| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08244654B1 |
End of life predictive model
A statistical processing system to predict end of life status in current patients of a given population. The processing system includes a server configured with programming instructions implementing a plurality of statistical models to predict a health status or outcome for the highest risk of death based on proprietary factors and the patient being administered no further therapeutic treatment. |
| US08244653B2 |
Profile configuration for a mobile computing device
Data processing apparatus is disclosed comprising: a sensor module configured to sense a first profile comprised of one or more attributes of an environment of said data processing apparatus; and a classification module configured to assign a prediction factor to each of said one or more attributes of said first profile and to store each said attribute and assigned prediction factor as a stored profile. |
| US08244652B2 |
Stacking schema for classification tasks
A method for improving stacking schema for classification tasks, according to which predictive models are built, based on stacked-generalization meta-classifiers. Classifications are combined to build a new scheme from at least two layers and multiclass classification problems are converted into binary classification problems. One-against-all class binarization and regression learners are used for each class model and ensemble classifiers are improved using stacking. Accuracy differences, accuracy ratio, and runtime classification in multiclass datasets are also improved and the class of a value is then predicted. |
| US08244645B2 |
Method for shipment planning/scheduling
A new model for transportation planning vehicle scheduling (TPVS). A database table for shipment documents independent of an order for goods, e.g., a sales order is created. When an order for goods is received, the database table is populated with a shipment document corresponding to, but independent of, the order for goods. This shipment document is owned by the TPVS system. |
| US08244636B2 |
Payment system
An electronic transaction payment system is provided having a vendor terminal associated with a vendor who provides goods or services to a purchaser, a vendor smart-card and a vendor smart-card reader for transmitting data to and receiving data from the vendor smart-card. The system also includes a purchaser smart-card reader which is connected to the vendor terminal and which is operable for transmitting data to and receiving data from a purchaser smart-card. In operation, payment for goods purchased by the purchaser is made between the purchaser smart-card and the vendor smart-card. In a preferred embodiment, the payment data is encrypted using an encryption key specific to the transaction between the purchaser and the vendor. A third party registry terminal may also be provided for providing validation of the vendor and/or the purchaser. |
| US08244631B2 |
Data transfer system using mobile terminal and two-dimensional barcode
A data transfer system using a mobile terminal and a two-dimensional barcode, and more particularly, a processing system, server, processing terminal, and communications terminal that can be used to pay for purchases and manage membership cards and admission tickets, and other services. |
| US08244628B1 |
Computerized systems and methods for facilitating the flow of capital through the housing finance industry
A computer implemented data processing system comprises a pricing engine and user interface program logic. The pricing engine is configured to calculate a price for an individual mortgage loan for a sale of the individual mortgage loan from a loan originator to a secondary mortgage market purchaser. The price is calculated prior to closing of the mortgage loan based on mortgage loan application data for a borrower associated with the mortgage loan. The user interface logic is configured to generate one or more screen displays configured to present the price to the loan originator prior to closing of the loan. The one or more screen displays are also configured to receive a commitment from the loan originator for the sale of the individual mortgage loan to the secondary mortgage market purchaser. |
| US08244626B2 |
Live alerts
Systems and methods for monitoring the trading of financial instruments are provided. Trading messages are received at a live alert server. The messages are analyzed with a set of predetermined limits and rules. When a predetermined limit or rule is violated, an email message is sent to a regulator or other trading entity. The email message may include a hyperlink that may be selected to generate a real-time report relating to the limit or rule. When hyperlink is selected, a query is sent to a query server where the real-time report is generated and transmitted back to the requesting party. |
| US08244625B2 |
System and method for varying electronic settlements between buyers and suppliers with dynamic discount terms
A method of making payment. A request is received to effect payment between a buyer and a seller for a transaction having established terms. The terms include a payment amount and a settlement date. Messages are exchanged between the buyer and the seller that include an offer and acceptance of new terms for payment at other than the established terms. The new terms include an adjusted amount of payment to be made at a particular time after an event associated with the transaction. An electronic notification that the event has occurred is received, and the after the notification, payment between the buyer and seller is effected under the new terms. |
| US08244623B2 |
Method and system for training traders
Systems and methods are provided which enable students to participate in a simulated, electronic trading environment. The concept is one where the eSpeed rules based system and GUI may be used to educate students on the trading of financial products. The system may be “live” using real-time information and held either in a private virtual community (i.e. intra-school) or a wider community (i.e. inter-school). Fixed rules may be pre-programmed into the system or modified/customized by the participants. Participants may access the simulation via, for example, the Internet. The products traded in the simulation may include any simulated fixed income financial product. However, the simulation may not involve trading real financial products where there would be real financial risks. Simulated trading may be compared to real-world trading to create new financial products that may be tested and traded in the system. |
| US08244622B2 |
Order matching process and method
A trading process for trading securities in an electronic market includes a matching process to match a portion of a received order for a security against a security interest stored in an order book that resides in main memory of a computer system. |
| US08244620B1 |
Methods, systems and securities for assuring a company an opportunity to sell stock after a specified time
Embodiments of the present invention relate to a method comprising: inputting data regarding the sale of a security consisting of: (i) a post-paid forward contract which obligates the second entity to purchase a fixed number of shares stock of the first entity; and (ii) debt; inputting data regarding the purchase, by the first entity from the second entity, of a pre-paid forward contract which obligates the second entity to deliver to the first entity a variable number of shares of stock in the first entity; inputting a then-current stock price associated with the stock of the first entity; calculating a number of shares underlying the pre-paid forward contract, based on a formula that is a function of a then-current stock price and a remaining maturity associated with the pre-paid forward contract; recording the data regarding the sale of the security; recording the data regarding the purchase, of the pre-paid forward contract; and recording the calculated number of shares. |
| US08244619B2 |
Price indexing
The present invention describes a computer-based method comprising representing transactions involving assets that share a common characteristic, as respective data points associated with values of the assets, the data points including transaction value information, determining parameters that fit probability density functions to at least one component of a value spectrum of the data points, the probability density function for at least one of the components comprising a power law, the parameters not including an offset parameter representing possible shifts in the value spectrum over time, and forming an index of values associated with the assets using at least one of the determined parameters. |
| US08244617B2 |
Cash flow rating system
Methods and systems are provided herewith for rating a likelihood of payment of one or more cash flows. A computing device determines a probability of payment for one or more payments on a payment schedule for each of one or more debt instruments of a debt instrument portfolio. The computing device may also determine a portfolio cash flow rating of the debt instrument portfolio based on the quantity and purchase price associated with each of the one or more debt instruments, the probability of payment for the one or more payments, a current market price of each of the one or more debt instruments, a net present expected value of the one or more payments in the payment schedule for each of the one or more debt instruments, and/or a credit rating of one or more issuers associated with the debt instruments. |
| US08244616B1 |
Methods, computer systems, software, and portfolio for outperforming alternative indices
In one aspect, the invention comprises a computer-implemented method comprising: (1) electronically receiving data describing a fund index and funds on which the index is based; (2) electronically receiving data describing one or more securities; (3) electronically receiving data describing returns of: (a) the fund index, (b) funds on which the index is based, and (c) the one or more securities; (4) electronically identifying a subset of funds on which the fund index is based as superior-performing funds over a period of time preceding a first time; and (5) constructing, at the first time, and based on the identified subset of funds, a first portfolio of securities whose return exceeds a return of the fund index over a first period of time. Other aspects of the invention comprise software for implementing the above aspect and embodiments thereof, as well as portfolios constructed according to the above aspect and embodiments thereof. |
| US08244615B2 |
Apparatus and method for converting investment capital into publicly traded and private master limited partnerships
A method of generating income includes receiving investment capital from an investor. The investment capital is invested in publicly traded master limited partnerships to generate a revenue stream. The investment capital is also invested into a private company. The private company is subsequently converted to a master limited partnership to generate an equity gain. A portion of the revenue stream and a portion of the equity gain are distributed to the investor. |
| US08244614B2 |
Method and system for automated transaction compliance processing
A system for automated transaction compliance processing comprises a list server providing access to one or more lists of securities with trading restrictions and a rules engine which processes compliance requests to determine if, based upon the relationship between the requesting party and the company on behalf the compliance is being performed, the transaction is permissible. Compliance determinations are made using a set of predefined compliance rules. When a request is evaluated, a compliance rule set indicating which rules are to be evaluated at that time is generated in accordance with a party profile indicating the relationship between the party and the company. A message indicating whether or not the transaction complies with trading restrictions is then returned. The system can be stand-alone or integrated with an electronic trading system. The compliance processor can also be used to analyze reports to ensure that the report contents comply with confidentiality requirements prior to public release of the report. |
| US08244606B2 |
Construction payment management system and method with lien waiver exchange features
A system and method for managing a construction payment process including establishing electronic communication between a payee device and a construction project management server and transmitting a lien waiver document to the payee through the payee device with a request for a signature. A signed lien waiver document is received from the payee and stored to a computer -readable memory. The payor is temporarily prevented from accessing the signed lien waiver document. A payment is transmitted to the payee from the payor after receiving the signed lien waiver document, but before transmitting the signed lien waiver document to the payor. Only after the payment has been transmitted is the signed lien waiver document transmitted to the payor. |
| US08244603B1 |
System and method for integrated stowing and picking in a materials handling facility
Various embodiments of a system and method for integrated stowing and picking in a materials handling facility may include a process control component for monitoring processes within the materials handling facility in order to implement opportunistic picking and stowing. To implement an opportunistic pick, the process control component may determine that an agent has stowed a unit at a respective inventory location. The process control component may determine that the inventory location (or a nearby inventory location) includes a unit designated to be picked and may issue an instruction to opportunistically pick that unit. To implement an opportunistic stow, the process control component may determine that an agent has picked a unit from a respective inventory location. The process control component may determine that a conveyable receptacle utilized by the agent includes a unit that is designated to be stowed and may issue an instruction to opportunistically stow that unit. |
| US08244599B2 |
Methods and systems for social shopping on a network-based marketplace
Methods and systems are provided for social shopping on a network-based marketplace. Specifically, the method receives a request, over a network, from a user in a community of users. The request is for an activity associated with a listing for sale in a network-based marketplace. The network-based marketplace is used by the community of users to transact listings of a single domain that is of interest to the community of users. The method updates a listing reputation score for the listing based on a user reputation score for the user. Finally, the method updates the user reputation score based on the listing reputation score. |
| US08244598B2 |
Using inferred information about recurring gift giving events of users to provide messaging to affilated users
Various computer-implemented services are disclosed for increasing the utility of electronic wish lists, and for assisting users in making gift purchases. One such service automatically notifies a user when an item being accessed in an electronic catalog is on, or is similar to an item on, an electronic wish list of an “affiliated” user. The affiliations may be created explicitly by the users (e.g., by completing an online form), and/or implicitly based on actions performed by the users (e.g., when one user purchases a gift for another user). Another service automatically reminds a first user who is affiliated with a second user when a known or inferred gift-giving event of the second user is approaching. The reminder may include a link to a wish list of the second user, and/or may include or provide a link for viewing personalized gift recommendations for the second user. |
| US08244597B2 |
Method and system for monetizing content
An e-commerce system, comprising an endorsement engine and interface software coupled to the endorsement engine and adapted to interact with one or more content sources connected over a network and adapted to enable subscriptions from users using a protocol, is disclosed. In an embodiment, the interface software enables an endorsing user to browse the content sources and select a content item, to enter code associated with the selected content element, to view product information, to select a product for endorsement, and to enter code associated with the selected product. Upon retrieval of content by a viewing user who previously subscribed to the content source using the protocol, at least one of the content-specific code and the product-specific code is also provided to the viewing user via the protocol. Upon activation of the content-specific code, the viewing user is connected to the selected content and is able to view the selected content, and upon activation of the product-specific code by a viewing user, the viewing user is connected to a network-connected shopping cart, and is thereby enabled to buy the product. |
| US08244592B2 |
System and method for message-based purchasing
Various embodiments of a system and method for message-based purchasing are described. The system and method for message-based purchasing may include a message-based purchase service configured to determine that a selection has been performed through a network-based interface. Such selection may be indicative of one or more items offered for sale via the network-based interface. The message-based purchase service may be configured to, in response to the selection of one or more items, send to a communication device, a message indicating a code corresponding to the selection. The message-based purchase service may receive from the communication device through a communication channel that does not include the network-based interface, a message including the code. The message-based purchase service may be configured to, in response to determining that the message received from the communication device includes the code, generate a purchase request for the one or more previously selected items. |
| US08244589B2 |
Personalized audio controlled shopping information service for a mobile device
A device, system, and method are directed towards providing shopping information regarding an item over a network to a mobile device. A review of the item in at least one of a plurality of formats is received. A user is enabled to select at least a portion of the shopping information in one of a plurality of selectable formats based at least in part on a user input command at the mobile device. The review may is at least one selectable portion of the shopping information. A request for at least the portion of the shopping information for the item in a selected format is received from the mobile device associated with the user. Audio is at least one of the plurality of selectable formats. The requested portion of the shopping information in the selected format is provided to the mobile device, in response to the request. |
| US08244586B2 |
Computerized systems for added-revenue off-site targeted internet advertising
A method, and programmed computer system implementing a method, direct targeted advertisements to an electronic media consumer (reader, surfer, viewer, listener, etc.). Embodiments facilitate a first media body substantially offering out of context information placement using a second cooperating media body. A facilitator optionally assists in determining that a consumer of the second media is a known consumer of the first media. For example, a first Internet site may be oversubscribed with potential paying advertising content at $100 CPM. This site offers unfulfilled advertisers an option to present their advertisements to certified first-site viewers, albeit not on the first Internet site, for $50 CPM. Visitor computers at a second Internet site “BBB” that normally charges $30 CPM are examined for tags certifying them as AAA viewers. At least part of the revenue differential of $20 CPM is shared with the first site, creating a new revenue stream. |
| US08244583B2 |
Method, stored program, and system for improving descriptive profiles
A descriptive-profile mercantile method, for use at a juncture in a data-communications topology having associated therewith a maintained databank of partial profiles, is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: from a user, receiving a transaction having therein a first partial profile; using the first partial profile, searching a databank having a plurality of second partial profiles, wherein is included in said databank at least one null profile so that said searching will always yield at least one proximate second partial profile to the first partial profile; and between the user and the databank, contracting: (I) for the databank to own or represent a right to a first mutually agreed portion of the first partial profile, and substantially thereafter said databank incorporating the agreed portion of the first profile into at least one second partial profile; or (II) for the user to own or represent a right to a second mutually agreed portion of at least one said proximate second partial profile, and substantially thereafter the databank transmitting to the user the second mutually agreed portion of the second profile. The present invention operates best on a brokerage representation model; and thereby provides a means for making viable the economic commerce in information attributes. |
