second radiation point is relatively far from the head of the occupant. The acoustic device is further constructed and arranged to transmit the mechanical vibration to the seat back. |
| US08045741B2 |
Boundary microphone
A boundary microphone, comprising: a base made of a metal; a cover made of a metal having a plurality of holes for introducing sound waves; and internal components including a microphone unit that is disposed in an internal space enclosed by the base and the cover; a first metallic part disposed on one side of the upper and lower sides of the internal components; and a second metallic part, which is disposed on other side of the upper and lower sides of the internal components and which encloses the internal components along with the first metallic part from all directions, are provided, wherein the base, the cover, the first metallic part, and the second metallic part are alternately overlapped at their peripheral portions, and wherein at least one of the first metallic part and the second metallic part is made of a metallic mesh. |
| US08045737B2 |
Method of obtaining settings of a hearing instrument, and a hearing instrument
According to the invention, a real ear acoustic coupling quantity representative of the acoustic coupling of a hearing instrument to the user's ear or an anatomical transfer quantity—for example the Real-Ear-to-Coupler-Difference (RECD), the Microphone Location Effect (MLE), the Coupler Response for Flat Insertion Gain (CORFIG), and/or the Real Ear Open Gain (REOG)—is obtained from a transfer function representative of an acoustic transfer from the receiver to the outer microphone such as a signal feedback threshold gain. The obtained quantity may be used for setting a fitting parameter of the hearing instrument, for example a gain correction. |
| US08045736B2 |
Sound field reproduction system
The present invention is directed to providing a sound field reproduction system that can enhance the sound separation between the front and rear seats or left and right seats of a vehicle. The sound field reproduction system includes a control unit for creating a first sound signal and a second sound signal from one or a plurality of sources, a narrow-directional speaker mounted on the front seat side of the vehicle, a speaker mounted on the rear seat side of the vehicle, and a signal processing unit for driving the narrow-directional speaker based on the first sound signal that has been processed according to frequency range, and for driving the speaker based on the second sound signal. |
| US08045735B2 |
Ultrasonic transducer and ultrasonic speaker using the same
An ultrasonic transducer includes: a pair of fixed electrodes including a conductive member; a vibrating film having a conductive layer; and a member which holds the pair of fixed electrodes and the vibrating film. The vibrating film is formed of nonconductive bodies and has an electrode layer formed of a conductive material. The electrode layer is applied with a DC bias voltage of a single polarity by a DC bias supply, and is also applied with an AC signal output from a signal source superimposed on the DC bias voltage. The pair of fixed electrodes have a plurality of holes of the same number at positions facing each other via the vibrating film, and an AC signal is applied between the conductive members of the pair of fixed electrodes by the signal source. |
| US08045733B2 |
Silicon microphone with enhanced impact proof structure using bonding wires
A backplateless silicon microphone and a wire protection method for improved impact resistance are disclosed. A circular diaphragm is surrounded by a circular spring having a plurality of slots and perforations to facilitate air damping reduction, release of in-plane stress, and improve out-plane flexibility. Anchored at a substrate, the circular spring holds the silicon microphone suspended over a backside hole in the substrate but allows the diaphragm to vibrate perpendicular to the substrate. A microphone variable capacitor is formed between the perforated spring and substrate. Slot size is minimized to prevent particles from entering an underlying air gap. A plurality of “n” bonding pads near the outer edge of the circular spring are connected by “n/2” bonding wires that serve as a stopper to restrict an upward motion of the diaphragm. The bonding wires may cross each other to enable lower loop height for more effective resistance to impact. |
| US08045731B2 |
Sound quality adjustment device
LPF and HPF extract bass and treble ranges, respectively, from an input sound signal, and bass and treble boost circuits perform dynamic range expansion/contraction on the extracted bass- and treble-range sound signals in accordance with input levels of the sound signals. The input sound signal and the sound signals output from the boost circuits are added together. There may also be provided coefficient calculation sections for calculating filter coefficients on the basis of the levels of the sound signals extracted by the LPF and HPF. In this case, the bass and treble boost sections perform, in accordance with the filter coefficients calculated by the corresponding coefficient calculation sections, filter processes for increasing/decreasing the levels of the bass and treble ranges, respectively. |
| US08045724B2 |
Ambient noise-reduction system
