Document Document Title
US08061198B2 Measuring cup sensor and system
A measuring device for use with at least one measuring cup comprised of: a microprocessor, an ultrasonic transmitter, and an ultrasonic sensor, all positioned on a printed circuit board housing, all of which are contained within a housing, and a display screen on the housing. The transmitter emits a signal (e.g. an ultrasonic pulse that reflects off of the top surface of a liquid contained in the measuring cup,) and the ultrasonic sensor detects the reflected ultrasonic pulse. The microprocessor calculates the precise volume of liquid within the measuring cup and displays the volume on the display screen. The measuring device can alternately be programmed to emit an alert when a predetermined volume is reached. The measuring device and measuring cup unit can also be used with solids and/or slurries.
US08061196B2 Bottom up contact type ultrasonic continuous level sensor
An ultrasonic sensor for measuring the level of liquid in a vessel has an elongated tubular probe, a tube within the probe, and a transducer that converts electrical energy to ultrasonic energy mounted at or near one end of the tube so as to transmit ultrasonic energy horizontally across the probe. An element having a surface that reflects ultrasonic energy is at an angle, preferably of about 45°, to the probe longitudinal axis opposite to an ultrasonic energy emitting part of the transducer to reflect ultrasonic energy received from the transducer upwardly in the probe to an air-liquid interface from which it is downwardly reflected to the angled reflector element that directs the energy reflected from the interface back to the transducer for conversion to an electrical signal that is used by an electronic module to measure the liquid level in the probe which is the liquid level in the vessel.
US08061195B2 Flow control assembly
A flow control device for automatically controlling the flow of a fluid at a predetermined rate that is capable of taking measurements of the pressure of the fluid within the device while the device is functioning and that is capable of real-time adjustment of the flow rate is provided. Said device includes a casing having a casing outlet, a piston having a piston inlet and an edge, wherein said piston interfaces with the casing in a manner such that the edge is cooperable with the casing outlet to control the flow of fluid through the device. A biasing member, such as a spring, for biasing the casing with the piston is further included, as is a sensor, such as a pressure transducer, for measuring the pressure within the interior of the casing.
US08061193B2 Low noise wind shield system
A meteorological system includes a precipitation gauge and a wind shield subsystem about the precipitation gauge. The wind shield subsystem includes an elevated support member about the precipitation gauge, a plurality of wind deflectors pivotably supported on the support member, and a pivoting attachment between each deflector and the support member. The pivoting attachment is configured to limit the travel of the deflector.
US08061192B2 Unit for measuring and system for monitoring tire pressure in tires of the extended mobility or other type
Measuring unit with at least a pressure sensor and signal transmission means, intended to be fitted on a tire/wheel assembly, characterized in that it comprises a logic indicator with two states, active and inactive, and in that the logic indicator becomes active each time the pressure measured by the pressure sensor is below a given threshold, close to zero.
US08061191B2 Method and apparatus for detecting wear of tire
A method and apparatus for detecting the state of wear of the tire tread with accuracy and durability are provided. Acceleration of the inner surface of the tire tread is detected by an acceleration sensor installed in an inner liner region of the tire. From a thus detected time-series waveform of acceleration, an acceleration waveform in the leading edge region including a leading peak which occurs when the block engages with the road surface or an acceleration waveform in the trailing edge region including a trailing peak which occurs when the block disengages from the road surface is extracted. A frequency band value Pf is calculated which is the magnitude of acceleration in a predetermined frequency region of a frequency spectrum obtained through a frequency analysis of the extracted acceleration waveform. And the degree of tire wear is determined by comparing the frequency band value Pf with a preset threshold K(v).
US08061188B2 Method for determining a functional state of a piezoelectric injector of an internal combustion engine
A check is made to determine whether the capacitance value measured at a specific point in time corresponds to a capacitance value of a calculated further capacitance profile or the measured capacitance value is within two tolerance ranges.
US08061187B2 Lossless droplet transfer of droplet-based microfluidic analysis
A transfer structure for droplet-based microfluidic analysis is characterized by a first conduit containing a first stream having at least one immiscible droplet of aqueous material and a second conduit containing a second stream comprising an aqueous fluid. The interface between the first conduit and the second conduit can define a plurality of apertures, wherein the apertures are sized to prevent exchange of the first and second streams between conduits while allowing lossless transfer of droplets from the first conduit to the second conduit through contact between the first and second streams.
US08061180B2 Method of valve calibration
A method of calibrating an electrically actuated hydraulic valve in a system that controls the flow of hydraulic fluid to a hydraulic cylinder connected to a machine element operates automatically. The system includes an ultrasonic sensor providing an indication of the position of the machine element. The calibration method includes the step of automatically applying a command signal to the hydraulic valve while monitoring the ultrasonic sensor to determine the level of the command signal required to cause the hydraulic cylinder to begin to move. The calibration method includes the additional step of automatically applying in succession a plurality of command signals of increasing level to the hydraulic valve while monitoring the ultrasonic sensor to determine the speed of movement of the hydraulic cylinder resulting from each of the command signals. Finally, the calibration method includes the steps of storing the level of the command signal required to cause the hydraulic cylinder to begin to move, and storing the speed of movement of the hydraulic cylinder resulting from each of said plurality of command signals of increasing level.
US08061175B2 Sheet-metal bending machine, preferentially hydro-powered machine, and a method of its operation
The invention deals with a sheet-metal bending machine containing a lower machine part and an upper machine part mounted on it in a movable way where on either of the upper and lower machine part there is a pair of working tools designed as a bending arm and a holding arm where the principle is that the upper machine part (3), or at least the pair of the working tools connected to it, is, in relation to the lower machine part (2), or at least in relation to the pair of the working tools connected to it in the feeding direction (L) of the processed metal sheet (14), mounted in a mutually horizontally sliding bond.
US08061174B2 Preventing voids in extruded teeth or splines
An apparatus for extruding teeth in a blank includes a press that includes a lower die plate for supporting the blank thereon, and upper die plate that moves along an axis relative to the lower die plate. A mandrel, aligned with the axis, moves with the upper die plate along the axis, and includes die teeth which form gear teeth to net shape by back extrusion. An impingement ring, located between the upper die plate and the blank, has an opening that allows the die teeth of the mandrel to contact the blank, and includes a stinger that forces material of the blank toward the axis during the forming cycle.
US08061166B2 Door lock with transmission mechanism
A door lock with transmission mechanism, in which a main lock is installed at the side of the door, and an auxiliary lock is installed at each side of the main lock respectively, whereof the main lock has a main lock-tongue, and each of the two auxiliary lock has an auxiliary lock-tongue, whereby the main lock-tongue drives the auxiliary lock-tongue in each of the two auxiliary locks to move together corresponding to the rotation of door handle.
US08061160B2 Adjustable fashion mechanism
An adjustable fashion mechanism having various combinations of extension and adjuster pieces that can be formed to create a bracelet which allows for size variations to fit any size wrist, arm or ankle. The same or similar configuration may be sized and styled differently for use as a necklace to be worn around a person's neck or as a ring for a person's finger. In yet other uses, the same or similar configuration may be sized and styled for use as an armband to be worn around a person's upper or lower arm. Other applications of the adjustable fashion mechanism may be used for clothing, different types of jewelry and accessories.
US08061159B2 Container with cover and closure reinforcement
A soft sided insulated container assembly includes a first portion having an insulated, soft sided external wall structure, and an internal, substantially rigid molded plastic receptacle mounted therein. It has a cover structure that includes a reinforcement member for engaging a land region of the molded receptacle, thereby tending to yield an interface tending to have a sealing relationship. The container may also include a thermal storage element, and the container may have an accommodation for receiving the thermal storage element.
US08061157B2 Refrigerator
A refrigerator is shown having a dosing unit for dispensing ice pieces one by one from an icemaker.
US08061153B2 Refrigeration appliance with optional storage module
A distributed refrigeration appliance system for use in a residential kitchen and other locations in a dwelling and includes multiple separate refrigeration appliance modules, a central cooling system and a cooling circuit. The system can also include one or more satellite stations having a heat exchanger and arranged for supplying chilled air to one or more refrigeration appliance modules. One or more refrigeration appliance modules can include a thermal cascade cooling device to cool the module to lower temperatures than the cooling circuit can attain. One or more refrigeration appliance modules can be refrigeration/storage modules that can provide refrigerated, unconditioned or heated storage space. The central cooling system can be a vapor compression system having a refrigerant circuit connecting the modules. Alternately, the central cooling system can cool a secondary cooling medium circuit. The refrigeration system can also have more than one refrigeration machine providing cooling to the secondary refrigeration loop.
US08061151B2 Refrigerant compressor
Disclosed is a compressor (12) for a refrigeration system (10) including a housing (30) and at least one compressor impeller (24, 26) located in the housing (30) capable of compressing a refrigerant flow (14) through the compressor (12). At least one refrigerant pathway (44, 62) is located inboard of an outer surface (48) of the housing (30) and extends from a first compressor impeller (24). Further disclosed is a refrigeration system (10) including a compressor (12) having at least one refrigerant pathway (44, 62) located inboard of an outer surface (48) of the housing (36) and extending from a first compressor impeller (24) of at least one compressor impeller (24, 26). Further disclosed is a method of flowing refrigerant through a compressor (12).
US08061148B2 Portable temperature-controlled container
The present invention generally relates to containers and more specifically, to a portable temperature-controlled container. The temperature-controlled container is used for maintaining articles at a controlled temperature. The container includes a housing unit defining a storage chamber for receiving the articles, a cooling system mounted to the housing unit, wherein the cooling system includes a cold side assembly system in heat transfer communication with the interior of the chamber, a hot side assembly system in heat transfer communication with the outside of the storage chamber and a thermoelectric module supplied with an electrical power source.
US08061147B2 Magnetic regenerator, a method of making a magnetic regenerator, a method of making an active magnetic refrigerator and an active magnetic refrigerator
The invention provides a method of making a magnetic regenerator for an active magnetic refrigerator, the method comprising: forming a magnetic regenerator from a slurry or a paste containing a magnetocaloric material the magnetic regenerator being formed to have plural paths therethrough for the flow of a heat transfer fluid; and varying the composition of the magnetocaloric material so that the magnetic transition temperature of the magnetic regenerator varies along the paths.
US08061146B2 Heat transfer augmentation in a compact heat exchanger pedestal array
A compact heat exchanger pedestal array for augmenting heat transfer in a machine is disclosed. The compact heat exchanger pedestal array includes a wall having first and second surfaces. The first surface faces a heated flow path and the second surface partially forms a flow path for cooling fluid. A plurality of pedestals extend from the second surface of the wall. At least one turbulator strip extends between adjacent pedestals. The turbulator strips and pedestals are operable for mixing the cooling fluid to increase heat transfer from the wall to the cooling fluid.
US08061144B1 Gas turbine engines
In a by-pass gas turbine engine having a lobed type by-pass air and turbine exhaust mixer unit, the reheat gutters are arranged in the mixer in the turbine exhaust duct. The gutters extend radially and are substantially Y-shaped, each of the two legs of the Y extending radially along the sides of a mixer lobe.
US08061137B2 Fuel control system for limiting turbocharger speed
A method is provided for operating a turbocharger. The method includes sensing a parameter indicative of a speed of a turbocharger and a parameter indicative of an engine speed. The method also includes determining a first desired engine speed based on the speed of the turbocharger, the engine speed, and a maximum desired speed of the turbocharger. The method further includes regulating a flow of fuel to an engine based on the first desired engine speed.
US08061133B2 Piston steam engine with internal flash vaporization of a work medium
The invention relates to a piston steam engine having flash vaporization. Said inventive piston steam engine can be operated with various working mediums and at different temperatures. The liquid working medium is successively injected into individual prechambers of the vapor machine cylinder. The inlet temperature of said working medium is adapted to the expansion step in the working cycle of the machine in relation to the respective point in time of injection.
US08061131B2 Cylinder head for an internal combustion engine
A cylinder head adapted to be mounted to a cylinder block of an internal combustion engine has a cooling jacket at least partially integrated in the cylinder head. The engine has two groups of cylinders: inside cylinders and outside cylinders. Each cylinder has at least one exhaust port, each leading to an individual duct. Individual ducts of outside cylinders converge to form an outside combined duct. In a four-cylinder, individual ducts of inside cylinders converge to form an inside combined duct with the inside combined duct remaining separated from the outside combined duct by the cooling jacket. The inside combined duct is farther away from the mounting surface of the cylinder head to the cylinder block than the outside combined duct. The cooling jacket includes: upper, middle, and lower cooling jackets and connectors between the upper and lower cooling jackets.
US08061129B2 System and method to regenerate a diesel particulate filter
An exhaust system for use with a diesel engine includes a diesel particulate filter configured to capture particulate matter exhausted from the diesel engine, a first sensor operable to detect a particulate matter accumulation level within the diesel particulate filter, and a second sensor operable to detect an ambient temperature of an environment surrounding the diesel particulate filter. The exhaust system also includes a control module electrically coupled to the first sensor, the second sensor, and the diesel particulate filter. The control module is operable to adjust a first regeneration threshold based on the detected ambient temperature. The control module is also operable to initiate regeneration of the diesel particulate filter when the detected particulate matter accumulation level reaches the first regeneration threshold.
US08061128B2 Diesel particulate filter overstress mitigation
Methods and systems for reducing overstress of a DPF are provided herein. One example of such a method is based on radial temperature gradient near the exit face of the diesel particulate filter. In this way, it becomes possible to more closely correlate radial stresses to actual risk of DPF fracture.
US08061124B2 Dynamic rich time capability for aftertreatment systems
One embodiment is a method including providing an exhaust aftertreatment system including an adsorber, commanding rich operation wherein the adsorber is provided with increased reductant, and ending rich operation upon the first of a commanded rich operation threshold being met or a confirmed rich operation threshold being met. Other embodiments include additional methods, software, apparatuses and systems. Further embodiments, forms, objects, features, advantages, aspects, and benefits shall become apparent from the following description and drawings.
US08061118B2 Method for tuning valves for primary and secondary fuel circuit
A method for adjusting fuel flow to individual combustion chambers in a gas turbine having fuel nozzles for each combustion chamber, manifolds for supplying fuel to at least one fuel nozzle in each combustion chamber, wherein the manifolds have flow metering devices for the fuel nozzles and a controller for adjusting the flow metering devices, the method including: supplying fuel to the combustion chambers through at least one of the manifolds; combusting the fuel in the combustion chambers and generating exhaust gases which drive the gas turbine; determining whether one of the combustion chambers is operating relatively lean or rich by actuating a corresponding to the one of the combustion chambers to adjust fuel flowing to the one of the combustion chambers; sensing a condition of the exhaust gases at various exhaust regions in the exhaust gases and determining a change in the condition of the exhaust gas due to the actuation of the flow metering device, and correlating the change in the sensed condition of the exhaust gases to the at least one combustion chamber.
US08061116B2 Method for piecing a yarn and rotor spinning machine for carrying out the method
A method for piecing a yarn at a rotor spinning machine comprising plural spinning stations, wherein more than five piecers are successively produced in a measuring phase and coordinates of measurement values and associated measurement values from individual measurements of the piecers are evaluated for averaging and determining a fiber band function taking into account a drafting reduced for the measurement values, which reflects the fiber flow behavior in the form of the respective fiber band quantity supplied to the rotor as a function of the transport path of the fiber band feed. The speed of the fiber band feed is controlled in a delayed manner from the run-up of the yarn draw-off, dependent on the rotor speed, by the fiber band function, such that the fiber shortfall quantity being produced from the fiber band function is compensated by dynamic feed addition with respect to height and length.
US08061112B2 Agricultural working machine with ground speed control
A agricultural working machine includes at least one device for picking up crop material and transferring it to at least one intake conveyor mechanism that feeds the crop material to at least one downstream working unit that processes the crop material, and at least one drive engine with an engine control unit, the drive engine driving the at least one intake conveyor mechanism and the at least one working unit. At maximum crop-material throughput, the engine speed of the agricultural working machine is reduced and the ground speed is increased, and therefore the associated agricultural working machine it is ensured that the agricultural harvesting machine is able to process high crop-material throughputs with a lower specific energy requirement.
US08061104B2 Mechanical locking system for floor panels
Floor panels are provided with a mechanical locking system having small local protrusions which reduce displacement along the joint when the panels are laying flat on the sub floor and locked vertically and horizontally.
US08061097B2 Insulated siding system
An insulated siding panel comprises a foam insulation layer, an attachment member, and optionally a veneer layer. The foam insulation layer comprises a front face, a rear face, a tongue along a first end edge, a groove along a second end edge, and a slot defined in the rear face. The attachment member comprises an attachment rail and a member extending transversely from the attachment rail. The member of the attachment member is inserted into the slot of the foam insulation layer. When present, the veneer layer is attached to the front face of the foam insulation layer. When joined with other insulated siding panels, the interlocking occurs along the foam insulation layers to form an unbroken layer of insulation.
US08061090B2 Cavity-wall construction with insect barrier
An improved device for use in a cavity-wall construction includes a water-permeable body yielding a first-average opening size that is large enough to permit water to pass therethrough, but small enough to substantially prevent mortar and other debris from passing therethrough. The device includes a water-permeable material likewise adapted to permit water to pass therethrough, but also forms a barrier to insects which are of an effective size that is much smaller than the first-average opening size.
US08061088B2 Truss and rafter tide guide
The invention provides tie guides for affixing trusses and rafters and other cross members to the supporting walls of a building. The tie guide includes a longitudinal base plate with a horizontal component and a vertical component. Fixing members are transverse to the base plate, and are supported by triangular flanges extending in the longitudinal direction.
US08061085B2 Handrail for preventing stairway falls
To further prevent stairway falls, an otherwise conventional handrail, of the type that is mounted on the sidewall of a stairway and has an upper portion which is configured to be easily grasped by one utilizing, is modified by providing it with a two-part cavity in the interior of the handrail, with its first part being a slot that extends from the handrails' exterior surface and its second part being a bore that is situated in the handrail's interior and joined with the slot so as to make the bore accessible from the handrail's exterior surface. This modified handrail is also to provided with a wrist securing device that works in cooperation with the handrail's cavity for keeping the wrist of a user in close proximity to the handrail when the user is traversing the stairway.
US08061084B2 Seal profile
A seal profile for the closing edge of a door includes a body and at least one chamber defined within the body. A deformation sensor is disposed within the at least one chamber. At least one sealing lip defines proximal and distal ends, the proximal end being attached to a surface of the body. The at least one chamber is disposed substantially centrally and on an end region of the body. The at least one sealing lip extends outwardly from the end region of the body from a location adjacent to the at least one chamber. The at least one sealing lip protrudes obliquely with respect to the end region. The distal end of the at least one sealing lip extends further from the end region than the at least one chamber.
US08061083B2 Door noise suppressing structure in open/close body drive apparatus
A drive apparatus for opening and closing a window glass provided in a door having an inner panel is disclosed. The drive apparatus includes a motor provided in the door and a regulator that receives drive force from the motor and selectively open and close the window glass. The door noise includes motor operating noise and vibration transmission noise that is generated when vibration of the motor is transmitted to the inner panel via the regulator. The motor is configured such that a first-order frequency component in vibration of the motor is greater than any other nth component (n is an integer greater than or equal to two), so that the first-order frequency component in the door noise is greater than any other nth frequency component (n is an integer greater than or equal to two).
US08061082B2 Window latch
A latch for use in a window comprising a bottom sash mounted in a window frame, the latch comprising a housing comprising a top wall, a bottom wall, a pair of opposed sidewalls and a rear wall. A top edge of the rear wall and a rear edge of each sidewall define a rear aperture. A front edge of the top wall, the bottom wall and each of the sidewalls defines a front aperture, the front aperture and the rear aperture opening into a bolt cavity defined by the housing. A bolt is slidably received by the housing, the bolt comprising a body with a front portion and a rear portion. The body is slidably received in the bolt cavity between a first position in which the front portion of the bolt is extended outwardly through the front aperture and the rear portion of the body engages an outer surface of the housing, and a second position in which the rear portion is disengaged from the housing. The rear portion of the bolt extends outwardly through the rear aperture in both the first and second positions.
US08061079B2 Method for selecting conifer trees
A method for selecting conifer trees is disclosed. This method relates to the early measurement of tree characteristics for selecting trees most likely to exhibit certain traits as they mature. This method can be used for implementing silvicultural treatments, thinning or further breeding.
US08061078B2 Germinating unit as well as a seed tape including several of such germinating units successively arranged
A germinating unit (1) includes at least one seed (3) as well as additives. The germinating unit includes a carrier material (2) penetrable by a root tip (4) and/or a sprout (5) extending from the seed. The carrier material (2) can fix the orientation of the seed. Several germinating units can be joined to form a seed tape (6). The seed tape includes a longitudinal tissue (7). The carrier material portions (2a, 2b, 2c) cover or include their respective seed(s) (3a, 3b, 3c). When the seed(s) have been inserted in the carrier material through a cut in said carrier material or through insertion of a tube therein, said seed(s) maintain(s) its/their position relative to the germinating unit because said carrier material squeezes about or retains said seed(s).
US08061075B2 Potted fishing jig
The present fishing jig is potted, battery powered, water activated, and light emitting. A jig is a kind of lure that is essentially a bare hook. A jig is a hook having two ends, with a barb located at one end and with a relatively small body, such as a small plastic ball, located at the other end near the eyelet. Components of the present jig are potted in plastic such that the jig is sealed against entry of water, such that seam breakage need not be a concern, and such that the jig can be dropped without internal components being jarred from their positions. The battery of the jig is a relatively small calculator, watch, coin cell, or button battery. Water activation occurs via exposed electrical leads such that the light emitting diode is activated only when the lure is immersed in water. The fish attracting light emitting diode, like a worm, confronts the barb of the hook such that fish striking the light source also likely strike the barb of the hook. A stick-on potted strip having a water-activated light source is further disclosed.
US08061074B2 Automatic fishing device
The current invention is an automatic fishing device for setting the hook upon fish strike. It can be used as an adaptive device for existing fishing assembly, or to be integrated into new fishing assembly. It embodies a weight, a weight support and a fish line coupler with a clip for connecting the weight to the fish line. The weight has a groove for engage the fish line, an opening for engage or disengage the weight onto or from the weight support. The weight can be either engaged or dis-engaged, determined by the position and the shape of the opening relative to the position and the shape of the weight support, respectively. When the movement of fish line caused by fish strike rotates the initially engaged weight to be dis-engaged, the falling weight will drag the fish line downward, effectively pulling the line and setting the hook.
US08061073B1 Systems and methods for a launch device and deployment unit
An electronic weapon system includes a terminal for a local stun function, a deployment unit for a remote stun function, and a barrier, removal of which during deployment enables a circuit for the remote stun function that includes the terminal. A method performed by an electronic weapon includes: (a) enabling a stimulator of the weapon to provide a current; (b) in response to a first operator control of the weapon, and when proximate to target tissue, passing the current through a first circuit that includes the target tissue; (c) blocking a second circuit of the weapon with a barrier of the weapon; (d) in response to a second operator control of the weapon, propelling an electrode of the weapon to a remote target, reducing blocking by the barrier, and passing the current via the second circuit that includes the electrode and the target tissue; and (e) in response to a second operation of the first operator control, and if proximate to target tissue, passing the current through the target tissue via the first circuit instead of passing the current through the second circuit, and if not proximate to target tissue, passing the current via the second circuit through the electrode and through the target tissue.
US08061069B1 Identification band
A fabrication sheet is appropriately dimensioned and otherwise suitable for use with a printer. A symmetrical, removable and foldable identification band is included in the fabrication sheet. The fabrication sheet includes a rectangular backing sheet, covered by a working sheet, which may be made of imprintable woven polyester. The backing and working sheets are secured to each other by a releasable adhesive and have a combined thickness and flexibility that permits them to pass through a printer without difficulty. The working sheet is die-cut to define the outline of the band configured in such a way that it includes a strap portion and a tag portion. The tag portion is positioned at one end of and extends from the strap portion. The tag portion of the unfolded band includes wing sections extending outwardly, one from each side of the strap portion. The tag portion of the working sheet may include a generally rectangular patch of a different material that better accepts and holds a printed image. The working sheet includes two parallel linear series of spaced-apart insertion areas through which a fastener, such as a snap-on clasp, can be inserted to secure the band in a looped configuration. A perforation line or score line may be formed along the center axis of the band to facilitate folding.
US08061068B1 Nursing bra breast feeding indicator
A decorative article that is attached to a nursing bra strap as an indicator of which breast an infant last fed from or will feed from next. The decorative article is suspended pendant like from a parrot clasp and is moved from a strap fastener on one nursing bra strap to the other as a nursing breast system indicator.
US08061067B2 Iron holder
An iron holder comprises a base and an insulation board for supporting the iron, the base forming a revolvable relationship with the insulation board, and there is an angle adjusting unit is arranged between the insulation board and the base for adjusting the revolving angle of the insulation board revolving relative to the base. Because the insulation board and the base forms a pivoted relationship, and the angle adjusting unit can adjust the angle between the insulation board and the base, the insulation board can be adjusted into a preferred angle for the users to lay the iron; and the iron holder can be conveniently packed to reduce packing materials.
US08061066B2 Garment refreshing apparatus
A garment refreshing apparatus is provided. The garment refreshing apparatus includes a case, a steam generator, and a discharging device. The case stores garments. The steam generator supplies steam to the inside of the case. The discharging device is extendably connected to the steam generator, to discharge steam generated by the steam generator to the inside of the case.
US08061061B1 Combined footwear and associated fastening accessory
A combined footwear and associated fastening accessory for use therewith may include footwear with a tongue, a plurality of apertures, and a fastening accessory removably coupled to the footwear. The accessory may include a housing removably seated directly on the tongue. A plurality of deformably resilient elastic arms may be coupled to the housing and radially extended from the housing. The arms may include fasteners terminating at corresponding apertures and removably connected thereto, such that the housing may remain centrally aligned on the tongue and prohibited from becoming disengaged. Also, a mechanism may be included for selectively adjusting tension in each of the arms by rotating the housing along clockwise and counter-clockwise directions, while maintaining the fasteners directly connected to the apertures. Further, a mechanism for illuminating the housing when the top cap is in a raised position may be included and may illuminate the housing during walking conditions.
US08061058B2 Remote restriction detecting system for clothes dryer exhaust systems
A restriction sensor system for identifying the existence of blockages in exhaust conduits of clothes dryers. The restriction sensor system may be used as a retrofit system that is capable of being installed on existing clothes dryers. The restriction sensor system may include a fitting configured to be coupled to an exhaust conduit of a clothes dryer and a blockage indicator housing positioned remote from a clothes dryer. The pressure sensing device may be capable of determining changes in air pressure in the exhaust conduit. Once the air pressure present in the exhaust conduit exceeds a threshold air pressure, the pressure sensing device may send a signal to an indicator to generate an alarm, which may be a visual alarm or audible alarm, or both.
US08061057B2 Waste treatment system
A system for removing water from sludge is disclosed. The system (100) includes: de-watering (102) sludge comprising an output from a wastewater treatment system to form a semi-solid sludge cake; dispensing (104) the sludge in a sludge hopper and dispensing a blending material in a recipient blending material hopper; depositing (106) the sludge and the blending material in a mixing device; mixing (108) the sludge and the blending material having a porous structure in a weight ratio of the sludge to the blending material of about from 2:1 to about 10:1; and compressing (110) the sludge and the blending material to release moisture. Advantageously, the system (100) provides an improved method of de-watering sludge, for more efficient processing, transporting and recycling, depending on the application.
US08061056B2 Apparatus and method for drying a solid or liquid sample
This disclosure describes a sample drying system and method that provides a high rates of evaporation and sublimation that is commonly employed in compound processing procedures. The drying increases the sample-solute concentration and removes the solvent completely to produce the dried sample as a non-volatile solute precipitate. Re-circulating of drying gas is disclosed along with a solvent cold trap.
US08061054B2 Wall hanging aid
An adjustable picture and wall hanging device comprising an elongated strap having thereon a pair of spaced sliders, each slider having a point thereon to enable a spot to be marked on a wall, and a level centrally mounted on the strap for facilitating leveling of the device so that the item to be mounted will be level. Alternatively the level can be on one slider. This device enables pictures and other items to be hung on a wall in a simple, quick and easy manner.
US08061052B2 S-shape detection test piece and a detection method for detecting the precision of the numerical control milling machine
The present invention relates to an “S” shaped detection test piece for comprehensively detecting the precision of the numerical control milling machine and the detection method thereof. The detection test piece consists of an “S” shaped equal thickness edge strip (1) and a rectangular base (2), respectively forming two “S” shaped curves in two different planes and the projections of which in the base plane (3) cross each other and have open and close angle (α) states formed at the intersection. The tube vernier calipers is directly used in the detection method to measure the thickness of the “S” shaped edge strip (1) and analyze and decide the five-axis coordinated precision according to the thickness of the upper and lower parts and different areas of edge strip (1); and the RTCP function of machine tool, the validity of post-processing programs and the spatial motion precision of machine tool are further analyzed and decided according to smoothness of the tool path of the combining site of the detection base plane (3) and the edge strip (1) and smoothness of the edge strip profile.
US08061047B2 Active positioning of downhole devices using spherical motors
Methods and related systems are described for downhole positioning of sensors such as accelerometers, gyroscopes, tiltmeters and geophones. The sensor or sensors are mounted within the spherical rotor of a spherical motor such that the device can be actively positioned in one or more orientations by activating the spherical motor.
US08061045B2 Sliding device
The invention relates to a sliding device for receiving vehicle wheels in a substantially stress-free manner, comprising a carrier unit and a top plate slidably supported on the carrier unit, wherein a vehicle wheel may be borne in a substantially almost force-free and torque-free manner at least in a horizontal direction by using the top plate.
US08061040B2 Cutter blade assembly and dry shaver for variable height of cut
A dry shaver unit includes a housing and a cutter blade assembly mounted in the housing. The cutter blade assembly includes a cutter blade and cooperating shear blade arrangement. The thickness of the shear blade varies over its surface, such that the spacing between a portion of the skin engaging surface of the shear blade and the opposite face thereof is increased as compared with the spacing required to achieve a “close shave”. The cutter blade assembly is mounted in the housing such that a plurality of portions of the shear blade having different thicknesses are simultaneously available for application to a surface to be shaved.
US08061039B2 Shaving cartridges having elongated skin contacting members
A razor cartridge which has a housing with a pocket defined by a front wall and a rear wall. The pocket has a seat surface and at least one of the front and rear walls include one or more flexible segments. One or more blades are mounted within the housing. An elongated skin contacting member is provided that comprises a shaving aid composite that has one or more water-leachable shaving aid materials. The elongated skin contacting member has a body portion with an upper skin contacting surface and a base portion which is disposed at least partially within the pocket. The base portion has a bottom surface spaced apart from the seat surface. The base portion extends laterally outwardly from the body portion and is in mechanical engagement with the one or more flexible segments to secure the skin contacting member to the housing.
US08061036B1 Method for making a window with a decorative security panel
A method for making window with a decorative polymer panel assembly. The method can include forming a polymer grille by cutting a design into a polymer with a low-moisture content. The polymer grille can have a frame portion and a design portion. A seal can be contiguously disposed about a perimeter of the frame portion. A grille assembly can be formed by disposing a translucent panel on each side of the seal, forming an air space with the polymer grille disposed within the air space. The grille assembly can be pressed, heated and cooled, forming the decorative polymer panel assembly. The decorative polymer panel assembly can be disposed within a frame which can be disposed within an opening of a structure.
US08061035B2 Splice joints for composite aircraft fuselages and other structures
Structures and methods for joining composite fuselage sections and other panel assemblies together are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a shell structure configured in accordance with the present invention includes a first panel portion positioned adjacent to a second panel portion. The first panel portion can include a first stiffener attached to a first composite skin, and the second panel portion can include a second stiffener attached to a second composite skin. The shell structure can further include a fitting extending across a first edge region of the first panel portion and a second edge region of the second panel portion. A first end portion of the fitting can be attached to the first stiffener and the first composite skin, and a second end portion of the fitting can be attached to a second stiffener and a second composite skin, to join the first panel portion to the second panel portion.
US08061034B2 Method for forming a bumper beam for a motor vehicle
A method for forming a bumper beam includes providing an elongated piece of sheet metal having opposing end portions and an intermediate portion, bending the end portions with respect to the intermediate portion until the end portions are substantially perpendicular to the intermediate portion, bending a central section of the intermediate portion to form a protruding bulge in the intermediate portion after the bending the end portions, and bending side sections of the intermediate portion to move ends of the end portions adjacent to one another and adjacent to the protruding bulge after the bending the central section to from the bumper beam. The end portions form front walls of the bumper beam, the protruding bulge forms inner side walls and a web portion of the bumper beam, and the side sections form outer side walls and rear walls of the bumper beam.
US08061030B2 Cylinder head insert method
A cylinder head modification method includes the steps of selecting a cylinder head for an internal combustion engine having a plurality of combustion chambers and the cylinder head having a plurality of combustion chamber faces on the top of each combustion chamber. An elongated cylinder head insert is selected having a generally T-shaped cross-section and then forming an elongated slot in the selected cylinder head between a pair of combustion chamber faces. The elongated slot is shaped to receive the elongated cylinder head insert therein. A method includes press fitting the elongated cylinder head insert into the elongated slot and the cylinder head to thereby reduce localized high temperature deformations in the cylinder head. The method includes the step of heating the cylinder head to expand the slot for pressure fitting the cylinder head insert thereinto. The cylinder head insert is then nailed to a predetermined height above the cylinder head face after the cylinder head insert has been press fitted into the cylinder head slot.