| US08244580B2 |
Delivery, organization, and redemption of virtual offers from the internet, interactive-TV, wireless devices and other electronic means
Disclosed are methods and systems for redeeming virtual coupons by associating the coupons with a consumer and a payment system associated with the consumer. In some embodiments, the method includes offering promotional offers to one or more of consumers, such that the promotional offers are associated with one or more source sites and can be electronically accepted by at least some of the particular consumers without redeeming the accepted offers. Upon electronic acceptance of at least one of the promotional offers by one or more consumer, establishing or maintaining an association of the accepted promotional offer with at least one payment system associated with the consumer. Upon purchase of the subject matter of the accepted promotional offer with the at least one payment system, electronically receiving a redemption of the accepted promotional offer. |
| US08244579B2 |
Method and apparatus for distributing enforceable property rights
An enforceable property right and a system for controlling the manner of use of an item in accordance with usage rights. The enforceable property right includes an item ticket having a security mechanism incorporated therein and specifying an item for which the item ticket can be redeemed and a license associated with the item ticket. The license includes usage rights specifying a manner of use for redeeming the item ticket and a mechanism for unlocking said security mechanism. |
| US08244578B2 |
Methods and systems to facilitate keyword bid arbitrage with multiple advertisement placement providers
A system and method are directed towards identifying advertisement keywords within a variety of content types, identifying similarity rankings of advertisements based on the keywords, and to the guiding of keyword purchases. In one embodiment, a search is performed based in part on defined selection criteria, and/or scheduling rules. Content that may include advertisements is processed to identify advertisement keywords. A similarity ranking of different advertisements based on keywords therein may be determined. The similarity rankings may be used, with keyword pricing data, to identify instances of keyword arbitrage, guide purchase of keywords, and to control traffic flow to and from advertisements to obtain a benefit from price differentials between what one keyword seller charges for a keyword and what a click buyer will, pay for traffic directed to advertisements with the same or related keyword. In one embodiment, a three-dimensional representation is provided indicating relationships between advertisements across websites. |
| US08244568B2 |
Method and apparatus for gathering participant free time to schedule events on an electronic calendar
A scheduling system includes a client calendar application that a meeting organizer employs to send a request for free time form to prospective participants of a future meeting via email. The client calendar application receives completed request for participant free time forms back from the prospective participants via email. The client calendar application parses the completed free time forms and determines a consensus free time when all prospective participants are free for the meeting. |
| US08244566B1 |
Systems and methods for on-line scheduling of appointments and other resources
Computer-based system and computer-implemented methods for providing an automated computer network-based, or online, appointment scheduling service through which registered customers are individually capable of scheduling an appointment with a plurality of businesses that are also registered with the online appointment scheduling service. The application describes an optimization algorithm for controlling the start times presented to a customer when selecting an appointment time that seeks to cluster the new appointment to existing appointments for the business in order to reduce time gaps during the day for the business/service provider that are of insufficient duration to schedule other appointments for other customers of the business. |
| US08244564B2 |
Multi-strategy generation of product recommendations
Techniques are described for dynamically generating recommendations for users, such as for products and other items. In at least some situations, the techniques include using multiple recommendation strategies, such as by aggregating recommendation results from multiple different recommendation strategies. Such recommendation strategies may have various forms, and may be based at least in part on data regarding prior interactions of numerous users with numerous items. In addition, information about current selections of a particular user may be gathered based at least in part on providing a GUI (“graphical user interface”) for display to the user that includes selectable information about numerous recommended items, and dynamically updating the displayed GUI with newly generated recommendations of items as the user makes selections of particular displayed recommended items (e.g., newly generated recommendations that are similar to the selected items in one or more manners, or are otherwise related to the selected items). |
| US08244560B1 |
Apparatus, article, and method for an entity holding insurance
A method, machine, article for an entity holding insurance. The method can include: storing in memory terms of an agreement governing an entity in which at least two parties have contributed permanent life insurance policies to the entity in exchange for ownership interests in the entity; determining, by a digital computer accessing the memory and receiving policy cash value data, an allocation of entity ownership among the parties, and storing the allocation in the memory; determining, by the computer accessing the memory and receiving data corresponding to policy cash values, policy death benefits and entity assets and liabilities, an allocation of entity profits and losses among the parties, an allocation of income among the parties, an allocation of expenses among the parties and an allocation of changes in entity assets among the parties that occur from one specified point in time to another, and storing said allocations in the memory; determining, by the computer accessing the memory, an accounting of entity, income, expenses, assets, and liabilities; and outputting, by the computer, the accounting and at least one of the allocations. |
| US08244559B2 |
Cloud computing resource broker
Embodiments for interacting with cloud computing providers are disclosed. In accordance with at least one embodiment, a resource broker receives a request for a computing task that is to be performed from a customer. The resource broker selects one of the cloud computing providers to perform at least a part of the computing task. In turn, the resource broker may obtain a gain from performance of the at least one part of the computing task by the cloud computing provider. |
| US08244557B1 |
Method and system for aligning a plurality of refill dates for prescriptions associated with a plurality of customers
The method, system and user-interface allows alignment of refill dates associated with a plurality of prescriptions, such that the plurality of prescriptions all require refills on the same date, thus limiting the number of occasions on which a customer must visit the pharmacy to retrieve refills of the aligned prescriptions, and increasing the likelihood that the customer will comply with the recommended medication regimen. The plurality of prescriptions are associated with a plurality of customers, for example, living in the same household, being members of the same family, or being patients in the care of a single entity or person. |
| US08244556B1 |
Systems and methods for generating payor sheets associated with payors for healthcare transactions
Systems and methods are provided for generating payor sheets associated with payors for healthcare transactions. Information associated with one or more healthcare transactions that have been processed by a payor may be obtained. A plurality of data fields included in the one or more healthcare transactions may be identified, and a respective usage of each of the identified data fields within the one or more healthcare transactions may be calculated. Based upon the calculated usages, one or more of the plurality of data fields may be identified as required fields. A required field may be a field required by the payor during the submission of a healthcare transaction. Based at least in part upon the identified one or more required fields, a payor sheet associated with the payor may be generated. |
| US08244547B2 |
Signal bandwidth extension apparatus
A signal bandwidth extension apparatus includes a determination unit which determines whether or not a peak component of the input signal is lacked in the band to be extended, and a control unit which controls to extend the bandwidth when the determination unit determines that the peak component of the input signal is lacked in the band to be extended, and not to extend the bandwidth when the determination unit determines that the peak component is not lacked. |
| US08244542B2 |
Video surveillance
A method, article of manufacture, and apparatus for monitoring a location having a plurality of audio sensors and video sensors are disclosed. In an embodiment, this comprises receiving auditory data, comparing a portion of the auditory data to a lexicon comprising a plurality of keywords to determine if there is a match to a keyword from the lexicon, and if a match is found, selecting at least one video sensor to monitor an area to be monitored. Video data from the video sensor is archived with the auditory data and metadata. The video sensor is selected by determining video sensors associated with the areas to be monitored. A lookup table is used to determine the association. Cartesian coordinates may be used to determine positions of components and their areas of coverage. |
| US08244541B2 |
Content creation system, content creation method, computer executable program for executing the same content creation method, computer readable storage medium having stored the same program, graphical user interface system and display control method
The present invention relates to creating a web page and voice browsing of the web page, and more particularly, it improves accessibility for the voice browsing of the web page through a synthetic voice, efficiently with high reliability.A content creation system 20 of the present invention is used for creating a content which may be viewed through the synthetic voice, the system including: a database 22 for storing a structured document; and an information process section 24 for creating a speech node series 18 from the structured document, and calculating a reaching time from starting voice synthesis of the speech node series 18 until each node is outputted as the synthetic voice. The information process section 24 includes a support process section 36 to determine a graphic display corresponding to the reaching time, and to visually display the reaching time to a predetermined node by the voice synthesis on a screen of a display section 26. |
| US08244538B2 |
Measuring double talk performance
A system evaluates a hands free communication system. The system automatically selects a consonant-vowel-consonant (CVC), vowel-consonant-vowel (VCV), or other combination of sounds from an intelligent database. The selection is transmitted with another communication stream that temporally overlaps the selection. The quality of the communication system is evaluated through an automatic speech recognition engine. The evaluation occurs at a location remote from the transmitted selection. |
| US08244536B2 |
Algorithm for intelligent speech recognition
A method for intelligent speech recognition for premature enunciators is disclosed. The method allows for speech recognition systems to adjust to commands of premature enunciators, who speak before the system is ready receive speech input. The method comprises activating the speech recognition system, informing the user that the speech recognition system is ready to receive speech input, and initiating a listening period. The method further comprises receiving input from a user before the system is ready to receive such input, identifying the user as a premature enunciator, and adjusting the system to allow for earlier detection of user speech input. |
| US08244530B2 |
Efficient indexing of documents with similar content
A set of documents may be stored and indexed as a compressed sequence of tokens. A set of documents are grouped into clusters. Sequences of tokens representing the clusters of documents are encoded to elide some repeating instances of tokens. A compressed sequence of tokens is generated from the compressed cluster sequences of tokens. Queries on the compressed sequence are performed by identifying cluster sequences within the compressed sequence that are likely to have documents that satisfy the query and then identifying, within these identified clusters, the documents that actually satisfies the query. |
| US08244527B2 |
Audio signature extraction and correlation
A signature is extracted from the audio of a program received by a tunable receiver such that the signature characterizes the program. In order to extract the signature, blocks of the audio are converted to corresponding spectral moments. At least one of the spectral moments is then converted to the signature. Also, a test audio signal from a receiver is correlated to a reference audio signal by converting the test audio signal and the reference audio signal to corresponding test and reference spectra, determining test slopes corresponding to coefficients of the test spectrum and reference slopes corresponding to coefficients of the reference spectrum, and comparing the test slopes to the reference slopes in order to determine a match between the test audio signal and the reference audio signal. |
| US08244526B2 |
Systems, methods, and apparatus for highband burst suppression
In one embodiment, a highband burst suppressor includes a first burst detector configured to detect bursts in a lowband speech signal, and a second burst detector configured to detect bursts in a corresponding highband speech signal. The lowband and highband speech signals may be different (possibly overlapping) frequency regions of a wideband speech signal. The highband burst suppressor also includes an attenuation control signal calculator configured to calculate an attenuation control signal according to a difference between outputs of the first and second burst detectors. A gain control element is configured to apply the attenuation control signal to the highband speech signal. In one example, the attenuation control signal indicates an attenuation when a burst is found in the highband speech signal but is absent from a corresponding region in time of the lowband speech signal. |
| US08244524B2 |
SBR encoder with spectrum power correction
An encoding apparatus including an SBR (Spectral Band Replication) encoder creates high-frequency-component encoded data with reduced bits. The encoding apparatus converts an input signal into a frequency-domain spectrum signal, divides the converted spectrum signal into an arbitrary number of segments with respect to a time axis and a frequency axis, calculates a spectrum power of each segment and a feature parameter that represents a feature of the corresponding spectrum power, calculates a masking threshold using the calculated spectrum power of each segment, detects a segment having a spectrum power equal to or less than the calculated masking threshold, corrects the spectrum power of the detected segment, and encodes both the corrected spectrum power and the calculated feature parameter. The correction reduces a difference between quantization values, reducing the number of encoded bits. |
| US08244523B1 |
Systems and methods for noise reduction
An apparatus is shown for detecting speech in an audio signal obtained from an input device, the audio including speech and noise. The apparatus includes a processing circuit which includes a filter configured to smooth the audio signal. The processing circuit is configured to control the bandwidth of the filter based on characteristics of the audio signal and to provide a smoothed signal obtained from the filter to a voice activity detector configured to determine whether the smoothed signal represents speech. |
| US08244521B2 |
Paraphrasing the web by search-based data collection
String-oriented web queries are utilized as a tool to examine the fabric of how words, phrases and/or n-grams alternate in a language. This fabric is exploited in order to build up a matrix of semantically equivalent pieces of language. In one embodiment, the Distributional Hypothesis is utilized, along with strategies for confirming synonymy, to systematically build up a picture of what words/phrases can be legitimately substituted for one another. |
| US08244520B2 |
Use of defining ignorable rectangles to assist with iterative translation testing
The example embodiments relate to a method for assisting in the translational testing of computer software. A translated panel, which may include a translatable portion and a continuously dynamic portion, may be provided. An overlay that includes only the continuously dynamic portions of the panel may be produced. The overlay may be applied to first and second versions of the panel to produce first and second iterations of the panel, respectively, wherein each iteration does not include the continuously dynamic portion of the panel. The translatable portions of the first and second iterations may be compared to determine whether the translatable portions are different. If the translatable portions are different, then the panel may be retested for translational accuracy; if the translatable portions are not different, then the program may indicate that the second iteration is not different from the first iteration. |
| US08244519B2 |
Dynamic translation memory using statistical machine translation
A translation method comprises: retrieving a fuzzy match text segment translation pair from a translation memory (TM) for an input source language text segment, the fuzzy match text segment translation pair comprising a fuzzy source language text segment having a fuzzy match to the input source language text segment and a corresponding translated target language text segment; extracting from the fuzzy match text segment translation pair an exact match phrase pair comprising a source language phrase that exactly matches a phrase of the input source language text segment and a corresponding translated target language phrase; and invoking a statistical machine translation (SMT) system to generate a proposed translation of the input source language text segment based on a statistical translation model that is enriched by the exact match phrase pair with the exact match phrase pair assigned a high statistical probability. |
| US08244515B2 |
Structure for detecting clock gating opportunities in a pipelined electronic circuit design
A design structure for a pipeline electronic processor device may be embodied in a machine readable medium for designing, manufacturing or testing a processor integrated circuit. The design structure may embody a pipeline electronic circuit that enables power conservation in the stages of the pipeline via a simulation that identifies clock-gating opportunities among the stages of the pipeline. In one embodiment, simulation results assist a designer in the design of the pipeline electronic circuit design structure to achieve power conservation by incorporating clock-gating circuitry among the stages of the pipeline at clock gating opportunity locations that the simulation identifies. |
| US08244514B2 |
Correlating out interactions and profiling the same
A method and system for correlating out interactions, which occur due to one or a set of specific events, of an application, which is deployed in multiple adjacent tiers in an actual environment is described. First, a simulation environment corresponding to the actual environment is created. Then, specific events are led to the actual environment and the simulation environment. A pattern(s) of interactions, which are related with the specific events, between adjacent tiers in the simulation environment and a large number of interactions between adjacent tiers in the actual environment are obtained. Afterwards, interactions, which are related with the specific events, between adjacent tiers among the obtained interactions between adjacent tiers in the actual environment are correlated using a template of the obtained pattern(s) of interactions, which are related with the specific events, between adjacent tiers in the simulation environment as a template. |
| US08244512B1 |
Method and apparatus for simulating a circuit using timing insensitive glitch-free (TIGF) logic