A signal processing circuit is intended for use in a noise reduction system, which produces a target filter characteristic that would achieve optimal noise cancellation, the target filter characteristic including a resonant peak at a first frequency. The signal processing circuit comprises an analogue filter, which has an amplitude response that has a peak or trough at a center frequency, and has a phase response that switches polarity at the center frequency and tends to zero with increase or reduction in frequency away from the center frequency. The center frequency in the amplitude response is substantially equal to the first frequency. The analogue filter may be in the form of a series inductive-capacitive-resistive circuit, where the inductive component is in the form of a gyrator. |
| US08045720B2 |
Method for dynamic determination of time constants, method for level detection, method for compressing an electric audio signal and hearing aid, wherein the method for compression is used
The invention provides a method for dynamic determination of time constants to be used in a detection of the signal level of an input signal of unknown level in an electric circuit, comprising the following steps: —feed the input signal through an auxiliary level detection means that is reacting faster to changes in the input sound signal level than the detection of the signal level as a whole, —feed either the input signal or the output of the auxiliary level detection means through a guided level detection means, which is arranged with a guided time constant, and where the guided level detection means outputs an estimate of the level of the input signal, —analyze the outputs of the auxiliary and the guided level detector means, determine the time constant of the guided level detection means based on this analysis. |
| US08045719B2 |
Rendering center channel audio
An audio upmixer, such as a two-channel to three-channel upmixer, employs a difference in a measure of sound at the ears of a listener in accordance with first and second models, one based on a reproduction of the original channels and the other based on a reproduction of the upmixed channels. The difference is minimized while simultaneously causing a, portion of one or more of the stereophonic channels to be applied to the center loudspeaker under some conditions of the signals in the stereophonic channels, the portion being commensurate with the value of a weighting factor, such that the weighting factor controls a balance between two opposing conditions, one in which no signals are applied to the center loudspeaker and another in which no signals are applied to the left and right loudspeakers. |
| US08045716B2 |
System and method for the concealment of device input parameters
A system and method for concealing input parameters that are being loaded into a device. In one embodiment, the system provides a transformed interface, in which a device into which the parameters are loaded contains a series of inverse transformation keys. The parameters to be concealed are transformed using a particular key, along with a transformed index value to indicate the particular key that must be used to inversely transform the parameter. |
| US08045715B2 |
Method of handling security key change and related communication device
A method of handling security key change for a user equipment in a wireless communication system includes applying a radio resource control procedure to activate key change, where the radio resource control procedure covers two conditions where the key change is accompanied with an authentication and key agreement run and without an authentication and key agreement run. |
| US08045714B2 |
Systems and methods for managing multiple keys for file encryption and decryption
Systems and methods for managing multiple keys for file encryption and decryption may provide an encrypted list of previously used keys. The list itself may be encrypted using a current key. To decrypt files that are encrypted in one or more of the previous keys, the list can be decrypted, and the appropriate previous key can be retrieved. To re-key files, an automated process can decrypt any files using previous keys and encrypt them using the current key. If a new current key is introduced, the prior current key can be used to decrypt the list of keys, the prior current key can be added to the list, and the list can be re-encrypted using the new current key. |
| US08045712B2 |
Stream ciphering of the content of a memory external to a processor
A method and an element of ciphering by an integrated processor of data to be stored in a memory, including applying a ciphering algorithm which is a function of a key specific to the integrated circuit and of an initialization vector, and of memorizing at least the ciphered data, the initialization vector depending at least on the address of storage of the data in the memory. |
| US08045710B2 |
Broadcasting method and broadcast receiver
A broadcasting method and a broadcast receiver whereby contents are first distributed only for storage so that the stored contents are later played back in a time period predetermined by the distributing party, the contents being encrypted for protection against unauthorized reproduction in any time period other than the intended one. A content is transmitted together with a begin store command in a first time period for storage onto a storage medium at the receiving side. In a time period subsequent to the first time period, a play command is broadcast so as to get the content retrieved from storage for playback. The content should preferably be encrypted. The encrypted content is decrypted and played back using a decryption key transmitted along with the play command in the second time period. The decryption key is deleted the moment the decryption process is terminated. |