US08061025B2 Method of manufacturing heat radiation substrate having metal core
A method of manufacturing a heat radiation substrate having a metal core, including injection-molding mixed powder of carbon nanotubes and metal in a die to fabricate a metal core having through holes; molding the entire metal core including the through holes with an insulating resin to fabricate a metal core substrate; processing the insulating resin provided in the through holes to form connection holes; and forming a circuit pattern on the metal core substrate in which the connection holes are formed.
US08061020B2 Apparatus for making drainage element with a periphery of different materials
The drainage element is made with a periphery formed of a filter material that allows the passage of water and prevents the passage of soil and a second peripheral section of net material that allows the passage of water while the preventing the passage of the lightweight aggregate therein. The filter material is preferably made of spun bonded polyester and may be made of a biodegradable material such as starch.
US08061019B2 Head for riveting machine and method of controlling same
A head for a riveting machine for applying shear rivets, the head comprising a plate and a body that have both a hole and are slidable relative to each other, and a sliding chuck equipped with jaws and arranged within a sliding chamber, defined inside said body, so as to engage a stem of the rivet, said chuck being capable of taking a first, engagement position and a second, disengagement position, wherein a control member controlling the sliding movement of the chuck is provided, said control member being in turn controlled by the plate sliding. The invention further concerns the method of controlling the head.
US08061018B2 Machine for assembling fluid level senders
A machine is provided for making a fluid level sender assembly having a first mounting member with a flange and a fluid level sender including a second mounting member that telescopically connects with the first mounting member. The machine has a base, a holding member to support the first mounting member, a head member having an outer ring configured to rotate the flange, the head member moving between a first and second position to allow placing the first mounting member on the holding member and a second position to allow the outer ring to rotate the flange and a sensor receiving member to engage the fluid level sender. The sensor receiving member may move with respect to the holding member to telescopically position the fluid level sender and the plurality of different longitudinal positions such that a plurality of differently sized fluid level sender assemblies can be constructed.
US08061013B2 Micro-electromechanical resonators having electrically-trimmed resonator bodies therein and methods of fabricating same using joule heating
A micro-electromechanical resonator includes an electrically-trimmed resonator body having at least one stiffness-enhanced semiconductor region therein containing metal-semiconductor lattice bonds. These metal-semiconductor lattice bonds may be gold-silicon lattice bonds and/or aluminum-silicon lattice bonds. A surface of the resonator body is mass-loaded with the metal, which may be provided by a plurality of spaced-apart metal islands. These metal islands may be aligned along a longitudinal axis of the resonator body. A size of the at least one stiffness-enhanced polycrystalline semiconductor region may be sufficient to yield an increase in resonant frequency of the resonator body relative to an otherwise equivalent resonator having a single crystal resonator body that is free of mass-loading by the metal.
US08061011B2 Method for making golf club heads using polishing marks
Certain disclosed embodiments concern making sports equipment, such as golf club heads, using polishing marks to facilitate removing material from as-cast work pieces to produce a final thickness within a desired specification, such as 0.6 millimeter or less ±0.05 millimeter. At least one polish mark, more typically plural polish marks, is formed into an outer surface of an as-cast article to a depth selected to provide a final product thickness subsequent to polishing that is ±0.05 millimeter of a final desired thickness. The golf club head or component is then polished at least once to remove club head material substantially corresponding to the depth of the at least one polish mark. The method may further comprise joining the club head to a shaft.
US08061006B2 Particle cassette, method and kit therefor
A kit of parts for use in the manufacture of a particle cassette for a needleless syringe device. The kit may include a first cassette part having a first rupturable membrane sealed thereto and a second cassette part having a second rupturable membrane sealed thereto. The first and second cassette parts may be arranged to be attachable together so as to create a chamber for the confinement of particles between the first and second membranes. The first and second cassette parts may be substantially annular and the first cassette part defines a receptacle for receiving particles. The second cassette part may be attachable concentrically around or inside the first cassette part.
US08061002B2 Combined cycle power generation
A system (10) and method of modifying a combined cycle power generation system (12, 14, 16, 18). In one embodiment of the invention an existing system includes one or more first gas turbines, one or more first steam turbines, and one or more heat recovery steam generators (HRSGs). An exemplary method includes providing at least one second gas turbine of greater operating efficiency than each of the one or more first gas turbines and connecting at least one existing HRSG to receive exhaust output from the second gas turbine to generate steam. Also according to the invention a path is provided for mixing steam exiting a high pressure steam turbine with steam generated in a low pressure HRSG to route such mixed steam through a reheat section of a high temperature, high pressure HRSG so that reheated mixed steam exiting the reheat section can be routed into a low pressure steam turbine.
US08061001B2 Method and device to remove pipe
A pipe removal method includes navigating a flexible element through a first pipe. At least a portion of the flexible element is coupled with the first pipe. The flexible element and the first pipe are pulled as a composite assembly, and the flexible element reinforces the tensile strength of the first pipe. In one example, the first pipe is at least pulled in compression between the point of coupling between the flexible element and the first pipe and a proximal end of the flexile element. In another example, the method includes wrapping the composite assembly around a spool. The composite assembly is thereby removed from the ground surrounding the first pipe.
US08060999B2 Snap ring installation tool
A snap ring installation tool includes a finger gripping portion, a middle portion which is generally integral with the finger gripping portion, an arcuate open cylindrical portion, having an interior surface and a predetermined radius of curvature matching that of the snap ring. The snap ring installation tool may be used to install a snap ring of a clothes dryer hose, an attachment ring of a garbage disposal or other application.
US08060996B2 Sheet metal casket
A sheet metal casket comprises a casket shell having a pair of side walls, a pair of end walls, and a bottom wall, and a casket cap closable on the casket shell. At least a portion of at least one of the shell and cap are fabricated of clad sheet metal formed from first and second different metals.
US08060995B2 Closing system
A closing system having an item to be closed and opened, a clasp, and a receiver. The clasp has an anchoring end and a lace end, where the lace end is adapted to hold a part of the item and the anchoring end includes a first part and a second part that are movable away from and toward one another. The receiver includes a first receptacle and a second receptacle for engaging the first and second parts, respectively, where the receiver is a removably attachable mechanism. The clasp is removably joinable to the receiver when the first and second parts are engaged with the first and second receptacles and, when the first and second parts are disengaged with the first and second receptacles, the clasp is separable from the receiver. The first and second parts are movable away from one another and the receiver is removably attached to the item.
US08060992B2 Resealable seals and docking systems containing these seals
A docking seal system has a first flexible enclosure with a first coupling seal and a second flexible enclosure with a second coupling seal. Each of the coupling seals has first and second sealing strips. A first zip slide is engageable with the first and second sealing strips of the first coupling seal and a second zip slide is engageable with the first and second sealing strips of the second coupling seal so that the respective first and second coupling seals can be opened and closed. The first and second zip slides are each combined with a respective portion of a coupling slide to form respective combined slides. When the combined slides are combined together, the respective portions of the coupling slides mate together to form the coupling slide, the coupling slide engaging or disengaging the first and second coupling seals so as to dock or separate the first and second flexible enclosures from one another.
US08060991B2 Fixing device for hose clamp
A hose clamp (1) to be fastened to a hose (5), which hose clamp (1) comprises a band (2) which forms an open ring. The ends of the open ring are arranged adjacent to a locking portion (3), adjacent to which locking portion (3) a means (4) is arranged to vary the diameter of the ring and to hold the ends of the ring of the band together. Parts, which are substantially immovably connected to the locking portion (3), are arranged for fixed attachment to said hose (5).
US08060985B2 Hinge structure with changeable frictional faces
The present invention discloses a hinge structure with changeable frictional faces, comprising a spindle socketingly disposed with a first enclosing part and a second enclosing part with the openings of the first and second enclosing parts pointing to the same direction to change the frictional face for torsion from the second enclosing face to the first enclosing part and thus to extend the service life and further to form a frictional face with four steps of different torsions to meet the demands of customers.
US08060980B2 Floor care appliance equipped with break-over protected latch assembly
A floor care appliance includes a housing having a nozzle assembly with a suction inlet. A dirt collection vessel and a suction generator are carried on the housing. A control handle pivotally connects to the nozzle assembly and is selectively displaceable between a storage position and an operating position. A latch assembly is displaceable between a locking position to secure the control handle in the storage position and a release position to allow full movement of the control handle into the operating position. The latch assembly is characterized by a latch stop and a latch carried on the nozzle assembly. The latch has two mounting points with one of the mounting points being displaceable between a home position and a control handle break-over release position.
US08060979B2 Vacuum cleaner with removable dust collector, and methods of operating the same
A vacuum cleaner includes a dust collector that compresses dust stored inside a dust container to minimize the volume of the dust. The dust collector would include one or more pressing plates that are used to compress the dust stored in dust collector. Various methods are used to control movements of the movable pressing plates to facilitate the compression operations. Also, various methods are used to determine when the dust collector is full and needs to be emptied.
US08060975B2 Paint roller
A paint roller including a shaft, a handle attached to a first end of the shaft, and at least one of (a) a frame with an axial protrusion, and (b) a flexure joint with one or more functional elements. The frame is configured and arranged to be rotatably secured to a second end of the shaft for operably engaging a paint roller head and rotating the paint roller head about an axis. The protrusion extends in a second axial direction from the distal end of the frame so as to prevent a distal end of a paint roller head operably engaged upon the frame from contacting a surface perpendicular to the axis of rotation. The flexure joint is configured and arranged to be interposed between and connect the second end of the handle and the first end of the shaft. The functional element is configured and arranged to be secured to a second end of the shaft. The flexure joint includes a receiving member with first and second transversely spaced opposing arms defining a transverse gap between the arms, a spherical member positioned within the gap, a connector in communication with the arms for adjusting the transverse width of the gap occupied by the spherical member and a spacing adjustment mechanism also in communication with the arms for adjusting the transverse width of the gap occupied by the spherical member.
US08060969B2 Cloth accessory with removable insert
A cloth accessory includes a cover member of a soft and flexible material, which forms an enclosure having an opening therein. An insert is configured to fit within the cover member and hold the opening of the cover member in an open position with a substantially constant size and shape. A cloth is coupled to the cover member and has a first and second configuration. The cloth is retracted substantially into the cover member for storage in the first configuration. In the second configuration the cloth is extended through the insert and the opening of the cover member, and substantially out of the cover member for use while remaining coupled to the cover member. An associated method for cleaning or treating a device includes providing a cloth accessory, orienting the cloth into the second configuration and contacting a device with the cloth to clean or treat the device.
US08060968B2 Variable belt tensioner for drain cleaning devices
An assembly for adjusting belt tension in a drain cleaning device is disclosed. The assembly includes an idler pulley assembly in which a pivotable idler pulley is urged against a belt by a tensioned spring. The tensile force exerted by the spring can be adjusted or otherwise changed by a rotatable spool engaged to the other end of the spring.
US08060963B2 Dyeing device and process using indigo and other colorants
A continuous dyeing device and related processes using indigo and/or other colorants for warp yarn chains and/or for fabrics, equipped with at least a first and a second dyeing compartments containing dyeing baths, the first and second dyeing compartments being enclosed, at least partially, in a hermetically sealed chamber. The device also includes at least one squeezing element interposed between the two dyeing compartments and a plurality of cylinders for heating and/or dehydrating the yarn and or the fabric, thereby increasing the diffusion and the absorption of the colorant. The cylinders are positioned downstream of the first dyeing compartment and squeezing element.
US08060962B2 Taping knife with hammer
A taping tool apparatus having an elongated hammer portion that has a central axis and a striker portion, the striker portion having a striking plane perpendicular to the hammer portion central axis; a blade affixed to the hammer portion so that no part of the blade crosses the striker portion striking plane; and a handle affixed to the elongated hammer portion perpendicular to the central axis, whereby a user applying mud to fill indents in drywall with the taping tool can rotate the apparatus a quarter turn to hammer down any raised nails encountered without the blade striking the drywall.
US08060958B1 Powered person lift and transport apparatus
A powered lift apparatus for lifting and transporting a human body above a ground surface is disclosed, and comprises a base, a mast extending upwardly from the base, and a crane member pivotally mounted on the mast and movable with respect to the base. The apparatus further comprises a hydraulic drive mechanism configured to move the base over the surface and a hydraulic lifting mechanism configured to move the crane member with respect to the base. The apparatus also comprises a single hydraulic power source assembly connected to and powering both the hydraulic drive mechanism and the hydraulic lifting mechanism. The hydraulic power source assembly includes a control assembly configured to direct hydraulic power from the hydraulic power source assembly to the hydraulic drive mechanism and hydraulic lifting mechanism under user control.
US08060957B2 Emergency eye wash system
An emergency eye wash system having a support panel and a pair of brackets for holding two bag assemblies containing sterile and sealed eye wash solution. The bag assemblies are connected by hoses to a pair of nozzles mounted on a pivotal tray assembly. When the system is dormant, the tray assembly is in a vertical closed position. When there is an emergency, a user pulls on a pivotal handle to puncture membranes in the hoses and to lower the tray assembly to cause flow from the bags to the nozzles to the user's face.
US08060951B2 Low profile protective helmet
A low profile protective helmet having an interior surface that is immediately adjacent the top of the wearer's head when the helmet is being worn. The interior surface defines a distal point which represents the furthest distance between the top of the wearer's head and the interior surface when the helmet is being worn. The height of the low profile helmet is approximately 4.7 inches and the distal point is approximately 1.3 inches to the top of the wearer's head which is at least 1 inch closer to the top of the wearer's head than with prior art hard hats. The close fit minimizes the weight of the helmet itself, and provides stability of the helmet on the head. The helmet includes shock absorbing means integral to the outer shell that defines a first extension and a second extension in perpendicular relationship with the first extension such that the outer shell is of a relatively greater depth along the defined extensions.
US08060948B2 Hand-mounted accessory carrier system and method
A hand-mounted carrier is provided comprising a panel member overlaying at least a portion of the back of the hand. The carrier includes an upper surface facing away from the hand and a lower surface facing toward the hand. The upper surface defines a mounting area thereon for securing at least one accessory. At least one loop member is attached to the panel member for at least partially wrapping around at least one finger of the hand to partially anchor a portion of the panel member to the hand. At least one strap is attached to the panel member for at least partially wrapping around the wrist of the hand to anchor at least a portion of the panel member to the hand.
US08060946B2 Sport glove closure flap
A glove closure system having an opening dividing the glove into a lateral side (thumb) and a medial side (pinky). The opening allows for easy access of the user's hand. The system consists of a rectangular or oval flap attached to the lateral portion and pulled over the access opening. A primary fit is caused by the user pulling the flap over to the back of the lateral side of the glove and fastening with a hook and loop attachment method.
US08065740B2 Managing a software item on a managed computer system
A method and system is provided of managing a current software item on a managed computer system connectable to a management computer system via a computer network. The method includes identifying, using an agent application, the current software item on the managed computer system, identifying if the current software item is an unauthorized software item; and selectively disabling the unauthorized software item.
US08065735B2 Method of securing a calculation of an exponentiation or a multiplication by a scalar in an electronic device
A cryptographic operation includes calculating a multiplication of an element of an additively denoted group by a scalar. After two registers R0+R1, are initialized, iterations are carried out over the components Ki of the scalar K. If Ki of the scalar equals 0, then the value in register R1 is replaced by 2(R0+R1) If Ki equals 1, the value in register R0 is replaced by 2(R0+R1). At the end of the algorithm, the value of the register R0 is returned as the calculated result. This method poses the advantage of carrying out a calculation of multiplying by a scalar by carrying out only doubling and adding operations of the type 2(A+B).
US08065733B2 Method for evolving detectors to detect malign behavior in an artificial immune system
A system, apparatus, and method are directed to evolving detectors in an Artificial Immune System for use in detecting unauthorized computing activities. In one embodiment, a population of detectors is generated with a matching value and expectation value of zero. The detectors are then compared to logged fragments of system calls within a computing device to modify the matching value. When the matching value for a given detector is equal to or greater than an expectation value, the detector's expectation value may be set to the matching value. The detectors may then evolve and/or generate other detectors using mutation, and/or recombination, or the like. Detectors continue to generate and/or to evolve until a detector's matching value reaches a determined value, in which case, the detector may be evaluated to determine if an unauthorized activity is detected. If an unauthorized activity is detected, a detection response may be performed.
US08065729B2 Method and apparatus for generating network attack signature
Provided is a method and apparatus for generating a network attack signature capable of generating a signature having a high reliability while minimizing a whitelist used to prevent false positive. An application header and application data are separated from each other to measure byte distributions of the application header and the application data from an input packet. When an attack signature is generated by analyzing the measured byte distributions, a substring of the application data is used to generate the attack signature, and a substring of the application header is used as supporting information on the signature.
US08065725B2 Systems and methods for enhanced network security
Systems and methods for an information system security infrastructure are described. One embodiment of the present invention comprises global Internet-scale defense infrastructure, referred to as the Intrusion Detection Force (IDF). The IDF comprises a virtual infrastructure implemented on top of an existing network, such as the Internet. The IDF enables secure information sharing and intelligent data analysis and response. The node (e.g. 102 of FIG. 1) is the most primitive entity in the IDF architecture, and may be a switch, router, server, or workstation. The IDF may be implemented in small networks of computers or may be utilized by millions of hosts throughout the Internet, spanning different organizations, countries, and continents.
US08065723B2 Network communication device
A disclosed network communication device corresponds to IP communications and is capable of performing IPsec communication. The network communication device includes a setting unit configured to obtain and set an operation mode specified by an administrator user; a detecting unit configured to detect a communication error caused by an incorrect portion in an IPsec setting; and a changing unit configured to change the IPsec setting, based on the operation mode set by the setting unit, to correct the incorrect portion or to cancel the IPsec communication, in the event that the communication error is detected.
US08065721B1 Merging filter rules to reduce forwarding path lookup cycles
The invention is directed to techniques for managing filter rules applied to network traffic at a network device. A network device merges multiple filter rules associated with separate filter matching modules to reduce lookup cycles in a forwarding path of the network device. The network device may thus simultaneously apply multiple filter rules in a reduced number of clock cycles. A network device comprises an interface that receives packets from a network, a filter memory that stores a plurality of filters, and a plurality of filter matching modules that apply the filters to packets in a forwarding path of the network device. A filter control module merges two or more filters each associated with a different one of the filter matching modules into a single merged filter, and stores the merged filter to the filter memory. The network device applies the merged filter to packets in the forwarding path.
US08065717B2 Automated security token administrative services
This invention provides a system, method and computer program product to allow a user to access administrative security features associated with the use of a security token. The administrative security features provide the user the ability to unlock a locked security token, diagnose a security token, activate and deactivate a security token, request a replacement security token or temporary password or report the loss of a security token. The invention comprises a client application which integrates into the standard user login dialog associated with an operating system. A portion of the user dialog is linked to a remote server to access the administrative services.
US08065712B1 Methods and devices for qualifying a client machine to access a network
Methods and devices for qualifying a client machine to access a network, based on policies governing required protective measures, such as virus checking and operating system updates, are disclosed. A client machine must pass various checks to qualify for access. A client machine may be redirected to remediation resources that support efforts to bring the client machine into compliance with applicable network access requirements. A policy repository is updated regularly by vendors of protective measures. An administrator establishes user roles that are mapped to policy rule sets retrieved from the policy repository. The policy rule sets govern qualification of client machines for access to the network in accordance with the roles of the users of the machines. An access server is an intermediary between a client machine and the access manager. A client agent runs on the client machine and carries out checks, and reports the results via the access server to the access manager.
US08065710B2 Apparatuses and methods for interactive communication concerning multimedia content
An apparatus for use with an output device coupled to one or more sources of multimedia content comprises an operator interface, a record generator and a network interface. The operator interface receives information responsive to a user's observation of a segment of multimedia content. The record generator creates a record that identifies the segment of multimedia content and includes information responsive to the user's observation of the segment of multimedia content. The network interface communicates presence information. The apparatus generates a record that provides a mechanism for interactive and collaborative communication between interested parties with access to a device that can access and synchronize the presentation of the segment of multimedia content and the user information.
US08065708B1 Method for reducing latency in an interactive information distribution system
A method and apparatus for reducing latency caused by information server processing of subscriber request wherein a plurality of content streams defined by a playlist are sequentially provided to a subscriber in a substantially seamless manner and wherein the playlist is updated and otherwise maintained in response to subscriber commands and requests.
US08065707B1 HDTV set-top box/PC client/server secure video system
A method for providing a combined TV/PC video stream for TV display is provided. A TV video chip having a video input port for receiving a PC monitor display signal and an input for receiving a TV broadcast signal is provided, as well as a PC graphics chip. A PC monitor display signal is sent from the PC graphics chip to the TV video chip. The TV video chip mixing the PC monitor display signal with the TV broadcast signal to generate a combined TV/PC video stream in a format for TV display. A method for generating a combined TV/PC video stream in a format for TV display is further provided. A stream of encoded TV frames is received and the encoded frames are decoded to provide a stream of decoded TV frames. The stream of decoded TV frames is stored into a memory. A PC monitor display signal is provided and is converted into a stream of PC frames. The stream of PC frames are stored into the memory. At least a part of the TV frames and at least a part of the PC frames are read from the memory to output a combined TV/PC video stream and serializing the combined TV/PC video stream, the TV/PC video stream being in a format for TV display.
US08065706B2 Wireless car digital audio/video system and its method
The present invention relates to a wireless car digital AV system to be applied in a car, and the wireless car digital AV system comprises an AV Host and at least one or multiple display devices. The AV Host includes a storage device and a wireless network interface, and the storage has at least one digital AV file. The display device includes a wireless network interface and a display panel. The display device is connected to the AV Host by the wireless network interface, such that the display device can receive and play the digital AV file transmitted from the AV Host through the wireless network interface. Furthermore, the present invention also discloses a method for an automobile AV Host to wirelessly transmit a video file to a display device.
US08065692B2 Optical disk drive having supporting bracket and notebook computer using the same
An exemplary optical disk drive for a notebook computer includes a tray, and a supporting bracket rotatably connected to the tray for supporting the tray when the tray extends from the notebook computer. A notebook computer employing the optical disk drive is also provided.
US08065690B2 Method and system for event-based remote procedure call implementation in a distributed computing system
A system and method for managing a remote procedure call (RPC) system in a distributed system is disclosed. The distributed computing system is typically implemented as a client server model. A server implements several procedures and offers these procedures as services to clients in the distributed computing system. A server handles multiple RPC requests from multiple clients. A client sends an RPC request to a server; the server processes the requested procedure, and sends a reply back to the client.
US08065689B2 Release-dependant filenames for device drivers
A method for providing release-dependant filenames for a device driver, by providing Config information and a table of the driver's component files; assigning unique, release-dependant filenames for the component files; and producing the device driver containing the release-dependant filenames. Scripts and a preprocessor are used to convert filenames and template filename references into actual names. Name conversion comprises converting by a preprocessor for compiled files and converting by scripts for other files. Unique names of files enable simultaneous operation of two versions of a device driver. Methods include encoding module name, version numbers, date, language, and OEM information into the filename; one alphanumeric-character version number and two-character language code; configuration file and automatic generation of Config information; printing device driver with major and minor version numbers; and date encoding for files that are updated more frequently than version updates.
US08065685B2 Method, system and apparatus for a transformation engine for use in the processing of structured documents
Systems, methods and apparatuses for embodiments of a transformation engine for structured documents are disclosed. More specifically, instruction code may be generated by a compiler from transformation instructions for a structured document. Embodiments of the transformation engine may comprise hardware circuitry operable to execute the instruction code to process a structured document according to the transformation instructions such that output for an output document is generated.
US08065684B2 Automated scripting methods and media
A method for automated scripting includes providing a first menu corresponding to a first object, wherein the first object is a message queue (MQ) object. A first parameter for the first object is received. A second parameter is also received, wherein the second parameter is entered by a user in the first menu. The method further includes creating the first object based on the first parameter and the second parameter.
US08065681B2 Generic shared memory barrier
A method, information processing node, and a computer program storage product are provided for performing synchronization operations between participants of a program. Each participant includes at least one of a set of processes and a set of threads. Each participant in a first subset of participants of a program updates a portion of a first local vector that is local to the respective participant. Each participant in a second subset of participants of the program updates a portion of a second local vector that is local to the respective participant. The participants in the second subset exit the synchronization barrier in response to determining that all of the participants in the first subset have reached the synchronization barrier.
US08065677B2 Method, device, and system for seamless migration of a virtual machine between platforms with different I/O hardware
A method, apparatus, system, and computer readable medium are disclosed. In one embodiment the method includes detecting a virtual machine (VM) attempting to communicate with a device coupled to a computer system using a first software plug-in interface that is incompatible with the device. The method continues by temporarily removing the VM from controlling system. Then the first software plug-in interface in the VM is replaced with a second software plug-in interface, which is compatible with the device, without the knowledge of the VM. Then control is returned to the VM and the VM is allowed to resume the communication attempt with the device using the second software plug-in interface.
US08065676B1 Automated provisioning of virtual machines for a virtual machine buffer pool and production pool
An automated provisioning system provisions computing resources for shared services in a resource-on-demand system. A number of virtual machines needed for a virtual machine production pool for a period of time to satisfy the computing demand for the shared services is determined from a policy. Also, a number of unassigned virtual machines needed for a virtual machine buffer pool is determined from the policy. Servers and virtual machines are automatically provisioned for the virtual machine production pool and the virtual machine buffer pool based on the determined number of virtual machines needed for the virtual machine production pool, the determined number of unassigned virtual machines needed for the virtual machine buffer pool, and a changing computing demand of the shared services during the period of time.
US08065674B2 Privileged used control of device installation and/or availability
A system and method for entity management is provided. In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a system administrator is given control over device(s) that can be installed on a computer system(s), and/or how the installation can be performed. Thus, a system administrator can specify device installation policy that prevents the computer system from automatically installing device(s) (e.g., even when an appropriate driver is available to be installed). For example, this policy can be applied to substantially all new devices and/or only a subset of devices. Optionally, policy can also control how device(s) that are already installed will be made available to the computer system.
US08065668B2 Unified data type system and method
A type system includes a dual representation for basic data types. One representation is the basic data type representation common to such basic built-in data types, known as an unboxed value type or simply as a value type. Each of the basic data types also has a boxed representation that can be stored in the object hierarchy of the type system. This dual representation can also be extended to user-defined types, so that user-defined types may exist both as an unboxed value type and as an object within the object hierarchy of the type system. This dual representation allows the compiler and/or runtime environment to select the most effective and efficient representation for the data type depending on the particular need at the moment.
US08065664B2 System and method for defining and detecting pestware
A system and method for defining and detecting pestware is described. One embodiment includes receiving a file and placing at least a portion of the file into a processor-readable memory of a computer. A plurality of execution paths within code of the pestware file are followed and particular instructions within the execution paths are identified. A representation of the relative locations of each of the particular instructions within the code of the file are compared against a pestware-definition file so as to determine whether the file is a potential pestware file.
US08065663B2 System and method for performing processing in a testing system
A system and method is provided for performing processing in a test system. A flexible platform may be provided for developing test programs for performing automated testing. In one such platform, the tester and its instruments are isolated from the tester operating system, permitting any tester operating system to be used. In another example implementation, a user layer of the platform is isolated from the physical layer of the architecture, permitting hardware-independent test programs that can be created and used among different testers having different test hardware and software. In yet another implementation, execution of a test program is isolated from a tester platform operating system, permitting the test program to function independent from the tester platform. In another embodiment, functionality is implemented on the platform such that functions are only added, and that existing links to functions are not broken, ensuring continued test system operation when new software, hardware and/or features are added to the platform. The test system may include a non-deterministic computer system. In one example test system, the system forces execution of one or more computer instructions performed by the non-deterministic computer system to execute within a constant execution time. A deterministic engine, if necessary, waits a variable amount of time to ensure that the execution of the computer instructions is performed over the constant execution time. Because the execution time is constant, the execution is deterministic and therefore may be used in applications requiring deterministic behavior. For example, such a deterministic engine may be used in automated test equipment (ATE) applications.
US08065662B1 Compatibility testing of an application programming interface
A method for compatibility testing that includes executing a test suite to test an application programming interface (API) implementation, wherein the test suite comprises a plurality of compatibility tests that test the compatibility of the API implementation to an API specification. The method also includes requesting sample data for at least one test of the plurality of compatibility tests using a provider interface, wherein the sample data corresponds to the API implementation, and receiving the requested sample data from a provider, wherein the provider implements the provider interface. In addition, the method includes using the sample data by the at least one test to test the API implementation, receiving a result of the at least one test, and reporting a result of executing the test suite using the result of the at least one test.
US08065660B1 Method and system for run-time customization of network management applications
A method and an application-building tool for creating and customizing a network management application in a network defined by a plurality of network elements are provided. The customization of the network management application includes providing a customized definition file Further, the customized definition file is associated with the network management application at run time. Thereafter, the network management application is executed within a framework.
US08065658B1 Tool for visualizing software architecture
An automated tool for partitioning the source code of a software system at heuristic architectural boundaries identified by a bug-reporting process, and for representing the architecture of the software system as a set of visual attributes without constraining the representation to any particular predefined architectural style. The attributes are visualized applying multi-dimensional mapping techniques to software components to generate visual maps of the relationships and interactions among software components that cannot be easily understood or assimilated in a non-graphical form.
US08065654B2 Computer aided design system for narrowing a list of candidate circuits based on a circuit search-range narrowing condition
A computer aided design system is provided that includes a display, an input unit for inputting a circuit search-range narrowing condition, and a processing unit for, when a circuit topology of a circuit to be designed is changed, finding recommended circuits by searching a database, which stores part data and circuit data, based on the circuit search-range narrowing condition, and displaying a list of the recommended circuits on the display.
US08065653B1 Configuration of programmable IC design elements
Techniques for configuring a programmable integrated circuit (IC) include determining design elements of the programmable integrated circuit that need to be configured prior to run-time operation of the programmable IC. A user interface provides for configuring one or more parameters for each of the determined design elements that need to be configured. Thereafter, the design elements are configured based on the one or more parameter values specified through the user interface.
US08065652B1 Method and system for determining hard and preferred rules in global routing of electronic designs
Various embodiments of the invention comprise methods and systems for determining when or whether to use hard rules or preferred rules during global routing of an electronic design. In some embodiments, the entire routable space is first routed with hard rules during global routing while ensuring the design may be embedded. The design is then analyzed with preferred rules where the overcongested areas are marked as “use hard rule” and areas not overcongested are marked as “use preferred rule.” The methods or the systems thus ensure that the design remains routable throughout the process while improving timing, manufacturability, or yield by reserving routing space for the preferred rules.
US08065650B2 Techniques for use with automated circuit design and simulations
An apparatus having two or more parallel carry chain structures, each of the carry chain structures comprising a series of logical structures, where at least one of the logical structures within each of the carry chain structures has an associated input node, output node and carry node. The input node corresponds to a function input term, the output node corresponds to an output term of the function and the carry node corresponds to a carry value to a following logical structure in the series of logical structures.
US08065647B2 Method and system for asynchronous chip design
A method of designing an asynchronous integrated circuit is provided. A global clock network of a synchronous circuit is replaced with a plurality of handshaking circuits. Data validity is encoded into a communication path between a first pipeline stage and a second pipeline stage of the synchronous circuit. A control logic for the first pipeline stage is implemented using a template that contains characterization information for timing to generate an asynchronous circuit design.
US08065639B2 Semiconductor integrated circuit designing method
An IC designing method includes planning placement of a first isolated-power supplied region operating between common ground and power bus lines during a normal operation, and second/third isolated-power supplied regions each operating between the common ground bus line and first/second isolated power lines and supplied with potentials different from the common power supply, planning placement of first electrostatic protection circuits connected between the common ground power bus lines and between the common ground bus line and the first/second isolated power lines, and second electrostatic protection circuits connected between the first/second isolated power lines and the common power bus lines, judging presence of a signal transmission between non-adjacent regions among the first to third isolated-power supplied regions, and amending the circuit to insert a buffer circuit powered by the common power bus line in a transmission path when the signal transmission is present.
US08065638B2 Incremental concurrent processing for efficient computation of high-volume layout data
Some embodiments of the present invention overcome I/O bottlenecks of an EDA work flow by keeping layout data distributed during handoffs among different processing stages. Specifically, some embodiments leverage a concurrent computation paradigm where data is propagated incrementally between stages, and where data processing among consecutive stages and the I/O between stages are executed concurrently. Specifically, some embodiments can generate a template database which contains the unique templates in a set of templates. During operation, an embodiment can determine a set of templates for a layout. Next, the system can determine a processing schedule based on a spatially coherent ordering of the set of templates. Next, the system can process the templates according to the spatially coherent processing schedule. Processing templates in a spatially coherent order can ensure that the downstream processes in the concurrent work flow will be able to maximize concurrency, thereby improving overall performance of the system.
US08065634B1 System and method for analyzing a nanotube logic circuit
A method for validating a nanotube logic network. The nanotube logic network is separated into regions based on a conductivity of the respective region. Potential paths through adjoining regions of the nanotube logic network are determined. Boolean path functions for each potential path are determined. If the Boolean path functions of the potential paths are equivalent to the intended logic function, then the nanotube logic network is immune to misaligned carbon nanotubes.