The debug system described in this patent specification provides a system that generates hardware elements from normally non-synthesizable code elements for placement on an FPGA device. This particular FPGA device is called a Behavior Processor. This Behavior Processor executes in hardware those code constructs that were previously executed in software. When some condition is satisfied (e.g., If . . . then . . . else loop) which requires some intervention by the workstation or the software model, the Behavior Processor works with an Xtrigger device to send a callback signal to the workstation for immediate response. |
| US08244494B2 |
Plasma insensitive height sensing
A method for determining a distance between a first piece and a second piece includes measuring, at the first or second piece, a first signal at a first frequency, and measuring, at the first or second piece, a second signal at a second frequency. The second frequency is different from the first frequency. The distance is determined based on the measured first and second signals. |
| US08244492B2 |
Methods of parametric testing in digital circuits
Delay-fault testing and parametric analysis systems and methods utilizing one or more variable delay time-base generators. In embodiments of the delay-fault testing systems, short-delay logic paths are provided with additional scan-chain memory elements and logic that, in conjunction with the one or more variable-delay time-base generators, provides the effect of over-clocking without the need to over-clock. Related methods provide such effective over-clocking. In embodiments of parametric analysis systems, test point sampling elements and analysis circuitry are clocked as a function of the output of the one or more variable-delay time-base generators to provide various parametric analysis functionality. Related methods address this functionality. |
| US08244484B2 |
Proteome epitope tags and methods of use thereof in protein modification analysis
Disclosed are methods for reliably detecting the presence of proteins, including proteins with various post-translational modifications (phosphorylation, glycosylation, methylation, acetylation, etc.) in a sample by the use of one or more capture agents that recognize and interact with recognition sequences uniquely characteristic of a protein or a set of proteins (Proteome Epitope Tags, or PETs) in the sample. Arrays comprising these capture agents or PETs are also provided. |
| US08244482B2 |
Photometrically modulated delivery of reagents
A process system adapted for processing of or with a material therein. The process system includes: a sampling region for the material; an infrared photometric monitor constructed and arranged to transmit infrared radiation through the sampling region and to responsively generate an output signal correlative of the material in the sampling region, based on its interaction with the infrared radiation; and process control means arranged to receive the output of the infrared photometric monitor and to responsively control one or more process conditions in and/or affecting the process system. |
| US08244480B2 |
Computer product, analysis support apparatus, and analysis support method
A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium stores therein an analysis support program causing a computer to execute receiving test result data identifying an analysis subject molecule, and quantity-changing molecules that have changed in quantity due to administration or deficiency of the analysis subject molecule in a test subject; acquiring a first pathway indicating an interaction between the quantity-changing molecules identified by the test result data and a second pathway indicating a molecular interaction with the analysis subject molecule, from a database storing therein for each molecular interaction, a type; determining from among biological phenomena correlated with the interaction between quantity-changing molecules of the first pathway, determines a biological phenomenon other than a biological phenomenon correlated with a molecular interaction of the second pathway to be a novel biological phenomenon caused by administration or deficiency of the analysis subject molecule; and outputting a determination result obtained at the determining. |
| US08244478B2 |
Method of classifying gene expression strength in lung cancer tissues
The present invention provides a method of confirming the gene expression, useful in the decision of a five year survival rate of a patient with lung cancer and the use of a DNA probe kit in the method. A method useful in the decision of a survival rate of a patient with non-small cell lung cancer comprising confirming the expression strength of at least one gene in lung cancer tissues isolated from the patient. |
| US08244476B2 |
Hepatic disease-evaluating apparatus, hepatic disease-evaluating method, hepatic disease-evaluating system, hepatic disease-evaluating program and recording medium
In a hepatic disease-evaluating apparatus, an indicator calculating unit calculates an index indicating the degree of hepatic fibrosis from amino acid concentration data to be evaluated including amino acid concentration value, based on one or more indices of fractional expression having amino acid concentration as variable. A disease state evaluating unit evaluates the disease state of the hepatic disease to be evaluated, based on the index value. |
| US08244471B2 |
Oilfield analysis system and method
A system for analyzing an oilfield having at least one wellsite, each at least one wellsite having a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation for extracting fluid from an underground reservoir therein, that includes a data collection means for obtaining source data having a plurality of data elements of heterogeneous data types, memory for storing the source data, a functional method configured to perform a function on a dataset of a dataset type to obtain a processed dataset, and a client code configured to process the dataset. The client code includes an object instantiation code configured to use a dataset wrapper class to create the dataset with the dataset type from the source data, and a functional method invocation code configured to call the functional method with the dataset. |
| US08244470B2 |
Navigation apparatus
A navigation apparatus that detects a position of a movable body includes map data storage means for storing map data; an autonomous sensor that detects information on behavior of the movable body; inertial position determination means for detecting an inertial position-determination position of the movable body, by accumulating the information detected by the autonomous sensor on a result of position determination performed using radio navigation; characteristic position detection means for detecting a characteristic position that is the inertial position-determination position at which the movable body has exhibited a characteristic behavior; correction amount detection means for extracting positional information on a road position corresponding to the characteristic position, by referring to the map data storage means; and position correction means for correcting the characteristic position using a Kalman filter based on a condition that the characteristic position is close to the road position. |
| US08244469B2 |
Collaborative engagement for target identification and tracking
A collaborative engagement system comprises: at least two unmanned vehicles comprising an unmanned air vehicle including sensors configured to locate a target and an unmanned ground vehicle including sensors configured to locate and track a target; and a controller facilitating control of, and communication and exchange of data to and among the unmanned vehicles, the controller facilitating data exchange via a common protocol. The collaborative engagement system controls the unmanned vehicles to maintain line-of-sight between a predetermined target and at least one of the unmanned vehicles. |
| US08244464B2 |
Navigation apparatus and method and computer program product for the same
A navigation apparatus is disclosed. The navigation apparatus is configured to: acquire a trace of a vehicle; produces unregistered road data representative of an unregistered road based on the trace when the vehicle travels on the unregistered road; register the unregistered road data in a storage medium; determine whether the vehicle makes a turn in direction; determine based on the trace whether deviation of the vehicle from a road is greater than or equal to a deviation threshold, when it is determined the vehicle makes the turn in direction; and prohibits the unregistered road data from being registered in the storage medium when it is determined that the deviation of the vehicle from the road is less than the deviation threshold. |
| US08244461B2 |
Navigational display for parachutists
A display system for a parachutist is provided based on navigation data and calculations of locations where the parachutist should steer the parachute to increase likelihood of reaching a target. A two-dimensional representation of a navigation funnel is displayed. The display may increase situational awareness by use of color to indicate preferred positions in the navigation funnel. |
| US08244458B1 |
Host-centric method for automobile collision avoidance decisions
A method of quantifying a host vehicle's collision risk with a foreign object includes the steps of collecting and preserving a short-term history of range and azimuth data on the object and identifying leading edges of the foreign object. The leading edges are linked to previous detected leading edges in the short term history storage data to define a trajectory for the object, and to calculate range and azimuth velocities and accelerations of leading edges of the foreign object based on the leading edge trajectory. A collision risk P is then calculated for the foreign object using the range and azimuth velocities and accelerations according to a predetermined formula. If the collision risk P falls below a pre-set value, the methods of the present invention calculate an evasive maneuver for the host vehicle based on a vector sum of high risk leading edge risks and locations. |
| US08244452B2 |
Systems and methods integrated air traffic control management
Systems and methods for integrated air traffic control management are provided. In one embodiment, a system comprises a first processing system including a FANS application for implementing a CPDLC and AFN system; a second processing system including an ATN application for implementing a PM-CPDLC and CM system; a third processing system implementing a HMI, the HMI configured to provide access to a first set of pages driven by the FANS application and a second set of pages driven by the ATN application; and an ATC Manager accessed from the HMI, the HMI configured to provide access to a third set of pages driven by the ATC manager, wherein the third set of pages selectively directs a user of the HMI to either the first set of pages or the second set of pages based on a selected ATC center. |
| US08244451B2 |
Traffic information providing system, apparatus, method, and in-vehicle information apparatus
When receiving a traffic information providing request, a traffic information providing apparatus analyzes which area's traffic information is requested based on the received request information. Traffic information of road links located in the requested area is read from the traffic information, and it is determined whether the road links' traffic information is similar or not. Similar links configure a link group, and traffic information corresponding to the link group is created. Traffic information of the configured link group is delivered to an in-vehicle information apparatus. |
| US08244448B2 |
Vehicle having remote start and garage door control
The subject of the present invention is a method for remote starting an internal combustion engine of a vehicle. The method includes detecting a wireless remote start signal; after detecting the wireless remote start signal, communicating with a garage door opener to determine if a garage door is closed; remote starting the engine if no closed garage door indication is received; transmitting a wireless garage door open signal and remote starting the engine if a closed garage door indication is received; monitoring a time since remote starting the engine; monitoring for vehicle operator interaction with the vehicle; and if no vehicle operator interaction with the vehicle is detected before the monitored time reaches a predetermined amount of time and the wireless garage door open signal was transmitted when the engine was remote started, automatically transmitting a wireless garage door close signal and automatically turning off the engine. |
| US08244447B2 |
Spark plug having a thermosensor
A spark plug includes a ground electrode, a center electrode and a thermosensor for detecting a temperature, the thermosensor being situated on a combustion chamber-side end of the spark plug near the combustion chamber, and an end area of the thermosensor being situated so that it is exposed on the spark plug. In addition, an internal combustion engine having a spark plug is provided. |
| US08244444B2 |
Method and device of calculating aircraft braking friction and other relating landing performance parameters based on the data received from aircraft's on board flight data management system
This invention relates to a method and apparatus for the calculation of aircraft braking friction and other relating landing parameters, including but not limited to aircraft braking action, aircraft takeoff distance, aircraft landing distance, runway surface conditions and runway surface friction based on the data collected by and available in the aircraft Flight Data Recorder (FDR) or other flight data management system, for example, the Quick Access Recorder (QAR), to provide all involved personnel in the ground operations of an airport and airline operations, including but not limited to aircraft pilots, airline operation officers and airline managers as well as airport operators, managers and maintenance crews, with the most accurate and most recent information on the true aircraft landing performance parameters to help better and more accurate safety and economical decision making. |
| US08244443B2 |
Slip suppression control system for vehicle
A slip suppression control system for a vehicle includes a monitored value detecting device for detecting a monitored value corresponding to a difference between a rotational speed of a front wheel and a rotational speed of a rear wheel of the vehicle, a threshold determiner unit configured to determine a relationship between the monitored value detected by the monitored value detecting device and a threshold; and a controller configured to initiate traction control for reducing a driving power of a drive wheel when the threshold determiner unit determines that the monitored value exceeds a predetermined start threshold, wherein the threshold determiner unit is configured to count a return time which lapses from when the monitored value exceeds the start threshold until the monitored value becomes smaller than second threshold; and wherein the controller is configured to determine whether or not to terminate the traction control based on the return time. |
| US08244441B2 |
Automatic transmission control device, transmission device, and power output device
An automatic transmission control device for improving shift feel includes a pressure regulating device that regulates a friction engagement element, and transmits power to an output shaft, which is input to an input shaft through a change of a shift speed by controlling the pressure regulating device to switch an engagement state. When changing shift speed while applying torque to the input shaft, the transmission changes the shift speed via (1) a torque phase where torque is changed according to shift speed after shifting, and (2) an inertia phase where an input shaft rotation speed is changed according to the shift speed after shifting. During a shift speed change, the regulating device executes the torque phase by engaging the engagement element at a predetermined pressure with slip and standby, and executes the inertia phase by reducing an amount according to the shift speed so a shifting condition falls within a predetermined range regardless of changed shift speed, and reduces input shaft torque by a set amount, while standing by at the predetermined engagement pressure. |
| US08244439B2 |
Compaction vehicle
The compaction vehicle having a speed adjustment member, a displacement detector, and a drive source controller further includes a calculation device between the displacement detector and the drive source controller, receiving the displacement S, and outputting a signal I calculated to the controller; a running speed setting switch for the operator operating ON at a desired running speed; a control signal memory device provided inside the calculation device and memorizing a signal I1 to the controller. In a normal operation, the calculation device outputs the signal I to the controller so that a running speed increases or decreases according to the displacement S, and when the switch is operated to ON, the calculation device maintains the ON state, and the displacement S is not less than a predetermined value, the calculation device outputs the signal I1 memorized in the memory device so as that the vehicle will run at a constant speed. |
| US08244431B2 |
Determining velocity using multiple sensors
A system described herein includes a receiver component that receives first velocity data that is indicative of a velocity of a vehicle over a period of time, wherein the first velocity data corresponds to a first sensor. The receiver component also receives second velocity data that is indicative of the velocity of the vehicle over the period of time, wherein the second velocity data corresponds to a second sensor. The system also includes a modifier component that determines a difference between the first velocity data and the second velocity data and outputs at least one final velocity value for the vehicle based at least in part upon the first difference data. |
| US08244430B2 |
Stroke sensor abnormality determining device and determining method, and brake control device and method
In a stroke sensor abnormality determining device, a stroke sensor detects the stroke of a brake pedal by detecting a voltage that varies in accordance with the stroke of the brake pedal. An abnormality determining section determines whether an abnormality has occurred in the stroke sensor on the basis of the voltage detected by the stroke sensor. A pedal position determining section determines whether the brake pedal is positioned near a stroke start end. If it is determined that the brake pedal is positioned near the stroke start end, the abnormality determining section does not determine that an abnormality has occurred in the stroke sensor. |
| US08244422B2 |
Control apparatus for vehicle
In the case where a connector of a charging cable is connected to a charging connector provided on a hybrid vehicle, a connector signal CNCT indicating that the connector of the charging cable is connected to the charging connector provided on the hybrid vehicle is input to a power supply ECU and an HV_ECU having an operating frequency higher than that of the power supply ECU. When the connector signal CNCT is input, the power supply ECU activates the HV_ECU. The HV_ECU controls the electrical system of the hybrid vehicle so as to charge a battery pack. The HV_ECU stops the charging when the input of the connector signal CNCT is stopped during charging of the battery pack. |
| US08244420B2 |
Vehicle, vehicle control method, and drive unit
If an accelerator pedal is released, when a flag indicates 1, a vehicle travels in a traveling environment reflected operation mode where an engine and two motors are controlled in a manner that a required torque is output to a drive shaft while the engine is operated by the motor. If a vehicle speed is equal to or lower than a threshold at the time or after the flag is changed from 1 to 0, the vehicle travels in a normal operation mode where the engine and two motors are controlled in a manner that the required torque is output to the drive shaft with engine rotation stopped. If the vehicle speed is higher than the threshold when the flag is changed from 1 to 0, the vehicle travels in the traveling environment reflected operation mode until the vehicle speed becomes equal to or lower than the threshold. |
| US08244419B2 |
Marine power train system and method of storing energy in a marine vehicle
A marine power system comprises a motor for providing propulsion. It also comprises an energy storage unit (ESU) for storing and supplying energy to the motor. A prime power system is connected to the ESU and motor for selectively providing energy to these subsystems through a bus. The motor selectively receives energy from the prime power system and the ESU and can supply regenerative braking energy to the bus. The system can also accommodate multiple generator sets providing system power. The ESU can also provide starting power for the prime power system. Alternately, the prime power system drives a mechanical power system output shaft connected to the motor, and the marine system comprises an alternator driven by the prime power system output shaft. The ESU can transmit energy to the alternator. The prime power system can be located on a tugboat displacing a barge carrying the energy storage unit. |
| US08244410B2 |
Intelligent driving assistant systems
The invention discloses an intelligent driving assistant system applied to a handheld device. The invention can detect more than one safety mode including lane departure detection, lost-cargo detection, detecting front-object under driving condition, detecting side-object under driving condition and detecting back-object under driving condition, also the invention can mention alarm according to the detection results from different modules. Finally the invention can store the real-time image according to the detection results from different modules, and then transfer the related information to other places for real-time notice with matching the information from the GPS system and the digitized map. |
| US08244409B2 |
Method for controlling a braking force of a vehicle
A method and a system are provided for controlling a braking force of a vehicle. The method includes the steps of detecting at least one operating parameter of the vehicle, detecting a position of an operator controlled braking element, determining a magnitude of a braking force on the basis of a detected magnitude of the operating parameter and the detected position of the operator controlled braking element and braking the vehicle according to the determined braking force. |
| US08244408B2 |
Method to assess risk associated with operating an autonomic vehicle control system
A vehicle is configured to execute an autonomic lane change maneuver and is equipped with a spatial monitoring system. Each of a plurality of objects located proximate to the vehicle is monitored. Locations of each of the objects are predicted relative to a projected trajectory of the vehicle. A collision risk level between the vehicle and each of the objects is assessed. |
| US08244404B2 |
Modular and expandable irrigation controller
Described herein are several embodiments relating to modular irrigation controllers. In many implementations, the irrigation controllers are modular in that various functional components of the irrigation controller are implemented in removable modules that when inserted into position within the controller, expand the capabilities of the controller. Also described are various different types of expansion modules that may be coupled to the modular controller, having as variety of functions and features, as well as related methods of use and configuration of these modules in the controller. In some embodiments, authentication procedures are provided for one or both of a modular irrigation controller and an expansion module to determine if they are authorized to operate together. |
| US08244399B2 |
Transport method and transport apparatus
Provided is a transport method comprising judging whether there is a possibility that misalignment greater than or equal to a threshold value occurs between substrates to be layered that are held by a pair of substrate holders aligned and stacked by an aligning section, the misalignment occurring when the pair of substrate holders is transported from the aligning section to a pressure applying section; and if the judgment indicates that there is the possibility of misalignment, transporting the pair of substrate holders to a region other than the pressure applying section. Whether there is the possibility of misalignment may be judged based on acceleration of the substrate holders. Whether there is the possibility of misalignment may be judged based on acceleration of a transporting section that transports the substrate holders. Whether there is the possibility of misalignment may be judged based on relative positions of the substrate holders. Whether there is the possibility of misalignment may be judged based on relative positions of (i) a transporting section that transports the pair of substrate holders and (ii) one of the pair of substrate holders. |
| US08244394B2 |
Glass production line having dynamic production control and a tempering furnace with a dedicated delivery device and a method of controlling a glass production line tempering furnace
A glass production line comprising a cutting table, a tempering furnace having a loading station that includes a changeable set of uniquely identifiable work-piece storage loading locations adjacent the loading station with each storage loading location receiving a work-piece therein for subsequent furnace processing, wherein a subset of the uniquely identifiable work-piece storage loading locations is moved away from the loading station when it is emptied of furnace work-pieces and a new sub-set of uniquely identifiable work-piece storage loading locations is moveable adjacent the loading station to provide the changeable set of uniquely identifiable work-piece storage loading locations adjacent the loading station, and a dynamic optimizer coupled to the furnace for dynamically scheduling furnace layouts for glass work-pieces to be tempered, wherein the dynamic furnace optimizer is adapted to schedule work-pieces from uniquely identifiable work-piece storage loading locations not currently adjacent the unloading station based upon a minimum yield gain. |
| US08244393B2 |
System and methods for registering a controlled web to a pitched unit operation
Systems and methods for registering a web to an on-line pitched unit operation. |
| US08244389B2 |
Method for generating control data for the manufacture of a product
A method and a corresponding computer program product for generating control data for the manufacture of a product including a processing unit and a data-input unit, wherein the processing unit processes into a data structure data which are entered via the data-input unit and suitable for controlling production equipment for the manufacture of a product or can be transformed into such control data, the processing unit comprises at least two processing modules, a first processing module generates first control data having a first data structure and the second processing module generates second control data having a second data structure, the first processing module processes first input data from a first user and the second processing module requires second input data from a second user, and the first control data are generated for use by the second user while the second control data are generated for use for the first user. |
| US08244386B2 |
Machine tool system control having automatic safe repositioning
The present disclosure includes a motion control system for a machine tool system configured to shape a part with a tool, including an I/O module with machine configuration information that defines limits of a three-dimensional working space of the machine tool system. The I/O module further includes a part program that specifies first and second positions of the tool without reference to the working space limits. The motion control system further includes a software controller configured to internally process moves to determine whether the tool can be repositioned from the first position to the second position while maintaining the tool above a minimum clearance from the part and within the working space limits, output the internally processed moves to the machine tool system to cause movement of the tool if the tool can be safely repositioned, and output an error if the tool cannot be safely repositioned. |
| US08244385B2 |
Control device including iterative learning control circuit
A control device includes an iterative learning control circuit that includes first and second learning filters to which a synchronization error is input and is configured to feed forward a control input to a first control target based on an output of the first learning filter and to feed forward a control input to a second control target based on an output of the second learning filter. Each of the first and second learning filters includes transfer functions of the first and second control targets and transfer functions of controllers of the first and second control circuits. |
| US08244382B2 |
Apparatus for monitoring a schedule for testing a fuel cell
An apparatus for monitoring a schedule for testing a fuel cell in a station. Because of the apparatus, the station can test a low-temperature fuel cell or a high-temperature fuel cell. The apparatus enables a user to test the fuel cell through the station manually or enables the station to test the fuel cell automatically. |
| US08244381B2 |
Microprocessor, system for controlling a device and apparatus
A microprocessor may include a logic circuit for executing instructions of a data processing application. The microprocessor may have a timer system which includes a clock counter connected to a clock input for receiving a clock signal and counting a number of cycles of the clock signal. A clock comparator may be connected the clock counter and to a timer register in which a timer reference value can be stored. The clock comparator may compare a number of cycles of the clock signal with the timer reference value and generate a timer signal based on the comparison. The timer system may have a timer output for outputting timer signal. The timer system may include a control input for receiving a digital value representing a measured value of a sensed parameter of a device and a control register in which a control reference value can be stored. A control comparator may be connected the control input. The control comparator may compare the digital value with the reference value and generating a device control signal based on the comparison. The timer system may have a control output for outputting the device control signal to an actuator arranged to control the parameter of the device. |
| US08244379B2 |
Pericardium fixation concepts of epicardium pacing leads and tools
Certain aspects of the disclosure pertain to methods and apparatus for providing positive fixation of medical components to a portion of incised pericardial tissue. Accordingly, a resilient member protrudes through an incision in the pericardium and produces a positive biasing force to adjacent pericardial tissue against a side surface of an attached body structure. The resilient member can optionally be compressed during implantation and then relaxed to thereafter provide the positive biasing force. Diverse medical components can thus be safely and reliably chronically deployed into the pericardial space, including without limitation, cardiac sensing/pacing, defibrillation and/or cardioversion electrodes, mechanical and/or metabolic sensors and the like. More than one body structure can be linked to a single medical electrical lead and the medical components can couple within and/or upon a portion of the body structure, the resilient member, and the lead in myriad configurations. |
| US08244377B1 |
Fixation arrangements for implantable leads and methods of making and using
An implantable member has a body with a distal end portion and either a fixation portion of the body disposed near the distal end portion or a fixation device attached to a tip of the distal end portion of the body. The fixation portion can include at least one surface feature of the body that facilitates fixation of the implantable member within tissue when implanted. |
| US08244369B2 |
Device and method for treating skin with temperature control
A method and system for heating a skin area surface of an individual from an initial temperature to a treatment temperature in a treatment time period exceeding 0.5 sec, where the treatment temperature is in the range of 40°-60° C. An RF generator provides a continuous wave RF voltage energy or a quasi-continuous wave RF voltage across first and second electrode, where at least the first electrode is associated with an applicator that is displaced over the skin surface. The system further includes a skin temperature measuring device or an applicator displacement speed measuring device; and a CPU that monitors a skin temperature or an applicator displacement speed. The CPU turns off the RF energy when the skin temperature is above a predetermined temperature or the displacement speed of the applicator is below a predetermined speed, in order to prevent overheating of the skin. |
| US08244366B2 |
Cochlear implant
There is provided a cochlear implant for improving the hearing ability of a patient suffered from hearing impairment comprising an internal receiving unit implanted into the body, which comprises a receiving part for receiving external signal, an active electrode and a reference electrode, characterized in that the active electrode is constructed with a single electrode wire having different thickness in at least two different regions. The active electrode of the internal receiving unit is inserted into a space formed at between the mastoid bone and the ear canal skin and end of the active electrode is inserted into the scala tympani of the cochlea and directly stimulates spiral ganglion. The cochlear implant provides easier implantation into the body and improved hearing ability at a lower cost. |
| US08244357B2 |
Ring connector for implantable medical devices
An electrical contact for use in the header assembly of an implantable tissue stimulator includes a metal housing having a base and a sidewall where the opening in the base is adapted to receive the terminal of a medical lead therethrough. An electrical contact support member is welded to the edge of the sidewall and affixed to the support member are a plurality of spring members that are tangent to an imaginary circle whose diameter is slightly less than the outside diameter of the lead terminal contact rings. When the contacts are axially aligned in the device header, the terminal of an electrical lead may be longitudinally inserted into the header to establish electrical contact with device feedthrough wires that are joined to the electrical contacts in the header. |
| US08244354B2 |
System and method for conditional biventricular pacing
An implantable pacing system with single, double and triple chamber pacing capabilities, provided individually or in concert on a conditional or continuous basis depending upon ongoing analyses of atrial rhythm status, atrioventricular conduction status and ventricular rate. A mode is selected to reduce the occurrence of any ventricular pacing in favor of intrinsic atrioventricular and ventricular conduction. If excessively long PR intervals are occurring too frequently or atrioventricular conduction is unreliable or absent, the implantable pulse generator is operated in a conditional triple chamber pacing mode that provides atrial-synchronous biventricular pacing in every cardiac cycle for a period of time as necessary to restore and maintain AV synchrony, while minimizing ventricular asynchrony otherwise associated with monochamber RV pacing as in conventional dual chamber pacing systems. Similarly, biventricular pacing is provided in every cardiac cycle when ventricular rates are undesirably slow during atrial fibrillation, where AV synchronization is excluded. |
| US08244353B2 |
Antitachycardiac heart stimulator
An implantable cardiac stimulator includes a cardioversion/defibrillation unit connected to at least one electrode pair for generation and delivery of cardioversion or defibrillation shocks; an atrial sensing unit detecting atrial contraction, and outputting an atrial sensing signal indicating a atrial event when an atrial contraction is detected; a ventricular sensing unit detecting ventricular contraction, and outputting a ventricular sensing signal when a ventricular contraction is detected; a tachycardia detection unit connected to the atrial and ventricular sensing units and detecting a tachycardia, and classifying it as a ventricular tachycardia (VT) or as a supraventricular tachycardia (SVT); and a treatment control unit designed to trigger at least one atrial cardioversion shock when a ventricular rhythm detected by the ventricular sensing unit is faster than a programmed frequency limit, and the tachycardia detection unit classifies an SVT as an atrial fibrillation (AFib). |
| US08244350B2 |
Neural stimulation for arrhythmia recognition and therapy
A system and method can sense a tachyarrhythmia, compare the sensed tachyarrhythmia with a ventricular tachyarrhythmia criterion, provide a ventricular tachyarrhythmia therapy when the sensed tachyarrhythmia satisfies the ventricular tachyarrhythmia criterion, provide a neural stimulation when the sensed tachyarrhythmia does not satisfy the ventricular tachyarrhythmia criterion, determine whether the tachyarrhythmia continues during or after the neural stimulation when the tachyarrhythmia is sustained, compare the tachyarrhythmia sensed during or after the neural stimulation with a supraventricular tachyarrhythmia (SVT) criterion, and provide a ventricular tachyarrhythmia therapy when the sensed tachyarrhythmia does not satisfy the SVT criterion. |
| US08244347B2 |
Methods and apparatus for effectuating a lasting change in a neural function of a patient, including via mechanical force on neural tissue
Methods and apparatus for effectuating a lasting change in a neural function of a patient, including via mechanical force on neural tissue, are disclosed. An apparatus in accordance with one embodiment includes an implantable force delivery device that is changeable between a first state in which the force delivery device applies a first mechanical force to neural tissue, and the second state in which the force delivery device applies no mechanical force or a second mechanical force less than the first mechanical force to the neural tissue, while the force delivery device is implanted. An actuator can be coupled to the force delivery device with a communication link to change the state of the force delivery device, and a controller can be operably coupled to the actuator to automatically direct the force delivery device to change repeatedly between the first and second states while the force delivery device is implanted. |
| US08244342B2 |
Method and system for adaptive vision modification
Methods and systems for modifying or enhancing vision are described. In exemplary embodiments, neural or neuromuscular activity is analyzed to determine a focus or other quality of a visual input, and the focus or quality information used as a basis for controlling an adjustable lens system or optical system. |
| US08244338B2 |
Cardiac event detection over varying time scale
A system for cardiac event detection over varying time scales includes implanted electrical leads forming a portion of an implanted cardiotracker and external equipment including external alarm mechanisms and a physicians programmer. The cardiac event detection system monitors the degradation of a patient's cardiovascular condition from one or more causes. A processor computes the electrical signals of a heart signal parameter's average value over a time period for a multiplicity of heart rate ranges. The electrical signals are stored and information transmitted to external equipment. |
| US08244337B2 |
Method and implantable medical device for classifying sensor signals
In a method and an apparatus for creating hemodynamic sensor signal templates using an implantable medical device connectable to a patient heart activity of the patient is sensed in order to identify a paste or sensed sequence of events of a heart cycle. Hemodynamic sensor signals for consecutive heart cycles are sensed and the sensed hemodynamic sensor signals for consecutive heart cycles are stored. The sensed sensor signals are classified dependent on at least one predetermined heart event sequence condition. A template may be created using the classified sensor signals. |
| US08244334B2 |
Methods and systems for blood flow measurement using doppler optical coherence tomography
This invention provides methods for non-invasive, real-time measuring and/or monitoring of local blood flow in a subject. Methods of the invention generally include the steps of obtaining Doppler shift images of at least two planes intersecting blood vessels at the scanned location; determining Doppler angles using the Doppler shift images; and then using the Doppler angles thus determined together with the Doppler shift signals to arrive at a measure of the volumetric blood flow. Also provided are systems and software for performing the methods. |
| US08244330B2 |
Integrated radiation therapy systems and methods for treating a target in a patient
An integrated radiation therapy process comprises acquiring first objective target data related to a parameter of a target within a patient by periodically locating a marker positioned within the patient using a localization modality. This method continues with obtaining second objective target data related to the parameter of the target by periodically locating the marker. The first objective target data can be acquired in a first area that is apart from a second area which contains a radiation delivery device for producing an ionizing radiation beam for treating the patient. The localization modality can be the same in both the first and second areas. In other embodiments, the first objective target data can be acquired using a first localization modality that uses a first energy type to identify the marker and the second objective target data can be obtained using a second localization modality that uses a second energy type to identify the marker that is different than the first energy type. |
| US08244328B2 |