US08065633B2 Electronic apparatus, display control method for the electronic apparatus, graphical user interface, and display control program
An electronic apparatus, display control method thereof, graphical user interface, and display control program are provided. The electronic apparatus includes a total-number obtaining unit to obtain information about a total number of items to be provided from a source; a first display unit to display undetermined representation images on a screen if it is determined that some of the representation images displayed on the screen have been changed, the undetermined representation images being generated based on the total number obtained by the total-number obtaining unit so that the respective undetermined representation images correspond to the total number of the items to be provided; a determining unit to determine whether change of the representation images displayed on the screen has stopped; and a second display unit to display the representation images by obtaining, from the source, information to display the representation images to be newly displayed on the screen if the determining unit determines that change of the representation images displayed on the screen has stopped.
US08065629B1 Displaying icon layouts in different resolutions
A method for displaying icons layouts in different resolutions where data representing a layout is preserved for a particular resolution and is later used to display another layout at the same resolution. The data indicates positions of icons in the layout, contains identifiers that identify particular icons, and contains coordinate positions of icons in the layout and may be preserved in various formats or preserved in various data structures. The data structure may comprise a bitmap and icon list. In some embodiments, a layout at a current resolution is produced using a previous layout at a previous resolution and at least two different mapping functions. Icons from the previous layout are mapped to the current layout where icons in an overlapping area between the current layout and the previous layout are mapped with a first mapping function and outside icons are mapped with a second mapping function.
US08065628B2 Dynamic user interface for previewing live content
A dynamic user interface for previewing live content includes multiple tiles. Information for multiple pieces of live content available from a gallery is obtained, and this information is presented in the multiple tiles of the user interface in accordance with a current user interface layout. In accordance with one aspect, this current user interface layout changes automatically over time as the user interface is displayed. In accordance with another aspect, one or more of the multiple tiles is displayed in the user interface more prominently than the other tiles, and which information is to be displayed in the one or more tiles is based at least in part on a received fee.
US08065627B2 Single pass automatic photo album page layout
A method for quickly and efficiently locating objects, such as images having fixed aspect ratios, within a predefined space, such as a printed page, is provided. The method comprises generating a binary tree containing a first image. The system generates a second tree, where the second tree modifies the first tree by inserting a second image at a location or position on the first tree. This iterative process of inserting images one at a time continues until the system generates a final tree including all images. In each iteration, the position in the binary tree where the system inserts each subsequent image can be either a leaf or a node. The system generates a series of candidate trees, one for each subsequent image inserted into each and every location in the preceding tree, and the candidate tree having a highest score indicates the selected location for the subsequent image and the new baseline, preferred binary tree.
US08065624B2 Virtual keypad systems and methods
Accordingly, a virtual keypad system for inputting text is provided. A virtual keypad system includes a remote controller having at least one touchpad incorporated therein and divided into a plurality of touch zones. A display device is in data communication with the remote controller and is operable to display a user interface including a keypad, where each key of the keypad is mapped to a touch zone of the touchpad. A prediction module, in response to an operator pressing a given touch zone to select a particular character, performs one or more key prediction methods to predict one or more next plausible keys. A key mapping module remaps the touch zones of the touchpad to the keys of the keypad based on the one or more next plausible keys.
US08065622B2 Displaying device with user-defined display regions and method thereof
A displaying device includes an input unit, a region defining unit, a content allocating unit, an obtaining unit, a display controlling unit and a display unit. The region defining unit defines regions by incorporating one or more unit regions in each of the regions according to users' selections and generates region defining information. The content allocating unit allocates contents for the regions according to the users' selections and generates content allocating information. The obtaining unit obtains the region defining information, the content allocating information, and contents according to the content allocating information, and then transmits the information and contents to the display controlling unit. The display controlling unit splits a display area of the display unit into the regions defined by the region defining unit and displays the contents in the regions correspondingly according to the content allocating information. Related methods are also provided.
US08065620B2 System and method for defining and presenting a composite web page
A method for defining a composite web page is disclosed which includes identifying a web page referencing at least one associated element. The method further includes analyzing the web page to determine a list of the associated elements and presenting the list to a user. A user selection of one or more associated elements from the list is received and registered for later retrieval. A method for presenting a composite web page is also disclosed. Systems and computer-readable storage media for defining and presenting a composite web page are also disclosed.
US08065619B2 Customized today module
A method and apparatus for customizing content presented to individual users or user segments is provided. There may be three components, a web portal and toolbar component, a modeling component, and a scoring component. The web portal and toolbar component presents content items and collects data. The web portal and toolbar component generates user event data based on the user actions. The user event data is forwarded to the modeling component. The modeling component generates content scoring functions based on user event data and attributes of content items. Content scoring functions may be unique to individual user segments. The content scoring functions based on content features generate probability a content item will be viewed. The scoring component decides which content items are placed in a portal. The scoring component uses the scoring functions generated by the modeling component to rank content items in real time.
US08065617B2 Discovering alternative user experiences for websites
The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for discovering alternative user experiences for Websites. Embodiments of the invention permit a user to navigate to a Web page that has an alternative application for a Web site. In response to a Web browser detecting the alternative application a user-interface control at the Web browser can be activated. A user can then select the user-interface control to install the alternative application in an alternative application control center. Through the alternative application control center, a user activates alternative applications to interact with Web sites having alternative user experiences.
US08065609B2 Interactive surveying
A survey document is provided on a server, for delivery to a client on a network, having questions and potential answers in a format defining branches of the questions. Programming instructions are also provided on the server for delivery to the client on the network. The instructions are for causing the client to render questions on a user interface from the survey document. The questions initially rendered include a first one of the questions. The instructions are also for causing the client to branch to and render on the user interface second or third ones of the questions responsive to the survey document and an answer received for the first question.
US08065608B2 System for validating a document conforming to a first schema with respect to a second schema
An improved system for determining compliance between a source document structure in accordance with a source schema and a target schema includes: data storage; and a processor for executing software code. The software code causes the processor to: create a source schema description and a target schema description; receive the source document which includes an ordered tree structure with labeled elements and including a subtree; identify all corresponding element types in the source and target schemas for grouping the corresponding element types into element type pairs; classify each element type pair; and confirm compliance of the source document.
US08065607B2 System and method for automatic mapping of hypertext input fields to software components
A system and method for automatically mapping of hypertext input fields to software components. The system includes a hypertext preprocessor, a name-space manager, a data handler, and a component manager. The hypertext preprocessor examines the hypertext input field names and uses the name-space manager and component manager to determine the mapping between input field names and software component properties. When the hypertext page is rendered, the name-space manager registers the mapping between each submitted input field and the corresponding component property. When the input data is submitted, the data handler uses the name-space manager to find the component property for each submitted input field and uses the component manager to convert the data to the correct type before calling the appropriate component method to set the property value.
US08065605B2 Indexing structured documents
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for indexing structured documents. A method includes identifying a structured document in a file system for indexing, the structured document having an identifier and at least one indexing-property, extracting at least one index-value from the structured document in accordance with a pre-defined extraction rule set and storing the at least one index-value with the identifier in an index-value data structure.
US08065604B2 Techniques for relating arbitrary metadata to media files
A metadata text file is used to make media files searchable and rearrangeable. The metadata file includes a sequence of relaters that relate items of metadata to segments of media files. The metadata file can be searched for an item of metadata and the item's relater used to locate the corresponding media file segment, or be used to “play” the metadata files by displaying segments in an order depending on the order of the relaters. New combinations of media file segments may be made by adding, deleting, or reordering the relaters in the metadata text file. The metadata file is used to relate metadata to media files in systems for making fan vids, for comparing the text of a book with a movie, or that use temperature readings from pots being used to cook a recipe to locate sections of a cooking video.
US08065599B1 Electronic submission preparation
Preparing an electronic submission is disclosed. A document is received. Submission preparation information to be used by a submission kernel for processing is identified based at least in part on information from the document. The document is processed based at least in part on the submission preparation information to produce one or more derived document outputs.
US08065598B1 Low latency programmable encoder with outer systematic code and low-density parity-check code
Low-latency programmable encoders, and more particularly, low-latency programmable encoders which use low-density parity check (LDPC) codes in combination with an outer systematic code. The LDPC encoder is programmable for any irregular circulant-based LDPC code. The code profile, block length, number of block rows, and number of block columns can vary. The LDPC encoding and the outer systematic code encoding can proceed in a parallel manner (e.g., simultaneously) instead of in a serial manner.
US08065592B2 Multi-source data encoding, transmission and decoding using slepian-wolf codes based on channel code partitioning
System and method for designing Slepian-Wolf codes by channel code partitioning. A generator matrix is partitioned to generate a plurality of sub-matrices corresponding respectively to a plurality of correlated data sources. The partitioning is performed in accordance with a rate allocation among the plurality of correlated data sources. A corresponding plurality of parity matrices are generated based respectively on the sub-matrices, where each parity matrix is useable to encode data from a respective one of the correlated data sources.
US08065591B2 Method of transmitting digital data packets and device implementing the method and receiver
The invention relates to a method of transmitting digital data packets protected by error correction packets and more precisely the manner of inserting these correction packets into the data packet stream so as to increase the correction effectiveness of the error correction method while limiting the latency introduced into the transmission. The packets are set out in matrix form, error packets are computed on lines and columns and are inserted regularly into the stream at a sufficient distance from the data packets that they protect.
US08065588B2 Formulaic flexible collision-free memory accessing for parallel turbo decoding with quadratic polynomial permutation (QPP) interleave
Formulaic flexible collision-free memory accessing for parallel turbo decoding with quadratic polynomial permutation (QPP) interleave. A means is presented by which any desired number of parallel implemented turbo decoding processors can be employed to perform turbo decoding that has been performed using a QPP interleave. This approach is presented to allow an arbitrarily selected number (M) of decoding processors (e.g., a plurality of parallel implemented turbo decoders) to perform decoding of a turbo coded signal while still using a selected embodiment of a QPP interleave. In addition, a collision-free memory mapping, MOD,C,W) provides more freedom for selecting the particular quadratic polynomial permutation (QPP) interleave (π) that satisfies a parallel turbo decoding implementation with any desired number of parallel implemented turbo decoding processors. This memory mapping allows collision-free reading and writing of updated information (as updated using parallel implemented turbo decoder) into memory banks.
US08065587B2 Reduced complexity ARP (almost regular permutation) interleaves providing flexible granularity and parallelism adaptable to any possible turbo code block size
Reduced complexity ARP (almost regular permutation) interleaves providing flexible granularity and parallelism adaptable to any possible turbo code block size. A novel means is presented by which any desired turbo code block size can be employed when only requiring, in only some instances, a very small number of dummy bits. This approach also is directly adaptable to parallel turbo decoding, in which any desired degree of parallelism can be employed. Alternatively, as few as one turbo decoder can be employed in a fully non-parallel implementation as well. Also, this approach allows for storage of a reduced number of parameters to accommodate a wide variety of interleaves.
US08065585B1 High data throughput turbo product encoder
A source controller provides a block of n×a information bits as n separate rows each with a information bits. A row encoder has an input coupled to an output of the source controller and includes a plurality of accumulators arranged to process m of the information bits in one clock cycle to generate row forward error correction FEC bits. At least one column encoder has an input coupled to an output of the source controller and is arranged to generate column FEC bits in parallel with the row encoder. A multiplexer is coupled to outputs of the row and column encoders and is adapted to serially output an nth row of information bits followed by the nth row FEC bits for each of the n rows, followed by additional rows of FEC bits generated by the column encoder. The terms n, m, and a are integers greater than one. Where more than one column encoder is used, there are preferably m column encoders in parallel and each operating at one bit per clock cycle.
US08065584B2 Transmitting data words
There is provided a method of transmitting data words. The method includes (a) scrambling a first occurrence of a data word to produce a first scrambled data word, (b) block encoding the first scrambled data word to produce a first code word, (c) scrambling a second occurrence of the data word to produce a second scrambled data word, and (d) block encoding the second scrambled data word to produce a second code word, where the second code word and the first code word are different from one another.
US08065579B2 Retransmission control scheme and wireless communication apparatus
A retransmission control scheme and a wireless communication apparatus wherein the efficiency of retransmission control is enhanced to further improve the system throughput. In this wireless communication apparatus (100), an error occurrence factor addressing part (140) receives information related to the error occurrence factor of a transmitted packet or information related to the schemes of forming or transmitting a retransmittal packet corresponding to that error occurrence factor, and switches, based on the received information, the schemes of forming or transmitting the retransmittal packet. In this way, the schemes of forming or transmitting the retransmittal packet can be switched in accordance with the error occurrence factor of the transmitted packet. At the end of receiving the retransmittal packet, therefore, the performing of a decoding processor the like in accordance with that scheme of forming or transmitting can enhance the efficiency of the retransmission control. As a result, the system throughput can be improved.
US08065572B2 At-speed scan testing of memory arrays
An integrated circuit configured for at-speed scan testing of memory arrays. The integrated circuit includes a scan chain having a plurality of serially coupled scan elements, wherein a subset of the plurality of scan elements are coupled to provide signals to a memory array. Each scan element of the subset of the plurality of scan elements includes a flip flop having a data input, and a data output coupled to a corresponding input of the memory array, and selection circuitry configured to, in an operational mode, couple a data path to the data input, and further configured to, in a scan mode, couple to the data input one of a scan input, the data output, and a complement of the data output. The scan elements of the subset support at-speed testing of a memory array coupled thereto.
US08065571B2 Storage area network (SAN) link integrity tester
A tester that generates various data patterns to assure that link receivers and transmitters are functioning properly (i.e., are functioning according to a relevant network specification) across the entire storage area network. In various embodiments, this tester may be used in Fibre Channel type SANs or in fiber connectivity (FICON) type SANs.
US08065569B2 Information processing apparatus, information processing apparatus control method and control program
An information processing apparatus includes a plurality of hardware resources and operates on a first power supply. The apparatus includes a non-volatile first storage unit that holds first fault information on a fault developed in one or more of the hardware resources even when the first power supply is shut down, a volatile second storage unit that holds second fault information different from the first fault information and is adapted not to hold the second fault information when the first power supply is shut down, a hardware monitoring unit that acquires component information of the plurality of the hardware resources mounted in the information processing apparatus and a system control unit that makes a fault information management unit restore the second fault information held in the second storage unit based on the component information and the first fault information stored in the first storage unit.
US08065563B2 System for booting from a non-XIP memory utilizing a boot engine that does not have ECC capabilities during booting
A booting system includes: a non-XIP memory, for storing a plurality of booting images, wherein the booting images comprise a source image and a plurality of duplicates of the source image; an XIP memory, coupled to the non-XIP memory; and a code shadowing module, coupled to the non-XIP memory and the XIP memory, for shadowing a specific booting image to the XIP memory if no errors are detected when carrying out error detection (EDC) checking on the specific booting image; wherein if at least a specific part of a booting image does not pass EDC checking, the code shadowing module shadows error-free parts of the booting image to the XIP memory, carries out EDC checking on at least a duplicate of the specific part, and then shadows an error-free part corresponding to the specific part to the XIP memory.
US08065561B1 Method and apparatus for automating device recovery using device configuration information
A method and apparatus for automating device recovery using device configuration information is described. In one embodiment, a method for restoring a configuration of a source device includes accessing device configuration information from memory associated with a plurality of devices to identify using at least one processor a configuration associated with a source device of the plurality of devices, determining using at least one processor a common configuration between the configuration associated with the source device and a configuration associated with a target device and applying, using the at least one processor, the common configuration to the target device.
US08065560B1 Method and apparatus for achieving high availability for applications and optimizing power consumption within a datacenter
A method and apparatus for achieving high availability for applications and optimizing power consumption within a datacenter is provided. In one embodiment, a method for providing high availability and optimizing power consumption within a datacenter comprises upon execution of an application at a target node amongst a plurality of nodes in a datacenter, selecting a failover target node amongst the plurality of nodes for the application, and reserving a failover capacity of at least one resource of the selected failover target node.
US08065553B2 Phase interpolator for a timing signal generating circuit
A semiconductor integrated circuit device has a command decoder for issuing a control command in accordance with a supplied control signal, a DRAM core, and a timing adjusting circuit for supplying the control command, set active for a predetermined period, as a DRAM control signal to the DRAM core. The timing adjusting circuit generates n different clocks that are respectively shifted in phase with respect to a supplied reference clock, and generates the DRAM control signal by setting the control command active in a prescribed operation cycle for only a period starting at a first predetermined clock pulse of a first clock of the n clocks and ending at a second predetermined clock pulse of a second clock of the n clocks. In this way, timing design with relatively high accuracy of adjustment can be done in a short period.
US08065551B2 Adjustable byte lane offset for memory module to reduce skew
Disclosed herein are solutions for addressing the problem of skew of data within a byte lane by factors caused external to the integrated circuit or module providing the data. To compensate for such skew, an on-chip delay is added to the data out paths of those bits in the byte lane with otherwise would arrive early to their destinations. Such on-chip delay is provided delay circuits preferably positioned directly before the output buffers/bond pads of the integrated circuit or module. By intentionally delaying some of the outputs from the integrated circuit or module, external skew is compensated for so that all data in the byte lane arrives at the destination at substantially the same time. In a preferred embodiment, the delay circuits are programmable to allow the integrated circuit or module to be freely tailored to environments having different skew considerations, such as different styles of connectors.
US08065550B2 Digital delay locked loop circuit using mode register set
A semiconductor memory device includes a mode register set for establishing information on a delay time, a delay time calculator for calculating an I/O path delay time of a data clock on a basis of a unit period of a system clock, and a delay locked clock generator for reflecting in the data clock a value of subtracting an output of the delay time calculator from the information established in the mode register set.
US08065547B2 Control method and computer system for advanced configuration and power interface
Provided is a control method for an advanced configuration and power interface (ACPI) in a computer system. The computer system comprises a processor and a bus master, wherein the processor, as defined by the ACPI specification, has a first state (C0 state), a second state (C1 state), a third state (C2 state), a fourth state (C3 state) and a fifth state (C4 state). The method comprises enabling the processor to run in the C2 state when a request from the bus master is issued before the processor enters the C3 state, or enables the processor to ignore the C4 state and complete the C3 state when the request from the bus master is issued at the C3 state and before entering the C4 state.
US08065542B2 Distributed table-driven power mode computation for controlling optimal clock and voltage switching
A method for computing the optimal power mode for a system-on-chip (SoC) in which both the clock and Vdd settings are controlled. Information from hardware blocks is synthesized into a global power mode for the entire SoC. The clocks can be disabled or enabled, and Vdd voltages can be disabled, set at a nominal operating level, and set at a retention level in which the state of memory and registers is retained.
US08065541B2 Server power consumption controller, and method and computer program for controlling server power consumption
A power consumption controller controls the power consumption of a physical server having a virtual server. A management server determines an unused CPU budget from the difference between the total amount of the loads of respective virtual servers and a hypervisor and the total CPU budget of the physical server. The management server determines the drive frequency of the CPU inside the physical server based on the unused CPU budget. The management server changes a CPU allocation budget related to the respective virtual servers and the hypervisor in accordance with the determined drive frequency. The hypervisor controls the CPU allocation budget and drive frequency in accordance with an indication from the management server.Accordingly, the power consumption of the physical server is controlled.
US08065536B2 Dual mode power-saving computing system
The present invention relates to a data processing system comprising both a high performance computing sub-system having typical high power consumption and a low performance subsystem requiring less power. The data processing system acts as a single computing device by moving the execution of software from the low performance subsystem to the high performance subsystem when high computing power is needed and vice versa when low computing performance is sufficient, allowing in the latter case to put the high performance subsystem into a power saving state. The invention relates also to related algorithms.
US08065530B2 Apparatus, and associated method, for paging an access terminal in a radio communication system
Apparatus, and an associated method for facilitating paging of an access terminal operable in a radio communication system. A plurality of random numbers are generated. And, for each of the random numbers, a hash value is created by applying the random number to a hash function. The hash values identify bit locations of a paging message. When the paging message is formed, bit locations associated with the hash values are populated with bit values that identify whether the access terminal is being paged. And, the access terminal checks the bit values at the bit locations associated with the hash values to determine whether the access terminal is being paged.
US08065524B2 Authentication processing apparatus and authentication processing method
An authentication processing apparatus includes an authentication unit, having a circuit that performs authentication phases included in processing for authenticating an external device. A command holding unit holds a first command that indicates whether or not each of the authentication phases is performed by the authentication unit. An authentication controller causes the authentication unit to perform an authentication phase that is indicated, by the first command, to be performed by the authentication unit. A CPU performs software processing of an authentication phase that is indicated, by the first command, not to be performed by the authentication unit.
US08065523B2 External storage apparatus and method of preventing information leakage
Proposed is an apparatus and method of preventing the leakage of information from an external storage apparatus even when such external storage apparatus is stolen or accessed from an unauthorized host computer. This external storage apparatus accessible from a host computer or another external storage apparatus via a network encrypts or decrypts data written from a host computer to be stored in the storage area, sends a request for existence confirmation to the host computer or the other external storage apparatus every predetermined period of time, and zeroizes an encryption key to be used in the encryption calculation for encrypting or decrypting data to be performed by the encryption calculation unit based on the result of a response from the host computer or the other external storage apparatus in reply to the request.
US08065519B2 Wireless communication system, terminal, method for reporting status of terminal, and program
A wireless communication system includes a plurality of terminals connected to at least one wireless network on the basis of authority of security configuration parameters shared by the plurality of terminals. Each of the plurality of terminals revokes security configuration parameters of the terminal itself or security configuration parameters of another terminal in accordance with an agreement with said another terminal.
US08065512B2 Embedded memory protection
One embodiment of the present application includes a microcontroller (30) that has an embedded memory (46), a programmable processor (32), and a test interface (34). The memory (46) is accessible through the test interface (34). In response to resetting this microcontroller (30), a counter is started and the test interface (34) is initially set to a disabled state while an initiation program is executed. The test interface (34) is changed to an enabled state—such that access to the embedded memory (46) is permitted through it—when the counter reaches a predefined value unless the microcontroller (30) executes programming code before the predefined value is reached to provide the disabled state during subsequent microcontroller (30) operation.
US08065511B2 Electronic device communication system and method
A system and method for electronic device communication. A system includes a client device application including an encryption/decryption module, wherein the module directly transmits and receives data to and from the client device application; and a server device application including an encryption/decryption module coupled to the client device application through a communication medium, wherein the module directly transmits and receives data to and from the server device application.
US08065508B2 Activating applications based on accelerometer data
In some implementations, a computer-implemented method includes storing a plurality of acceleration profiles in a mobile device; receiving accelerometer data from an accelerometer in the mobile device; correlating the accelerometer data with one accelerometer profile in the plurality of accelerometer profiles; and activating a user application of the mobile device that is associated with the correlated accelerometer profile. Each acceleration profile can correspond to a sequence of acceleration forces a mobile device would be subjected to when carried with a user during an activity that corresponds to the correlated acceleration profile.
US08065507B2 Data processing device that displays a setting screen for setting operations of a connected apparatus
A data processing device is disclosed that is able to limit functions of a connected apparatus without providing additional components in the apparatus and without dependence on types of the apparatus. The data processing device includes a function limiting file storage unit to store a function limiting file; a function list file storage unit to store function list files dependent upon the apparatus type and function list files independent of the apparatus type, the function list files including descriptions of functions available in the apparatus; a function list file selection unit to select one of the function list files corresponding to the apparatus type; and a display item generation unit to generate a setting screen image for setting operations of the apparatus based on the selected function list file and the function limiting file stored in the function limiting file storage unit.
US08065504B2 Using on-chip and off-chip look-up tables indexed by instruction address to control instruction execution in a processor
A microprocessor chip has instruction pipeline circuitry, and instruction classification circuitry that classifies instructions as they are executed into a small number of classes and records a classification code value. An on-chip table has entries corresponding to a range of addresses of a memory and designed to hold a statistical assessment of a value of consulting an off-chip table in a memory of the computer. Lookup circuitry is designed to fetch an entry from the on-chip table as part of the basic instruction processing cycle of the microprocessor. A mask has a value set at least in part by a timer. The instruction pipeline circuitry is controlled based on the value of the on-chip table entry corresponding to the address of instructions processed, the current value of the mask, the recorded classification code, and the off-chip table.
US08065500B2 Device for processing information and working method thereof
A device for processing information and the working method of the same are provided. The device for processing information comprises: a memory in which logic for driving a firmware is stored; a connector for connecting the memory to an external device; and a control unit for providing an interface with a host, for communicating with the host through the connector, and for reading and recording data on the memory. The control unit comprises: a first storing device in which a routine for calling the firmware logic stored in the memory is stored; and a processor for executing the firmware logic, stored in the memory, using the routine stored in the first storing device.
US08065499B2 Methods and apparatus to implement parallel transactions
A computer system includes multiple processing threads that execute in parallel. The multiple processing threads have access to a global environment including different types of metadata enabling the processing threads to carry out simultaneous execution depending on a currently selected type of lock mode. A mode controller monitoring the processing threads initiates switching from one type of lock mode to another depending on current operating conditions such as an amount of contention amongst the multiple processing threads to modify the shared data. The mode controller can switch from one lock mode another regardless of whether any of the multiple processes are in the midst of executing a respective transaction. A most efficient lock mode can be selected to carry out the parallel transactions. In certain cases, switching of lock modes causes one or more of the processing threads to abort and retry a respective transaction according to the new mode.
US08065495B2 Apparatus, method and computer program for processing information
An information processing apparatus for recording data onto a recording medium, includes an access controller for outputting, to a medium-specific controller, record data input from an application and directed to the recording medium. The access controller performs a read-modify-write (RMW) operation by verifying whether one of a record start position and a record end position of the record data input by a logical sector unit from the application is different from a delimitation position of a physical sector as an access unit of the recording medium, acquiring the record data by the physical sector unit and storing the record data onto a memory if one of the record start position and the record end position is different from the delimitation position, updating logical sector data as part of stored physical sector data with the input record data, and outputting the updated physical sector data to the medium-specific controller.
US08065486B2 Cache memory control circuit and processor
A cache memory control circuit includes a selecting section configured to be capable of selecting, in a predetermined order, each way or a predetermined two or more ways of a cache memory having multiple ways; a comparing section configured to detect a cache hit in each way; and a control section configured to, upon detection of a cache hit, stop a selection of the respective ways or the predetermined two or more ways at the selecting section.
US08065482B2 Storage system and method for striping data
A size storage unit stores therein a block size of a memory element. A buffering unit executes buffer processing configured to store data received from a RAID (Redundant Arrays of Inexpensive/Independent Disks) controller into a buffer, and to write the data stored in the buffer into the memory element. A stripe-size receiving unit receives a stripe size that indicates a size of a unit of access at time of access to the memory element by the RAID controller. Writing processing is configured to write data received from the RAID controller into the memory element without executing the buffer processing by the buffering unit, when the stripe size is n times of the block size (n is a positive integer).
US08065478B2 Performing data operations using non-volatile third dimension memory
Performing data operations using non-volatile third dimension memory is described, including a storage system having a non-volatile third dimension memory array configured to store data, the data including an address indicating a file location on a disk drive, and a controller configured to process an access request associated with the disk drive, the access request being routed to the non-volatile third dimension memory array to perform a data operation, wherein data from the data operation is used to create a map of the disk drive. In some examples, an address in the non-volatile third dimension memory array provides an alias for another address in a disk drive.
US08065475B2 Registered dual in-line memory module having an extended register feature set
A registered dual in-line memory module is configured with multiple random access memory chips and a DRAM register configured to receive address and control signals from a memory controller. The DRAM register distributes the address and control signals to the random access memory chips, thereby providing the memory controller access to the chips. The module further includes a control register configured to store control bits for setting operating modes of the registered dual in-line memory module. The control bits are software programmable using signals received from the memory controller.
US08065473B2 Method for controlling memory card and method for controlling nonvolatile semiconductor memory
A method for controlling a memory card which includes a nonvolatile semiconductor memory whose memory area includes a plurality of write areas is disclosed. A first area which is a part of the plurality of write areas is set in accordance with management executed by a first file system. The first file system sequentially writes data along a direction in which addresses of the plurality of write areas increase. A second area which is a part of the plurality of write areas is set in accordance with management executed by a second file system. The second file system writes data in an order which does not depend on the addresses.
US08065468B2 Data storing methods and apparatus thereof
A data storing method for non-volatile memory is provided, wherein the non-volatile memory includes at least one memory block having a plurality of strong pages and weak pages. A logic block writing command is received for storing the corresponding writing data into the memory block. It is then determined whether the writing data is larger than one page. The writing data is divided into a plurality of page data according to the memory size of the page when the writing data is larger than one page. Next, a first storing page for each page data is determined according to a starting writing page according to the logic block writing command. And, the page data are sequentially written into the first storing pages. Note that each first storing page is a strong page within the memory block.
US08065467B2 Non-volatile, electrically-programmable memory
A solid state mass storage device having a first storage area portion and a second storage area portion. The mass storage device including accessing means adapted to cause data to be stored in the first storage area portion in one of: only in memory cells belonging to columns of a first collection or only to columns of a second collection such that memory cells of the first storage area portion belonging to the first or second collection are left unprogrammed; or only in memory cells of even rows or only memory cells of odd row such that the memory cells of the first storage area belonging to the even or to the odd rows are left unprogrammed; or only in memory cells such that memory cells that are immediately adjacent to said memory cells in said row and column are left unprogrammed.
US08065461B2 Capturing read data
Various techniques are disclosed for providing data retrieved from a memory device and furnished to a memory bus in response to a read operation to a local bus interface. For instance, a set of conductive traces may be provided that forms a communication path between the memory bus and the local bus interface, such that the communication path formed by the conductive traces bypasses a memory bus interface coupled to the memory bus. In this manner, the data furnished to the memory bus may be communicated directly to the local bus without first being communicated to the memory bus interface.
US08065460B2 Method of determining request transmission priority subject to request content and transmitting request subject to such request transmission priority in application of fieldbus communication framework
A method of determining request transmission priority subject to request content and transmitting request subject to such request transmission priority in application of Fieldbus communication framework in which the communication device determines whether the received requests have the priority subject to the respective content, and also determines whether there is any logical operation condition established, and then the communication device transmits the received external requests to the connected slave device as an ordinary request or priority request, preventing the slave device from receiving an important external request sent by the main control end or manager at a late time.
US08065458B2 Arbitration apparatus, method, and computer readable medium with dynamically adjustable priority scheme
An information processing apparatus configured to control communications of a plurality of devices via a common communication channel on the basis of predetermined priority levels of the devices includes a changing unit configured to change the priority level of a predetermined device, which is one of the plurality of devices, having a first priority level to a second priority level for a predetermined amount of time and a controlling unit configured to control the length of the predetermined amount of time.
US08065456B2 Delegating network processor operations to star topology serial bus interfaces
An advanced processor comprises a plurality of multithreaded processor cores configured to support a plurality of software generated read or write instructions for interfacing with a star topology serial bus interface. The multiple-core processor has at least one of an internal fast messaging network or an interface switch interconnect configured to link the processor cores together such that each processor core has a data pathway to each of the other processor cores without going through memory. The fast messaging network or interface switch is also configured to be operably coupled to the star topology serial bus interface. In one aspect of an embodiment of the invention, the fast messaging network connects to a high-bandwidth star-topology serial bus such as a PCI express (PCIe) interface capable of supporting multiple high-bandwidth PCIe lanes.
US08065454B1 System and method for mapping functions to and from network devices using configuration compatible with an adapter by remapping plurality of logical ports of adapter
An adapter having a plurality of functions and a plurality of ports, in which the mapping between functions and ports is configurable. In certain embodiments, device memory can be programmed with a desired mapping scheme that overrides a default mapping scheme for the adapter. In certain embodiments, device memory can be reprogrammed with a different desired mapping to enable the adapter to dynamically respond to system conditions.
US08065453B2 Handheld electronic device and associated method employing a multiple-axis input device and learning a context of a text input for use by a disambiguation routine
A handheld electronic device includes a reduced QWERTY keyboard and is enabled with disambiguation software that is operable to disambiguate text input. In addition to identifying and outputting representations of language objects that are stored in the memory and that correspond with a text input, the device is able to employ contextual data in certain circumstances to prioritize output and to learn new contextual data.
US08065451B2 Device for tapping USB power
A device includes a universal serial bus (USB) port comprising a data terminal and a power terminal to receive power from a remote USB port. The device includes a controller coupled to the data terminal of the USB port to provide a USB initialization signal.
US08065447B2 Method and apparatus for determining priorities in direct memory access device having multiple direct memory access request blocks
A priority determining method and apparatus can reduce a total waiting time of DMA request blocks by granting priority to each of Direct Memory Access (DMA) request blocks transmitting a DMA request signal, based on Data Transfer Amounts (DTAs) of the DMA request blocks and Arrival Times (ATs) of the DMA request signals, counting the number of priority changes of each of DMA request blocks whose priority is changed in the priority granting process, and if a DMA request signal is received from a new DMA request block, determining priorities of the DMA request blocks based on the counted the number of priority changes.
US08065446B2 Apparatus and method for discerning a host interface
A system, apparatus and method are provided for discerning a host interface, the method including connecting a pull resistor to the interface, sequentially applying a pull voltage to the pull resistor, measuring a loaded electrical characteristic of the interface while the sequentially applied pull voltage is applied to the pull resistor, comparing the loaded electrical characteristic with a predetermined value, and identifying a specification of the interface in accordance with the comparison.
US08065445B1 On-demand switching between hardware and software implementations of a peripheral device
A method of accessing a peripheral device can include determining whether the peripheral device is busy. The method can include selectively providing to a processor, according to whether the peripheral device is busy, either a driver or a program. The driver, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to offload the operation to the peripheral device. The program, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to perform the operation in lieu of the peripheral device performing the operation.