Head coil for a magnetic resonance device
A head coil for a magnetic resonance apparatus has a supporting body that carries a number of antenna elements. The supporting body has an end section that is shaped as a spherical cap. A butterfly antenna is mounted at the end section, and is annularly surrounded by at least one group antenna that overlaps the butterfly antenna. |
| US08244327B2 |
Apparatus for insertion of a medical device during a medical imaging process
The end-effector (150) includes a sheath (152) and a medical device or needle carrier (154) that is disposed within the interior compartment (160) of the sheath. Aperture (162) is located in a portion of the sheath proximal a distal end of the sheath that is inserted into a natural or artificial cavity. This device is guided by a real-time imager. |
| US08244323B2 |
Superconducting tape wire material and method of manufacturing same
A method of manufacturing a superconducting tape wire, wherein a reduction in critical current in the superconducting tape wire and the effective AC loss are suppressed. To manufacture the superconducting tape wire, the filaments filled with superconducting material powder and having a flat elliptic or rectangular cross section are disposed in a pipe having a shape whose sides in a pressing direction have a smaller length than adjacent sides, and then the pipe is compressed in the short-side direction to form the pipe in a tape shape. |
| US08244320B2 |
Case of a mobile terminal comprising a main body and a cover
A mobile terminal fabricated through co-injection molding is provided. The mobile terminal includes a first case and a second case coupled to the first case. The first case includes a main body having a keypad and a cover formed on the main body. The cover is co-injection molded with the main body whereby no parting lines are formed between the cover and the main body. A method of forming a case of a mobile terminal is also provided. The method includes injection molding a main body using a first resin material, the main body having a keypad, and injection molding a cover onto the main body using a second resin material different from the first resin material, whereby no parting lines are formed between the cover and the main body. |
| US08244319B2 |
Split keyboard with a dual battery pack
A balanced portable device that includes a rectangular housing, a rectangular display, and a split keyboard is described. The rectangular housing has a top face and a bottom face and the rectangular display is located on the top face. The split keyboard is configured to receive input that is shown on the rectangular display. The split keyboard includes a first retractable keyboard on a first end of the bottom face and the first keyboard includes a first battery. The split keyboard also includes a second retractable keyboard on an opposing end of the bottom face and the second keyboard also includes a second battery. The first retractable keyboard and the second retractable keyboard substantially weigh the same. |
| US08244312B2 |
Battery management for optimizing battery and service life
The provision of a mode in silver zinc batteries where a user can access extra capacity as an emergency reserve for times when extra capacity is needed. While this temporarily increases capacity, it does not detrimentally affect cycle life over the longer term, and it permits a silver zinc battery to essentially mimic the long term capacity and cycle life characteristics of a lithium ion battery while still affording inherent advantages associated with silver zinc batteries. In a variant embodiment, this ability to temporarily increase capacity is optimally employed at the end of a battery life cycle in a controlled “roll-off” that accords additional cycles of battery service life. In another variant embodiment, the general capability to control capacity is employed to gradually decrease the available capacity of a battery over the life of the battery, to thereby extend the battery service life. |
| US08244310B2 |
Mobile communication device employing power pack with multiple pairs of taps
A mobile communication device has a power amplifier and a power pack. The power pack includes a charge storage component, a first pair of taps connected to the charge storage component for supplying power to components of the mobile communication device and a second pair of taps connected to the charge storage component for supplying power to the power amplifier, the second pair of taps located, when the power is installed in the mobile communication device, more proximate to the power amplifier than the first pair of taps. With the second pair of taps positioned more proximate to the power amplifier, the power amplifier current loop that includes the multi-tap power pack may be made smaller. One benefit of a smaller power amplifier current loop may be reduced emission of RF interference signals. |
| US08244308B2 |
Helmet communication device
A helmet communication device is composed primarily of a first communication device, a second communication device and a switching circuit device, such that when a motorcycle driver is driving the motorcycle, the driver can choose to use the first communication device to answer a cellular phone with a wired or blue-tooth technology, or to converse with a back seat passenger through the second communication device, by a control of the switching circuit device, so as to improve driving safety and to improve convenience in answering the cellular phone or dialoging with the back seat passenger. |
| US08244305B2 |
Efficient, secure digital wireless voice telephony via selective encryption
Secure, digital, packet-switched, voice telephony calls are wirelessly transmitted in an efficient manner that reduces air interface bandwidth consumption by encrypting only vocoder data frames containing encoded speech, and not encrypting vocoder data frames that do not contain speech, such as those containing silence parameters. The collective reduced bandwidth consumption across a large number of voice telephony calls may allow for the admission of one or more new calls during times of voice telephony congestion. Not encrypting the silence parameters does not compromise call privacy or security, since the silence data frames do not carry any speech. The classification of encoded data frames as containing speech or not may be performed in a variety of ways. |
| US08244304B2 |
Method for synchronization of assemblies in a base station
A method synchronizes assemblies in a base station to a reference clock signal. A local clock signal and a frame are formed in a first assembly. The clock signal and the frame are transmitted, using a synchronous transmission with a predictable propagation time, to a second assembly. A reference clock signal is received in the second assembly, and a phase difference and a time difference between the transmitted clock signal on the one hand and the reference clock signal on the other hand are determined. The phase difference and the time difference are transmitted from the second assembly to the first assembly via a link without a predictable propagation time. The phase difference and the time difference are used in the first assembly to determine a manipulated variable which controls the formation of the local clock signal, such that the first and the second assemblies are synchronized in time. |
| US08244301B2 |
Method of dealing with carrier conflict between main and subordinate cards of single-chip dual-card-dual-standby mobile phone
The present invention provides a method for dealing with the carrier conflict between the main card and subordinate card of a single-chip dual-card-dual-standby mobile phone, which includes a set one set of antenna, RF module and baseband processing chip and further comprises a radio resource adapter layer provided between the RRC layer and the physical layer. The RRC module calculates the position of the carriers of the main card and the subordinate card. The radio resource adapter layer determines the relative position between the carriers of main card and subordinate card so as to determine the type of the conflict, set priority levels to the services of the main card and subordinate card, and process the services according to the priority levels so as to avoid the conflict. |
| US08244299B1 |
Grip attachment for a mobile phone
A grip attachment for an electronic device, such as a mobile phone, which enables a user to grasp and control a camera of the mobile phone with one hand. The grip attachment includes a main body and an enlarged grip extension attached to a first end of the main body. The enlarged grip extension is sized and shaped to enable a user's hand to hold the grip extension and attached mobile phone with one hand. The grip attachment also includes a locking mechanism for attaching the attachment grip to a portion of a mobile phone protective case. A second end of the grip extension includes a connector for interfacing with a connector of the mobile phone. The grip extension includes an external control located on an outer surface of the grip attachment for activating a camera control of the mobile phone. |
| US08244298B2 |
Alternative signal processing functions in a software modem
Systems are described that reduce or obviate the impact of limited processing resources and/or limit the power consumption in a receiver having signal processing functions at least partially implemented in software. A wireless receiver includes reception means for receiving a signal over a wireless channel in a wireless external environment. The receiver includes storage means, and a processor configured to perform a plurality of signal processing functions for extracting processed data from said signal, each of said signal processing functions having a plurality of alternative software implementations requiring different levels of usage of a processing resource. The processor estimates at least one parameter relating to the external environment and selects and executes one of the software alternatives for each of the respective signal processing functions to apply a set of implementations adapted to a required quality of said processed data. Related methods and computer program products are described. |
| US08244295B2 |
Media transfer and control system
A media transfer and control system that includes a handheld device and an audio/visual system. The media transfer and control system provides for: (i) the transfer of media files between the handheld device and the audio/visual system, (ii) the transmission of control commands from the handheld device to the audio/visual system for controlling the function and operation of the audio/visual system through a user interface provided on the handheld device, and (iii) the unsolicited transfer of media descriptive data between the handheld device and the audio/visual system to create a synchronized global view on the handheld electronic device and/or the audio/visual system of all of the media content currently stored on and/or available through both the handheld device and the audio/visual system. |
| US08244288B2 |
Context-sensitive data handling
A method for communicating data between devices, comprising the steps of: receiving data at a first user device; the first user device automatically selecting, in dependence on the nature of an activity being made available to a user by the first user device, a way of integrating the data with a functionality of the first user device; and integrating the transmitted data with the functionality in the selected way. |
| US08244287B2 |
Radio and antenna system and dual-mode microwave coupler
A radio and antenna system has a first microwave radio, second microwave radio, a first antenna and a dual mode coupler that has a first dual mode transmission line extending between a first port and a third port and a second dual mode transmission line extending between a second port and a microwave absorbing termination. The first microwave radio is coupled to the first port. The second microwave radio is coupled to the second port. The antenna is coupled to the third port. The first dual mode transmission line is coupled to the second dual mode transmission line so that microwave signals in either of the first dual mode transmission line and the second dual mode transmission line propagates microwave signals in the other of the first dual mode transmission line and the second dual mode transmission line. |
| US08244285B2 |
Buddy-based cross-carrier messaging system
A buddy-based, cross-carrier mobile phone based text messaging server, system and method is disclosed. A table of subscribers cross referenced against buddy subscribers who have opted in to receive text messages (SMS) is maintained. Where a recipient subscriber is not yet registered as a buddy subscriber, the server sends a message asking if the recipient subscriber wants to become a buddy subscriber of the sending subscriber. If the recipient subscriber opts-in, the recipient subscriber is added to the table as a buddy subscriber, and thereafter will be forwarded all messages through the service, sent from the particular sending subscriber, until the buddy subscriber opts-out. The invention ensures a near one to one correspondence of in/out SMS for participating mobile phone networks, and avoids any one network being overloaded with spam messaging. |
| US08244284B2 |
Mobile communication device and the operating method thereof
A device and its operating method for mobile communication, the mobile communication device includes a micro processor, a memory which has an instruction database and an image database, a touch panel, a message module and a communication module. After a user inputs a symbol, the micro processor will retrieve and execute an operating instruction which corresponds to the symbol from the image database and the instruction database, or look for the contact and perform the communication action which corresponds to the symbol. When the operating instruction or the communication action which corresponds to the symbol fails, the micro processor will enter a setting interface to set up an operating instruction or communication action which corresponds to the symbol. |
| US08244283B1 |
End user controlled temporary mobile phone service device swapping system and method
User controlled temporary mobile phone service device swapping systems and methods including particular implementations and embodiments comprising a plurality of mobile phone user control accounts at least a first telephone number registered with each of the plurality of mobile phone user control accounts, and at least two different mobile phone devices registered with each of the plurality of mobile phone user control accounts, and a mobile phone user interface configured to receive input from the mobile phone user to indicate which of the at least two different mobile phone devices associated with the mobile phone user control account is to be associated and to transmit data indicating the association to a phone number registry. |
| US08244282B2 |
Performing recipient based routing of a phone call
A method, system, and computer program for routing an incoming voice call in real time is presented. A call is received from a caller to an intended receiving wireless telecommunication device. In response to the call failing to connect to the intended receiving wireless telecommunication device, a short range wireless query signal is transmitted to determine if another wireless communication device is within a predefined proximity to the intended receiving wireless telecommunication device. If the intended receiving wireless telecommunication device receives a response from the other wireless telecommunication device indicating that the other wireless telecommunication device is within the predefined proximity to the intended receiving wireless telecommunication device, then the call is rerouted to the other wireless telecommunication device based on preferences internal to the intended receiving wireless device. These preferences may be stored on the intended receiving wireless device or remotely stored on the host carrier network. |
| US08244277B1 |
Device experience adaptation based on schedules and events
A portable electronic device is provided comprising a processor, a memory, a loading application stored in the memory that accesses loading criteria for a first, second, and third ID wherein the criteria comprise measures of relative importance applied to variables associated with each of the IDs and wherein the IDs comprise at least one of an application, a media file, and a widget. The system determines a current value of at least one variable wherein variables comprise at least one of day of the week, time of day, and geographic location of the device and additionally comprise a first, a second, and a third event status associated with the first, second, and third ID, respectively. The system applies the criteria to the current values of the variables to determine a composite loading factor for each of the IDs and loads one of the IDs based on the factor. |
| US08244276B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling site-specific operations
A method and apparatus for controlling a site-specific activity at a plurality of remote locations, for example, the inspection of geographically remote equipment or the gathering of data for a census. A mobile operator transports a portable tool (14) to a plurality of locations where a site-specific activity is to be conducted. The portable tool includes a location detection device (32). Processing of data using the portable tool is enabled only when the portable tool is located proximate a designated site, as determined by the location detection device. In various embodiments, the enabled site-specific activity may include data recordation, data transmission, data reception, data processing, and/or the display of a data entry form. |
| US08244274B2 |
Enhanced wireless access point communications while traveling
A method, system and computer program product for enhancing the acquisition of data from a wireless access point during a window of acquisition. A wireless device in a vehicle obtains a list of wireless access points positioned along a route being traveled by a user of the wireless device. The wireless device acquires its current location and identifies the closest upcoming wireless access point in connection with its current location. If the wireless device had previously had a session with the upcoming wireless access point, then the wireless device continues sending packets to the upcoming wireless access point from the point of previous termination with the upcoming wireless access point until the session is restarted. The wireless device then accesses data from the upcoming wireless access point during the remaining window of acquisition. |
| US08244270B2 |
Distributed micro instructions set processor architecture for high-efficiency signal processing
A wireless communication system hosts a plurality of processes in accordance with a communication protocol. The system includes application specific instruction set processors (ASISPs) that provided computation support for the process. Each ASISP is capable of executing a subset of the functions of a communication protocol. A scheduler is used to schedule the ASISPs in a time-sliced algorithm so that each ASISP supports several processes. In this architecture, the ASISP actively performs computations for one of the supported processes (active process) at any given time. The state information of each process supported by a particular ASISP is stored in a memory bank that is uniquely associated with the ASISP. When a scheduler instructs an ASISP to change which process is the active process, the state information for the inactivated process is stored in the memory bank and the state information for the newly activated process is retrieved from the memory bank. |
| US08244267B2 |
Communication method and radio communication terminal
Even when being located at cell edge in a multiband mobile communication system, a radio communication terminal, is allowed to stably execute cell search so as to easily establish a connection with a radio base station. The radio communication terminal according to the present invention includes: a first determination unit 13 configured to determine whether or not a broadcast map can be received from a plurality of radio base stations; a second determination unit 14 configured to determine whether or not an AAS diversity map can be received from the radio base stations in ascending order of used frequency bands, when it is determined that the broadcast map cannot be received; and a communication controller 15 configured to select a radio base station, which is determined to be a radio base station from which the AAS diversity map can be received, as a connection destination radio base station, and to communicate with the selected radio base station. |
| US08244262B2 |
Communication system and method for mitigating interference in hierarchical cell structure
A method for mitigating interference at a small base station in a hierarchical cell structure is provided. In the method, the small base station checks a sub-frame allocated to macro user equipment by using a downlink signal received from a macro base station when an interference candidate user equipment list is received. The interference candidate user equipment list contains information on the macro user equipment adjacent to a femto cell controlled by the small base station. Then the small base station allocates other sub-frame to femto user equipment located in the femto cell by avoiding the sub-frame allocated to the macro user equipment. |