US08065441B2 Method and apparatus for supporting universal serial bus devices in a virtualized environment
A method for performing virtualization, includes managing data between a virtual machine and a bus controller by transmitting an input output (IO) request from the virtual machine to a service virtual machine that owns the bus controller. According to an alternate embodiment, the method for performing virtualization includes managing isochronous data between a virtual machine and a bus controller. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08065439B1 System and method for using metadata in the context of a transport offload engine
A system, method, and related data structure are provided for transmitting data in a network. Included is a data object (i.e. metadata) for communicating between a first network protocol layer and a second network protocol layer. In use, the data object facilitates network communication management utilizing a transport offload engine.
US08065437B2 Packet header compression system and method based upon a dynamic template creation
Header compression system for compressing the header of the data packets of a flow transmitted from an ingress node to an egress node through a data transmission network comprising template creating means, in both ingress node and egress node, adapted for creating the same compression template from a predetermined number of uncompressed data packets at the beginning of the flow respectively transmitted by the ingress node and received by the egress node, and header compression means, in the ingress node, adapted for compressing the header of each packet following the predetermined number of uncompressed data packets before transmitting it through the data transmission network, the compression being achieved by using the compression template.
US08065435B2 Method for assigning address to the intelligent information household appliance and the sub-equipment in the household network
A method for allocating addresses to intelligent information appliances and their subordinate devices is provided. The network side of a household network sends down-link broadcast message, triggering intelligent information appliances newly connected to the network to return device connection information containing its MAC address to the network side. Alternatively, a newly connected information appliance sends broadcast message carrying device connection information to the network side. After the host at the network side receives the device connection information, the host allocates and stores an unused data bus address for the intelligent information appliance. The network side implements the allocation of data bus addresses to the intelligent information appliances by establishing corresponding relation between intelligent information appliances' MAC addresses and respective data bus addresses, without the need of using other higher layer protocols. The method allows simplifying the protocol stacks, turning the intelligent information appliance in the household network into an external device of the host in the household network, which is invisible to external networks, thus greatly improving safety of the household network, reducing complexity of the appliance, and reducing cost of the appliance.
US08065434B2 Method and device for maintaining routes
A method, system, and device for maintaining routes are provided. A communications network includes multiple point of presence (PoP) groups, where each of the PoP groups includes one or more PoP nodes. PoP nodes within the same PoP group issue routing information of the same super prefix. PoP nodes within different PoP groups issue routing information of different super prefixes. The method further includes the following steps. A PoP node acquires routing information of a detailed prefix covered by a super prefix issued by the PoP node and synchronizes the routing information of the detailed prefix with other PoP nodes within the same PoP group. The method, system, and device reduce flow of data forwarded by each PoP node.
US08065426B2 Real-time priority-based media communication
Representative embodiments are disclosed of a real-time priority-based communication system and method for communicating media streams made up of multiple media message sub-streams, the communication system comprising a chunk configurator for dividing media message sub-streams into chunks, a state machine configured to translate between information regarding the media message sub-streams and the chunks and state associations to the information, the state associations written into a header for each of the chunks, a queue for holding the chunks waiting to be transmitted, and a processor for executing a scheduling algorithm, wherein the scheduling algorithm determines ones of the chunks in the queue to transmit next.
US08065423B2 Method and system for assigning access control levels in providing access to networked content files
A method and system for assigning access control levels when granting access to resources includes a client node, a collection agent, and a policy engine. The client node requests access to a resource. The collection agent gathers information about the client node. The policy engine receives the gathered information and assigns one of a plurality of levels of access responsive to application of a policy to the received information and transmits the information.
US08065422B2 Method and/or apparatus for certifying an in-band management application of an external storage array
A method comprising the steps of (A) generating a call for a first operating system at a host, (B) sending the call for the first operating system from the host to a storage array over a network, (C) generating a response to the call for the first operating system from the host, (D) sending the response from the storage array to the host over the network and (E) capturing and storing the response in a device.
US08065418B1 NAT traversal for media conferencing
Methods for establishing a direct peer-to-peer (“P2P”) connection between two computers are disclosed. In particular, the methods are designed to work in cases where one or both of the computers are connected to a private network, such private networks being interconnected via a public network, such as the Internet. The connections between the private network and the public network are facilitated by network address translation (NAT).
US08065416B2 Playlist composition apparatus, copyright management apparatus and view terminal apparatus
A playlist acquisition unit acquires a playlist including a view segment of contents for a user. The view segment has a start position and an end position in the contents. A copyright information acquisition unit acquires copyright information of the contents from a copyright management apparatus via a network. The copyright management apparatus manages copyright information of each content. A view right information acquisition unit acquires view right information of the user to view the contents. A viewable playlist composition unit composes a viewable playlist by editing the playlist using the copyright information and the view right information. The viewable playlist includes restriction information of the view segment.
US08065414B2 Methods and apparatus for collecting and displaying performance metrics from a web site
A system obtains a script containing at least one transaction to be performed with the web site, the at least one transaction defining a sequence of page requests identifying at least one web page to obtain from the web site. The system executes the script to perform the at least one transaction, performance of the at least one transaction including retrieving the sequence of the at least one web page. The system detects a capture event associated with the at least one web page, and in response to the capture event, captures content of the at least one web page. The system packages the content of the at least one web page into a container capable of being rendered, such that the container provides a plurality of components associated with the at least one captured web page, and delivers the container to a repository.
US08065409B2 Method of labeling alarms to facilitate correlating alarms in a telecommunications network
A method for generating compressed correlation key values for use in correlating alarms generated by network elements in a telecommunications network is disclosed. An alarm message generated by a network element is received. A context value in the alarm message is identified. A table that associates context values to correlation key value formulas is maintained. A formula specifying how to generate the correlation key value is retrieved from the table. Each formula may specify, for an associated context value, one or more ordinal positions of fields in the alarm message, a concatenation of which yields the correlation key value. The correlation key value is created based on the formula. A unique ordinal number is generated to represent the correlation key value, which acts as a context key. The alarm message and correlation key value are sent to an external system for use in correlating alarms.
US08065402B2 Network management using short message service
A network management method and system and a computer that provides added security against hackers. A network management command is sent to the computer via short message service (SMS). The computer performs corresponding network configuration according to the network management command. Thus, a safe network management can be assured based on the secure capabilities of SMS.
US08065401B2 Systems and methods for frame ordering in wide port SAS connections
Methods and structures for assuring proper sequencing of processing of SAS frames received over multiple physical ports of a SAS wide port. A frame scheduler element is communicatively coupled with a SAS transport layer and with a corresponding plurality of link layers operable as a SAS wide port. The frame scheduler receives a request from the transport layer to locate or select a next received frame for further processing. The frame scheduler interacts with the plurality of link layer processing elements having received frames stored within to locate the link layer that has the requested next frame. The frame scheduler then coordinates operation of that link layer and the transport layer to effectuate the transfer of the required next frame.
US08065396B2 Message send queue reordering based on priority
A method and system for communicating serialized data provides a mechanism for ordering the data in response to a priority. In an embodiment, a server sending the data uses the priority to order the data in a message send queue for sending the data to a requesting device. The server may comprise a gateway and the second device a wireless device communicating with the gateway. The wireless device may send a priority indication in association with a request for the data to facilitate the ordering.
US08065391B2 System and method for selecting and displaying webpages
A computer-implemented method of dynamically selecting and presenting a webpage includes: receiving a request, at a server, from a client device to display a webpage; determining, at the server, a homepage defined by a user of the client device; accessing, at the server, a list of one or more webpages associated with the user; selecting a chosen webpage from the homepage and the list of one or more webpages; and facilitating the display of the chosen webpage on the client device.
US08065389B2 Method of and device for transferring content
A method of transferring content (CONT1, CONT2) between at least two devices (DEV1, DEV2, DEV3), the devices (DEV1, DEV2, DEV3) being capable of outputting said content (CONT1, CONT2), and a device (DEV1) itself is disclosed. First, said devices (DEV1, DEV2, DEV3) are connected via associated interfaces (INT1, INT2, INT3). Then, there is a detection or negotiation which of the devices (DEV1, DEV2, DEV3) is currently outputting content (CONT1, CONT2). Finally, content (CONT1, CONT2), which is currently being output, is transferred from the corresponding outputting device or devices (DEV1, DEV2) to the other device or devices (DEV1, DEV2, DEV3) via said interfaces (INT1, INT2, INT3).
US08065387B2 Method for using scheduled hyperlinks to record multimedia content
A method of establishing communications with one or more devices located in an environment using a wireless communication device is disclosed. The wireless communication device comprises a short-range transceiver that is able to communicate with a short-range transceiver located in the environment. A communication is received from the short-range transceiver of the wireless communication device that includes a request to establish communications with one or more device located in the environment. A request is transmitted to an environment directory server to determine if a user associated with the wireless communication device has permission to access any of the devices in the environment. A response is received from the environment directory server in response to the request. A communication is made to the short-range transceiver of the wireless communication device indicating whether the device can communicate with any of the devices in the environment.
US08065381B2 Synchronizing for directory changes performed while offline
Aspects of the subject matter described herein relate to synchronizing for directory actions performed while offline. In aspects, file system objects that reside on a remote data store are made available for offline use. While offline, a client receives an indication that a directory is to be deleted or renamed. In response, the client modifies its local copy of the directory and its descendants if any and stores one or more tombstones that include information that the client can use when synchronizing the changes made to the directory when the client is reconnected to the remote data store. When the client reconnects to the remote data store, the client synchronizes changes made while offline with the remote data store. Resolution conflict mechanisms may be used during this synchronization.
US08065376B2 System and method for integrating electronic mail accounts
In accordance with the teachings described herein, systems and methods are provided for integrating a plurality of electronic mail (email) accounts. A plurality of email services may be used to send and receive electronic messages over a wide area network, one of the email services being a preferred email service and another of the email services being a secondary email service. An email integration service may be used that is coupled to the wide area network and that is independent of the plurality of email services. The email integration service may be operable to receive account information regarding the preferred email service and the secondary email service and use the account information to configure a means for forwarding electronic messages from the preferred email service to the secondary email service.
US08065372B2 Publish/subscribe messaging
The invention relates to a message brokering system for connecting a client in a local publish/subscribe messaging system to a remote message broker. The system comprises a message broker in said local publish/subscribe messaging system and a metabroker application means representing said remote message broker. The local message broker comprises publish/subscribe means for proxying messages between the client and the metabroker application means. The metabroker application means comprises publish/subscribe means for proxying messages between the local broker and the remote broker.
US08065363B2 Electronic mail communications system with client email internet service provider (ISP) polling application and related methods
An electronic mail (email) communications system may include a mobile wireless communications device, a wireless communications network connected to the Internet, and an Internet Service Provider (ISP) server connected to the Internet for receiving emails for a given user. The system may further include an email proxy server connected to the Internet for pushing emails from the ISP server to the mobile wireless communications device via the wireless communications network. A user computer may be connected to the Internet and may include a client email application for periodically polling the ISP server to detect new emails. The client email application may also send new email notifications to the email proxy server upon detection of new emails to cause the email proxy server to push the new emails to the mobile wireless communications device.
US08065362B2 System and method for processing and updating event related information using automated reminders
There is provided a system for facilitating updating of stored event data of a scheduling device, the event data adaptable for use in generating an event reminder message for receipt by a client resulting in corresponding response data in response to the event reminder message, the system comprising: an upload module configured for receiving a data package including the event data and at least one of a client data and service provider data associated therewith; a filter module configured for removing unnecessary data from the data package in accordance with predetermined filter settings to provide a modified data package; a communication module for configuring the modified data package for transmission to a server for use in generating the event reminder message; and a download module configured for receiving a notification package including the response data translated into a native language format of the scheduling device suitable for updating the stored event data, wherein the notification package is subsequently sent to the scheduling device for updating of the corresponding event data.
US08065361B2 Apparatus and methods using a data hub server with servers to source and access informational content
Apparatus and methods to engage in accessing informational content in a data hub server, where the informational content is identified as public or partially public to a group registered in the data hub server with permission to access the informational content made public or partially public in the data hub server by another entity, provide a mechanism to enhance the communication capabilities among mobile electronic devices. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
US08065352B2 Computerized national online parcel-level map data portal
A National Online Parcel-Level Map Data Portal (NPDP) is provided that optimizes online delivery of parcel-level maps and linked attribute data. To do this, the NPDP manages a database of assembled and current vector based parcel data in a spatial format (GIS) that enables geocoded parcel boundaries to be linked to property tax records. A user enters a street address into an appropriate screen window to call up and view road right-of-ways, all parcel boundaries and the “exact” address location as a highlighted parcel area. In addition, a list of property record attributes such as owner, use code, assessed value and year constructed can be displayed. Other on screen parcels can likewise be selected if one wishes to view their linked attributes. Subscribers may customize the NPDP to perform a variety of spatial analysis/reporting functions. Under public/private alliances, agreements are negotiated with individual property assessor's offices whereby they receive a portion of NPDP service provider revenue in return for parcel map database updates. Such on-going commerce between data sponsors and the NPDP service provider is utilized to assure a sustained and expanding flow of increasingly competent content.
US08065349B2 Method and apparatus for performing concurrent garbage collection
The present invention provides a system that facilitates performing concurrent garbage collection. During operation, the system executes a first mutator thread. While executing the first mutator thread, the system performs a garbage-collection operation using a garbage-collector thread. Performing the garbage-collection operation involves: discovering a live object in a from-space, which is being collected; creating a copy of the live object to a to-space, where live objects are copied to during garbage collection; and replacing the live object in the from-space with a forwarding pointer which points to a location of the copy of the live object in the to-space.
US08065333B2 Method for digitally labelling websites
A host website, method and system for digitally labelling websites or subscribers with digital labels which represent characteristics or qualities of the website is disclosed. Digital labels are stored on host websites, each of which is directed to a specific subject or activity. The host website can also provide digital labels for storage in other host websites. The host website is provided with artificial intelligence capabilities. Methods and systems for asymmetric access in a host website database are disclosed.
US08065332B2 Method and apparatus for communication efficient private information retrieval and oblivious transfer
A method, article of manufacture and apparatus for performing private retrieval of information from a database is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprising obtaining an index corresponding to information to be retrieved from the database and generating a query that does not reveal the index to the database. The query is an arithmetic function of the index and a secret value, wherein the arithmetic function includes a multiplication group specified by a modulus of a random value whose order is divisible by a prime power, such that the prime power is an order of the random value. The secret value is an arithmetic function of the index that comprises a factorization into prime numbers of the modulus. The method further comprises communicating the query to the database for execution of the arithmetic function against the entirety of the database.
US08065325B2 System and method for creating metadata
A system and a method create metadata for media files. The metadata may be information relating to, based on and/or associated with the media files. The metadata of the media files may be searched by one or more terminals. An event database connectable to a terminal may use a location, a date and/or a time of creation of the media files to associate specific events with the media files. Further, the specific events may be used by the database to create keywords associated with the media files. As a result, the system and the method may organize and/or may provide searching for media files. A web page may be generated for an event that accumulates the media files related to the event.
US08065320B2 Multi-model access to data
Techniques are provided for accessing data stored in a database. According to one technique, an application makes one or more calls to an operating system to access a file. The operating system includes routines that implement an operating system file system. The one or more calls are made to the routines that implement the operating system file system. In response to the one or more calls, one or more database commands are issued to a database server that manages the database. The database server executes the database commands to retrieve the data from the database. The file is generated from the data, and provided to the application.
US08065317B2 User-centric service providing device and service providing method
Provides a service providing device and method enabling a user to accept the service by utilizing the capabilities of several various devices. At least one physical device is selected for the user based on the service requirement. The user accepts the service via the selected physical device or devices. The invention “hides” the physical devices by using a virtual device to provide the service for users. Furthermore, the invention provides a “tailored” virtual device based on the environment around the user, the favorite of user and the requirements of the service, and may provide to the user the “tailored” information suitable for the user. The operating environment of the virtual device according to the invention is dynamically changeable according to the environment around the user, the favorite of user and the requirements of the service. Thus, a seamless service may be provided to the user.
US08065314B2 Method for matching color and appearance of a coating containing effect pigments
The present invention is directed to a method for identifying one or more matching formulas for matching color and appearance of a target coating containing effect pigments. The present invention is also directed to a system for identifying one or more matching formulas for matching color and appearance of a target coating containing effect pigments.
US08065310B2 Topics in relevance ranking model for web search
Described is a technology by which topics corresponding to web pages are used in relevance ranking of those pages. Topics are extracted from each web page of a set of web pages that are found via a query. For example, text such as nouns may be extracted from the title, anchor texts and URL of a page, and used as the topics. The extracted topics from a page are used to compute a relevance score for that page based on an evaluation of that page's topics against the query. The pages are then ranked relative to one another based at least in part on the relevance score computed for each page, such as by determining a matching level for each page, ranking pages by each level, and ranking pages within each level. Also described is training a model to perform the relevance scoring and/or ranking.
US08065308B2 Encoding semi-structured data for efficient search and browsing
A method for encoding XML tree data that includes the step of encoding the semi-structured data into strings of arbitrary length in a way that maintains non-structural and structural information about the XML data, and enables indexing the encoded XML data in a way that facilitates efficient search and browsing.
US08065307B2 Parsing, analysis and scoring of document content
The present invention may be used to analyze subject content, search and analyze reference content, compare the subject and reference content for similarity, and output comparison reports between the subject and reference content. The present invention may incorporate and utilize text from intrinsic and/or extrinsic subject documents. The analysis may employ a variety of metrics, including scores generated from a natural language processing system, scores based on classification similarity, scores based on proximity similarity, and in the case of analysis of patent documents, scores based on measurement of claims.
US08065305B2 File server, file management system and file relocation method
There is provided a file server which is capable of suppressing power consumption of a storage apparatus. When a file sharing program receives a file access from a client, the program makes reference to a mapping table. Then, the program addresses the access to the target file in the volume of a RAID group in which the target file is stored. A coupling-request reception program memorizes a coupling time for each user into a coupling history table. A grouping program applies a grouping to users whose coupling time-zones are similar to each other. A data transfer program transfers, into the same RAID group, data of the files associated with the grouped users, thereby collecting the data of the files into the same RAID group. On account of this, the time-zone during which no access is made to the RAID group (i.e., non-coupling time-zone) can be made longer. Accordingly, a spin-up/down request program makes a spin-down request to the RAID group in the non-coupling time-zone.
US08065300B2 Finding the website of a business using the business name
A system and method are provided for augmenting information on business directory databases. Using the business name contained in a business directory database and Web data mining technology, the website of a business is found and validated, prior to enriching the database entries.
US08065297B2 Semantic enhanced link-based ranking (SEL Rank) methodology for prioritizing customer requests
One exemplary method embodiment, pre-processes customer requests that are maintained in a dataset to create a matrix between products and the customer requests. Each of the customer requests comprises at least a customer identification, a textual request, and a product identification related to the textual request. After such pre-processing of the dataset, the method can respond to queries of the dataset using the matrix.
US08065296B1 Systems and methods for determining a quality of provided items
A system may provide items during a time period and determine a quality of the items provided during the time period using a time series model.
US08065291B2 On-line geographical directory
A method is provided for categorizing businesses, organizations and individuals in order to facilitate geographically-based searching over the Internet. The method includes entering in a database the names of businesses, organizations and/or individuals, for each name entry registering a geographical location identifier, the geographical location identifier indicating the precise geographical location at which the corresponding business, organization or individual is located, for each name entry registering further information such as contact details and a description of the goods or services offered by the business, organization or individual, and for at least some of the name entries adding credential information in respect of the business, organization or individual, or the goods or services offered by the business, organization or individual. A user interrogates the database by nominating a catchment area by reference to one or more geographical points to identify name entries within the catchment area nominated by the user.
US08065288B1 System, method, and computer program product for testing a query against multiple sets of objects utilizing a single instruction multiple data (SIMD) processing architecture
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for testing a query against multiple sets of objects. In operation, a query is tested against a first set of objects, utilizing a single instruction multiple data processing architecture. Additionally, a second set of objects is selected based on a result of testing the query against the first set of objects. Furthermore, the query is tested against the second set of objects, utilizing the single instruction multiple data processing architecture.
US08065286B2 Scalable search system using human searchers
A system allowing a query to be submitted to a server that locates a human searcher to perform a search. The searcher performs a search including using conventional tools, browser, and provides results to the user. A searcher who produces result(s) accepted by the user is rewarded and the results can be used when a similar query is submitted by another user. The searcher is located by comparing keywords of the query to keywords for which the searcher has registered and a high ranking searcher may be chosen by the system based on various factor(s). While the search is performed, information including videos, games, advertisements, etc., may be provided to the user based on keywords of the query and selection by the searcher. The reward for the searchers can be based on revenue from advertisements.
US08065285B2 Method and system for providing image rich web pages from a computer system over a network
The present invention is related to a computer system that provides a web page to a requestor over a network. Aspects of the present invention include receiving by the computer system a request to access a web page and in response, determining whether a descriptor for the requested web page is in a session memory. If the descriptor is not in the session memory, it is retrieved from a database and the stored in the session memory. From there, the descriptor is used to determine whether the web page should be retrieved and returned to the requestor. By storing the descriptor in session memory, additional accesses to the database can be avoided when the descriptor is used for subsequent tasks.
US08065281B2 Method and apparatus for facilitating distributed processing of database operations
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates distributed processing of database operations. During operation, the system receives a database operation at a distributed command processor, wherein the database operation includes a query language command. Next, the system performs a set of non-data processing operations associated with the database operation to obtain a set of non-data processing results. The system then sends the query language command to a database, which enables the database to execute the query language command to obtain a result.
US08065280B2 Method, system and computer program product for real-time data integrity verification
The present invention is a method and system that provides visual, production level, high-performance, integrated and automatic data integrity verification in a Web-based, e-business or other similar application, using a middleware application server. Asynchronous messaging is utilized to achieve real-time data verification. When data is read and updated by the application running in the application server, a message containing certain aspects of the data is published to a data auditor “queue” in the message server. Publishing the data is an asynchronous and high-performance operation and thus does not significantly slow down the operation being performed by the application server. The message is delivered to the message server and control immediately returns to the application to continue processing. Concurrently, the auditor checks the values resulting from the transaction and determines if the transactions have been recorded accurately.
US08065279B2 Performance neutral heartbeat for a multi-tasking multi-processor environment
A computer program product, apparatus and method for providing a performance neutral heartbeat in a computer communication system, the computer program product including a tangible storage medium readable by a processing circuit and storing instructions for execution by the processing circuit for performing a method including maintaining a send flag, maintaining a receive flag, determining that a heartbeat timer has activated, checking a state of the send flag to determine if packets have been sent since a prior heartbeat timer activation and checking a state of the receive flag to determine if packets have been received since a prior heartbeat timer activation.
US08065271B2 Storage system and method for backing up data
To realize backup that gives no influence on on-line performance at low cost, provided is a storage system including one or more disk storage devices, a tape storage device, and a controller for controlling the at least one disk storage device and the tape storage device. The controller stores a copy of data stored in a first volume in a third volume, reads the copy of the data stored in the first volume from the third volume to store the copy in a first tape storage medium of the tape storage device, stores a copy of data stored in a second volume in the third volume, and reads the copy of the data stored in the second volume from the third volume to store the copy in a second tape storage medium of the tape storage device.
US08065269B2 Immediate maintenance of materialized views
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for immediately updating a materialized view in a relational database management system. The method includes the steps of creating a materialized view defined over a base table, executing an update statement on the base table, computing a delta of the base table by comparing images of the base table before execution of the update statement and after execution of the update statement, computing a delta of the materialized view based on the delta of the base table, and updating the materialized view using the delta of the materialized view.
US08065267B2 Information processing device, file data merging method, file naming method, and file data output method
A step or means for associating a file with a cell in a table format by, for example, pasting an icon representing the file, wherein related data to be simultaneously referenced along with the data in the cell with which the file is associated is read according to a data entry positioning rule of a table format. Further, the step/means indicates merging file common condition data with record data in the file by adding the read related data to its each constituent record as the common condition value of the data file with which the corresponding cell is associated, and includes naming a file by converting a character string representing the read related data into a character string according to a prescribed rule and positioning it in a predetermined position in a template character string.
US08065266B2 Relationship data management
Some embodiments provide a system for processing relationship data that expresses relationship between various entities. In some embodiments, the entities are entities associated directly with an enterprise. The entities in some embodiments described below also include entities associated indirectly with the enterprise through other entities. However, one of ordinary skill will realize that some embodiments might only track relationships between entities directly associated with an enterprise. In some embodiments, the system consolidates disparate relationship data sets that relate to the same set of entities. For instance, in some embodiments, the system includes several data storages that store relationship data. For at least two entities, at least two different data storages store two different relationship data sets that differently express the relationship between the two entities. The system includes a hierarchy manager that receives the two different relationship data sets and consolidates the two different relationship data sets into one relationship data set that best expresses the relationship between the two entities.
US08065264B1 Systems and methods for optimizing database queries
A relational database warehouse system with query optimization capabilities is described that allows for speedy identification of sets of records of interest from amongst tens of millions of records. The records of interest may include complex derived attributes, generated, at least in part, by aggregating data from a plurality of records in base data tables. In various embodiments, the query optimization capabilities allow the database warehouse system to identify conditions under which normal query execution may be replaced by one or more optimized execution methods, including, for example, eliminating unnecessary inner join operations on base data tables specified by a query, re-ordering the execution of group-by operations and left-outer join operations to greatly reduce the size of join tables produced while processing a query, and/or consolidating a set of segmentation queries for execution in one pass over the records of the database.
US08065259B1 Pattern matching in a multiprocessor environment
Pattern matching in a plurality of interconnected processing engines includes: accepting a stream of input sequences over an interface and storing the input sequences; storing instructions for matching an input sequence to one or more patterns in memory accessible by a first set of one or more processing engines, and storing instructions for matching an input sequence to one or more patterns in memory accessible by a second set of one or more processing engines; distributing information identifying selected input sequences to the first and second sets of processing engines; and retrieving the identified input sequences to perform pattern matching in the first and second sets of processing engines.
US08065258B2 Computer-implemented method of determining validity of a command line
An approach is provided for determining a validity of a command line. A validity of the command line is determined based upon log information of a database, wherein the log information comprises network address information associated with the command line and time point information of the command line.
US08065254B1 Presenting a diversity of recommendations
Methods, systems and apparatus, including computer program products, for providing a diversity of recommendations. According to one method, results are identified so as to increase the likelihood that at least one result will be of interest to a user. Following the identification of a first result, second and later results are identified based on an assumption that the previously identified results are not of interest to the user. The identification of diverse results can be based on formulas that approximate the probability or provide a likelihood score of a user selecting a given result, where a measured similarity between a given object and previously identified results tends to decrease the calculated probability approximation or likelihood score for that object.
US08065249B1 GPSTP with enhanced aggregation functionality
A general purpose set theoretic processor is enhanced 1) by providing multi-function counters in stead of down-counters, 2) by internalizing the composite Boolean Logic function by introducing a two stage (two matrix) programmable composite Boolean Logic functionality wherein the first stage yields logical products of selected aggregation logic responses (or their complements) and the second stage yields logical sums of selected sets of those logical products, and 3) by providing internal selective re-initialization by means of a re-initialization routing matrix functionality that directs logical sums of Composite Boolean Logic sums of products to selected GPSTP cells to be re-initialized.
US08065248B1 Approximate hashing functions for finding similar content
A method including training a plurality of learning systems, each learning system implementing a learning function and having an input and producing an output, initializing one or more data structures, and evaluating a target sample is described. Also described are methods that include initializing one or more data structures and evaluating a target sample for a best match.
US08065244B2 Neural-network based surrogate model construction methods and applications thereof
Various neural-network based surrogate model construction methods are disclosed herein, along with various applications of such models. Designed for use when only a sparse amount of data is available (a “sparse data condition”), some embodiments of the disclosed systems and methods: create a pool of neural networks trained on a first portion of a sparse data set; generate for each of various multi-objective functions a set of neural network ensembles that minimize the multi-objective function; select a local ensemble from each set of ensembles based on data not included in said first portion of said sparse data set; and combine a subset of the local ensembles to form a global ensemble. This approach enables usage of larger candidate pools, multi-stage validation, and a comprehensive performance measure that provides more robust predictions in the voids of parameter space.
US08065241B2 Learning machine that considers global structure of data
A new machine learning technique is herein disclosed which generalizes the support vector machine framework. A separating hyperplane in a separating space is optimized in accordance with generalized constraints which dependent upon the clustering of the input vectors in the dataset.
US08065237B2 Systems and methods for aggregating packages in a shipping environment
Various embodiments for aggregating packages into a pouch in a shipping environment are disclosed. For example, package details associated with a package are compared to one or more incompatibility factors, and if the package details do not match the one or more incompatibility factors, a package identifier uniquely identifying the package is added to a pouch manifest. If the package is not compatible with the pouch, an error message may be displayed to a user indicating that the package is incompatible. In addition, package details may be compared with compatibility factors identifying criteria for packages that are compatible with the pouch and questionable compatibility factors identifying criteria for packages that may be compatible with the pouch. Compatibility factors and questionable compatibility factors may include, for example, service options, delivery notification options, or destination zip code(s).
US08065235B2 Portable intelligent shopping device
A portable intelligent shopping device which can be worn as a wristwatch or carried on a belt. It makes paying for purchases more secure. The device stores the wearer's private key and digital certificate. It can also store the public keys of various stores. When the wearer (shopper) buys something from a store, the store can request a payment of the appropriate amount from the wearer's watch. The authorization for payment of the amount specified by the request for payment may be transmitted using IR or RF. The watch can then display the amount and request the shopper to confirm the transaction by entering a PIN number by tapping on the touch screen or using the roller wheel. Once the correct PIN is entered, the watch can send a message to the store authorizing payment of the requested amount. The store can verify the message based on the shopper's encrypted certificate by decrypting it using the shopper's public key. The entire payment authorization signal can be encrypted by the shopper using the store's public key so that only the store can decrypt it with its private key.
US08065234B2 Methods and systems of predicting mortgage payment risk
Disclosed herein are methods and systems for detecting a risk of payment default. In various embodiments, the systems/methods receive mortgage data associated with a mortgage application of an applicant, generate one or more models based on data related to historical mortgage transactions and determine a payment default risk score based at least partly on the one or more generated models, the mortgage data associated with the mortgage application, and the credit data related to the applicant. In another embodiment, a system is disclosed for selecting mortgage applications for further fraud evaluation based on the determined risks of early payment default associated with the mortgage applications and performing the fraud evaluation on those selected mortgage applications.
US08065232B2 Method and system for initiating and/or conducting a transaction that is associated with at least two corresponding declarations of intent
The present invention relates to a method and a system for initiating and/or conducting a transaction that is associated with at least two corresponding declarations of intent, in particular a payment transaction, between at least two transaction parties via a processing unit (3), in which payment transaction at least one of the transaction parties uses a land line telephone or mobile telephone (1, 2) or a mobile communications device for transmitting data. The method is characterized by the transmission of data to the processing unit by at least two transaction parties within a limited time frame, and by the fact that the initiation of the data transmission of these transaction parties is effected actively by the transaction parties and not by the processing unit (3), while the data transmitted during initiation contain features that enable correlating the declarations of intent with one another.
US08065228B1 System and method for processing microtransactions
The method and system of the invention provide a variety of techniques for processing a microtransaction, wherein the microtransaction is a low monetary amount. In accordance with the invention, the method starts with a customer initiating a purchase through interaction with a merchant. The purchase is associated with purchase information, which includes the particulars of the purchase, such as the purchase price. In the purchase, the customer uses a transaction account, obtained from a payment enabler. The merchant submits the purchase information for processing of the purchase information. Thereafter, the purchase is classified as a microtransaction, if the purchase price is below a predetermined monetary amount. Thereafter, the purchase information is forwarded for processing based on the classifying, i.e., as a result of the purchase being classified as a microtransaction. Then, upon receipt of the purchase information by an appropriate recipient, such as an interchange entity or an alternate interchange entity, the purchase information is processed to effect the microtransaction between the customer and the merchant.
US08065223B2 Multi-transaction system and method
A multi-transaction system comprises a transaction module configured to access a set of transaction systems to obtain transaction information to enable procurement of an item. The set of transaction systems includes an automated trading system configured to enable a user to receive the item in a trade for at least one other item associated with the user, and further includes at least one of an auction system configured to enable the user to electronically bid on the item and an online sales system configured to enable the user to purchase the item. A method is provided for performing corresponding functions.
US08065219B2 System architecture and method for energy industry trading and transaction management
A system architecture and method for energy industry trading and transaction management includes a business logic server-based layer and a database layer. The business logic server-based layer includes a parameter-based configuration of at least one business logic service. The business logic service is configurable to enable a deployment of the system to be compatible with a respective business practice of at least one client customer. The at least one business logic service is configured to support energy trading and transaction management and to utilize business rules operable on an event basis for processing via an API at least one of energy trading and transaction management data, including data specific to the at least one client customer. The database layer operatively connects to the business logic layer for storing the data processed by the business logic layer in a database.
US08065217B2 Real-time portfolio balancing and/or optimization system and method
A computer-implemented system and method are described for real-time portfolio balancing and/or optimization of portfolio holdings, preferably in Alternative Trading Systems (ATSs), that reduces execution risk and legging risk. The computer-implemented system and method also incorporate cash constraints to assist in reducing execution risks. A computer-implemented system and method include advantages such as exposure to broad market liquidity throughout the trading day, being dynamic so that a strategy can be adjusted depending on market conditions, the reduction of execution and legging risks, optimal fills, and limited market impact.
US08065216B2 Personal point of sale commission rate benchmarking tool
The invention provides a method of displaying an evaluation tool for evaluating a proposed commission on behalf of a professional at the time of carrying out a transaction. Using a principal and share/unit price for the proposed transaction, the method identifies nearest neighbour historical transactions. A graph is displayed showing the professional's proposed commission in relation to these nearest neighbour historical transactions. The professional can modify the proposed commission in light of the historical data before executing the transaction and charging the commission.
US08065213B2 Systems and methods for transaction and information management
Systems or methods for managing transactions within a controlled environment facility provide an information management engine integrating transaction functionality and telephone calling functionality, establish an account associated with a resident of the controlled environment facility, and use the information management engine to conduct transactions associated with residents of the controlled environment facility. The transactions include at least requests, by the resident, for deposits into the account by a party outside of the controlled environment facility. The systems or methods accept requests from the resident and utilize the telephone calling services of the information management engine to facilitate the request for deposit. The systems or methods may place calls to the individuals outside the controlled environment facility to interact with the individual, request the deposit and accept such deposits.
US08065209B1 System and method for bundling financial services products with a mortgage in connection with a move event
Financial products, such as a mortgage, homeowner's insurance, and various forms of life insurance, can be packaged together and marketed around a move event. A customer can apply for a mortgage on a web site. As part of the application process, certain data is collected from the customer, and other data may be retrieved from one or more databases. This information can be used to offer and price homeowner's insurance and life insurance, and to suggest an amount of insurance. The web site may offer the customer the chance to buy a mortgage and insurance as a package, after answering a small number of questions that are used to assess the insurance-related risk. The customer may also be offered the chance to make a unified monthly payment for the package of both mortgage and insurance products.
US08065207B1 Guarantee certificates
Methods and systems are provided for issuing a new type of security, referred to herein as a “Guarantee Certificate,” which offers payments to a holder contingent upon the occurrence of specified risk-related events that would typically trigger an insurance or guaranty payment. Guarantee Certificates offer a mechanism for separating certain payment rights associated with a pool of assets (which may or may not be securitized) from the remaining payment rights associated with the pool, such that the payment rights form separate, transferable financial instruments. These instruments evidence an obligation of a mortgage insurer or a securities guarantor to make payments triggered by certain default-related events involving a corresponding (in the case of a mortgage insurer) or an underlying (in the case of a securities guarantor) mortgage loan or loans. A data processing system creates and maintains information corresponding to the Guarantee Certificates. A Guarantee Certificate may be tradable by the holder.
US08065205B2 Bill of lading transmission and processing system for less than a load carriers
The present invention automates the process of receiving transportation documentation and producing advance loading manifests therefrom to optimize load planning and dynamic product shipment and delivery control. Methods provide for receipt of the transportation documentation, initial preparation, and transmission of the documentation from on board a vehicle or while the vehicle is in transit.
US08065198B2 Providing time-sensitive information for purchase determinations
A method, system, and medium are provided that are directed to providing a user with time-sensitive information that is usable to determine when to purchase a product. In accordance with embodiments of the technology, exemplary steps include using historical product information to generate time-sensitive information. Moreover, in response to receiving from a user a request to receive information describing a given product, time-sensitive information is caused to be presented. For example, time-sensitive information might be usable by the user to determine when to purchase the given product and an alternative product.
US08065195B2 Method, medium, and system for universal shopping cart order injection and payment determination
A universal shopping cart is provided that obtains and orders products and services from different merchants located on the Internet. The consumer completes all of their shopping on the shopping site and is not directed to another merchant's site to complete an order. The universal shopping cart provides a monitoring service that allows the consumer to monitor a product for specified criteria. The order injection system places orders for products contained within the universal shopping cart from affiliated and non-affiliated merchants. Specific ordering details required from merchants external to the shopping site are hidden from the consumer. For external merchant sites that require a consumer account before allowing the product to be purchased, the shopping site creates a new consumer account without intervention from the consumer. Once the products are ordered, the consumer may keep track of the ordered products from the shopping site.
US08065192B2 Method and system for tiered pricing of customized base products
Systems and methods for organizational purchasing are disclosed herein. More specifically, in certain embodiments a campaign corresponding to a product may be created and potential buyers informed of the campaign. These potential buyers may then themselves purchase the product in association with the campaign. In this manner not only are potential buyers informed that a product is being offered to one or more other buyers but the purchases of the individual buyers in association with the campaign may be aggregated to, for example, achieve a lower purchasing cost for each buyer relative to what the buyer would have paid if he had purchased only the quantity of product he desired.
US08065189B1 Method, medium, and system for automatically moving items from a first shopping cart to a second shopping cart
A computer-implemented method is disclosed, operating at a server system. The method comprises, in response to a selection by a user of an electronic procurement system, adding a second item from the electronic procurement system to a first shopping cart including at least one first item from the electronic procurement system. The method further comprises moving at least one of the items from the first shopping cart to a second shopping cart, and processing purchase of the first and second shopping carts. Other related methods and systems are also described.
US08065185B2 System and method of providing targeted advertisements from subscribers of directory services
Disclosed are systems, computer-readable medium and a method for delivering advertisements to user devices. The method includes storing first data associated with online and physical activity of plurality of customers, storing second data associated with current status of plurality of advertisers, matching a customer with an advertiser based on analysis of the first data and the second data and delivering an advertisement to a device associated with the matched customers online and physical activity. The on-line and physical activity is captured by a plurality of devices including a mobile device via a plurality of sensors.
US08065184B2 Estimating ad quality from observed user behavior
A system obtains ratings associated with a first set of advertisements hosted by one or more servers, where the ratings indicate a quality of the first set of advertisements. The system observes multiple different first user actions associated with user selection of advertisements of the first set of advertisements and derives a statistical model using the observed first user actions and the obtained ratings. The system further observes second user actions associated with user selection of a second advertisement hosted by the one or more servers and uses the statistical model and the second user actions to estimate a quality of the second advertisement.
US08065183B1 Methods and systems for providing a merchant funded rebate or rewards program
The present invention relates to facilitating retail transactions between registered members and selected merchants who fund rebates on the transactions between themselves and the registered members and the calculation of a rebate or reward in correlation with a qualifying purchase. Account purchase transactions associated with merchants funding rebates are monitored to determine whether or not they were consummated using an enrolled member account. The rebates or rewards earned by a registered member can be applied to a variety of accounts, financial instruments or obligations.
US08065182B2 System and method for networked loyalty program
The present invention provides a system for implementing a loyalty program on a network-wide level. The system associates UPC and SKU data on a network level to reward consumers and/or to analyze the data for a variety of business purposes, such as market segmentation analyses and/or analyses relating to consumer spending behaviors or patterns for example. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the association of UPC and SKU data by the system facilitates implementation of an incentive or loyalty program by providing a universal rewards currency. This universal rewards currency may be “spent” by participants who have earned rewards and accepted by the other participants in the multi-tiered network created by the system. The network may comprise any number of participants, including consumers, retailers (and any of their employees), manufacturers, third-party providers, and the like. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the association of UPC and SKU data by the system facilitates data analysis on a network level based upon several factors, including a consumer ID, consumer profile, retailer ID, SKU number, UPC, manufacturer ID, and/or the like. The system may compile any of the above data across multiple entities for the purpose of data analysis, such as analyses which may be employed in strategic planning and marketing for example.
US08065181B2 System and method for electronic toll collection based on vehicle load
A system for electronic toll collection from a vehicle including an electronic tag for capturing information including a number of passengers in the vehicle and an electronic tag identification, a wireless transmitter for transmitting the captured information; and a wireless receiver for receiving the captured information. The system further includes a toll computer for determining a toll fee for the vehicle based on the received number of passengers and a time of day. The wireless transmitter may be an IR or RF transmitter.The toll computer determines the toll fee for the vehicle based on the received number of passengers, and one or more of the time of day, the day and the traffic information.
US08065179B1 Method and apparatus for providing a utility-based model for security software revenue generation
A method and apparatus for providing a utility based revenue stream for a security software subscription at a client computer is provided. In one embodiment, the method for providing a utility based revenue stream for a security software subscription at a client computer comprises analyzing a security activity log based on a utility metric to produce an analysis result and determining a value for the security software subscription based on the analysis result.
US08065178B2 Method and system for automatically generating forecasts
A method and system for defining and generating forecasts. The forecast system receives a forecast definition from a user, generates a forecast in accordance with the forecast definition, stores a forecast snapshot of the generated forecast, and presents to users forecast information derived from the forecast snapshots. A forecast definition specifies the participants to be included in a forecast and when to generate the forecast. At the scheduled time, the forecast system automatically generates the forecast and stores the forecast snapshot.
US08065173B2 Collaborative multi-agent system for dynamic management of electronic services in a mobile global network environment
A computer-readable electronic services management system for a mobile communications network, comprising a distributed network of agents in the form of collaborative autonomous software agents wherein the agents are configured to represent and act on behalf of a user and to communicate with each other to manage, for the user, one or more electronic services (e.g. electronic messages, a purchase etc.) via the user's communications devices. Multiple types of agents include a primary personal agent, a primary creation agent for creating other agents and subordinate agents, and a primary destruction agent for destroying agents meeting pre-determined criteria based on a threshold value in relation to an agent value coefficient. Collaboration between agents is by a private user whiteboard facility whereby collaborating agents post to the whiteboard addressed electronic services, including service tasks to be performed for the user, and extract from the whiteboard electronic services addressed to them.
US08065170B2 Method and system for a deferred variable annuity with flexible benefit payments
A computer implemented data processing system and method processes data associated with a deferred variable annuity contract during the accumulation phase for a relevant life. The annuity contract has a payment base value, a contract value, and available benefit payments. The system stores data indicative of a payout period having a duration greater than a year and a maximum total withdrawal percent for the payout period. The product of the maximum total withdrawal percent and the payment base value is a maximum benefit payment amount that may be withdrawn during the payout period without reducing the payment base value.
US08065165B2 Apparatus and method for constructing formularies
An system for constructing formularies is disclosed. The system includes a central computer system and at least one additional computer. The central computer system compiles a list of various pharmaceutical products and sort them into different categories. Formularies are then created by selecting individual products or categories of products that will be covered. When prescription claims are received, coverage is either accepted or denied based on whether the products in the prescription claims are covered by the formulary.
US08065161B2 System for maintaining drug information and communicating with medication delivery devices
A system for maintaining drug information and communicating with medication delivery devices includes software designed for use in a hospital, pharmacy or biomedical technical service environments. The software may be provided on a computer readable medium. The software allows a facility to customize a drug library with both hard and soft drug limits and other parameters for use with an infuser having a plug and play module removably inserted into a slot within a housing, or for use with an infuser having a connectivity engine enclosed within the housing. The system supports data transfer to one or more infusers connected to one or more computers. The connection between the computer and the pump can be hard wired or wireless.
US08065160B1 Centralized pharmacy business method
A centralized pharmacy business method includes forming a business alliance between a centralized pharmacy, one or more satellite pharmacists/facility directors, and a shipping service. Optionally, the centralized pharmacy and the shipping service are located “end of runway,” which means that the shipping service is co-located with or in close proximity to the centralized pharmacy. The satellite pharmacists/facility directors may accrue incentives based on recruiting one or more customer bases. Maintenance prescription orders are received and filled by the centralized pharmacy and delivered to the respective customer base. Acute prescription orders are received and filled by the satellite pharmacy of the pharmacists/facility directors near the customer base and may be delivered to the respective customer base.
US08065154B2 Augmentative communications device for the speech impaired using commercial-grade technology
The present invention broadly comprises a computer-based method for aiding aphasics having gross and fine motor impairments in efficiently communicating, comprising the steps of storing alphanumeric characters in a database, calculating statistics of the alphanumeric characters based on frequency used and most recent used, and, predicting a response according to the statistics of the alphanumeric characters, wherein the steps of storing, calculating, and predicting are performed by a general purpose computer specially programmed to perform the steps of storing, calculating, and predicting.
US08065131B2 Configurable system and method for power and process plant modeling
A method for simulating an industrial plant includes generating a library of industrial plant component types using user input. The library includes properties of the component types and rules to generate scripts in accordance with property values. The method further includes assembling a configuration of industrial plant components from the library using user input. The configuration is assembled into an editor configured to accept a layout and connection of the configuration of industrial plant components and to accept a configuration and setting of the properties of the industrial plant components. The method also includes generating a script or scripts for industrial plant components in the configuration of industrial plant in accordance with the rules, wherein the generated scripts include mathematical relationships within or among the industrial plant components, or both. The mathematical relationships are then solved. Results are either displayed or used to control an industrial plant.
US08065128B1 Methods and apparatus for automated testbench generation
Methods and apparatus are provided for efficiently generating designs for testing design automation tools and applications. Randomized and diverse test designs with realistic attributes are automatically generated to allow comprehensive testing of design automation tools such as synthesis, simulation, and place and route tools used to implement designs on electronic devices. Each test design can incorporate a wide range of attributes to allow thorough integration testing of a design automation tool.
US08065122B2 Method of designing or evaluating a bake oven
A method of designing or evaluating the design of a bake oven for curing paint on an article to achieve the cure criteria for predetermined areas of the article, including creating a three-dimensional model of the article and the bake oven, dividing the three-dimensional model into discreet elements, using a computer to set each discreet element to initial conditions and at an initial time, repeating this step to achieve substantial convergence, comparing the cure criteria with the calculated temperature as a function of time and finally modifying the computational model of the bake oven to achieve the cure criteria based upon a computer simulation.
US08065121B2 Method for pin-less registration of a plurality of laminate elements
The present invention relates to a pin-less registration method for a plurality of laminate elements in a selected stack orientation. The method involves the use of an optical step that images portions of each laminate and determines a required correction factor between an alignment of the laminate element at the pre-alignment station and a preferred stack orientation for the laminate element. A computer operation control system provides instructions for positioning laminate elements to a corrected stack orientation during an assembly of the stack. Following the assembly of the stack an induction welding step occurs at predetermined locations to secure the pinless alignment.
US08065117B2 Run-time tunable sample time in programming or modeling environments
Programming or modeling environments in which programs or models are simulated or executed with tunable sample times are disclosed. The tunable sample times can be changed during the simulation or execution of the programs or models without recompiling the programs or models. The sample times are parameterized and the value of the sample times is changed during the simulation or execution of the programs or models. The sample times may be changed manually by a user. Alternatively, the sample times may be automatically changed by programmatically defining when and how the sample times are determined.
US08065115B2 Method and system for identifying audible noise as wind noise in a hearing aid apparatus
A method and system for detecting wind noise are adapted to determine whether two of a plurality of sound signals acquired by a plurality of sound receiving units include wind noise. The method includes the following steps: (a) transforming the two sound signals to their corresponding digitized sound signals including a plurality of sound frames; (b) calculating a correlation coefficient of each pair of the corresponding sound frames from the two digitized sound signals; (c) subtracting one of the digitized sound signals from the other, and transforming the resultant digitized sound signal to frequency domain; (d) selecting a frequency bin in frequency domain for each of the sound frames to serve as a frequency boundary, and calculating a dB difference, a low-frequency energy decay factor, and a low-frequency ripple number of each of the sound frames according to the frequency boundary; and (e) determining whether the correlation coefficient, the dB difference, the low-frequency energy decay factor, and the low-frequency ripple number of a respective sound frame comply with a predetermined determination rule, the two sound signals being determined to include wind noise if affirmative.
US08065112B2 Apparatus and method for assessing exceedance of a process beyond safe operating limits
An apparatus and method implementable with a software application for checking or assessing exceedances of process variables beyond safe operating limits is described. The process has instruments, a process history database, and one or more external databases. The instruments measure process variables and can be associated with the equipment. The process history database stores a plurality of values of the process variables measured by the instruments. Data of the equipment, the associated instrument, and the safe operating limit for the equipment is defined in a limit sequence of the software application. The process history database is searched for one or more exceedance values that are measured by the defined instrument and that exceed the defined safe operating limit. The “apparent” exceedance values are then imported into the software application. Finally, the user uses the software application to evaluate and validate the exceedance values.
US08065111B1 Systems and methods for optimization of missile and projectile aerodynamic configurations
The present disclosure provides systems and methods to aid engineers and designers in pinpointing optimal aerodynamic designs given a target objective. Advantageously, the present invention allows a user to tackle shifts in requirements or to simply conduct preliminary design feasibilities, quickly and efficiently. The present invention includes: (1) a genetic algorithm-based optimizing routine; (2) an existing semi-empirical, aeropredictive code (APC); and (3) an interface between the two. The present invention defines bounds for an array of variables that define the overall aerodynamic geometry and performance measures of a device. The genetic algorithm-based optimizing routine interfaces with the APC to determine a design that best fits the requirements.
US08065110B2 System and method for evaluation of fluid flow in a piping system
A method to model a complex system of pipes. The model takes into account the physical processes in a tree-type piping system and provides for an accurate modeling of a real world tree-type piping system. In a preferred embodiment, a computer program is provided for analyzing models of dry pipe systems. The computer program includes a user interface and a computational engine. The user interface allows a model of a dry pipe system to be defined and the computational engine determines a liquid flow time through the model of the dry pipe system. The computational engine provides a verification of the liquid flow time in a model of a referential dry pipe system within 20% of an actual liquid flow time in the referential dry pipe system.
US08065107B1 Combinatorial process optimization methodology and system
A method for obtaining an optimized process solution from a set of design of experiments in a cost effective manner is provided. An actual experiment is performed and data from the experiments is obtained. Through statistical analysis of the data, coefficients are obtained. These coefficients are input into an experiment simulator where input parameters and conditions are combined with the coefficients to predict an output for the input parameters and conditions. From simulated results, conclusions can be drawn as to sets of input parameters and conditions providing desired results. Thereafter, physical experiments utilizing the input parameters and conditions may be performed to verify the simulated results.
US08065103B2 Calibration of a position measuring device of an optical device
A method for calibrating a position measuring device of an optical device, including a measurement step in which a movable unit of the optical device is moved according to a predefinable scheme in at least one degree of freedom and a position of the movable unit is determined in the at least one degree of freedom. The position of the movable unit is determined in the at least one degree of freedom in a first measurement via a first measuring device of the position measuring device, and the position of the movable unit is determined in the at least one degree of freedom in a second measurement via a second measuring device of the position measuring device sing a reference element connected to the movable unit. In a calibration step, the first measuring device is calibrated using the results of the first measurement and the second measurement. An encoder system is used as the second measuring device. The reference element includes a reference grid of the encoder system.
US08065101B2 Electromagnetic field intensity calculating method and apparatus
There is provided an electromagnetic field intensity calculator for calculating the intensity of electromagnetic field radiated from an electric circuit device based on a moment method. A conductor pattern obtained from CAD data is divided into a square mesh pattern. In the mesh pattern of the outline part, the entire region in the mesh pattern is filled with the conductor pattern according to the ratio of area between the conductor pattern region and the blank region, or subjected to correction for blanking, so that a mesh data model is automatically configured by mesh pattern group consisting of only squares conforming to the moment method and reflecting the outline of the conductor pattern.
US08065096B2 Method and apparatus for detecting occlusions in an ambulatory infusion pump
An improved pump, reservoir and reservoir piston are provided for controlled delivery of fluids. A motor is operably coupled to a drive member, such as a drive screw, which is adapted to advance a plunger slide in response to operation of the motor. The plunger slide is removably coupled to the piston. A method, system, and an article of manufacture for automatically detecting an occlusion in a medication infusion pump is provided. The electrical current to an infusion pump is measured. Based on a series of measurements of one or more variables, the infusion pump detects whether there is an occlusion in the system.
US08065078B2 Conveying locations in spoken dialog systems
The presentation of location information to a user that is distracted by traveling can result in the user quickly forgetting, or never even comprehending, key parts of the location information, such as the street number. Identification can be made of intersections and points of interest near the user's destination, which can then be provided instead of, or in addition to, the address, thereby increasing user comprehension and retention, especially when distracted. Map data can be parsed into addresses, intersections and points of interest databases. These databases can be accessed to identify proximate intersections and points of interest, which can then be filtered and subsequently ranked to identify one intersection, one point of interest, or both, that can be presented to the user to aid the user in comprehending and retaining the location information even when distracted.
US08065077B2 Organizing media data using a portable electronic device
The present invention relates to an electronic communication device, a portable electronic device, a method, a computer program product, a computer program element, and a system for organizing electronic media data in relation to fix points of geographic locations. The method for organizing electronic media data in relation to fix points of geographic locations, according to the present invention, comprises: obtaining at least one said fix point related to a scheme (step 804), obtaining at least a link to electronic media data under the control of a user (step 808), determining position of said user (step 810), and associating said obtained data with said at least one fix point (step 816), so that a link from said at least one fix point to the associated data can be provided to the user.
US08065075B2 Power control system and method for the same
A power control system and method receives and filters a valid GPS signal received by a navigation device and outputs a corresponding performance parameter for the GPS signal, and upon determining that a power management signal is a power-off management signal, determines whether the performance parameter exceeds a predetermined first threshold. Alternatively, if the power management signal is not a power-off management signal, the performance parameter is determined whether it is smaller than a predetermined second threshold value. A processing module is managed to send a GPS power control signal that controls power provided to a GPS module in the navigation device, thereby reducing power consumption of the navigation device.
US08065072B2 Transit information provision device, method and program
A transit information provision device includes a transit event information acquiring unit which acquires transit event information; a transit information provision unit which provides the transit information to a user; a position information extraction unit which successively extracts position information which indicates a present position of the user; a route acceptance unit which accepts an anticipated movement route for the user; a detour traveling judgment unit which judges whether or not the user has traveled along the anticipated movement route; and a transit information provision rule calculation unit operable to calculate a rule for providing the transit information using transit event information when it is judged, by the detour traveling judgment unit that the user has traveled along the anticipated movement route, and transit event information when the user is judged to have detoured by the detour traveling judgment unit.
US08065070B2 Internal combustion engine having common power source for ion current sensing and fuel injectors
An electrical power system for an engine powered at least in part by a battery having a battery voltage and including a fuel injector and at least one ionization sensor includes at least one common power supply connected to the fuel injector and the ionization sensor and supplying a voltage higher than the battery voltage for operation of the fuel injector and the ionization sensor at least during an ionization sensing period after spark discharge.
US08065068B2 Vehicle control method and vehicle control device
This invention is intended to ensure that a vehicle control method or vehicle control device is capable of achieving the object of each of a plurality of control logics in a balanced manner and performing an appropriate control for the vehicle as a whole. Demands concerning a plurality of control parameters of a vehicle are output from each of a plurality of control logics having an object individually. The target value of each of the control parameters is determined by mediating the demands from each of the control logics with respect to each kind of control parameter. In doing so, the demand from the control logic whose demand has been reflected to the target value in the already-performed mediation is withdrawn or relieved in the following mediation.
US08065065B2 Lock-up control for torque converter
A lock-up control system including a lock-up differential pressure generator and a controller that is programmed to: when increasing a lock-up differential pressure command value with time to establish the lock-up state of the torque converter, switch a gradient of the lock-up differential pressure command value from a first gradient to a predetermined gradient larger than the first gradient when an actual slip rotation speed is decreased to a predetermined slip rotation speed value or less; and switch the gradient of the lock-up differential pressure command value from the predetermined gradient to a second gradient smaller than the predetermined gradient when the actual slip rotation speed exceeds the predetermined slip rotation speed value again after being decreased to the predetermined slip rotation speed value or less.
US08065064B2 Shift control device for automatic transmission and control method thereof
An automatic transmission calculates a current thermal load state of the frictional element, predicts (S24, 531), prior to the start of the shift, a heat generation amount of the frictional element during the shift, predicts (S25, S32) a thermal load state of the frictional element upon shift completion on the basis of the current thermal load state and the predicted heat generation amount, and when the predicted thermal load state upon shift completion is inside a predetermined region, either performs (S28, S38) the shift after modifying a shift mode such that the heat generation amount of the frictional element is smaller than that of a case in which the predicted thermal load state upon shift completion is outside the predetermined region, or prohibits (S39) the shift, wherein the predetermined region is set at a different region depending on whether the shift is an upshift or a downshift.
US08065061B2 Payload control system based on force and speed
In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a payload control system for a machine having traction devices. The payload control system may have a force sensor configured to measure a force transmitted through the traction devices. The payload control system may also have a speed sensor configured to measure a speed of the machine. The payload control system may further have a controller in communication with the force sensor and the speed sensor. The controller may be configured to modify a weight limit of the machine based on the measured force and the measured speed.
US08065052B2 Method and arrangement for correlating time bases between interconnected units
A method and arrangement for correlating time in different time bases used by interconnected units by timestamping a reference event with a time determined with respect to a first time base. A message unit provides the time to a second interconnected unit that uses a second time base. A translation device is configured to calculate a difference between the time measured by the first time base and in the second time base. The difference is used to translate a time measured by the first clock to a time in a different time base at run time.
US08065051B2 Context-sensitive help for display device associated with power driven wheelchair
An apparatus and method for providing help information on a display device associated with a power driven wheelchair is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes: a) displaying screen content displayed on the display device during operation or support of the power driven wheelchair, b) detecting selective activation of a first input device, c) in response to detection of the first input device activation, selecting help information content from a collection of help information, the selected help information content being contextually related to the screen content displayed on the display device, and d) displaying the contextually-related help information content on the display device. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes: a display device, a first input device, and a microcontroller in operative communication with the display device and the first input device.
US08065050B2 Method and apparatus for detecting an insufficient phase current in a permanent magnet synchronous motor
A method is provided for detecting an insufficient or missing phase current in a permanent magnet synchronous motor, and includes determining a composite vector position of a combined three-phase phase current with respect to a stationary portion of the motor, and assigning a sector to the position. The method includes comparing the phase current to a calibrated threshold current corresponding to the sector, and executing a response when the absolute value is less than the threshold. A vehicle includes an energy storage device (ESD), a motor/generator configured as a permanent magnet synchronous motor, a voltage inverter, and a bus for conducting DC current from the ESD to the inverter. A controller detects an insufficient phase current, determines a current vector position of the three-phase AC, assigns a sector to the position, and executes a response when an absolute value of the phase current is less than a calibrated threshold.
US08065048B2 Automatically identifying volvo communication protocols method and apparatus
A diagnostic tool and method are provided that can determine the communication protocol being used by diagnostic systems in a vehicle. The tool can automatically communicate with onboard computer of the diagnostic system in a first communication protocol and if unsuccessful, then can communicate with the diagnostic system in a second communication protocol. The tool can also determine the Baud rate of the communication protocol being used by the onboard computer.
US08065047B2 Control apparatus of a hybrid vehicle and method for controlling the same
Disclosed herein are embodiments of a control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle that is capable of suppressing overheating of the second clutch. Control is switched between engine-used slip drive control and motor drive control on a basis of a temperature of the second clutch. Control methods for a hybrid vehicle are also disclosed.
US08065046B2 Olivo-cerebellar controller
Non-linear control laws are disclosed and implemented with a controller and control system for maneuvering an underwater vehicle. The control laws change the phase of one Inferior-Olive (IO) neuron with respect to another IO. One control law is global, that is, the control law works (stable and convergent) for any initial condition. The remaining three control laws are local. The control laws are obtained by applying feedback linearization, while retaining non-linear characteristics. Each control law generates a profile (time history) of the control signal to produce a desired phase difference recognizable by a controller to respond to disturbances and to maneuver an underwater vehicle.
US08065044B2 Vehicle guidance system
A vehicle guidance system comprising: a measurement system; a processor arranged to receive information from the measurement system and convert said information into at least one time-to-contact based parameter; and a control system arranged to receive the at least one time-to-contact based parameter from the processor and use the at least one time-to-contact based parameter to either automatically guide the vehicle or to provide vehicle guidance information to a pilot.
US08065041B2 Concentrating control method of generating sets for grid energy saving and reduction of SO2 discharge
The present invention provides a control method for generating data sets for reduction of sulfur dioxide discharge in energy grid. The electric price parameters, energy-consumption parameters, and SO2 discharge parameters of the generating sets are collected and processed, and the final generating sets are selected according to different control goals or the comprehensive analysis of the electric price parameters, the energy-consuming parameters and the SO2 discharge parameters of the generating sets. The present invention sets the least SO2 discharge in general power grids as a target and solves the problem of the present loss of control of SO2 discharge in the generating sets.
US08065040B2 On-site power plant control including adaptive response to transient load requirements
An on-site power plant (24) has a controller (40) that selectively controls operation of prime movers (26, 28, 30). In one example, the controller (40) changes the number of operating prime movers responsive to a transient in a load (22) requirement while continuing to operate at least one of the prime movers. One example includes prioritizing the prime movers (26, 28, 30) for operation based upon the needs of a cogeneration unit (32, 34, 36) associated with the prime movers for providing a temperature control function within a facility. Another example includes controlling operation of the prime movers based upon a capacity for fueling the prime movers.
US08065034B2 Method of printing on a product
A method of conveying a printed product on a conveying device toward a printer for printing. The thickness of the printed product is monitored, and the height of the printer is adjusted based on the thickness of the printed product. Indicia is printed on the printed product with the printer.
US08065032B2 Method for depositing individually packaged items in containers
A method for depositing real items into real containers, wherein the real items are transported along a picking line and are deposited into spaces in the real containers using robots. Placement of the items is predetermined by a controller. The controller provides for the real items and the real containers to be previously associated with one another by virtue of graphical symbols for items being placed into at least one graphical symbol for a container on a screen that is connected to the controller. The method according to the invention thus makes it possible to easily and quickly fill a container with an assortment of items in the desired manner using real robot movements.
US08065030B2 Embroidery data generating device and computer-readable medium storing embroidery data generating program
An embroidery data generating device includes a line segment data generation device that generates a plurality of line segment data pieces based on image data, a distance calculation device that calculates a distance from an ending endpoint of one of a plurality of line segments to an endpoint of another of the plurality of line segments, an angle calculation device that calculates an angle formed by the one of the plurality of line segments and the other of the plurality of line segments, a connecting endpoint determination device that determines which of endpoints of the plurality of line segments is a connecting endpoint to be connected to the ending endpoint, a line segment connecting device that connects the plurality of line segments by connecting the ending endpoint and the connecting endpoint, and an embroidery data generation device that generates embroidery data for forming stitches following the plurality of line segments.
US08065023B2 System, method, and apparatus for managing wastewater treatment installation
Apparatus for managing a residential wastewater treatment system includes an in situ control unit that monitors an individual system. The control unit provides local control and alarms, and also sends status reports and/or alarms to a remote monitoring center via a telemetry device. The remote monitoring center makes information concerning the individual system available through a website.
US08065019B2 Methods and systems for improving the reliability of the time basis for data logged in an implantable medical device
Disclosed are methods for synchronizing the time basis of logged data between an implantable medical device such as an IPG and an external device. The IPG logs various operational parameters as data and associates the same with a possibly-inaccurate IPG time stamp and a sequence number. Periodically, the external device sends accurate true time data to the IPG, which, like the operational parameter data, is logged with an IPG time stamp and a next sequence number. The IPG then orders the data sequences and timing sequences by time stamp in a combined data log, and divides that data log into regions in accordance with reset conditions apparent in the time stamp data. Slopes indicative of the relation between true time and time stamps are calculated for various regions on an intra-region or inter-region basis, which then allows for true time estimates to be calculated for the data sequences, thus providing an accurate time basis for the logged data. The true time estimates for the data sequences may then be transmitted from the IPG to an external device for interpretation.
US08065017B2 Method and apparatus for obtaining and registering an Electrical Cochlear Response (“ECR”)
This invention relates to a method and apparatus for obtaining and registering the Electrical Cochlear Response (“ECR”). Particularly, the ECR refers to the electrical activity of the auditory nerve and the intracochlear residual tissue located in the neighborhood of an intracochlear stimulation electrode, when an external sound is presented to a Cochlear Implant user, human or animal. Applicants recognize that an ECR can be thought of as a far-field electrical potential registered on the scalp of an implanted patient. Applicants, through their method and apparatus, can extract that potential from the patient's spontaneous electroencephalographic activity (EEG) and measure it by using an averaging algorithm. The Electrical Cochlear Response can be applied for adaptation, calibration, performance evaluation and failure detection of the Cochlear Implant of the implanted patient. Also Applicants' method can be applied to estimate the audiometric thresholds of the Cochlear Implant even without the implanted patient's knowledge.
US08065015B2 Regulation of genes via application of specific and selective electrical and electromagnetic signals
Methods and devices for the regulation of gene expression by cells via the application of fields generated by specific and selective electric and electromagnetic signals so as to target diseased or injured tissue for treatment. By gene expression is meant the up regulation or down regulation of the process whereby specific portions (genes) of the human genome (DNA) are transcribed into mRNA and subsequently translated into protein. Methods and devices are provided for the targeted treatment of injured or diseased tissue that include providing specific and selective electric and electromagnetic signals and exposing tissue to the fields generated by the signals so as to regulate gene expression. In particular, methods and devices are provided for the targeted treatment of bone defects, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, cancer, and other disease states.
US08065011B2 Adaptive method and apparatus for forecasting and controlling neurological disturbances under a multi-level control
An adaptive method and apparatus for forecasting and controlling neurological abnormalities in humans such as seizures or other brain disturbances. The system is based on a multi-level control strategy. Using as inputs one or more types of physiological measures such as brain electrical, chemical or magnetic activity, heart rate, pupil dilation, eye movement, temperature, chemical concentration of certain substances, a feature set is selected off-line from a pre-programed feature library contained in a high level controller within a supervisory control architecture. This high level controller stores the feature library within a notebook or external PC. The supervisory control also contains a knowledge base that is continuously updated at discrete steps with the feedback information coming from an implantable device where the selected feature set (feature vector) is implemented. This high level controller also establishes the initial system settings (off-line) and subsequent settings (on-line) or tunings through an outer control loop by an intelligent procedure that incorporates knowledge as it arises. The subsequent adaptive settings for the system are determined in conjunction with a low-level controller that resides within the implantable device. The device has the capabilities of forecasting brain disturbances, controlling the disturbances, or both. Forecasting is achieved by indicating the probability of an oncoming seizure within one or more time frames, which is accomplished through an inner-loop control law and a feedback necessary to prevent or control the neurological event by either electrical, chemical, cognitive, sensory, and/or magnetic stimulation.