| US08244260B2 |
Method and apparatus for management of a global wireless sensor network
Methods and apparatus for global wireless sensor network architecture and protocol for remote supervision, asset control and operational management based on localized clusters of autonomous sensor/supervision/operational sensor nodes capable of ad hoc interconnection with nearby nodes and connection to gateway nodes with increased network functionality. These localized cluster nodes send data to gateway nodes either directly or through multi-hop transactions. The gateway nodes are, in turn, connected to other gateway nodes and operations control centers either through wireless or wired data communications links. Utilizing the Internet for long range interconnectivity, the network is scaleable to a global level. The resulting network is based on an ad hoc mesh topology to allow flexibility in network modification and expansion and is comprised of a tiered structure defined by increasing functionality. A current application for this technology is the remote control and supervision of lighting systems for facilities and municipalities on a local, national and/or global basis from centralized regional operations centers. |
| US08244259B2 |
Method and device for relay station to forward downlink signal
A method for relay stations (RSs) to forward downlink signals includes: obtaining downlink qualities between a mobile station (MS) and each of the RSs; determining an RS group for forwarding downlink signals according to difference degrees among all of the downlink qualities; performing space-time coding on the downlink signals through the RSs in the RS group when the RS group contains a plurality of RSs. Another method for RSs to forward downlink signals includes: setting the number of the RSs for forwarding the downlink signals to plurality; obtaining downlink qualities between an MS and each of the RSs; determining an RS group for forwarding the downlink signals according to each of the downlink qualities and the number of the RSs; performing space-time coding on the downlink signals through the RSs in the RS group, and forwarding the downlink signals to the MS. A device structure for the RSs to forward the downlink signals is also provided. |
| US08244255B1 |
Pilot strength measurement message (PSMM)-based handoff for mobile devices
Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for basing a handoff of a mobile device on its position within a coverage area of a source base transceiver station (BTS) are provided. Initially, embodiments involve recording threshold distances, associated with candidate BTSs neighboring the source BTS, and capturing pilot strength measurement messages (PSMM's) at each of the threshold distances. Upon establishing a connection to the source BTS, the position of the mobile device is monitored to detect a traversal of the threshold distances. Consequently, the mobile device reports a current PSMM for comparison against the captured PSMM's. If any messages correspond, a candidate BTS is selected for receiving the connection of the mobile device. Otherwise, the connection to the source BTS is maintained. Accordingly, the distance of the mobile device from the source BTS at which the handoff is invoked may vary based on a radial direction of the mobile device therefrom. |
| US08244254B2 |
Mobile station and base station
A base station 100 included in a first radio communication system includes: a monitor instruction unit 130 configured to instruct a mobile station 10 to monitor a reception power of an interference signal transmitted using a frequency assigned to a second radio communication system (frequency b) when the radio communication with the mobile station 10 performed using a frequency a is interrupted; and a handoff instruction unit 140 configured to instruct the mobile station 10 to switch the frequency used in the radio communication to a frequency e not interfered with by the interference signal, in accordance with the reception power monitored by the mobile station 10. |
| US08244253B2 |
Method and apparatus for supporting fast mobility IP with link identifier prefix in wireless communication system
A method and apparatus for supporting a fast mobility Internet Protocol (IP) with a link identifier prefix (LinkID prefix) in a wireless communication system are provided. According to a method for performing a handoff from a first access router to a second access router, a Layer 2 (L2) beacon containing a link identifier prefix is sent to a mobile node in the second access router. The first access router establishes a tunneling with the second router, as the mobile node sends a Fast Binding Update (FBU) message including a care-of address (CoA) which the mobile node dynamically constructs using the link identifier prefix, to the first access router. |
| US08244249B1 |
Methods and systems for a mesh-network takeover
Methods and systems for a mesh-network takeover are provided. In one embodiment, a first controller having a first attribute and a first group of nodes in its network receives a message from a node in the first group. The message indicates that the node in the first group received a signal from a node that is in a second group and associated with a second controller having a second attribute. Further, the message includes the second attribute. Responsive to receiving the message, the first controller compares the first attribute with the second attribute. As a result of comparing the first attribute with the second attribute, the first controller makes a determination that it has a lower priority than the second controller. Responsive to making the determination, the first controller no longer communicates with the first group, resulting in at least one node in the first group joining the second network. |
| US08244247B2 |
Service based bearer control and traffic flow template operation with mobile IP
A method for updating filters, at a Packet Data Serving Node, with a care-of-address associated with at least one of a mobile station or a correspondent node. The method includes the steps of implementing a soft filtering rule at a Packet Data Serving Node and receiving, by the Packet Data Serving Node, a care-of-address that is associated with at least one the mobile station and a correspondent node. The method also includes updating, by the Packet Data Serving Node, filters with the care-of-address to correctly identify flows belonging to a particular session during Mobile IP use. The method further includes filtering, by the Packet Data Serving Node, packets including a care-of-address that is associated with one of the mobile station and the correspondent node. |
| US08244242B2 |
Method and communication system for storing address of network anchor point to network server
A method for storing an address of a network anchor point to a network server is provided The provided method includes the following steps: a terminal initiates an attach request or a bearer establishment request, and a network selects a network anchor point; and when the network anchor point assigns a first bearer context to the terminal, or a first connection is established between the network anchor point and the terminal, the network registers an address of the network anchor point to a network server. A method for deleting an address of a network anchor point from a network server is also provided, which includes the following steps: when a terminal or an entity in a network initiates a delete bearer request, the network instructs a network server to delete an address of a network anchor point that has been registered to the network server if the network anchor point no longer serves the terminal; and the network server deregisters the address of the network anchor point. A communication system is further provided. |
| US08244241B2 |
WLAN network information caching
A WLAN client device maintains a history of profile-location associations. An association links a profile stored in the client device with a location in the vicinity of which the client device was connected to a wireless local area network matching the profile. While in a vicinity of a certain location, the client device may scan for wireless local area networks in a manner that takes into account records of the history that include the certain location. |
| US08244233B2 |
Systems and methods for operating a virtual whiteboard using a mobile phone device
A method for operating a virtual whiteboard using a mobile phone device, comprises the steps of: generating the virtual whiteboard, wherein the mobile phone device is coupled to the virtual whiteboard to input data to the virtual whiteboard; connecting the mobile phone device to an external display device; displaying the virtual whiteboard on the external display device; and operating the virtual whiteboard using the mobile phone device; wherein markings on the virtual whiteboard correspond to spatial movements of the mobile phone device. |
| US08244227B2 |
Information providing device, mobile communication device, information providing system, information providing method, and program
An information providing device includes: a measurement information receiver receiving, from one or more mobile communication devices, measurement information including position information representing a present position of one mobile communication device and speed information representing a speed of a communication at a given point of time; a measurement information storage unit storing the measurement information received from the one or more mobile communication devices; a specifying information receiver receiving position specifying information for specifying a predetermined position from the mobile communication device; a communication environment information extractor extracting as communication environment information one or more pieces of the measurement information including the speed information of communication speeds measured in the vicinity of the predetermined position from the measurement information stored in the measurement information storage unit; and a communication environment information transmitter transmitting the communication environment information to the mobile communication device having transmitted the position specifying information. |
| US08244226B2 |
Systems and methods for presenting characteristics associated with a physical activity route
In at least one embodiment, a method for execution by a server computer system includes receiving a description of a fitness activity of interest to a user, in response to receiving the description, identifying a route corresponding to the activity of interest, and initiating the presentation of a route rating associated with the route that is based upon at least one individual rating associated with the route. |
| US08244223B2 |
Automated transfer of wireless provisioning parameters between existing and new devices
A method, computer program, apparatus and system that permits provisioning information and service account authorization on a wireless network to be transferred from an existing wireless device to a new wireless device by operation of the wireless devices. The method includes transferring provisioning information from the existing wireless device to the new wireless device; establishing a communication link with the wireless network; sending a service transfer request from the existing wireless device to the wireless network; and, in response to the transfer request, activating the new wireless device for service on the network. |
| US08244213B2 |
Communication device and method for managing service sharing
A communication device and method for managing service sharing include reading a phone number of the service request communication device if the message is a service request message, sending a service sharing list to the service request communication device if the phone number of the service request communication device is an authorized phone number, sending operation instruction corresponding to the request service sharing to the service request communication device, sharing the request service with the service request communication device. |
| US08244211B2 |
Mobile electronic security apparatus and method
A mobile electronic security device may include a biometric sensor to measure a physical characteristic of a user, an interface component to operatively couple the electronic security device with another device, and a control circuit that are assembled as a single portable unit. Other components, such as a battery, a display, and a memory may be included in the security device. The security device authenticates the identity of a user using output data from the biometric sensor and, in some embodiments, using data from an environmental sensor. Once validated, an encrypted authentication certificate may be output to another device. The security device provides a trusted platform that enables a user to verify his or her identity, show proof of presence of the user, control access to data, etc., and may operate in a standalone manner and/or in conjunction with another device. |
| US08244207B2 |
System and method for payment using a mobile electronic device
A system and method of payment using a mobile electronic device establishes a wireless communication connection between a credit card terminal and a credit card system, and logging in the credit card system. The system and method further receives a two-dimensional barcode from the credit card system, wherein the two-dimensional barcode comprising the authorization information, and sends the two-dimensional barcode to the credit card terminal to verify validity of the authorization information. Furthermore, the system and method receives a verification result from the credit card terminal, and prompts a user for payment on a display device of the mobile electronic device, in response to a determination that the authorization information is valid. |
| US08244202B2 |
Multiband RF receiver and method for receiving multiband RF signal
A multiband receiver is disclosed for receiving a multiband RF signal having first and second RF bands. The first RF band contains a first service RF range, and the second RF band contains a second service RF range. The receiver includes a mixer for converting the RF signal into an IF signal, using a single local oscillator frequency “f,” and an IF bandpass filter for canceling out some of frequencies of the IF signal outside of a predetermined passband. The local oscillator frequency “f” is determined to allow the first and second service IF ranges to lie outside of the predetermined passband, and to allow a frequency portion of the first IF band exclusive of the first service IF range and a frequency portion of the second IF band exclusive of the second service IF range to lie within the predetermined passband. |
| US08244201B2 |
RFID tags with power rectifiers that have bias
A system and method for generating a rectified signal in a RFID tag. An alternating signal is received by the RFID tag, and a first phase of the alternating signal is coupled to a gate and to a first non-controlling terminal of a first switching transistor. The non-controlling terminal of the first switching transistor is one of a source and a drain of the first switching transistor. A first bias voltage is applied between the first non-controlling terminal and the gate of the first switching transistor and a rectified voltage is received between the first non-controlling terminal and a second non-controlling terminal of the first switching transistor. |
| US08244193B2 |
Linear and non-linear dual mode transmitter
A transmitter includes a dual mode modulator and an amplifier coupled to the dual mode modulator. The dual mode modulator implements a linear modulation scheme during a first mode of the modulator to produce a variable envelope modulated signal. The dual mode modulator implements a non-linear modulation scheme during a second mode of the modulator to produce a constant envelope modulated signal. The amplifier is biased as a linear amplifier during the first mode of the modulator and is biased as a non-linear amplifier during the second mode of the modulator. A feed-forward connection between the dual mode modulator and the amplifier is used to indicate a change in modulation mode and to adjust the bias of the amplifier. A power of the constant envelope modulated signal is increased such that an operating point of the amplifier remains substantially constant during the first and second modes of the modulator. |
| US08244189B2 |
Method and system for chip-to-chip mesh networks
A wireless device comprising a plurality of chips may be operable to communicate wireless signals via a mesh network comprising a plurality of integrated directional antennas on the plurality of chips. Wireless signals may be communicated between the plurality of the chips and/or with devices external to the wireless device via the mesh network. Beam-formed wireless signals may be communicated via the plurality of integrated directional antennas. The plurality of chips may be integrated on a single package or on a plurality of packages, which may comprise one or more circuit boards. Wireless signals may be communicated with devices external to the single package via the mesh network. The directional antennas may comprise patch antennas and/or dipole antennas. |
| US08244186B1 |
Audio-based power control for a wireless communication device
An audio sample is wirelessly transferred between a wireless communication device and a wireless base station. Either the wireless communication device or the wireless base station processes the audio sample to determine an audio quality level. The wireless base station determines a power level indicator for the wireless communication device based on the audio quality level. The wireless communication device adjusts its wireless transmit power in response to the power level indicator. |
| US08244185B2 |
System and method for unsynchronized cooperative spectrum sensing in cognitive radio nodes
System and method for unsynchronized cooperative spectrum sensing in cognitive radio nodes. A method comprises receiving spectrum sensing information from a plurality of communications nodes, computing for each communications node in the plurality of communications nodes, a likelihood ratio based on spectrum sensing information provided by the communications node, combining the likelihood ratios, and computing a decision value based on the combined likelihood ratio. Each communications node determines its respective spectrum sensing information at a time unrelated to times when other communications nodes determine their spectrum sensing information. |
| US08244183B2 |
Concurrent sync channel searching
A bank of correlator modules is used to concurrently execute a series of sync channel searches in a system in which the available frequency spectrum is larger than a channel bandwidth and in which a sync channel bandwidth is more narrow than the channel bandwidth. |
| US08244180B2 |
Device and recognition control method among devices
A recognition control method among devices, the recognition control method includes receiving a second device recognition signal via a wireless signal module of a first device from a wireless signal module of a second device, and recognizing that the second device is located in a direction from the first device through the second device recognition signal. With respect to the second device, the method includes receiving a first device recognition signal via the wireless signal module of the second device from the wireless signal module of the first device, and recognizing that the first device is located in a direction from the second device through the first device recognition signal. |
| US08244179B2 |
Wireless inter-device data processing configured through inter-device transmitted data
A wireless media player and a related system and methodology are disclosed. One aspect of the wireless media player system pertains to a virtual connector system, apparatus, and method for the automatic establishment of wireless connectivity with other electronic devices. In one embodiment, the media player device employs the use of integrated Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology to exchange communication settings, media capability, and other parameters with an external device that also has integrated RFID technology. The automatic exchange of settings and other information via a proximity-based RFID data exchange allows a media player to quickly establish a secure communication link with another device via a commonly supported wireless protocol such as Ultra Wideband (UWB) or Bluetooth. Another aspect of the media player system pertains to a method of using the captured media capability of the connecting device to customize certain menu options and software parameters in the media player. |
| US08244178B2 |
Intelligent device integration using RFID technology