US08065006B2 Electrochemical cell for implantable medical devices
An electrochemical cell for use in an implantable medical device is presented. The electrochemical cell includes a cover having a first surface and a second surface separated by an outer edge. The electrochemical cell also includes a case having a planar bottom, a side extending upwardly from the planar bottom, and an open top for receiving the cover.
US08065003B2 Demand-based cardiac function therapy
A method and device for delivering cardiac function therapy on a demand basis. An implantable device for delivering cardiac function therapy is programmed to suspend such therapy at periodic intervals or upon command from an external programmer. Measurements related to hemodynamic performance are then taken using one or more sensing modalities incorporated into the device. Based upon these measurements, the device uses a decision algorithm to determine whether further delivery of the cardiac function therapy is warranted.
US08064998B2 Heart stimulating system
Heart stimulating system for stimulating at least a ventricle of a heart including: stimulation pulse generator adapted to generate stimulation pulses and connected to a ventricular stimulation electrode for delivering stimulation pulses, atrial sensing stage connected to an electrode for picking up potentials inside an atrium and adapted to sense an excitation or contraction of atrial myocardium, ventricular sensing stage connected to an electrode for picking up potentials inside a ventricle and adapted to sense an excitation or contraction of ventricular myocardium, memory for AV-delay values, a control unit adapted to trigger said stimulation pulse generator to generate ventricular stimulation pulses timed based on AV-delay values stored in said memory and to acquire atrioventricular interval samples, and atrioventricular interval timing analyzing unit for receiving atrioventricular interval samples from said control unit and adapted to generate at least one histogram based on said atrioventricular interval samples and analyze said histograms.
US08064997B2 Method and apparatus for treating irregular ventricular contractions such as during atrial arrhythmia
A cardiac rhythm management system is capable of treating irregular ventricular heart contractions, such as during atrial tachyarrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation. A first indicated pacing interval is computed based at least partially on a most recent V-V interval duration between ventricular beats and a previous value of the first indicated pacing interval. Pacing therapy is provided based on either the first indicated pacing interval or also based on a second indicated pacing interval, such as a sensor-indicated pacing interval. A weighted averager such as an infinite impulse response (IIR) filter adjusts the first indicated pacing interval for sensed beats and differently adjusts the first indicated pacing interval for paced beats. The system regularizes ventricular rhythms by pacing the ventricle, but inhibits pacing when the ventricular rhythms are stable.
US08064996B2 Automatic determination of T-shock vulnerable window
A method and apparatus for determining a T-wave shock interval sense a cardiac electrogram (EGM) signal comprising a T-wave signal. A T-wave center is determined from the EGM signal, and a T-wave shock interval is determined in response to determining the T-wave center. A T-wave shock is delivered at the T-wave shock interval computed based on the T-wave center.
US08064993B2 Measurement of EEG reactivity
The invention relates to a method and apparatus for assessing the reactivity observable in a certain physiological signal, especially the EEG signal, of a comatose subject. In order to obtain an objective and a reliable measure of the reactivity automatically and without the presence of a trained EEG specialist, a time reference corresponding to a stimulus is detected and the physiological signal data obtained from the subject is aligned with the time reference. Two sets of values are determined for a measure indicative of the amount of irregularity in the physiological signal data, both sets including at least one value of the said measure and having defined positions with respect to the time reference in time domain. Based on the two sets, the apparatus determines whether reactivity is present in the physiological signal data.
US08064991B2 Method of fetal and maternal ECG identification across multiple EPOCHS
A method of utilizing maternal-fetal monitoring system to monitor the physiological properties of both a maternal patient and a fetus. The method places a series of ECG electrodes across the maternal patient's abdomen and receives ECG input waveforms across a plurality of separate channels. The method processes the channels using an ICA algorithm to generate a series of ICA output waveforms. The ICA output waveforms are analyzed for each individual epoch to determine which of the channels include a maternal signal or a fetal signal source. Based upon the determination of which channel includes the fetal and maternal signals, further processing is carried out on the ICA output waveform on the identified channel to obtain physiological properties for the patient and the fetus. During the next epoch, the same signal processing occurs, such that the system can identify the fetal and maternal signals even as the fetal and maternal jump channels from one epoch to another.
US08064990B2 ECG analyzing device
A device (10) for processing electrocardiogram signals and marker signals includes an input interface (30) for receiving electrocardiogram signals and marker signals detected by an implantable medical device; an analyzer unit (32) connected to the input interface (30) for processing the electrocardiogram signals and marker signals, and an output interface (34) connected to the analyzer unit (32) for output of data representing an analytical report to a playback unit. The analyzer unit (32) is designed to analyze electrocardiogram signals and marker signals in combination, such that the analyzer unit (32) detects relevant particular features on the basis of predefined criteria; assigns a priority to a detected particular feature; and generates an analytical report containing at least a listing of the detected particular features.
US08064989B2 Portable optical coherence tomography (OCT) devices and related systems
Portable optical coherence tomography (OCT) devices including at least one mirror configured to scan at least two directions are provided. The portable OCT devices are configured to provide a portable interface to a sample that can be aligned to the sample without repositioning the sample. Related systems are also provided.
US08064985B2 System and method for determining the position of a flexible instrument used in a tracking system
A medical instrument for use in an image guided surgery system, including a support member operatively connected to a flexible engaging member, and a strain gauge affixed to a portion of the flexible engaging member. The strain gauge is configured to detect deflection of the flexible engaging member.
US08064981B2 Device for superimposed MRI and PET imaging
A device for superposed magnetic resonance tomography and positron emission tomography imaging is disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the device includes a magnetic resonance tomography magnet, which defines a longitudinal axis; a magnetic resonance tomography gradient coil, arranged radially within the magnetic resonance tomography magnet; a magnetic resonance tomography RF coil, arranged radially within the magnetic resonance tomography gradient coil; and a multiplicity of positron emission tomography detection units, arranged in pairs lying opposite to one another about the longitudinal axis. In at least one embodiment, the many positron emission tomography detection units are arranged radially within the magnetic resonance tomography gradient coil and are arranged along the longitudinal axis next to the magnetic resonance tomography RF coil.
US08064978B2 Modular catheter
A modular catheter includes an elongate tubular member having a proximal end and a closed, distal end. A lumen extends from the proximal end to the distal end and a plurality of electrodes are arranged at, or adjacent, the distal end, conductors for the electrodes being contained within a wall of the tubular member. An elongate shape-imparting mechanism is removably received within the lumen of the tubular member such that a distal end of the shape-imparting mechanism is substantially in register with the distal end of the tubular member. A control device has a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the tubular member and a proximal end of the shape-imparting mechanism being releasably connectable to the distal end of the control device.
US08064974B2 Method and circuit for storing and providing historical physiological data
Embodiments of the present invention include systems and methods that relate to pulse oximetry. Specifically, one embodiment includes an oximeter sensor comprising a light emitting element configured to emit light, a light detector configured to detect the light, a resistor having a resistance value that is detectable by a monitor, and a memory storing a contact resistance value of a connector that is disposed between the monitor and the resistor when the monitor and the oximeter sensor are communicatively coupled.
US08064971B2 Mobile phone
The invention provides a mobile phone that effectively meets user needs to a high degree. A mobile phone in which a lower substrate on a operation panel side is foldably connected to a upper substrate on a liquid crystal display side, includes: a lower casing removably fitted to the lower substrate; a upper casing separated from the lower casing and removably fitted to the upper substrate; and a slip-off prevention section for fixing the lower casing to the lower substrate in such a manner that the lower casing is removable from the lower substrate, and for fixing the upper casing to the upper substrate in such a manner that the upper casing is removable from the upper substrate. The above constitution allows easily modifying the overall design of the mobile phone, thereby easily meeting the needs of the user to a high degree.
US08064963B2 Mobile wireless communications device with reduced interfering energy from the display and related methods
A mobile wireless communications device includes a housing and circuit board carried by the housing and includes radio frequency (RF) circuitry and a processor carried by the circuit board and operative with each other. A display connector for an LCD connector is mounted on the circuit board and adapted to be connected to a display. Display connection lines are carried by the circuit board and interconnect the display connector and processor for carrying signals from the processor to the display connector and a connected display. Filters are carried by the circuit board and connected to the display connection lines and reduce any interfering energy from the processor and display.
US08064958B2 Method device base station and site for reducing the number of feeders in an antenna diversity diversity system
A method, device and system for reducing the number of feeders (2, 3) between a radio base station (1) and an antenna diversity arrangement (10, 11, 12, 13) at which RF signals of the same frequency are received. In a tower mounted amplifier (45) individual RF signals from some or all of the antennas are frequency converted into intermediate frequency (IF) signals on mutually different intermediate frequencies which are combined and forwarded to the radio base station on a reduced number of feeders. In the radio base station the combined signal is split into individual signals amongst which the IF signals are frequency transformed to a signal suitable for diversity processing.
US08064956B2 Event sharing
An apparatus for use with a mobile communication device, the mobile communication device being configured to provide events, the apparatus including a memory including computer readable instructions, and a processor coupled to the memory and configured to execute, using the computer readable instructions stored in the memory, a primary application and a plurality of secondary applications, wherein the primary application is configured to register with the mobile communication device such that the primary application is configured to automatically receive an event from the mobile communication device, wherein the secondary applications are configured to register with the primary application, wherein the primary application is configured to relay a first message including information indicative of the received event to a first one of the registered secondary applications, and to receive a response to the first message from the first one of the secondary applications, and wherein the primary application is configured to provide a message to the mobile communication device, in response to the received event, as a function of the response received from the first one of the plurality of secondary applications.
US08064954B1 Communication device
The method for a communication device, wherein the communication device functions under a 1st language mode and a 2nd language mode, when the 1st language mode is selected by the user, the commands by which the communication device is operated are displayed by utilizing the 1st language data, and when the 2nd language mode is selected by the user, the commands by which the communication device is operated are displayed by utilizing the 2nd language data.
US08064951B2 Method and system for selective application of cellular-PBX integration service
A method and system for selectively applying a cellular-PBX integration service. When a radio access network (RAN) receives a call request seeking to set up a call for a cellular wireless communication device (WCD) that is operating in the coverage area of the RAN, a determination is made as to whether the WCD is currently checked-into a cellular-PBX integration service. A service control point (SCP), for instance, may make the determination. If the determination is that the WCD is currently checked-in, then the call is set up to an IP PBX server that services the WCD, and the IP PBX server may then handle the call as it would handle a call placed to any IP PBX extension. Further, differential billing can be applied, charging an enterprise billing-account for the call if the WCD is checked-in, and charging a WCD billing-account for the call if the WCD is not checked-in.
US08064949B2 Method and system for bluetooth and FM radio communication
Frequency conversion methods and systems for Bluetooth and FM radio communication are provided. FM data may be received and/or transmitted via the FM radio and Bluetooth data may be received and/or transmitted via the Bluetooth radio. With an integration of frequency conversion for Bluetooth and FM, both systems can operate from a single frequency source, thereby reducing part count and power consumption. Communication between Bluetooth and FM channels may be enabled via a single chip.
US08064944B2 Power control with signal quality estimation for smart antenna communications systems
A method for power control with signal quality estimation for smart antenna communications system is described. The method, for example, starts with a transmit power assignment. Receive weight vector determination is carried out with this assigned transmit power, and the new weights used. An estimate of the resulting received signal quality is obtained and used for another power adjustment.
US08064942B2 Method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving resource scheduling information and scheduling resources
An MBMS service-based method for transmitting resource scheduling information is provided. The method includes: before transmitting MBMS information, determining information on a repetition period with which a local cell transmits the MBMS information; and determining repetition periods with which respective neighboring cells that carrying the MBMS information transmit the MBMS information; transmitting an identifier of the local cell and an identifier of the neighboring cell, as well as the determined on the repetition periods, to a terminal of the local cell. Thus the terminal can perform chip combining in divided time periods on the MBMS information of corresponding neighboring cells.
US08064941B2 Apparatus and method for controlling access to network in wireless communication system
In a wireless communication system, an apparatus and method for managing an uplink communication between a network and a plurality of terminals is achieved by transmitting a response condition parameter from the network to the plurality of terminals subscribing to a multicast service. The parameter is associated with controlling the uplink communication of the plurality of terminals. The terminal then applies the response control parameter to a predetermined test and responds to the network if the terminal determines that it is qualified to respond to the network in response to a result of the predetermined test. The network evaluates whether the parameter needs to be transmitted to the plurality of terminals and whether the parameter needs to be updated based on at least part of responses received by the network.
US08064938B2 Adaptive multi-tiered re-coding for improved communications resource utilization
System(s) and method(s) that, periodically or when triggered, adapt data rates in multiple tiers of a network are presented. A top tier feedback (FB) loop adapts on a longer time scale associated with its longer path transit time for FB communication messages from a wireless portion to a data source in the wire-line portion of the network. A bottom tier FB loop adapts very quickly, and on a shorter time scale that the top tier FB loop due to its shorter FB path transit time, at the wireless edge with sufficient speed to accurately adapt to fast-changing wireless conditions. The top tier provides efficient resource utilization down to the bottom tier, and the bottom tier provides efficient resource utilization within the wireless portion of the network. A middle tier(s) can be added as desired to provide a more gradual stepped adaptation from source to destination.
US08064936B2 Method and system for a multistandard proxy
Aspects of a method and system for a multistandard proxy may include establishing a microwave communication link between a wireless portable storage device and a wireless transmitter and/or wireless receiver via a secondary wireless link. Beamforming parameters of a first antenna array coupled to the wireless portable storage device and a second antenna array coupled to the wireless transmitter and/or wireless receiver may be adjusted based on data received via the secondary wireless link. The wireless portable storage and the wireless transmitter and/or wireless receiver may exchange data via the first antenna array and the second antenna array. A secondary wireless link may be established to transmit setup data for the microwave communication link. The secondary wireless link may be established via a Bluetooth and/or WAN protocol.
US08064934B2 Method, system and apparatus for automatic notification to a plurality of communication nodes
A mobile communication device operable to automatically send a notification of a status change within a messaging session. The device includes a processor operable to execute a real-time messaging application on the mobile communication device, an input module operable to receive a session status change instruction from a user and a status update module operable to generate a session status change message responsive to receipt of the session status change instruction from the user. The device further includes a transceiver operable to communicate with a plurality of remote devices and operable to automatically transmit the session status change message to each one of a group of at least two remote real-time messaging applications responsive to the generation of the session status change message by the status update module.
US08064932B2 Methods for scheduling a receiving process and communication apparatuses utilizing the same
A communication apparatus is provided. A radio transceiver module receives paging indicators according to a first activation signal. A baseband processing module receives the paging indicators from the radio transceiver module and processes the paging indicators according to a second activation signal. A controller obtains corresponding system frame numbers of periodic radio frames, obtains a corresponding paging indicator position in each periodic radio frame, obtains a first and a second wake up time interval distributed within each periodic radio frame according to the corresponding paging indicator position, generates the first and the second activation signal to respectively activate the radio transceiver module and the baseband processing module during the first and the second wake up time interval, wherein both a length of the first wake up time interval and a length of the second wake up time interval are smaller than a length of a periodic radio frame.
US08064931B2 GPS-based traffic monitoring system
A cellular phone comprises a cellular phone control module that controls the cellular phone, a global positioning system (GPS) selectively generates vector and location data, and a transmitter. The cellular phone control module selectively wirelessly transmits the vector and location data using the transmitter when at least one of the cellular phone is traveling on a first set of predetermined roads and does not transmit the vector and location data when the cellular phone is traveling on a second set of roads, and the cellular phone is traveling at a first speed that is greater than a predetermined speed.
US08064928B2 System and method for providing location based services (LBS) to roaming subscribers in a wireless access network
Embodiments of a wireless access network and method for providing a location based service (LBS) to a visiting mobile station are disclosed. In some embodiments, a location data request forwarded by a home location server (HLS) is received at a visited location server (VLS). A subscriber profile and security query is generated for forwarding from a visitor authentication server to a home authentication server. When the home authentication server authenticates the request, location information for the visiting mobile station is obtained and a location data response message that includes the location information from the VLS is sent to the HLS for forwarding to the location client for use by the location client in performing a requested LBS.
US08064926B2 Wireless handset vehicle safety interlock
A method and device for controlling the operability of a transmitter on a mobile communications device by determining if the mobile communications device is located proximate to an operator's seat of a vehicle. A condition parameter of the mobile communications device may be determined. The transmitter on the mobile communications device may be disabled in response to the mobile communications device being located proximate to an operator's seat of a vehicle and further in response to the determined condition parameter. The transmitter on the mobile communications device may be enabled, in response to determining that the mobile communications device is not located in a restricted location.
US08064924B2 Utilizing location-based data to manipulate power states of embedded devices
One or more media is provided for performing a method of utilizing location-based data to manipulate power states of one or more embedded devices on a mobile device. Initially, location-based data from a positioning system (GPS satellite) is received. Generally, the location-based data relates to a global position of the mobile device. The location-based data may then be applied to a set of positional rules, which includes comparing the position-based data against the one or more predefined positional coordinates. Accordingly, the appropriate power level of one or more embedded devices may be determined. Further, if the determination indicates that a present power level of the embedded devices conflicts with the determined appropriate power state, the power state of the conflicting embedded devices is manipulated consistent with the positional rule. As such, this configuration provides for a useful power-management scheme that preserves battery life.
US08064913B2 Methods and apparatus for identifying subscriber station mobility
Methods and apparatus for identifying a subscriber station which is in motion, determining a mobility metric indicative of a level of mobility of the subscriber station and varying or updating one or more operating parameters based on the mobility metric. An apparatus can determine a measure of mobility based on one or a combination of a plurality of factors, such as variations in signal strength, variations in a channel estimate, or variations in phase or frequency of a particular signal or signal component. The one or more measures of mobility can be combined to form a single measure of mobility, the measure of mobility can be quantized to a predetermined number of mobility levels and one or more operating parameters can be varied or adjusted based on the mobility level.
US08064911B2 Method of vertical handoff
The present invention relates to a vertical handoff method. According to the present invention, a serving network of a mobile station is determined. Herein, the mobile station that can access a first network having relatively wide service coverage and a second network having relatively narrow service coverage in an area where service coverages of heterogeneous networks are overlapped. When accessing the serving network of the first network, it is determined whether a received signal strength received from the second network is greater than a first threshold value. In addition, a first vertical handoff is decided by using a result of prediction of a transition pattern of the received signal strength that is greater than the first threshold value. When the serving network is the second network, it is determined whether the received signal strength received from the second network is less than a second threshold value. By using a result of prediction of a transition pattern of the received signal strength that is less than the second threshold value, a second vertical handoff is decided. Herein, the first threshold value is greater than the second threshold value.
US08064906B1 Display caller ID on IPTV screen
A system that automatically delivers telephony network services from a dual mode service technology platform to an external entity. The system includes a sensing component that detects the presence of a mobile handset registered on a cellular network, and registers the mobile handset with a wireless access network. Further, a provisioning component identifies calls to subscribers that are provisioned for the requested telephony network service. Once the calls are identified, the provisioning component extracts the requested data from the incoming calls and routes the data to an external entity for display.
US08064903B2 Methods and apparatus for reducing roaming latency in a mobile node
Methods and apparatus for triggering roaming in a mobile network device are disclosed. A speed of the network device is detected. One or more maximum/minimum trigger values corresponding to one or more trigger events are ascertained at the speed of the network device. One or more trigger counters associated with the one or more trigger events are maintained. Roaming of the network device is triggered when one of the trigger counters associated with one of the trigger events is equal to or exceeds (or is less than or equal to) one of the trigger values corresponding to the trigger event at the speed of the network device.
US08064902B2 Communication apparatus and communication system
A communication apparatus includes: a first communication unit which wirelessly communicates with a first device using a channel in a frequency band; a determination unit which determines a number of times by which the first communication unit transmits data to the first device before transmitting the data; and a communication controller which controls the first communication unit to transmit the data to the first device by the number of times determined by the determination unit.
US08064901B2 Expert system
Systems and methods for remotely evaluating antenna installations in a mobile radio communication system, wherein each antenna installation comprises at least one pair of antenna elements arranged for diversity reception. The received signal strength from a plurality of mobile stations is measured at the respective antenna elements of each pair of antenna elements; the signal strength values from each antenna element are compared for each pair of antenna elements; and, a plurality of comparison results are visually presented on a display as a function of both the comparison result and a parameter related to the position of each of the plurality of mobile stations relative to the location of the base station, whereby differences in reception characteristics between antenna elements of each pair can be detected and such pair can be identified for maintenance.
US08064898B2 Call management in a telecommunications system
A system and method of covertly monitoring a communications device, the method that includes using a separate monitoring device to monitor a monitored communications device, without any indication of the monitoring being received by the monitored communications device.
US08064897B2 Transmitting/receiving apparatus and transmitting/receiving method
A transmission/reception apparatus capable of preventing degradation in system capacity, improving system throughput, and minimizing power consumption of an apparatus is disclosed. In this apparatus, a propagation path determining section (131) determines a propagation path state in all the regions in the used frequency band of a received multicarrier signal based on propagation path estimation information such as a channel estimation value and the like calculated in a propagation path estimating section (126), and specifies a frequency region having a good propagation path state from the used frequency band of OFDM. More specifically, the used frequency band is divided into a plurality of frequency bands (subbands), each comprised of smaller predetermined bandwidth, and by selecting a subband having a good propagation path state in the propagation path determining section (131), a frequency region having the good propagation path state is specified. A transmitting section (110) reports the subband information to a base station.
US08064890B1 System and method for developing information for a wireless information system
A system and method is described for providing data to a mobile information system. A broadcast server receives information preferences from a plurality of subscribers to the mobile information system. The broadcast server aggregates these information preferences and transmits the aggregated information preferences to at least one data source providers. The data source providers then assemble data for the mobile information system using the aggregated information preferences.
US08064889B2 Virtual casino host
Described herein are systems and methods that improve personalized service in a casino or other gaming establishment. The systems and methods provide a portable personal service device to a person; the device permits the gaming establishment to communicate with the person—regardless of their location in the gaming establishment. Messages sent to the person may be personalized and customized. The portable personal service device may also be used to track the location of the person in the gaming establishment. The person may also use the portable personal service device to send messages, for example, to call casino personnel to them or make other personal service requests.
US08064885B2 Method and apparatus for sending notification about broadcast service in a mobile broadcast system
A method and apparatus for informing a plurality of terminals receiving the same Mobile Broadcast (BCAST) service of an upcoming event such as a BCAST service change in a BCAST system are provided. When receiving a notice of a notification event related to a BCAST service or an Service Guide (SG), a BCAST Subscription Management (SM), including a Notification Generation Function (NTG), creates a notification message about the notification event and sends it to a BCAST Service Distribution/Adaptation (SD/A). The BCAST SD/A sends the notification message to one terminal or a group of terminals through a Broadcast Distribution System (BDS) or an interaction network.
US08064884B2 System and method for provisioning a wireless device to only be able to access network services within a specific location
A system and method for provisioning wireless devices such that they are only capable of accessing network services when in a specified location. A device surveys the current location of the device for existing base stations and stores a corresponding network environment profile. After the profile is stored, network services will only be provided to the device if the current network profile matches the stored profile.
US08064879B2 Mobile certificate distribution in a PKI
A method of providing certificate issuance and revocation checks involving mobile devices in a mobile ad-hoc network (MANET). The wireless devices communicate with each other via Bluetooth wireless technology in the MANET, with an access point (AP) to provide connectivity to the Internet. A Certificate authority (CA) distributes certificates and certification revocation lists (CRLs) to the devices via the access point (AP). Each group of devices has the name of the group associated with the certificate and signed by the CA. A device that is out of the radio range of the access point may still connect to the CA to validate a certificate or download the appropriate CRL by having all the devices participate in the MANET.
US08064875B2 Methods and apparatus to update geographic location information associated with internet protocol devices for E-911 emergency services
Example methods and apparatus to enable 911 services to an internet protocol (“IP”) communication device are disclosed. A disclosed example method involves receiving a media access control address associated with the IP communication device and a first internet protocol address associated with a gateway through which the IP communication device is obtaining network access. A second internet protocol address associated with the media access control address is then retrieved. The first internet protocol address with the second internet protocol address are then compared. When the first internet protocol address does not match the second internet protocol address, the media access control address is associated with the first internet protocol address in a database to designate a geographic location of the device.
US08064872B2 On chip transformer isolator
An integrated circuit having voltage isolation capabilities includes a first area of the integrated circuit containing functional circuitry that is located in the substrate of the integrated circuit. A second area of the integrated circuit contains an integrated RF isolation circuitry for voltage isolating the functional circuitry. The RF isolation circuitry is located in the metal layers of the integrated circuit.
US08064868B2 Dynamic current steering mixer
A dynamic current steering mixer. The dynamic current steering mixer comprises a Gilbert cell mixer core, a pair of load devices, a dynamic current steering cell, and a transconductor cell. The Gilbert cell mixer core has first and second nodes, receives a first differential input signal, and provides a differential output signal at the first nodes thereof. The load devices are respectively coupled between the first nodes of the Gilbert cell mixer core and a first fixed voltage. The dynamic current steering cell has third nodes coupled to the second nodes and fourth nodes. The transconductor cell is coupled between the fourth nodes and a second fixed voltage and receives a second differential input signal. The dynamic current steering cell alternately steers current of the transconductor cell to or away from the Gilbert cell mixer core.
US08064866B2 Passive processing device for interfacing and for ESD and radio signal rejection in audio signal paths of an electronic device
A passive processing device (D) is adapted to be interfaced in a full integrated way on at least a first audio signal path defined between a first audio signal source and an audio signal processing means of an electronic device, such as a mobile communication device. This device (D) comprises a first protection means (DE11; DE12) for rejecting electrostatic discharges on the first path, a first rejection means (CR11, R11; CR12) for rejecting radio signals at least in a chosen frequency band on the first path, and a first AC-coupling means (CC1) for interfacing voltage levels between the first audio signal source and the audio signal processing means.
US08064864B2 RFID using an hybrid on-chip-off-chip transformer
A radio frequency identification (RFID) system includes an RFID reader and an RFID tag. The RFID reader is coupled to transmit first electromagnetic signal via an off-chip winding section of a hybrid on-chip-off-chip transformer. The RFID tag is coupled to receive the first electromagnetic signal via an on-chip winding section of the hybrid on-chip-off-chip transformer, wherein the on-chip winding section derives a second electromagnetic signal from the first electromagnetic signal when the on-chip winding section is within a proximal coupling distance of the off-chip winding section.
US08064861B2 Circuit and method for antenna selection in an antenna diversity receiver
An asynchronous receiver system has multiple antennae and an asynchronous receiver circuit with a signal input. The asynchronous receiver circuit receives a wireless signal at the signal input and generates a first quality signal responsive to the received wireless signal. A switch selects one of the antennae for coupling to the input of the asynchronous receiver circuit responsive to a control signal. A controller receives the first quality signal and generates the switching control signal. The controller sequentially selects each one of the antennae, measures the first quality signal and starts a timer with a time value for the selected antenna. The controller selects a next one of the antennae if the measured first quality signal value is below a threshold value and the timer expires and receives a remainder of a data packet based on the measured first signal quality values for the plurality of antennae.
US08064860B2 Method and apparatus for adjusting reference oscillator frequency in a mobile wireless device
A method and apparatus for using a conventional oscillator in a cellular telephone transceiver as a source of a reference signal for a GPS receiver. In one embodiment, the method comprises using a voltage-controlled oscillator (“VCXO”) within a cellular telephone transceiver to generate a reference frequency signal for the GPS receiver. Circuitry within the telephone transceiver generates a frequency error signal. Both of these signals are coupled to GPS circuitry and used to control a carrier numerically controlled oscillator (“NCO”) and a code NCO. The NCOs produce a tuning signal and a timing signal, respectively. The GPS circuitry uses the NCO generated signals to process GPS signals.
US08064858B1 Digital carrier-recovery scheme for FM stereo detection
Systems and techniques for processing signals include, in at least one aspect, a method including: receiving an input signal having an associated carrier frequency; multiplying the input signal to produce a multiplied signal; filtering the multiplied signal to produce a high frequency component of the multiplied signal; delaying the multiplied signal to produce a delayed signal; and combining the high frequency component of the multiplied signal with the delayed signal to produce a scaling factor for use in detecting at least one of multiple signal bitstreams associated with the input signal.
US08064857B2 Method and apparatus for co-channel interference detection in a radio
A method of configuring a tuner includes sampling a radio frequency and measuring at least one signal quality metric for the sampled frequency. It is determined whether there is co-channel interference on the sampled frequency based on the measurement of the at least one signal quality metric. The sampled frequency is selected as an operational frequency for the tuner if it was determined in the determining step that there is an absence of co-channel interference on the sampled frequency.
US08064851B2 RF transmitter with bias-signal-induced distortion compensation and method therefor
An RF transmitter (60) generates non-DC bias signals (104, 106) configured to improved power-added efficiency (PAE) in the operation of an RF amplifier (94). The RF amplifier (94) generates an amplified RF signal (126) which, due to the addition of the bias signals (104, 106), includes bias-signal-induced RF distortion (48, 50). The bias signals (104, 106) drive a bias-induced distortion cancellation circuit (152) that adjusts the bias signals to compensate for the influence of impedances experienced by the bias signals (104, 106) before being applied to the RF amplifier (94). After mixing with a baseband communication signal (64), adjusted bias signals (186, 188) are combined into a composite baseband signal (76), upconverted to RF in an upconversion section 84, and applied to the RF amplifier (94) where they cancel at least a portion of the bias-signal-induced RF distortion (48, 50).
US08064849B2 Precoding for multiple anntennas
A wireless network (20) participates in radio frequency communication with plural wireless terminals (30). The network (20) comprises plural transmitters (40); a precoder value processor (42) configured to develop a set of precoder values; and a precoder (44) which uses the precoder values for coding the signals transmitted from the plural transmitters. The precoder value processor (42) is configured to develop a set of frequency-independent, linear precoder values for use in precoding signals transmitted from the plural transmitters (30). Each vector of the set is associated with one wireless terminal (30). The set of precoder values is determined such that a set of target average signal to interference noise (SINR) ratios is achieved by the plural wireless terminals with a predetermined total transmit power. Preferably, the predetermined total transmit power is minimum total transmit power.
US08064847B2 Apparatus and method for isolation and power handling in a radio frequency switch
A transmit/receive switching circuit is provided. The transmit/receive switching circuit comprises a first transformer to split a transmission signal into a first split transmission signal and a second split transmission signal. The first split transmission signal is out of phase with the second split transmission signal. The transmit/receive switching circuit also comprises a second transformer to split a received signal into a first split received signal and a second split received signal and to combine the first split transmission signal and the second split transmission signal. The first split received signal is out of phase with the second split received signal. The combined transmission signal is supplied to an antenna port and the received signal is received from the antenna port. The transmit/receive switching circuit also comprises a third transformer to combine the first split received signal and the second split received signal and to supply the combined received signal to a receive port of the transmit/receive switch. Finally, the transmit/receive switching circuit comprises first and second switches. Both the first and second switches are coupled to the first transformer and to the second transformer. The first switch switches between coupling the first split transmission signal to the second transformer and coupling the first split received signal to the third transformer. The second switch switches between coupling the second split transmission signal to the second transformer and coupling the second split received signal to the third transformer.
US08064843B2 Electrical component for the front end circuit of a transceiver
An electrical component includes a first signal path and a second signal path electrically connected to a common signal path. The electrical component also includes a first filter in the first signal path and a second filter in the second signal path. The electrical component also includes a first matching circuit comprising a shunt arm to ground. The first matching circuit is electrically connected to the first signal path, the second signal path, and the common signal path.
US08064840B2 Method and system for determining spectrum availability within a network
A method and transceiver for determining spectrum availability within a give area is disclosed. The given area includes cells in a grid. A belief evaluator receives a measurement from a signal and assigns an instantaneous belief indicator, an instantaneous disbelief indicator and an instantaneous ignorance indicator based on a detection threshold and the power level of the measurement. The indicators quantify the probability of a presence of a transmitter within the grid cell. A belief accumulator uses the instantaneous indicators along with accumulated belief, disbelief and ignorance indicators from previous measurements to determine cumulative belief, disbelief and ignorance indicators. The accumulated belief, disbelief and ignorance indicators are the results of previous measurements and belief/disbelief/ignorance determinations for the grid cell. An allocator indicates the status of the grid cell and whether a spectrum is available. If a spectrum is available, then the grid cell is added to other available cells within the area to generate the spectrum hole.
US08064837B2 Method and apparatus for optimum selection of MIMO and interference cancellation
Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate performing interference nulling and rank prediction in an access terminal. Multiple receiver demodulator types may be implemented at the access terminal, and an interference covariance matrix may be estimated thereat. SNRs may be calculated for the various receiver demodulator types, and an optimum rank and associated CQI information may be identified and generated, respectively, which information may then be transmitted to an access point. At least one of the receiver demodulator types may perform an interference nulling protocol. For example, the receiver demodulator types may comprise at least one minimum mean-squared error interference-nulling (MMSE-IN) demodulator, along with and one or more of a maximal ratio combining (MRC) demodulator and a minimum mean-squared error (MMSE) demodulator.
US08064834B2 Method of allocating radio resources in multi-carrier system
A method of allocating radio resources in a multi-carrier system is disclosed, by which a signaling message can be efficiently transmitted according to necessity of a user equipment. In a user equipment of a mobile communication system transceiving data using a plurality of subcarriers, the present invention includes the steps of if the signaling message to be transmitted is generated in the user equipment, generating a preamble sequence according to a user equipment identifier to identify the user equipment, transmitting a preamble signal including the preamble sequence and the signaling message to a base station, and receiving an acknowledgement signal for the preamble signal generated according to the user equipment identifier.
US08064833B2 Radio communication apparatus and method
A radio communication apparatus which uses a first radio communication system that makes a radio communication by sharing frequencies with a second radio communication system, the apparatus includes a detection unit configured to detect an available frequency channel which fails to be used by the second radio communication system in a frequency band used by the first radio communication system, and a transmission unit configured to transmit, using the available frequency channel, a frame which includes a signal sequence which is used to identify whether or not the frame is transmitted by a radio communication terminal belonging to the first radio communication system by detecting the available frequency channel, the signal sequence being predetermined for the first radio communication system.
US08064830B2 Wireless access system capable of controlling electronic devices and control method thereof
A wireless access system includes an electronic device and a portable wireless access device. The electronic device includes a user interface and a first wireless transceiver. The portable wireless access device is wirelessly connected to the electronic device through a wireless broadband interface. The portable wireless access device includes a touch panel, a second wireless transceiver, and a controller. The second wireless transceiver receives an image datum corresponding to the user interface transmitted from the first wireless transceiver and transmits a location datum corresponding to a function item of the user interface to the first wireless transceiver. The controller controls the touch panel to display the user interface according to the image datum and generates the location datum after selecting the function item on the touch panel. After the first wireless transceiver receives the location datum, the electronic device executes a function according to the location datum.
US08064828B2 Techniques for wireless personal area network communications with efficient spatial reuse
An embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus, comprising at least one transceiver operable in a wireless personal area network (WPAN), wherein the at least one transceiver is equipped with the directional antennas adapted to point substantially vertically towards a horizontal reflecting surface, such as a ceiling, and with an antenna pattern specifically designed to control the interference levels.
US08064823B2 Apparatus, method and computer program product for determining transmit weights in relay networks
Apparatus, methods and computer program products implement a channel-aware approach for controlling a relay network operative in a wireless communications system wherein weighting matrices are used at a MIMO-capable source electronic device and at the relays where at least one of the weighting matrices is selected or derived using knowledge of channel components of at least one channel link, where the channel link may be from the relays to the destination antennas of the destination device; or from source antennas of the MIMO-capable source device to the relays, or from the source antennas of the MIMO-capable source device to the destination antennas of the destination device. In one approach weighting matrices applied at the source and relay nodes are selected from a predetermined codebook of weighting matrices in dependence on monitored channel conditions. Alternatively, the weighting matrices may be determined using an eigenvalue decomposition and power allocation (e.g., water-filling) approach by using the effective channel correlation matrix possibly combined with the use of the noise correlation matrix.
US08064819B2 Seamless switching between radio and local media
Systems and methods are provided for seamlessly switching media playback between a media broadcast, such as a radio broadcast, and media from a local media library. When an electronic device determines that an upcoming media item in a media broadcast is not of interest to a user, the electronic device can switch playback from the media stream to a media item from the electronic device local library. The selected local media item can be related to a previously broadcast media item to ensure continuity in the user's listening or viewing experience. The electronic device can switch away from the local media item and return to the media stream when the media stream again broadcasts media items or segments of interest to the user.
US08064812B2 Toner transfer belt with textured surface for enhanced transfer and method of forming textured surface
An intermediate toner transfer belt includes an endless member made of a layer of a material having an endless functional surface adapted to transfer a toner image. The layer of material is textured so as to define a multiplicity of protruding portions of the material spaced apart from each other and integral with and extending outwardly from a remaining base portion of the material. The protruding portions have outer tips spaced apart from one another with outer surfaces thereon also spaced apart from one another such that the endless surface of the endless member is formed by the spaced apart outer surfaces of the outer tips of the protruding portions of the material. Further, the protruding portions are irregular in pattern and shape relative to one another and generally undulate toward and away from the remaining base portion of the material.
US08064809B2 Image forming apparatus with intermediate transfer belt speed detection unit
An image forming apparatus includes an endless belt type transfer member configured to carry an image formed with developer of a plurality of colors, a drive roller configured to drive the transfer member by rotating while contacting the transfer member, a first detection unit configured to detect a mark provided on the transfer member, a second detection unit configured to detect the mark at a position different from the position of the first detection unit in a conveyance direction of the transfer member, and a correction unit configured to correct a conveyance speed of the transfer member using a difference between respective times at which the first and second detection units detect the mark. The first and second detection units are located such that an interval between respective positions at which the first and second detection units detect the mark is an integral multiple of a perimeter of the drive roller.
US08064808B2 Developing roller, and electrophotographic process cartridge and electrophotographic image forming apparatus comprising the developing roller
A developing roller has a surface layer which can effectively inhibit the bleeding of a low-molecular-weight component from an elastic layer, and can efficiently impart a high electric charge to a negatively chargeable toner, and is excellent in toner-releasing properties. The developing roller has a mandrel, at least one layer of an elastic layer provided on the mandrel and a surface layer provided on the elastic layer, carries and conveys a toner, and develops an electrostatic latent image on an opposing photosensitive member with the toner. The surface layer comprises a silicon compound film containing Si, N, C and H having specific total amounts of the existing elements Si, N, C and H, and specific ratios N/Si, C/Si, and H/Si.
US08064805B2 Toner cartridge
A toner cartridge provided in an image forming apparatus in a removable manner for supplying toner to the image forming apparatus, the cartridge comprises a toner cartridge main body which contains the toner, a discharging opening for supplying the toner contained in the toner cartridge main body to the image forming apparatus and a shutter which opens the discharging opening when the toner cartridge main body is inserted in the image forming apparatus and closes the discharging opening when the toner cartridge main body is removed from the image forming apparatus, wherein the shutter has a concave part formed therein for engaging with a holding member which holds the shutter provided in the image forming apparatus to open and close the discharging opening when the toner cartridge main body is inserted in or removed from the image forming apparatus.
US08064803B2 Charging member, process cartridge, and electrophotographic apparatus
A charging member having a support, a conductive elastic layer formed on the support and a surface layer formed on the conductive elastic layer, wherein the surface layer contains a polysiloxane having an acrylic group and an oxyalkylene group. This provides a charging member to the surface of which toners and external additives used in the toners can not easily cling even because of repeated use over a long period of time and which therefore enables charging and image reproduction which are stable over a long period of time, even when used in the DC contact charging method; and further provides a process cartridge and an electrophotographic apparatus which have such a charging member.
US08064802B2 Driving-force transmission device and image forming apparatus
A driving-force transmitting member is formed of a material having a linear expansion coefficient larger than that of a sleeve bearing, and Δx1>r1×Δt×a−R1×Δt×b is satisfied, where R1 is inner radius of the sleeve bearing, r1 is outer radius of a rotary shaft unit, Δx1 is difference between the inner radius R1 and the outer radius r1 at a reference temperature, Δt is maximum amount of temperature change of the driving-force transmitting member relative to the reference temperature, a is linear expansion coefficient of the sleeve bearing, and b is linear expansion coefficient of the driving-force transmitting member.
US08064799B2 Electrophotographic image forming apparatus with light source to electrically discharge charge remaining on drum
An electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a cartridge supporting member movable between an inside position inside the main assembly of the apparatus and an outside position outside the main assembly, a light source, a light guide member, on the cartridge supporting member, for guiding the light from the light source to electrically discharge charge remaining on a drum after a developed image on the drum is transferred onto recording material when the cartridge is in an image forming position, an interrelating member for moving the light source to an operating position where the light enters the light guide member in interrelation with movement of the cartridge supporting member from the outside to the inside positions, and a positioning member positioning the light source at the operating position.
US08064798B2 Fixing device and image forming apparatus with heating member heated uniformly in circumferential direction
In a fixing device, a belt moves in a predetermined direction to heat and melt a toner image on a recording medium. A pressing rotary member is pressed against the belt to form a nip portion to nip and convey the recording medium bearing the toner image. A heating member is fixedly provided inside a loop formed by the belt and faces an inner circumferential surface of the belt. The heating member is heated by a heater to heat the belt. The heating member includes a primary heating portion directly heated by the heater, and a secondary heating portion heated by heat conducted from the primary heating portion. The primary heating portion and the secondary heating portion are provided in a circumferential direction of the heating member. The secondary heating portion has a heat capacity smaller than a heat capacity of the primary heating portion.
US08064793B2 Image-forming device having tray that enables developing unit to move
An image-forming device includes a main body; a developing unit; a transferring unit; and a tray. The developing unit has a developer-accommodating section that accommodates developer and a photosensitive member on which an electrostatic latent image is formed. The developing unit further has a developer-carrying member to develop the electrostatic latent image. The tray enables the developing unit to move between a contact position and a separate position.
US08064787B2 Fuser life extension
A method for extending the operating life of a fuser used in an electrophotographic imaging apparatus is disclosed. A control algorithm monitors the number of substrates processed over the lifetime of the fuser and adjusts the fusing temperature of the fuser to compensate for changes occurring in the nip forming members of the fuser. The useful lifetime of the fuser is extended while fusing quality is maintained. A corresponding fuser assembly is also disclosed.
US08064785B2 Fixing device, image forming apparatus, and method of detecting an abnormality of a fixing device
A fixing device according to this invention includes a heating roller, a heater driver, a thermistor, and a CPU. The heating roller has a heater and heats a recording sheet. The heater driver drives the heater. The thermistor detects a surface temperature of the heating roller. The CPU stops an operation of the heater driver when the surface temperature of the heating roller becomes higher than a predetermined temperature and, thereafter, causes the thermistor to perform detection of the surface temperature of the heating roller for a predetermined time period and issues an alarm about occurrence of a first abnormality when the surface temperature of the heating roller fails to drop in the predetermined time period.
US08064784B2 Image forming apparatus and output setting method of consumed status of consumable items of the image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus in which a first consumable item and a second consumable item are loadable to the image forming apparatus, includes a consumption status detector that detects an end status and a near-end status for each of the first and second consumable items, wherein the end status is a consumption status in which the consumable item must be exchanged immediately and the near-end status is a consumption status in which the consumable item must be exchanged in the near future; a consumption information output setting unit that sets settings indicating whether to output information for each of the end status and the near-end status of the first and second consumable items detected by the consumption status detector; and a consumption information output unit configured to output the information for each of the end status and the near-end status of the first and second consumable items based on the settings set by the consumption information output setting unit and a detection result of the consumption status of the first and second consumption items.
US08064782B2 Management device of an image forming apparatus
A management device for an image forming apparatus including a status data collection unit where multiple types of status data are received from the image forming apparatus and stored in a status database, a target data creation unit where multiple types of target data are created based upon the multiple types of status data, a first stage determination unit where the multiple types of target data are identified as being above or below reference values set for each type, and a second stage determination unit where a weight value set for each status data type is attached to the determination results of the multiple types of status data of the first stage determination unit and as a whole of the multiple types of status data determined with majority logic for abnormal occurrence prediction.
US08064781B2 Image forming apparatus with retaining unit and determining unit
An image forming apparatus includes an opening-closing lid for opening and closing an opening portion formed in an apparatus main body; a detection unit for detecting an open state of the opening-closing lid; an execution unit for executing a specific operation; a main power source for supplying power to the execution unit; a retaining unit for retaining an open history indicating the open state of the opening-closing lid when the detection unit detects the open state of the opening-closing lid during a period of time when the main power source does not supply power to the execution unit; and a determining unit for determining whether the execution unit executes the specific operation according to the open history retained in the retaining unit when the main power source starts supplying power to the execution unit.
US08064780B2 Receiving device and receiving method
A demodulating unit demodulates a differential M-phase shift keying signal light by causing delay and interference. A phase-error detecting unit detects an error of a control phase amount of the delay and the interference caused by the demodulating unit. A control unit adjusts the control phase amount to a predetermined phase amount based on the error. A data processing unit monitors an error state of data signal that is demodulated by the demodulating unit. The control unit changes the control phase amount from the predetermined amount when the error state is in a predetermined state, and determines a reception state of the differential M-phase shift keying signal light based on an error that is detected after the control phase amount is changed.
US08064779B2 Receiving apparatus
A receiving apparatus which suppresses threshold-voltage changes. A peak voltage detection block detects the peak voltage of a signal. A bottom voltage detection block detects the bottom voltage of the signal. A stop control block generates a stop signal for stopping the operations to detect the peak voltage and the bottom voltage. A threshold value specification block specifies a threshold voltage derived from the peak voltage and the bottom voltage. When receiving the stop signal, the peak voltage detection block stops the operation to detect the peak voltage and retains the peak voltage detected before the reception of the stop signal while the same signal is being received. When receiving the stop signal, the bottom voltage detection block stops the operation to detect the bottom voltage and retains the bottom voltage detected before the reception of the stop signal while the same signal is being received.
US08064777B2 Four quadrant linearizer
A system includes a laser generator, and a signal distortion generator circuit inline with the laser generator modulation signal and configured to generate distortion vectors in any of four distortion vector quadrants.
US08064776B2 Dispersion tolerant optical system and method
An optical communication system and method of use are described. The system comprises an optical source adapted to receive a digitally encoded data signal comprising sequences of data at a data rate (B) and comprising two signal levels representing a first state and a second state of the data signal, the optical source being adapted to produce an optical signal substantially frequency modulated with frequency excursion Δν comprising a first instantaneous frequency (ν0) associated to the first state and a second instantaneous frequency (ν1) associated to the second state; an optical converter adapted to receive the substantially frequency modulated optical signal, the optical converter having an optical transfer function varying with frequency and including at least one pass band, the at least one pass band having a peak transmittance and at least a low-transmittance region.
US08064772B2 Optical space transmitter and optical space transmission method for wavelength-multiplexed light
Provided is an optical space transmitter and an optical space transmission method, for wavelength-multiplexed light, capable of obtaining a wavelength-multiplexed signal by multiplexing optical signals having a plurality of wavelengths with a simple configuration and without requiring highly precise adjustment for optical axes and enhancing safety for a human body. The transmitter has a configuration for which light sources for outputting signal lights having wavelengths different from each other are arranged so as to irradiate an approximately identical portion of a diffusion plate, a diffuse light outputted from the diffusion plate is converted, by a radiation lens, into a light traveling with an angle suitable for transmission in a free space, and the converted light is passed out to the free space.
US08064769B2 Method and system for hitless tunable optical processing
A method for switching from a first optical path optically coupled to an optical processing device to a second optical path, the first and second optical paths optically connecting, in parallel configuration, a first optical switch to a second optical switch, according to the following steps: directing optical radiation comprising at least a fast operating wavelength through the first optical path to the optical processing device, which is tuned to the first operating wavelength; tuning a resonant all-pass filter optically coupled to the second optical path so as to match, at least at a wavelength adjacent to the first operating wavelength, a phase distortion introduced by the optical processing device on the optical radiation; synchronously actuating the first and the second optical switch so as to switch the optical radiation from the first optical path to the second optical path.
US08064764B2 Optical network terminal agent
A method is provided including the steps of monitoring at least one performance metric of at least one network component in an optical network system, determining whether the at least one network component is a rogue network component using the at least one performance metric, saving environment data to a non-volatile storage medium, and modifying the operation of the rogue network component to reduce interference of the rogue network component with the optical network system. In another embodiment, a method includes detecting a condition of a network component in an optical network system, and writing environment data of the network component to a non-volatile storage medium.
US08064763B2 Optical transmission systems, devices, and methods
An optical system with a first and second network tiers. The first network tier includes a plurality of major nodes optically interconnected by at least one transmission path. The second network tier includes a plurality of minor nodes disposed along the transmission path and the minor nodes are connected to at least one of the major nodes. The minor node is configured to transmit all traffic to an adjacent major node, and the major nodes are configured to transmit to and receive information from other major nodes and minor nodes on transmission paths connected to the major node.
US08064758B2 Electric tankless water heater
In various embodiments, the invention provides a system for heating a liquid, such as, for example, water, comprising a plurality of liquid heaters, the inlets and outlets of which are respectively connected in a parallel flow relationship by respective manifolds, and configured to provide liquid having a temperature of greater than about 90 degrees Fahrenheit at a flow rate of greater than about 10 gallons per minute. In various embodiments, the present invention provides an electric tankless liquid heater system capable of delivering hot liquids, and in particular water, at even higher flow rates and or temperatures, including, but not limited to, flow rates greater than about: (1) 12 gpm; (2) 18 gpm; (3) 20 gpm; and (5) 20 gpm; and/or temperatures of greater than about: (1) 100° F.; (2) 120° F.; (3) 140° F.; and (4) 180° F.
US08064756B2 Airflow directing structure for hand dryers
An airflow directing structure for hand dryers includes an airflow directing case, an air inlet, an air outlet, a heating means, an air intake means and a flow directing channel. The air intake means has a rotary axle which has one end fastened to air intake blades. The flow directing channel has an air intake passage communicating with the air inlet, a tortuous passage communicating with the air intake passage and an air exit passage with one end communicating with the tortuous passage and the other end communicating with the air outlet. The air exit passage and the air intake means are parallel in a juxtaposed manner, and located on the same side with the air intake blades and the air outlet. Thus total size of the airflow directing structure is smaller and the cost is lower, and an optimal heating speed can be achieved to improve drying efficiency.
US08064753B2 Multi-feature media article and method for manufacture of same
A media member, such as a DVD disc, which includes thereon a combination of visually presented text material, such as a conventional book, an audio narration of the text material which is synchronized with the text material, and a plurality of successively presented visual images which portray various selected scenes described in the text material.
US08064750B2 Picture reproducing apparatus
In a picture reproducing apparatus, a scene changing point is detected with respect to contents, and then, a position where a temporal stopping operation is performed and a position where a reproducing operation is restarted are determined by using information of the detected changing point. In detecting the scene changing point, a plurality of threshold values are set to set a changing point level at the scene changing point. When the user instructs temporal stopping of reproduction of contents, the temporal stopping position is displayed to the user using the scene changing point level to allow the user to determine a temporal stopping position in a desirable level. When the user instructs restarting of the reproducing operation of the contents temporarily stopped, a reproduction restarting position is displayed by similarly using a scene changing point level to allow the user to determine a reproduction restarting position in a desirable level.
US08064747B2 Reproducing device and reproducing method
The present invention allows a reproducing device that can be used in various device environmental conditions to execute adequate output operation according to a device environmental condition. When reproducing a content signal of audio and video, a reproducing device determines a device environmental condition as the coupling state of the reproducing device and surroundings of the reproducing device. Subsequently, the reproducing device implements control according to output part information and control information that are set with being associated with the device environmental condition. Based on the output part information, either or both of a main-body output unit and an external output unit are controlled as a part for outputting audio or video. In addition, control corresponding to the registered control information is executed inside the device, or details of the control are indicated to a coupled external device.
US08064741B2 Optical coupling device
An optical mode converter has a coupling waveguide and a receiving waveguide. The coupling waveguide has at an input end a first effective refractive index and includes a tapered core of a substantially constant refractive index with a substantially square cross section at the input end, which has a size that tapers down moving away from the input end. The coupling waveguide also has a cladding at least partially surrounding the tapered core. The receiving waveguide has a second effective refractive index at an output end and includes a core of a substantially constant refractive index greater than the refractive index of the tapered core of the coupling waveguide and a cladding at least partially surrounding the core. A side surface of the tapered core of the coupling waveguide is optically in contact, in a coupling portion, with the receiving waveguide so as to allow optical coupling between the coupling waveguide and the receiving waveguide. The refractive index of the tapered core of the coupling waveguide is selected so that the first effective refractive index and the second effective refractive index differ from each other in absolute value less than 30% of the difference between the core refractive index and the effective refractive index of the receiving waveguide.
US08064736B2 Method and system for providing targeted documents based on concepts automatically identified therein
A system and method for providing a graphical document are provided. A graphical document is processed to identify one or more ideas associated with the graphical document. The identified ideas may be used to determine concepts to associate with the first electronic document and suggest those concepts for association with the first electronic document for use in a document distribution system that distributes documents based on a price parameter associated with concepts and a performance parameter. A request for a document associated with a concept is received. Responsive to the request, the graphical document is delivered if an association between the one or more ideas and the concept is determined.
US08064735B2 Recording and reproducing system for image data with recording position information and a recording and reproducing method therefor
An image data recording and reproducing system comprises an image data input unit, an ID generator generating an ID inserted to image data from the image data input unit, a plurality of image data recorders for recording the image data, and an output unit for outputting the image data recorded into the plurality of image data recorders, wherein each of the plurality of image data recorders has an ID table and an image data storage area, and an ID of the ID table is matched with image data of the image data storage area on the bases of recording position information of the image data.
US08064734B2 Image processing device image processing method, and computer program
An image processing device for enlarging an image includes an attribute determining unit, a pattern matching determining unit, and a data selecting unit. The attribute determining unit determines an attribute of each pixel constituting an input image. The pattern matching determining unit determines whether a pattern of the input image, constituted by a target pixel and target-pixel-neighboring pixels that are determined to have the same attribute, matches a predetermined interpolation pattern while assuming each pixels of the input image as the target pixel. The data selecting unit selects pixel data for each of N×N pixels, obtained by enlarging the target pixel N-times, on the basis of the result of the matching determination performed by the pattern matching determining unit, where N is an integer equal to or greater than 2.
US08064732B2 Field of view calibration for modular nuclear medical imaging system
A method and apparatus for correcting misalignment between fields of view of a CT device and a NM device of a modular multimodality medical imaging system, by providing a Field Of View Calibration Matrix (FOV-CM) containing rotational and translational transformations between coordinate systems of the CT and NM systems.
US08064726B1 Apparatus and method for approximating a convolution function utilizing a sum of gaussian functions
An apparatus and method are provided for approximating a convolution function (e.g. a diffusion profile, etc.) utilizing a sum of Gaussian functions. In use, results of a plurality of Gaussian functions are calculated. The results of the Gaussian functions are further summed. To this end, an approximation of a convolution function is generated based on the sum. Further, an image is rendered utilizing the approximation.
US08064725B2 Distortion of digital images using spatial offsets
A method for distortion of a digital image comprising determining one or more sets of pixel characteristics, receiving for each pixel characteristic set, a spatial offset, providing a mixing function algorithm embodied on a computer-readable medium for distorting the digital image, calculating an offset matrix by applying the mixing function algorithm based on the one or more sets of pixel characteristics and the received spatial offsets, and distorting the digital image by application of the offset matrix. The method is applicable to regions of interest in the digital image, where the calculating step further comprises applying the mixing function algorithm based on the received coordinates of a region of interest. Abstract image reference points may be used to limit distortion.
US08064713B2 Data processing device that executes retinex processing
When a logarithmic spiral function curve exists at a position specified by variables, a filter coefficient corresponding to the position is obtained through calculation using Gaussian function stored in a Gaussian function memory, and the filter coefficient is stored in a filter coefficient memory in association with the position specified by the variables. Retinex processing is executed on original image data using the filter coefficients stored in the filter coefficient memory.
US08064710B2 Image processing apparatus, method of controlling thereof, and program
An object of the present invention is to detect characteristics of images such as blurring and the like without expanding compressed and stored image data. And, the above-described detection is realized by detecting image characteristics on the basis of attached information of an image, such as relation between low frequency components and high frequency components of alternate current components and contents of a quantization table of image data compressed by a compression system for converting image data into spatial frequency components. In addition, for example, as a result of detection, an image discriminated to be in a blurred state is controlled so as not to be inserted into an album template or to be inserted into a small area inside the album template. Thereby, a user can omit work of picking and choosing images to insert into an album template while taking a look at a lot of images.
US08064709B2 Method and apparatus for buffering output pixel data of a joint photographic experts group image
The invention provides a method for buffering output pixel data of a Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) image. First, a storing rule is determined for storing a scaled minimum coded unit (MCU) of the JPEG image in a memory module, wherein the scaled MCU comprises a plurality of pixels. A memory is then selected from the memory module according to the storing rule for storing pixels of the scaled MCU. Finally, the pixels of the scaled MCU are then output from the memory module to a frame buffer.
US08064708B2 Methods and systems for remotely visualizing images
A method for remotely visualizing an image on a client includes the steps of rendering a 2D image from image data on a server, applying a 2D wavelet transform to the 2D image on the server to generate a plurality of sub-bands, identifying code blocks of the sub-bands that correspond to a region of interest in the 2D image on the server, compressing a number of bit planes of each code block using one of a plurality of coding techniques on the server based on the number of bit planes to generate compressed codes, sending the compressed codes from the server to the client, and visualizing a new 2D image on the client using the received compressed codes.
US08064704B2 Hand gesture recognition input system and method for a mobile phone
A handheld gesture recognition control apparatus and its method are provided for a mobile phone. The input method of the present invention includes collecting a plurality of images; storing the images as control images; mapping the control images to corresponding control commands; capturing an image taken by a camera as a current image; comparing the current image to the control images; selecting one of the control images as a target control image according to a comparison result; extracting a control command mapped to the target control image; and executing the control command.
US08064695B2 Dark scene compensation in a background-foreground module of a video analysis system
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and a module for identifying a background of a scene depicted in an acquired stream of video frames that may be used by a video-analysis system. For each pixel or block of pixels in an acquired video frame a comparison measure is determined. The comparison measure depends on difference of color values exhibited in the acquired video frame and in a background image respectively by the pixel or block of pixels and a corresponding pixel and block of pixels in the background image. To determine the comparison measure, the resulting difference is considered in relation to a range of possible color values. If the comparison measure is above a dynamically adjusted threshold, the pixel or the block of pixels is classified as a part of the background of the scene.
US08064693B2 Methods of and apparatus for adjusting colour saturation in an input image
A color saturation value for at least some of the pixels in an input image is adjusted to provide an output image. In one aspect, for each pixel for which the color saturation value is adjusted, the color saturation value for the pixel is adjusted in dependence on both a brightness value and a color saturation value for said pixel. In another aspect, the adjusting is carried out by, for each of the at least some pixels, reading from a brightness values look-up table a brightness scale parameter corresponding to the brightness value of the pixel, reading from a color values look-up table a color scale parameter corresponding to the color value of the pixel, obtaining a final scale parameter for the pixel from the brightness scale parameter and the color scale parameter, and adjusting the color value for the pixel in accordance with said final scale parameter.
US08064692B2 Automatic age classification of forest land
A false color composite image is created by assigning mid infrared data from three time-spaced images of an area of interest to corresponding RGB color components for the false color composite image. The RGB color components for the false color composite image are then converted into color space data and classified into a number of color classes. An age is assigned to the color classes to create a classified image of age classes of the area of interest.
US08064691B2 Method for identifying color in machine and computer vision applications
A method for identifying color in a target creates a ratio color space by determining the largest color component value of each pixel in an image and creating a ratio of all of the color component value with the largest component value for each pixel. The ratio for the color component of each pixel undergoes a threshold test to identify each color component as a rich shade or a fade shade. The ratio space color components are converted to a black and white image. Color information of adjacent pixels are clumped together to form blobs of the same color. The blobs are filtered by shape, color, location, or orientation and sorted to find targets that consist of a predefined pattern with the desired characteristics.
US08064689B2 Image processor, image-processing method, and computer-readable medium
An image processor has: a unit that executes a conversion process on input image data represented by pixels of M grayscales (M≧3), to convert the input data into output image data represented by sub-pixels of two grayscales; and a unit that outputs the output data, wherein the conversion process includes: a process to determine a filling pattern of sub-pixels corresponding to a pixel of interest of the input data according to a corrected grayscale value obtained by adding a correction value to a grayscale value of the pixel of interest; and the pattern includes a core pattern which forms a core of a dot and a growth pattern which grows a dot, the correction value includes a diffused error, and at least a part of the diffused error obtained by weighting an error of a pixel determined as the core pattern is not included in the correction value.
US08064686B2 Method and device for the contactless optical determination of the 3D position of an object
A device for the contactless optical determination of the position of an object. In particular, the present invention provides a method and device for the contactless optical determination of the 3D position of an object wherein an image of the object is generated by means of a camera and the 3D position of the object is calculated from the camera image based on the image information about detected geometrical characteristics. Determination of the 3D position of the object includes determination of the 3D position and the 3D orientation of the object.
US08064680B2 Process for segmenting leukocytes
A method for segmenting stained leukocytes in blood smears includes the following steps: the pixels of the digital images taken of the blood smears are allocated to one of at least three pixel classes according to their chromaticity values; the chromaticity values of all pixels of the image are subjected to the same transformation with which the pixels allocated to the class of the image background appear at least almost white; a transformation of the stained image obtained takes place into an alternative color space, which represents the hue, color saturation and color intensity separately, and hue, color saturation and color intensity of all pixels are ascertained; a probability value is calculated for each pixel for its association to a leukocyte, the probability value corresponding to the product of the probability value for the hue of the leukocyte nucleus with at least one further probability value; then these probability values are defined with reference to previously ascertained and defined associations, and the pixels with a high value of the product of the probability values are considered as belonging to a leukocyte.
US08064678B2 Automated detection of cell colonies and coverslip detection using hough transforms
The present invention provides methods and systems for automatic detection of the location of cell colonies on a specimen slide, in particular under the coverslip of a specimen slide. Slide scanning can be performed using an automated microscope with motorized axes. The location of the colonies can be determined by image analysis, which is followed by automatically finding metaphase cells and associating them with each colony. The invention also provides an automated, Hough-transform-based method for identifying the location of the slide coverslip and, if desired, analyzing only the image area contained within the coverslip.
US08064677B2 Systems and methods for measurement of objects of interest in medical images
A system and method are provided for the measurement and display of attributes of an object of interest in a medical image. An object of interest is identified, such as a lesion or cluster of lesions in a breast area on a mammography image. At least one attribute of the lesion is then automatically measured, such as the area of the lesion, the width and height of a cluster of lesions, the number of lesions in a cluster, or the distance from one or more lesions to an anatomical feature such as the nipple, skin line or chest wall. The measurements are then displayed to a user, for example by displaying the measurements on the mammography image. Additionally, anatomical zones, such as standard, quadrant and clock zones of the breast area may be determined and displayed on the mammography image or diagram to display the location of the lesion as it corresponds to the zones.
US08064671B2 Imaging apparatus
An imaging apparatus is disclosed that displays an image acquired from an examination object. The apparatus includes an acquisition unit that determines image acquisition parameters and acquires the signal values of the examination object; a conversion unit that uses a transfer function to convert the acquired signal values into brightness values that are displayed in the image; a unit for extracting the image acquisition parameters; and a storage unit that has data records in which at least one transfer function is stored in relation to the image acquisition parameters. The conversion unit compares the image acquisition parameters with the image acquisition parameters stored in the storage unit and selects the transfer function as a function of the comparison.
US08064667B2 X-ray apparatus, image processing display apparatus and computer program product
An X-ray imaging machine is configured such that a three-dimensional blood-vessel information creating unit creates information concerning a three-dimensional blood-vessel core line and a position of a plaque in a subject blood vessel based on three-dimensional volume data obtained from an image taken by an X-ray computed tomography apparatus. A plaque-depth information image creating unit creates a plaque-depth information image on which the plaque is differently displayed in accordance with whether the plaque is present in front of or in the back of the three-dimensional blood-vessel core line with respect to a projection direction, based on the created information concerning the three-dimensional blood-vessel core line and the position of the plaque. An X-ray image display unit displays the created plaque-depth information image over an X-ray image in a superimposed manner.
US08064664B2 Alignment method for registering medical images
Systems and method are provided for registering medical images to reduce movement between the images. In one arrangement, a hierarchical image registration is performed where regions of the largest differences between images are identified and utilized to drive the deformation of one of the images. Such regions are identified in one arrangement by determining intensities and gradient magnitudes for corresponding regions of the images. In another arrangement, a multi-resolution registration strategy is applied.
US08064662B2 Sparse collaborative computer aided diagnosis
A method for modeling an image for multiple tasks includes providing an image with n image features, providing an indicator matrix which has m non-zero components corresponding to m selected features selected from the n image features, constructing a model of the image using the in selected features for each specific labeling task. There is a variable for a specific task to be performed on the image and a variable for a plurality of tasks to be performed on the image.
US08064661B2 Cell culture device, image processing device and cell detecting system
In a container of a cell culture device, a light source and a camera are arranged on both sides of an incubator, and the camera or incubator can be moved in relation to each other.An image of cells in the incubator is captured with a given focus.The medium, image density, and noise component of images captured while varying the focus of the camera have substantially similar pixel values.Consequently, by subjecting the data on the images captured with such different focuses to differential processing, only the cell portion can be extracted without being influenced by the color variation of the medium, the variation of the amount of light, the difference in brightness between the central and peripheral areas of the image, and the noise.
US08064660B2 Method and system for detection of bone fractures
A method and system for detection of bone fractures using image processing of a digitized x-ray image.
US08064657B2 Cleaning device for fingerprint authentication apparatus, cleaning method, and fingerprint authentication system using the same
A cleaning device for a fingerprint authentication apparatus, include a shutter which is opened or closed in order to expose or cover a surface of a scan plate for carrying out a finger authentication by said fingerprint authentication apparatus; a cleaner which cleans said surface of said scan plate, while rotating; and a driving unit which drives said shutter to said closed state so as that said surface of said scan plate may be covered, and drives said cleaner.