A method of integrating devices using radio frequency identification (RFID) technology can include tracking movement of an RFID tag, wherein the RFID tag is associated with a user, and determining proximity of the RFID tag to a communication device. The method also can include initiating a programmatic action with the communication device according to the proximity of the RFID tag to the communication device, wherein the programmatic action is associated with the user. |
| US08244171B2 |
Identifying radio stations of interest based on preference information
Systems and methods are provided for providing recommended radio stations to a user. In particular, an electronic device can compare media from a locally stored or accessed media library with media items provided as part of radio streams received by the device. The electronic device can identify the radio streams having the most media items overlapping with the local library, and recommend those streams as being most likely to be of interest to the user. The electronic device can further access a remote database of a large number of users' libraries, and receive recommendations based on the media items common to the user's library, other users' libraries, and radio broadcasts. This approach allows the electronic device to provide recommendations without requiring any monitoring of the user's listening habits or receiving preference information from the user. |
| US08244168B2 |
Image forming apparatus with movable transfer device
An image forming apparatus includes a transfer device that transfers a toner image formed on an image bearer onto a transfer sheet and a fixing device that fixes the toner image onto the transfer sheet. The transfer device is freely movable between an operational position and a non-operational position and includes a contacting section that directly contacts the fixing device and determines a position of the transfer device. |
| US08244154B2 |
Recycling method of toner container
A method is provided for recycling a toner container including a casing configured to house a toner, a sleeve protruding from the casing, and one cap with a brim to be bonded with a distal edge of the sleeve to be closed comprising: removing an area including an interface between the brim and the distal edge to form a new distal edge on the sleeve; removing a part of the one cap remaining in the sleeve; filling a toner in the casing; fitting another cap into the sleeve so that the brim of the another cap comes in contact with the new distal edge; and bonding the new distal edge and the brim of the another cap. |
| US08244150B2 |
Fixing apparatus
A fixing apparatus allows harmonic noise and flicker noise caused by alternating current to be reduced. To accomplish this, the fixing apparatus has a power supply unit that supplies AC power from a commercial power supply to a heater, a temperature detection element that detects the temperature of the heater, a setting unit that sets a duty ratio for providing power to the heater such that the temperature detected by the temperature detection element maintains a target temperature, and a control unit that controls the power supply unit such that an average power duty ratio of a single cycle equals the power duty ratio based on the detected temperature, where a single cycle is three or more full waves of the commercial power supply, there being three or more power duty ratios per one half wave of the commercial power supply in a single cycle. |
| US08244148B2 |
Fixing device and image forming apparatus with temperature control functions based on sheet speed and fixing pressure
A fixing device for fixing a toner image to a sheet and has a fixing roller to be heated by a heat source and a pressure roller to be pressed into contact with the fixing roller. A switcher switches a pressing force between the fixing roller and the pressure roller between a first pressing force and a second pressing force lower than the first pressing force. A pressing force detector detects the pressing force between the fixing roller and the pressure roller and a temperature detector detects the temperature of the fixing roller. A storage device stores control data indicating a control temperature for the fixing roller predetermined in accordance with the number of sheets passing the fixing device, and a controller controls the temperature of the fixing roller to the control temperature by controlling the heat source in accordance with a signal sent from the pressing force detector. |
| US08244147B2 |
Charging apparatus with shutter
An image forming apparatus is constituted by an image bearing member; a corona charging member including a wire; a heat generating member for generating heat by energization; a shielding member, including the heat generating member, capable of shielding a portion of the corona charging member opposing to the image bearing member from the image bearing member by being moved between the corona charging member and the image bearing member; an energization control member for controlling energization of the heat generating member; and moving member for moving the shielding member to a first position at which the shielding member shields the portion and a second position retracted from the first position. When the shielding member is located at the first position, at least a part of the heat generating member is disposed between the corona charging member and the image bearing member. |
| US08244144B2 |
Printing device and printing system to manage print jobs based on print history and computer readable storage medium for storing a computer program therefor
A printing apparatus connectable with an external storage device is provided. The printing apparatus includes a printer unit to execute a printing operation to print an image in a current print job, a print log provider to provide a print log, which indicates a record of the printing operation for the current print job, to the external storage device, a print log obtainer to obtain a preceding print log, indicating a record of an earlier printing operation executed earlier in the printing apparatus, provided to and stored in the external storage device, a print log examiner to examine the preceding print log and determine normality of the preceding print log based on the record of the earlier print operation, and a controller to permit the printer unit to print the image and restrict the printer unit from printing the image depending on normality of the obtained print logs. |
| US08244143B2 |
Multichannel polarization control for polarization multiplexed optical transport networks
A system and method are provided for calibrating orthogonal polarity in a multichannel optical transport network (OTN) receiver. The method accepts a composite signal and separates the polarization of the signal into a pair of 2n-phase shift keying (2n-PSK) modulated input signals via Ix and Qx optical signal paths, where n≧1. Likewise, a pair of 2p-PSK modulated input signals are accepted via Iy and Qy optical signal paths where p≧1. Polarization-adjusted I′x, Q′x, I′y, and Q′y signals are generated. An average magnitude is compared to either 2× the absolute magnitude of (I′x and Q′x), or 2× the absolute magnitude of (I′y and Q′y). The average magnitude value can be used that is either 2× (a predetermined peak signal amplitude), or the sum of the absolute magnitudes of (I′x and Q′x) and (I′y and Q′y). The polarization-adjusted I′x, Q′x, I′y, and Q′y signals are modified until the magnitude comparison is about zero. |
| US08244142B2 |
Optical receiver having fractional sampling
Apparatus and methods for receiving and processing optical signals carrying symbols that represent data, including an optical receiver having fractional sampling analog-to-digital conversion and interpolation timing recovery synchronization for processing an optical signal. |
| US08244138B2 |
Polarization-multiplexing optical transmitter polarization-multiplexing optical receiver, polarization-multiplexing optical transceiving system, and controlling method thereof
By using low-frequency signals, an optical transmitting unit modulates one of a wavelength, a transmission timing, and an intensity of light as a carrier wave. A polarization multiplexer synthesizes the output light signals, modulated by the optical transmitting unit, in polarization states orthogonal to each other and generates polarization-multiplexing signals. A polarization splitter splits by extracting two orthogonal polarization components from the polarization-multiplexing signals. The polarization states of the polarization-multiplexing signals are controlled by a polarization controller in an optical receiving unit. A band-pass filter extracts components transmitting through passbands from output signals of the optical receiving unit and outputs an intensity of the components. Based on the intensity output from the filter, a controlling circuit generates feedback control signals for maximizing a ratio of the components of the low-frequency signals and by using the feedback control signals, the polarization controller controls the polarization states of the optical multiplexing signals. |
| US08244136B2 |
System and method for reduction of infrared noise during communication between consumer appliances
A system and method for facilitating infrared (IR) communications from a first device, such as a set top box, to a second device, such as a remote control, in the presence of an IR noise generating device, such as a plasma television, by using at least one of the first device and the second device to actively reduce a level of IR noise being generated by the IR noise generating device during an IR transmission from the first device to the second device. |
| US08244135B2 |
System and method for increasing upstream optical coding gain in a gigabit passive optical network (GPON)
A system, method, and computer readable medium for increasing an upstream optical coding gain in a passive optical network (PON). In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the system may include a memory structured to store Optical Network Terminator (ONT) burst timing values, and provide a previous burst timing value of the burst timing values to a translator. Further, an upstream burst grant timing scheduler may provide a scheduled timing value to the translator, wherein the translator may be structured to translate the previous burst timing value to a new expected timing value per an ONT upstream burst in association with the scheduled timing value. Also, a delimiter match and search block may be structured to use the new expected timing value to check a bit stream for a delimiter pattern match. An alarm counter may be provided in the system that is structured to provide an alarm when the delimiter pattern match is not found. |
| US08244134B2 |
Optical interconnect
An optical interconnect has a plurality of optical sources, a first lens configured to collimate optical beams from the plurality of optical sources, a second lens configured to refocus the optical beams, and a plurality of optical receivers configured to receive the refocused optical beams from the second lens. |
| US08244133B2 |
Optical waveband demultiplexer, optical waveband multiplexer, and optical waveband selective switch
A simple optical waveband multiplexer/demultiplexer operable to separate a wavelength-division multiplexed light beam WDM consisting of a plurality of wavebands WB each including a plurality of optical channels, into a predetermined plurality of wavebands WB, and output the separated plurality of wavebands WB from a plurality of output ports, wherein the wavelength-division multiplexed light beam WDM is transmitted through two array waveguides each capable of performing a demultiplexing function with a resolution corresponding to wavelengths of the optical channels, and a characteristic of sequentially shifting the output ports by one position with shifting of input ports by one position, whereby the wavelength-division multiplexed light beam WDM is separated into a plurality of wavebands WB each including the mutually different optical channels selected from the optical channels included in the wavelength-division multiplexed light beam WDM, and the separated wavebands WB are outputted from the plurality of output ports, respectively. |
| US08244131B2 |
Optical wavelength multiplexing device, optical wavelength dividing device, optical wavelength dividing multiplexing device, and method of controlling optical band-pass filter
To equip an optical wavelength dividing multiplexing system with a variable optical band-pass filter, and to provide an apparatus to change the center wavelength and the band width of an optical-band pass filter according to an optical wavelength band to be transmitted, and a method of controlling the apparatus. An optical wavelength multiplexing device 100 includes a CPL (multiplexing portion) 3 that multiplexes optical signals and outputs the multiplexed signal, a BPF (optical band-pass filter) 9 that is capable of changing its center wavelength and band width and receives an optical multiplex signal output by the multiplexing portion and lets the received optical multiplex signal pass therethrough, a storage portion that stores wavelength band control information 4 specifying the center wavelength and the band width, and a control portion that controls the center wavelength and the band width of the BPF 9 based on the wavelength band control information 4. The control circuit 10 controls the center wavelength and the band width of the BPF 9 based on the wavelength band control information 4. |
| US08244123B2 |
System and method for optical transmission
In an optical transmission system, a first monitoring section configured to monitor a first optical signal on a first optical transmission line to detect a first failure. A modulating section generates a second optical signal obtained through modulation of a signal corresponding to the first optical signal based on the first failure, to transmit the second optical signal onto a second optical transmission line which is connected with the first optical transmission line and a terminal unit. A second monitoring section monitors the second optical signal on the second optical transmission line to detect a second failure, and a detecting section detects the first failure from the second optical signal on the second optical transmission line. A line switch configured to selectively switch an optical transmission line to be connected with the terminal unit, from the second optical transmission line to another optical transmission line based on the first failure detected by the detecting section and the second failure detected by the second monitoring section. |
| US08244118B2 |
Underwater camera housing controls
A control system for an underwater camera housing, including a pin assembly within the housing wall. The pin has a clamp ring and a set of O-rings at an end of the pin. The pin is received into a well in the housing. A spring is received into a bushing also positioned within the well, with the pin inserted into the center of the spring, and the spring compressed against the seat of the bushing by the clamp ring. The pin is depress-able to contact a control button of the housed camera. The control system additionally includes a knob rotatably attached to the housing's exterior. The knob has a boss magnet to move a worker magnet positioned on the housing's interior. The knob is rotatable to move the boss magnet, and so move the worker magnet, to control functions of the housed camera. |
| US08244115B2 |
Combination flashlight and a device for dispensing a volatile substance
A combination flashlight and insect repellent dispensing apparatus. Light is produced by light bulbs or LEDs whereas insect repellent is dispensed by heating a volatilizable insecticide. The insecticide and portable light may be used either concurrently or independently of each other. |
| US08244109B2 |
Electronic device and content reproducing method and program
An electronic device includes a communication block configured to execute communication with an external device; a storage block configured to store content; a compression block configured to compress the stored content; a reproduction block configured to reproduce one of the content before compression by the compression block and the content after compression by the compression block; an operation input block configured to enter an operation signal corresponding to a user operation done for the reproduction; and control block configured to control the communication block to transmit the content before compression to the external device for storage therein and, if the operation signal for reproducing the content after compression is entered, receive, the content before compression stored in the external device corresponding to the content after compression from the external device. |
| US08244108B2 |
After-recording apparatus
An audio signal is compressively encoded into encoding-resultant audio data. A video signal is compressively encoded into encoding-resultant video data. An audio time stamp for audio-vide synchronous reproduction is added to every unit of the encoding-resultant audio data. A video time stamp for audio-video synchronous reproduction is added to every unit of the encoding-resultant video data. The time-stamp-added audio data and the time-stamp-added video data are multiplexed into main data. To a plurality of first after-recording-purpose data for at least one of (1) the encoding-resultant audio data and (2) the encoding-resultant video data which form the main data, time stamps for reproduction synchronous with a portion of the main data and identification information for identifying the plurality of first after-recording-purpose data are added to convert the first after-recording-purpose data into second after-recording-purpose data. The second after-recording-purpose data are made into bit streams without being multiplexed with the main data. |
| US08244098B2 |
Recording apparatus and method, playback apparatus and method, recording medium, program and computer-readable recording medium
A recording apparatus contains a timer that measures the current time based on a time zone. When writing a VOB onto a DVD, the recording apparatus refers to TM_ZONE recorded on the DVD, and judges whether the time zone which the timer is based on matches the time zone that the TM_ZONE specifies. If the two time zones do not match, the recording apparatus operates as follows. First, the recording apparatus obtains VOB_REC_TM that indicates the recording date/time of the VOB based on TM_ZONE. The recording apparatus then writes the VOB onto the DVD together with VOBI that is information of the VOB and contains (a) the obtained VOB_REC_TM; (b) LOCAL_TZ_TY indicating that the two time zones do not match and (c) LOCAL_TZ specifying the time zone which the timer is based on. |
| US08244096B2 |
Optical disk device and advertising system
An optical disk device includes a reproduction component, a determination component, a memory component, a communication component, and an output component. The reproduction component reproduces contents stored in optical disks. The determination component determines genres of the contents while the reproduction component reproduces the contents. The memory component stores a first table that associates each of the genres that have been determined by the determination component with a reproduction counter that indicates a number of times the reproduction component has reproduced the contents that belong to each of the genres. The communication component downloads from a server advertising data corresponding to one of the genres stored in the first table. The one of the genres is selected based on the reproduction counter of the first table. The output component outputs an advertisement based on the advertising data that is downloaded by the communication component. |
| US08244094B2 |
Method and apparatus for replaying a video signal and one or more audio signals related to audio/video data that are based on a 24Hz frame frequency video signal
Movies are produced in 24 Hz frame frequency and progressive scanning format (denoted 24p) for projection in film theatres, adhering to a worldwide standard for 35 mm film. However, the major TV systems in the world use interlaced scanning and either 50 Hz field frequency (denoted 50i) or 60 Hz field frequency (denoted 60i). Content providers would prefer providing single-picture-frequency single-audio-speed AV discs that can be replayed in most parts of the world. According to the invention, For a 50 HZ output mode, in the media player either audio signal frames are dropped adaptively or video fields or frames are repeated adaptively, depending on the current video and audio content. Thereby the less perceptible stream controls the synchronization. |
| US08244093B2 |
Video signal processing device and method, and program
A video signal processing device including a specification information obtaining unit for obtaining specification information indicating specifications of a monitor connected to a digital video output terminal, a selecting operation receiving-unit for receiving a user selecting operation for selecting a type of analog video output terminal for a monitor connected to the analog video output terminal, a setting operation receiving unit for receiving a user setting operation for prioritizing one of the specification information obtained by the specification information obtaining unit and the user selecting operation received by the selecting operation receiving unit, and a determining unit for determining a resolution of a video signal to be output on a basis of the specification information obtained by the specification information obtaining unit, the user selecting operation received by the selecting operation receiving unit, and the user setting operation received by the setting operation receiving unit. |