US08064654B2 Facial region detection device and correction method for photoprinting
Disclosed is a method for correcting a facial region detected from image data for photoprinting of improved image quality. The method includes an image data input step of inputting the image data to an image processing device; facial region detection step of extracting a skin color region from the inputted image data and detecting a planar face or a rotated planar face from a face-existing candidate region; a region division step of dividing the facial region detected in the facial region detection step; a correction step of extracting a distortion data value from the region divided in the region division step and conducting correction; and a photoprinting step of visually outputting the image data finally corrected in the correction step. Various types of distortion of the facial image is effectively corrected before it is printed by a photoprinter so that the image quality is improved.
US08064651B2 Biometric determination of group membership of recognized individuals
A person identification device obtains information including biometric information of a person, detects the biometric information of at least one person from the obtained information, collates each detected biometric information with the biometric information of at least one registrant associated with group information and stored in a storage unit to thereby identify the person having the biometric information detected from the obtained information, classifies a plurality of successively identified persons into group candidates based on predetermined conditions, divides the persons of the group candidates into groups based on the group information of each person stored in the storage unit, and outputs a grouping result to an external device.
US08064649B2 Techniques and apparatus for increasing accuracy of iris authentication by utilizing a plurality of iris images having different pupil diameter/iris diameter ratios
A plurality of iris images are acquired (SA0), and aggregation of iris images of which distribution of pupil openings is uniform is acquired from the plurality of iris images by duplication and/or deletion (SA1). Features are generated from the respective iris images that belong to the aggregation (SA2), and a predetermined number of registration features are selected from the features, using authentication performance as an evaluation index.
US08064647B2 System for iris detection tracking and recognition at a distance
A stand-off range or at-a-distance iris detection and tracking for iris recognition having a head/face/eye locator, a zoom-in iris capture mechanism and an iris recognition module. The system may obtain iris information of a subject with or without his or her knowledge or cooperation. This information may be sufficient for identification of the subject, verification of identity and/or storage in a database.
US08064646B2 Technique for authenticating an object on basis of features extracted from the object
The present invention discourages effective illegal use of compromised biometric information in biometric authentication and allows biometric authentication to be securely continued even when some biometric information is compromised. A user authentication system compares extracted user features with a previously registered combination of features and authenticates the user on the basis of the result of the comparison. If the authentication is successful, the previously registered combination is replaced with a new combination of features that are registered for use in the subsequent authentication of the authentication object.
US08064645B1 Methods and systems for authenticating users
A method of authenticating users is provided that includes capturing biometric authentication data of a user and processing the captured biometric data into an image. Moreover, the method includes determining a region of interest of the image and a gray scale image from the image, determining an optimum transformation parameter set within the region of interest, and aligning the gray scale image with an enrollment gray scale image generated during enrollment of the user using results of the optimum transformation parameter set determination. Furthermore, the method includes extracting biometric feature data from the gray scale image and verifying an identity of the user with extracted biometric feature data included in a region of agreement.
US08064642B2 Constrained-curve correlation model
A method and apparatus to develop an advanced correlation model of movement of a target within a patient, which needs less data points and can adapt to the changes of respiration behavior automatically.
US08064640B2 Method and apparatus for generating a precision fires image using a handheld device for image based coordinate determination
A software application to generate a Precision Fires Image (PFI) which provides a precision targeting coordinate to guide an air launched weapon using a forward deployed hand held hardware device executing the PFI software application. Suitable hardware devices to execute the PFI software application include the Windows CE handheld and the Army Pocket Forward Entry Device (PFED). Precision targeting coordinates derived from the PFI software application are compatible with most military target planning and weapon delivery systems.
US08064639B2 Multi-pose face tracking using multiple appearance models
A system and method are provided for tracking a face moving through multiple frames of a video sequence. A predicted position of a face in a video frame is obtained. Similarity matching for both a color model and an edge model are performed to derive correlation values for each about the predicted position. The correlation values are then combined to determine a best position and scale match to track a face in the video.
US08064637B2 Decoding of UV marks using a digital image acquisition device
A method and system for identifying a fluorescence mark in a printed document includes using an image acquisition device to derive an input digital image. For each pixel of at least one of the input image color channels, the gray value is adjusted to define a filtered digital image including a plurality of pixels each defined by an adjusted gray value. A binary image is derived that that represents the filtered digital image. The binary image includes a binary representation of the fluorescence mark and a binary representation of the background. At least one morphological operation is performed on the binary image. An ASCII character for the binary representation of the fluorescence mark (or each constituent character thereof) is derived and compared to a known security code to authenticate the printed document.
US08064636B2 Image processing apparatus and method of controlling the same
To accurately extract embedded information from a document image using line spacing watermark, an image processing apparatus for extracting watermark information includes an input unit which inputs a document image as image data, an image reduction unit which generates, from the image data, reduced image data reduced in the first direction, a detection unit which scans the reduced image data in the second direction and detects the length of a blank region as line spacing information, and an extraction unit which extracts watermark information embedded in the document image based on the line spacing information.
US08064634B2 History image generating system, history image generating method, and recording medium in which is recorded a computer program
A history image generating system and method is configured such that a determining unit determines whether or not an image to be combined with a history image stored as a history is a digital watermark image, and when it has been determined by the determining unit that the image is a digital watermark image, a processing unit performs, with respect to the digital watermark image, processing including enhancement processing such that the visibility of the image is increased, and a generating unit generates an image in which the digital watermark image with respect to which processing has been performed by the processing unit and the history image are combined. Further, a recording medium stores a computer program that causes a computer to execute operation of each unit of this history image generating system.
US08064633B2 Information processing apparatus, image display apparatus, control methods therefor, and programs for causing computer to perform the methods
An information processing apparatus includes a content storage unit storing a plurality of pieces of content; a background-image storage unit storing a background image corresponding to the plurality of pieces of content stored in the content storage unit; an attribute-information storage unit storing attribute information for each of the plurality of pieces of content in association with the plurality of pieces of content, the attribute information including a corresponding position in the background image; a classification unit classifying the plurality of pieces of content into one or more clusters on the basis of the attribute information; and a rendering unit rendering images indicating the classified pieces of content in a predetermined order on a cluster-by-cluster basis and rendering an area of the background image, the area including the corresponding position included in the attribute information of content corresponding to at least one of the images rendered.
US08064631B2 Electroacoustic transducer
The invention provides an electroacoustic transducer capable of efficiently carrying out conversion from electric signals to sound or from sound to electric signals at low distortion, which requires no special shape nor processing as a magnet, requires no minute setting of the magnetization direction, and sets a distribution of higher magnetic flux densities for effective action with respect to an electric conductor of an acoustic diaphragm than in a magnet plate magnetized in the radius direction although the production process thereof is remarkably simple as in a magnet plate magnetized in the radius direction.
US08064628B2 Portable box for carrying items
A telescoping box includes a lid. The upper section of the box includes lids which are frictionally engagable therewith. The lids include speaker assemblies as part of each lid. The lids are removable and include connection points for audio signal sources such as MP3 players.
US08064625B2 Portable entertainment system
A portable entertainment system for use with a vehicle, such as a bicycle, that amplifies a signal from a portable media device docked therein, and includes a substantially cylindrical housing unit having a speaker and a portable media device docking unit, the speaker being communicably coupled with the docking unit and outputting the amplified signal, a remote control unit controlling a level of the amplified signal output by the speaker and controlling functions of the portable media device docked in the docking unit, and an impact resistant suspension mounting bracket stably securing the housing unit to a frame of the vehicle.
US08064621B2 Digital mixer
In a digital mixer, a storage stores operating data including a plurality of parameters for controlling states of audio signals of a plurality of channels. A signal processor performs a mixing process of the audio signals based on the operating data. A plurality of channel strips are mounted on an operating panel in correspondence to the plurality of the channels. Each channel strip includes operators arranged for controlling a corresponding channel. A display controller displays a panel imitation portion imitating an appearance of the operating panel and including a plurality of channel strip imitation images which imitate the plurality of the channel strips and which are arranged in a positional relationship corresponding to a positional relationship of the channel strips arranged on the operating panel. A parameter setter sets a value of a specific parameter of a channel corresponding to a channel strip upon detecting that the channel strip has been manipulated. A display mode setter allows each channel strip imitation image to be displayed in a display mode according to the value of the specific parameter of the corresponding channel.
US08064619B2 Microphone and integrated circuit capible of echo cancellation
The invention provides an integrated circuit of a microphone. In one embodiment, the integrated circuit receives a first signal converted from a sound and receives a reference signal with a digital format for echo cancellation. In one embodiment, the integrated circuit comprises a pre-amplifier, an analog-to-digital converter, a digital signal processor, and a post amplifier. The pre-amplifier amplifies the first signal according to a first gain to obtain a third signal. The analog-to-digital converter converts the third signal from analog to digital to obtain a fourth signal. The digital signal processor cancels an echo component from the fourth signal according to the reference signal to obtain a fifth signal, and determines the first gain and a second gain, wherein a product of the first gain and the second gain is kept constant, and the first gain is determined so that an amplitude of the third signal is kept equal to an amplitude of the reference signal. The post-amplifier amplifies the fifth signal according to the second gain to obtain a second signal as an output of the integrated circuit.
US08064612B2 Vehicular active vibratory noise control apparatus
A subtractor subtracts a first control signal output from a first bandpass filter from an error signal, and supplies a differential signal to a second bandpass filter. The second bandpass filter, which has a central frequency of 70 Hz, is affected by an operation of the first bandpass filter, i.e., a first control signal, which has a central frequency of 40 Hz. The first bandpass filter is not affected by an operation of the second bandpass filter, i.e., the second control signal.
US08064611B2 Uplink noise cancellation
A system comprising audio logic adapted to convert captured sound into an audio signal. The system also comprises transmission logic which causes noise to be added to the audio signal. The system further comprises processing logic adapted to at least partially remove the noise from the audio signal by subtracting a noise waveform from the audio signal to produce a result signal. The processing logic generates the noise waveform using power level information associated with the transmission logic. The transmission logic transmits the result signal to another electronic device.
US08064602B2 Method and application for authentication of a wireless communication using an expiration marker
Systems and methods of securing wireless communications between a network and a subscriber station are disclosed. One embodiment creates authentication triplets due to expire after a certain amount of time such that they may not be used indefinitely by an attacker who intercepts them.
US08064601B1 Security in wireless communication systems
Wireless security is enforced at L1, in addition to or in lieu of other layers. AP's can switch dynamically from serving to scanning. Scanners listen for authorized frame headers. Scanners either receive, or allow authorized frames to be received, at their destination. Scanners kill unauthorized frames while they are still transmitting; scanners continue listening for and killing unauthorized frame headers until frame ending time demands their return to serving, multiplying their effectiveness. AP's include dual-mode multi-frequency omni-directional antennae, used to prevent third parties from snooping messages received at those AP's.
US08064598B2 Apparatus, method and computer program product providing enforcement of operator lock
A data blob has an operator's certificate that specifies a network. The data blob is encrypted by the network using a private key that authenticates that a user device owns a MAC address. The network sends the encrypted data blob to the user device, which decrypts it using a private key that is locally stored in the user device. From that the user device obtains the operator's certificate, locks the user device to a network specified by the operator's certificate, and sends a response message signed with the private key. The network grants access to the user device based on the signed response message. Various embodiments and further details are detailed. This technique is particularly useful for a WiMAX or WLAN/WiFi network in which there is no SIM card to lock the device to the network.
US08064595B2 Adaptive mute
Systems and methods for providing mute status reminders are presented. The system and method includes monitoring a mute status duration upon activation of a mute status at a communication device, outputting a periodic mute reminder having an output period responsive to activation of the mute status, and adjusting the output period responsive to the mute status duration.
US08064594B2 Integrated cellular/PCS-POTS communication system
There is provided a system for integrating at least one residential Plain Old Telephone System (POTS) phone to a cellular phone network. A Subscriber Line Interface Circuit (SLIC 120) interfaces audio from the cellular phone network to the at least one residential POTS phone. A line switcher (122), connected to the SLIC, connects the at least one residential POTS phone to any one of a POTS line or a cellular line. An audio gateway (116), connected to the SLIC, wirelessly receives the audio from a cellular phone connected to the cellular phone network for subsequent transmission to the at least one residential phone and wirelessly transmits the audio from the POTS line to the cellular phone.
US08064592B2 Adaptive communication systems and methods
Methods and communication systems are presented, in which impulse noise is monitored on a communication channel, and impulse noise protection parameters are adjusted according to the monitored impulse noise without interrupting communication service.
US08064590B2 Campaign in a geo-spatial environment
A method, apparatus, and system of a campaign in a geo-spatial environment is proposed. In one embodiment, a method includes populating each profile of a geo-spatial social network with an address data, forming a group in support of a campaign in the geo-spatial network when a particular user creates the group in support of the campaign and automatically communicating media to a physical location of a member of the group based on the address data associated with each profile of the geo-spatial network. The method may also include automatically creating the group based on a public data associated with each profile of the geo-spatial social network even prior to certain users associated with each profile registering geo-spatial social network by applying the public data to the each profile.
US08064589B2 Estimating number of agents for multiple chat channels
Method and system of estimating a number of agents to service contacts arriving on multiple chat channels in an automatic contact distribution system. In some embodiments, estimated average times that agents and contacts spend, respectively, composing a single chat message and an estimated average time of a chat session are used to derive an inflated handle time for any selected number of chat channels, an effective number of agents is computed for the inflated handle time, and that effective number of agents is divided by the selected number of channels.
US08064588B2 Systems and methods for call screening
The present invention provides flexible, user-definable call screening processes. The user can optionally define to which telecommunication terminals a screened call is to be broadcast to and under what conditions. An incoming call is forwarded to a call management system that asks the caller to leave a voice message. The call management system selectively couples the call to a POTS line or a VoIP-capable device so that the user can listen to the incoming message and thereby screen the incoming call. Based on the screening, the user can instruct the call management system to connect the caller to the user.
US08064587B2 Apparatus, system and method for monitoring a call forwarded to a network-based voice mail system
An apparatus, system and method for monitoring calls that have been forwarded to a network-based voice mail system (VMS). The VMS receives the forwarded call and sends a start of greeting signal at the beginning and an end of greeting signal at the completion of the voice message greeting to the central office switch. The switch sends an activate call monitoring data message and a call monitoring alert signal to the customer premises equipment (CPE). If the CPE is adapted for call monitoring and includes a speaker assembly, then the speaker assembly is engaged in response to the activate call monitoring data message, thereby allowing hands-free call monitoring. If the CPE does not include a speaker assembly, then the called party may activate call monitoring by lifting the handset in response to detecting a call monitoring alert from the CPE. While monitoring the call, the called party may intercept the call to speak with the calling party.
US08064585B2 Architecture and implementation for control of context aware call processing with local feature definition
A communication system comprising at least one ubiquitous sensor for generating awareness data relating to a user, a context engine for receiving and processing the awareness data to determine the user's current context for the purpose of event handling, a policy engine for receiving and relating at least one pertinent evidential indicator of the relevance, urgency or importance of an incoming event from a caller to the user's current context and in response selecting a preferred event handling feature, and a delivery agent for executing the preferred event handling feature.
US08064583B1 Multiple data store authentication
System and methods for authenticating access to multiple data stores are disclosed. The system may include a server coupled to a network, a client device in communication with the server via the network and a plurality of data stores. The server may authenticate access to the data stores and forward information from those stores to the client device. An exemplary authentication method receives a request for access to data. Information concerning access to that data is stored and associated with an identifier assigned to a client device. If the identifier is found to correspond to the stored information during a future request for access to the store, access to that store is granted.
US08064580B1 Telephony system and method with improved fraud control
Inmate communications systems provide a feature-rich platform with a high degree of flexibility and security employing call control facilities located off institutional premises. Authentication processes for calling and called party verification include biometric techniques in some embodiments. Distributed processing of call control and billing provide flexible interactive call payment processes. Preferred embodiments feature voice over IP transmission and control featuring controlled access to avoid addition of unauthorized third-party call participants. Monitoring, recording and selective forwarding of calls is provided under control of system administrators.
US08064579B2 Prepaid services accounts with multi-user customers and individualized quotas
Prepaid services include a multi-user prepaid services account as well as a prepaid balance associated with the account. A plurality of user records associated with the account each includes a quota. A service monitoring component may be configured to repeatedly draw down the prepaid balance by providing one or more allocations of the prepaid balance during a service period to a user associated with a respective user record.
US08064577B2 Method and apparatus for retrieving voicemail messages from a client/server network using a mobile device
A method for retrieving a voicemail message from a client/server communication network using a mobile device includes: sending a voicemail retrieval request from the mobile device to the client/server communication network, generating an RSS feed at the client/server communication network, generating an audio file that corresponds to the voicemail message at the client/server communication network and downloading the RSS feed and the audio file to the mobile device.
US08064574B2 Messaging advise in presence-aware networks
A presence aware communications system, comprising a messaging system configured to perform at least one of the following operations: (a) provide a subscriber's communication device with information regarding an incoming contact during a messaging session between the subscriber's communication device and the messaging system; (b) provide the subscriber's communication device with a text message containing information regarding one or more messages when a notification is received that the subscriber's communication device is available; (c) provide the subscriber's communication device with a text message relating to a voice message from a different first party received by the messaging system; (d) in response to the subscriber's communication device requesting a connection with at least one of an inputted telephone number and address, provide the subscriber's communication device with a notification respecting at least one eligible message from a second party associated with the at least one of an inputted telephone number and address; (e) while a contact between the subscriber and a different third party is in progress, provide the subscriber's communication device with information respecting the at least one eligible message from the third party; (f) transform an audio messaging session between the messaging system and the communication device of a contacting party into a graphical user interface-based audio session; and (g) transform the audio messaging session into a session having a video channel or both audio and video channels.
US08064573B2 Computer generated prompting
A method and apparatus for generating appropriate confirmatory prompts in a speech-enabled, interactive computer system. The method can be incorporated in an interactive voice response system that includes receiving an input audio stream over a voice channel from a users, performing keyword recognition on received input audio as subsequent input audio is being received, and prompting the user with an acknowledgement of the keyword or keywords as subsequent input audio is being received. In another aspect of the method, the volume of the speech input can be continuously monitored. In a further aspect of the method, recognition results and associated confidence values can be combined to select different confirmatory prompts, and the volume is tailored to be the same as, louder than or quieter than the volume of the speech input, so that different types of confirmation can be automatically generated to produce a natural speech-enabled interface.
US08064571B2 Method and arrangement for improving tomographic determinations, particularly suitable for inspection of steel reinforcement bars in concrete structures
A method and arrangement for improving tomographic determinations by means of radiation, specially suitable for steel bars in concrete. The method comprising irradiating said body with penetrating radiation, recording said radiation transmitted through said body in recording means; providing a reference system with a plurality of independently identified and individualized reference elements made of a high density radiation-absorbent material, such reference elements being arranged in an orderly manner; identifying the above mentioned measurements; determining irradiation times; and determining the position and size of objects within a body based on the information recorded on the recording means used for measurement.
US08064563B2 First-wall component for a fusion reactor
A first-wall component for a fusion reactor contains at least one heat shield having a first region inclined toward the plasma and a second region lying opposite the first region and formed of a graphitic material. The heat shield has one or more slots that end in the first or second regions and are oriented generally in the direction of an axis of the cooling tube. The components suitably cope with the mechanical stresses resulting both from production and from thermal cycling.
US08064556B2 Fractionally-spaced equalizers for spread spectrum wireless communication
This disclosure describes equalization techniques for spread spectrum wireless communication. The techniques may involve estimating a channel impulse response, estimating channel variance, and selecting filter coefficients for an equalizer based on the estimated channel impulse response and the estimated channel variance. Moreover, in accordance with this disclosure, the channel variance estimation involves estimation of two or more co-variances for different received samples. Importantly, the equalizer is “fractionally spaced,” which means that the equalizer defines fractional filtering coefficients (filter taps), unlike conventional equalizers that presume that filter coefficients are defined at integer chip spacing. The techniques can allow the equalizer to account for antenna diversity, such as receive diversity, transmit diversity, or possibly both.
US08064554B2 Radio communication system performing multi-carrier transmission, reception device, reception method, transmission device, transmission method, delay time calculation device, and delay time calculation method
Multi-carrier transmission is performed without inserting a repetitive signal into guard interval periods. A transmitter provides guard interval periods by using a null signal to save transmission power and prevent the deterioration of the SN ratio. Delayed waves at the head of each received symbol cause high-frequency waves to occur and carriers to interfere with one another. Accordingly, a receiver adds a component following each received symbol to a delayed-wave component at the head of the received symbol. As a result, the delayed-wave component at the head of the received symbol and the added component become continuous in wave form and subcarriers do not interfere with each other.
US08064553B2 Coarse frequency offset estimation in ISDB receivers
A method of estimating a coarse frequency offset in a receiver includes providing at least one candidate frequency offset in Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbols having transmission and multiplexing configuration control (TMCC) bins and auxiliary channel (AC) bins, modulating the TMCC bins and AC bins using differential binary phase shift keying (DBPSK) modulation, estimating a phase difference between a first symbol and a second symbol for the candidate frequency offset of the TMCC and AC bins to obtain a resulting phase difference, correcting the resulting phase difference based on a difference between the candidate frequency offset and a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) center bin to obtain a corrected phase difference, mapping the corrected phase difference to numeric numbers, and adding the numeric numbers for the candidate frequency offset to obtain a summation result. The numeric numbers correspond to at least one of +1 or −1.
US08064547B2 Receiving apparatus and method
A receiving apparatus includes a unit detecting a specific-bit sequence included in a data sequence, a unit counting, as a count value n1, a first number of oscillations during a 1-bit-wide period of a first bit of the specific-bit sequence, and to count, as a count value n2, a second number of oscillations during a 1-bit-wide period of a second bit of the specific-bit sequence, a unit generating, when it is determined that the n1 is not less than the (n2−a) and is not more than the (n2+a) (a=1,2, . . . ), a timing of n1/2, fractions of which are carried, for the first bit to a third bit of the specific-bit sequence, and to generate a timing of n1 for a fourth bit and subsequent bits, and a unit acquiring a data sequence from the data sequence at the timing n1/2 and the timing n1.
US08064545B2 Device and method for determining a constellation of a quadrature amplitude modulated signal
The invention relates to a method and/or a device for determining a constellation from a plurality of possible constellations with a constellation identification device which is used to determine the constellation of the signal from a plurality of possible constellations. This is advantageously achieved when a converter is arranged to convert the signal into polar coordinates provided with a radial component, and to provide a radius as a radial component of the signal, wherein the constellation identification device is constructed so as to determine the constellation of the signal from the radius.
US08064544B2 Method and device for receiving OPFDM-DQPSK signal
In the field of communication and transmission, a method and a device for receiving an OPFDM-DQPSK signal are provided. The device includes a power splitter, adapted to split the OPFDM-DQPSK signal into two beams of signals; a polarization beam splitter (PBS), adapted to splitting one of the two beams of signals into a first signal and a second signal; a demultiplexer (Demux), adapted to demultiplex the other beam of signal to obtain a third signal and a fourth signal; two delayers, adapted to delay the third signal and the fourth signal respectively; a first frequency-mixing receiving module, adapted to perform frequency-mixing receiving on the first signal and the delayed third signal; a second frequency-mixing receiving module, adapted to perform frequency-mixing receiving on the second signal and the delayed fourth signal; and a decision recovery module, adapted to recover four logical sequences by performing decision on the four electrical signals.
US08064534B2 Single-wire asynchronous serial interface
The present invention discloses a single-wire asynchronous serial interface, and a method for transmitting commands and data through one transmission wire, wherein the transmission wire is capable of transmitting signals of three level states. The disclosed interface comprises a signal level extraction circuit receiving signals transmitted through the wire and outputting logic or functional bits according to the received signals; a clock extraction circuit generating clock signals according to the functional bits, and a memory circuit controlled by the clock signals and storing the logic bits. The disclosed method comprises: using two of the level states to represent logic 0 and logic 1, and the third of the states as a functional bit; and determining whether a group of signals is a command or data by the existence of a functional bit within the group.
US08064533B2 Reconfigurable MIMO transceiver and method for use therewith
A wireless transceiver includes a plurality of antennas. A plurality of signal recovery circuits generate a selected number of received signals from a first subset of the plurality of antennas, based on a control signal. A receiver section recovers an inbound data stream from the selected number of received signals. A plurality of transmitter sections generate a selected number of transmitted signals to a second subset of the plurality of antennas, based on the control signal, wherein the intersection between the first subset of the plurality of antennas and the second subset of the plurality of antennas is the null set for each value of the control signal.
US08064532B2 Method and scheme for space-time coded cochannel interference cancellation
An apparatus, system, and method for space-time cochannel interference cancellation are described. The apparatus may include a time stacking module to stack consecutive subcarrier signals for a period of time equal to several symbols and a space-time subcarrier beamformer module to perform space-time subcarrier beamforming by applying space-time beamformer weights to stacked symbols on one or more subcarriers. The space-time beamformer weights may be calculated based on spatial and time correlation properties of one or more interference signals. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08064531B2 Method and apparatus for interferer parameter estimation using multiple receiver arbitration
In one embodiment, a receiver implements a method of demodulating a set of symbols dispersed within a time-frequency grid of a received OFDM signal. The method includes determining which one of two or more demodulators is preferred for use in a given region of the time-frequency grid by evaluating detection statistics generated by the demodulators for the set of symbols. Each demodulator operates according to different demodulation parameters that correspond to different interference assumptions. The method further includes recovering the set of symbols for decoding using whichever demodulator is preferred for each symbol according to the region from which the symbol is recovered. The method may be further extended by updating each demodulator's demodulation parameters using reference and/or data symbols from the region(s) where that demodulator is preferred, and recovering the desired symbols using the updated demodulation parameters. Such updating can be further iterated, for additional demodulation parameter refinement.
US08064528B2 Estimating frequency-offsets and multi-antenna channels in MIMO OFDM systems
Techniques are described for carrier frequency offset (CFO) and channel estimation of orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) transmissions over multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) frequency-selective fading channels. A wireless transmitter forms blocks of symbols by inserting training symbols within two or more blocks of information-bearing symbols. The transmitter applies a hopping code to each of the blocks of symbols to insert a null subcarrier at a different position within each of the blocks of symbols, and a modulator outputs a wireless signal in accordance with the blocks of symbols. A receiver receives the wireless signal and estimates the CFO, and outputs a stream of estimated symbols based on the estimated CFO.
US08064525B2 Method and apparatus for transmitting data frames, and a method and apparatus for data rate matching
A method and apparatus for transmitting data frames, and a method and apparatus for data rate matching wherein, via an interleaver, elements to be transmitted are distributed over a plurality of radio frames and repeated, the repetition being carried out in such a way that, when put into its relationship with the original arrangement of the elements before the interleaving, the pattern prevents the spacing between arbitrary consecutive repeated elements from being substantially greater than the mean repetition spacing.
US08064524B2 De-interlacing method and apparatus using remote interpolation
The present invention is directed to de-interlacing method and apparatus using remote interpolation. An up window and a down window are firstly determined. The closest pair of pixels of the up window and the down window along a direction of 90°, −45°, and 45° is determined, which is then used to interpolate a new pixel. Subsequently, the up window and the down window are moved or stayed according to which pair is determined as being closest.
US08064522B2 Motion-vector detecting device, motion-vector detecting method, and computer program
A device and method that serve to generate an accurate evaluation-value table and to detect a correct motion vector are provided. A weight coefficient W is calculated on the basis of correlation information of a representative-point pixel and flag-correlation information based on flag data corresponding to pixel-value difference data between a subject pixel and a pixel in a neighboring region of the subject pixel. A confidence index is generated on the basis of the weight coefficient W calculated and an activity A as an index of complexity of image data, or a confidence index is generated on the basis of similarity of motion between the representative point and a pixel neighboring the representative point, and an evaluation value corresponding to the confidence index is accumulated to generate an evaluation-value table. Furthermore, correlation is checked on the basis of positions or pixel values of feature pixels neighboring the subject pixel to determine a motion vector.
US08064521B2 Motion image coding apparatus, and control method and program of the apparatus
A motion detector detects the motion of an imaging device. On the basis of the detected motion information, a selector selects, from a plurality of frame memories for storing a plurality of frame data, a frame memory for storing reference frame data to be referred to when frame data to be coded is coded. A motion estimator estimates a motion vector on the basis of the reference frame data stored in the selected frame memory and the frame data to be coded. The frame data to be coded is coded by using the estimated motion vector, and the coded data is output.
US08064518B2 Encoding apparatus, encoding method, decoding apparatus, and decoding method
Frames are divided into a plurality of sections on the basis of input images of the frames (S8). One representative image that represents the image of each frame is set in each of the sections (S10). One representative image to be referred to is selected so as to encode an image of a frame of interest from the representative images set for respective sections, and the image of the frame of interest is encoded by motion compensation using the images of the frames in the section that includes the selected representative image (S13, S14, S15).
US08064501B2 Method and apparatus for generating a periodic training signal
In a method for generating a periodic training signal comprising cyclically expanded training symbols for a transceiver which transmits data via a data transmission channel using a predetermined number N of modulated carrier signals an address pointer for addressing a starting address in a memory is calculated for each training symbol on the basis of cyclic expansion parameters and, starting from the calculated starting address, 2*N stored samples of a transformed training symbol are read cyclically from the memory.
US08064500B2 Correlation calculation control circuit and correlation calculation control method
A coherent integration section synthesizes an IF signal stored in a memory and a C/A code replica generated by a code generation section using a mixer to calculate a correlation value, and integrates the correlation value using an integration section. An integration count monitoring section counts the integration count of the integration section. When a saturation control section has detected saturation of integration of the correlation values, the integration count monitoring section causes the integration section to suspend integration when the integration count is equal to or less than a reference count, and allows the integration section to continue integration when the integration count has exceeded the reference count.
US08064497B2 Selecting delay values for a rake receiver
Multipath components of transmitted data symbols are received with individual delays and processed by a RAKE having a number of fingers. A delay profile indicating magnitudes for a first number of delay values is provided. Estimated magnitudes for a second number of delay values located between the first number of delay values are calculated by interpolation, and a combined delay profile is provided by combining the magnitudes for the first and second number of delay values. Delay values for peaks in the combined delay profile are determined, and a number of peak delay values (P1, P2, P) comprising the largest peak are selected from the combined delay profile. At least some of the selected peak delay values are provided to the RAKE and assigned to the fingers. This allows a reduction of current consumption and dye area, while still providing delay values with sufficient resolution for the RAKE.
US08064492B2 Method of manufacturing semiconductor laser device, semiconductor laser device and light apparatus
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor laser device comprises steps of forming a first semiconductor laser device substrate having first grooves for cleavage on a surface thereof, bonding a second semiconductor laser device substrate onto the surface side having the first grooves and thereafter cleaving the first and second semiconductor laser device substrates along at least the first grooves.
US08064491B2 Apparatus and method for generating short optical pulses
An apparatus for generating short optical pulses is provided having a storage medium capable of storing optical energy, a first module for delivering pumping optical pulses or continuous beam into the storage medium to energize the storage medium, and a second module for delivering one or more trigger optical pulses to the optical storage medium. Each of the trigger optical pulses has a rising edge which causes a cascade release of the energy stored in the storage medium in an output optical pulse having a greater power and narrower in width or duration (at full width at half maximum) than the trigger optical pulse that caused the output pulse. A control module in the apparatus controls the operation of the pump module and trigger module so as to provide the desired characteristics of output optical pulses from the apparatus.
US08064485B1 System and method for providing quality inter-domain network time transport
A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes providing a time protocol assistant associated with a time-synchronized domain (TSD). The TSD includes a set of nodes that are synchronized to a same time source. The TSD has defined egress and ingress edge points where bidirectional measurements can be made and the egress and ingress edge points are coupled to the time protocol assistant. The method also includes synchronizing one or more packets flowing through a network that includes the TSD through the same time source. In more specific embodiments, the nodes are synchronized to the same time source via the network and the same time source is a grandmaster clock that synchronizes one or more transparent clocks. In yet other embodiments, the transparent clocks manipulate precision time protocol (PTP) packets sent by the grandmaster clock.
US08064483B2 Protocol processing apparatus and processing method thereof
A protocol processing apparatus determines a unit size of a bitmap table to be used in reassembly based on the size of a received fragmented IP datagram. A bitmap table is generated according to the determined unit size, and the received fragmented IP datagram is reassembled using the generated bitmap table.
US08064474B2 Method and apparatus for selecting a responder to enable reliable multicast
A station to serve as a proxy for responding to a multicast message is selected using dynamically maintained information about other stations communicatively coupled to a shared communications network. The dynamically maintained information is used to select a station having a high probability of replying to the multicast message. Network performance may be further improved by re-selecting proxies when a multicast frame fails to acknowledged.
US08064471B2 Configurable fast ethernet and gigabit ethernet data port
An Ethernet switch has at least one ingress/egress port 1 which is operable in two modes, in a first mode as a GE port and in a second mode as a plurality of FE ports. The port has 8 MAC interfaces 3 each of which is capable of receiving/transmitting FE packets, and at least one of the MAC interfaces can be configured to receive/transmit GE packets. Thus, the port has two modes of operation. The port further includes receive and transmit modules 5, 7 which receive GE and FE packets from, and transmit GE and FE packets to, the interfaces. If there are 8 such ports in the Ethernet switch, then by switching different numbers of the ports between the two modes, the switch may operate in 9 different modes: as 8 GE ports, 7 GE ports and 8 FE ports, 2 GE ports and 48 FE ports, 1 GE port and 56 FE ports, or simply as 64 FE ports.