| US08244088B2 |
Large diameter optical waveguide, grating and laser
A large diameter optical waveguide, grating, and laser includes a waveguide having at least one core surrounded by a cladding, the core propagating light in substantially a few transverse spatial modes; and having an outer waveguide dimension of said waveguide being greater than about 0.3 mm. At least one Bragg grating may be impressed in the waveguide. The waveguide may be axially compressed which causes the length of the waveguide to decrease without buckling. The waveguide may be used for any application where a waveguide needs to be compression tuned. Also, the waveguide exhibits lower mode coupling from the core to the cladding and allows for higher optical power to be used when writing gratings without damaging the waveguide. The waveguide may resemble a short “block” or a longer “cane” type, depending on the application and dimensions used. |
| US08244085B2 |
Optical transceiver interface for multimode fibers
Systems and devices using diffractive and optionally refractive elements to launch an optical signal with a controlled amplitude and phase distribution into a multimode optical fiber for improved modal dispersion are provided. More particularly, optical ports, transmitter optical subassemblies (TOSAs), and transceivers use integrated diffractive and optionally refractive elements to launch a helically propagating light distribution, also known as a vortex launch. One embodiment includes a monolithic transparent port that generally includes: a lens on a first surface for receiving and collimating or focusing an optical signal; and a diffractive surface pattern for receiving the optical signal from the lens and launching the optical signal into a multimode optical fiber with a controlled intensity and phase distribution. Alternatively, the lens can be added as a separated component or omitted altogether while the diffractive surface pattern is formed on either the laser or fiber receptacle sides of the port. |
| US08244084B2 |
Expanded beam, single fiber, fiber optic connector
The device includes a body, a lens holder, a lens, a ferrule, a ferrule holder, an optical cable holder, a snap ring, and a spring. The lens holder retains the lens, and the lens holder accommodates the ferrule. The ferrule holder is mounted to the body. The spring is mounted between a spring seat of the ferrule holder and a spring seat of the optical cable holder. The snap ring is mounted to the optical cable holder so as to retain the optical cable holder to the body. |
| US08244083B2 |
Steerable, thin far-field electromagnetic beam
A method and apparatus for forming and controlling a microwave Bessel beam which may be utilized for examining microstructure including very early stage tumors. |
| US08244082B2 |
Device for generating polarization-entangled photons
A device for generating polarization-entangled photons by means of parametric down-conversion, comprising a waveguide structure formed in a substrate of an optically non-linear material with periodically poled regions, wherein, when in operation, pump photons can be supplied from a pump laser to the waveguide structure, and wherein a separating means for separating the entangled photons for the separate further conduction of signal photons and idler photons, respectively, is arranged to follow the waveguide structure. |
| US08244081B2 |
Passive alignment using elastic averaging in optoelectronics applications
In an optoelectronic assembly in which one or more beam paths are to be aligned with a corresponding number of active optical elements, the cooperation between flexible alignment features and fixed alignment features achieves elastic averaging so as to provide the target accuracy. By averaging dimensional and positional errors over a large number of localized couplings of the flexible and fixed alignment features, elastic averaging provides the same accuracy as the more costly and complex kinematic alignment techniques. |
| US08244079B2 |
Light emitting device and optical coupling module
Provided are a light emitting device and an optical coupling module. The device includes a substrate, a light emitting part provided to the substrate, and a reflecting part provided to a lower surface of the substrate. The light emitting part includes an active pattern disposed on the substrate, an upper mirror provided to an upper portion of the active pattern, and a lower mirror provided to a lower portion of the active pattern. The light emitting part may emit light normal to the substrate, and the reflecting part may reflect the emitted light to a side surface of the substrate. |
| US08244077B1 |
Unit-cell array optical signal processor
This invention provides a versatile unit cell as well as programmable and reconfigurable optical signal processors (such as optical-domain RF filters) that are constructed from arrays of those unit cells interconnected by optical waveguides. Each unit cell comprises an optical microdisk, an optical phase shifter, and at least one input/output optical waveguide, wherein the microdisk and the phase shifter are both optically connected to a common waveguide. |
| US08244073B2 |
Line shape processing device, line shape processing method, information recording medium, and program
To detect the characteristic of the end portion of a line shape, in a line shape processing device (201), a coordinate storing unit (203) stores a first coordinate value of a point on a line in association with a second coordinate value, in regard to the shape of that line input by the user, a detecting unit (207) detects whether the shape of the end portion of the line input by the user is (a) a pennant shape where the vibration amplitude becomes narrow while vibrating, (b) a flag shape vibrating with a substantially constant vibration amplitude, or (c) a normal shape other than the shapes of (a) and (b) from the first coordinate value of the point in the stored line shape and the second coordinate value thereof based on the distribution of the extreme values of the second coordinate value. |
| US08244072B2 |
System and method for determining color value of pixel
A method and a system are used for determining color value of a pixel for an image processing operation, including steps of: providing a reference depth value representing a level of motion of the pixel; providing a plurality of color values and corresponding depth values of the pixel at a plurality of levels of motion; and selecting a target color value of the pixel among the plurality of color values according to the reference depth value and the plurality of depth values. |
| US08244071B2 |
Non-dyadic spatial scalable wavelet transform
A non-dyadic spatial scalable wavelet transform may scale an original digital video frame or digital image at a non-dyadic ratio. The digital video frame or digital image is quantized to create a set of data representing the digital video frame or digital image. The set of data is then input to the non-dyadic spatial scalable wavelet transform. The non-dyadic spatial scalable wavelet transform may then transform the data associated with a first pixel to a high-pass coefficient and use the high-pass coefficient to transform the data associated with a second and third pixel to low-pass coefficients. The low-pass coefficients may then be converted to a digital image for viewing. |
| US08244068B2 |
Device and method for adjusting orientation of a data representation displayed on a display
An electronic device, preferably in the form of a mobile phone, comprising a support structure and a camera carried by the support structure. An orientation detector is connected to the camera. The orientation detector is configured to identify images features in an image captured by the camera, such as the eyes and the mouth of the user, and to determine rotation orientation of the image relative to a reference orientation. A display carried by the support structure is configured to display a data representation, and further to display this data representation in an orientation dependent on the determined rotation orientation. This way a data presentation can e.g. be displayed in a portrait orientation or in a landscape orientation in dependence of which rotational orientation the device is currently held in when the data representation is viewed by a user of the electronic device. |
| US08244067B2 |
Constellation detection
Disclosed herein is a method for identifying a constellation of alignment marks within an arrangement of computer readable marks in an image (1412), the arrangement of computer readable marks (1412) including alignment marks (1401-1406) and data carrying marks (1407-1410). The alignment marks (1401-1406) define a reference grid within the arrangement of computer readable marks and the data carrying marks (1407-1410) are modulated with respect to the reference grid to encode data. The method selects at least two marks (1501, 1502) from the arrangement of computer readable marks and determines a rotation center with reference to the selected marks (1501, 1502). The method then determines rotated positions for the selected marks by rotating each of the selected marks by a predetermined angle about the rotation center. For each rotated position, a mark having a position that is less than a predetermined threshold from the rotated position is located from the arrangement of marks and then the selected marks and the located marks are identified as the constellation of alignment marks. |
| US08244063B2 |
Space-time behavior based correlation
A method includes measuring the likelihood that two different space-time video segments could have resulted from a similar underlying motion field without computing the field. The method may be employed to identify locations in a video sequence where at least one behavioral phenomenon similar to that demonstrated in the video segment occurs. For example, the phenomenon might be a dynamic behavior, an action, a rigid motion, and/or a non-rigid motion. |
| US08244061B1 |
Automated detection of source-based artifacts in an information signal
Method and apparatus for detecting source-based artifacts in a compressed video data set formed by outputting a baseband video data set from a source device and applying a codec algorithm thereto to generate the compressed video data set. In some embodiments, the compressed video data set is decompressed to provide a decoded video data set, and at least one source-based artifact in the decoded video set is detected responsive to a luminance value of at least one pixel in the decoded video data set, the at least one source-based artifact induced by the source prior to the compression encoding of the input video frame and detected independently of the input video frame. |
| US08244056B2 |
Image contrast enhancement apparatus and method thereof
An image contrast enhancement apparatus and method thereof are provided. The image contrast enhancement apparatus includes an image analysis module, a histogram separation unit, and a histogram adjustment unit. The image analysis module statistically analyzes pixels of an original image to produce a plurality of histogram bins and combines the histogram bins into a sub-histogram. The histogram separation unit separates each sub-histogram in every separation level into two sub-histograms in the next separation level, increases or decreases a base width of each sub-histogram such that the respective group density of two sub-histograms corresponding to the same separation point are substantially identical. The histogram adjustment unit re-distributes histogram bins of each sub-histogram or merges a portion of histogram bins of each sub-histogram in every separation level. |
| US08244050B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for encoding and decoding image by using improved compression ratio of encoding information
Provided are methods and apparatuses for encoding and decoding an image. The method of encoding the image includes calculating the number of times that encoding information of each of a plurality of sub-blocks included in a current block is exactly predicted, determining whether or not to predictably encode the encoding information of each sub-block, based on the calculated number of times, and predictably encoding the encoding information of each sub-block according to the determination. Using the method can prevent the case in which many bits are required to encode the encoding information due to inexact prediction about the encoding information, thereby decreasing the compression ratio of the image encoding process, and can compress the image with a higher efficiency. |
| US08244049B2 |
Method, medium and apparatus effectively compressing and restoring edge position images
Provided are an apparatus and method for effectively compressing and restoring edge areas in an image. Therefore, by predicting values of pixels positioned at each directional edge, among pixels constructing a 2×2 block in a current image, using values of neighbor pixels of the pixels positioned at each directional edge, selecting an edge mode corresponding to a directional edge in which the difference between the predicted values and actual values of the pixels is a minimum, and outputting edge mode data indicating the edge mode instead of the predicted values corresponding to the edge mode, it is possible to effectively compress edge areas in which little similarity exists between pixel values, and accordingly improve a compression rate of edge areas. |
| US08244046B2 |
Character string updated degree evaluation program
There is provided a character string updated degree evaluation program that enables quantitative grasping of an amount of intellectual work through editing and updating of character strings. A text subjected to comparison is divided into common part character strings each having a length greater than or equal to a threshold value, and non-common part character strings. A number of edited points from the original text and a context edit distance are calculated based on the rate of the common part character strings and the occurrence pattern thereof. A number of edited point is acquired from a number of elements contained in a common part character string set, and a context edit distance is acquired from a change in an order of occurrence of the common part character strings. Calculation of a new creation percentage and analysis by an N-gram are performed on the non-common part character string. The new creation percentage is acquired from the total length of the elements contained in a non-common part character string set, and a new creation novelty degree is acquired from a non-partial matching rate between a non-common part character string set and an element contained in the non-common part character string set. Calculations for the common part character string set and for the non-common part character string set are united, thereby calculating a text updated degree. |
| US08244044B2 |
Feature selection and extraction
Image feature selection and extraction (e.g., for image classifier training) is accomplished in an integrated manner, such that higher-order features are merely developed from first-order features selected for image classification. That is, first-order image features are selected for image classification from an image feature pool, initially populated with pre-extracted first-order image features. The selected first-order classifying features are paired with previously selected first-order classifying features to generate higher-order features. The higher-order features are placed into the image feature pool as they are developed or “on-the-fly” (e.g., for use in image classifier training). |
| US08244038B2 |
Text vectorization using OCR and stroke structure modeling
Systems and methods are described that facilitate dominant point detection for text in a scanned document. The dominant points are classified as “major” (e.g., structural) and “minor” (e.g., serif). A set of rules or parameters for each character is determined off-line. During the text vectorization, OCR is performed and the rules (parameters) associated with the recognized character are selected. Both major and minor dominant points are detected as a maximization process with the parameter set. For minor dominant points, additional processes are optionally employed. |
| US08244033B2 |
Image encoding apparatus, image decoding apparatus, and control method thereof
This invention generates, from multi-value image data, encoded data having a fixed length of L bits for each block including m×n pixels. An extraction unit extracts representative two colors C0 and C1 from an input block. A detection unit generates binary identification information, which indicates one of the colors C0 and C1 to which each pixel in the block is approximate. A generating unit determines, according to a deletion pattern, which of identification data elements indicating the color C0 and those indicating the color C1 are deleted more, and outputs the determination result as interpolated-identification data. A replacing unit replaces identification data which is the same as non-interpolated-identification data near the pixel position by the interpolated-identification data. A deletion unit deletes identification data according to the deletion pattern. A packing unit couples and outputs the colors C0 and C1, interpolated-identification data, and identification data after deletion. |
| US08244030B2 |
Method and measurement system for contactless coordinate measurement of an object surface
The invention relates to a method and a surveying system for noncontact coordinate measurement on the object surface of an object to be surveyed in an object coordinate system. With a 3D image recording unit, a first three-dimensional image of a first area section of the object surface is electronically recorded in a first position and first orientation, the first three-dimensional image being composed of a multiplicity of first pixels, with which in each case a piece of depth information is coordinated. The first position and first orientation of the 3D image recording unit in the object coordinate system are determined by a measuring apparatus coupled to the object coordinate system. First 3D object coordinates in the object coordinate system are coordinated with the first pixels from the knowledge of the first 3D image coordinates and of the first position and first orientation of the 3D image recording unit. |
| US08244025B2 |
Method of coalescing information about inspected objects
A method of coalescing information about inspected objects. The method includes acquiring an image set of an object to be inspected, the image set having a three-dimensional model of the object and a plurality of two-dimensional images of the object. A location of interest is identified on a surface of the modeled object and global coordinate points of the three-dimensional model are designated that characterize the location of interest of the modeled object. A markup tag annotating the location of interest is associate with the designated global coordinate points of the three-dimensional model, and the markup tag is conveyed when viewing any one of the plurality of two-dimensional images of the image set that have at least one image point that correlates to a corresponding designated global coordinate point of the three-dimensional model that characterize the location of interest. |
| US08244023B2 |
Shape measuring device and shape measuring method
A shape measuring device includes: a slit pattern projection unit (1) for projecting a slit light onto a test object (20); an imaging lens (3) and a plane parallel plate (4) for forming a plurality of slit images, which is generated when the slit light is reflected by the object (20), separated in a direction perpendicular to a slit base line direction; an imaging unit (5) for picking up the plurality of slit images and generating a plurality of slit picture images; an XYZ stage drive unit (12) for relatively moving the slit light and the test object (20) in a direction different from the slit base line direction of the slit light; a slit picture image selection unit (8) for comparing the brightness of each pixel of slit picture image on the slit base line direction, and selecting a slit picture image having an optimum brightness to determine the shape of the test object (20) on the slit base line direction, and acquiring image data to determine the shape of the test object (20); and a shape computing unit (9) for computing a shape of the test object (20) using a relative position of the slit light with respect to the test object (20) and the slit picture image data. |
| US08244017B2 |
Constructing three dimensional images using panoramic images
A computer implemented method and system for constructing a three dimensional (3D) tomographic image from an object's two dimensional (2D) panoramic image are provided. A first geometrical attribute set in a first coordinate system is assigned to one or more focal troughs. A second geometrical attribute set in a second coordinate system is assigned to the 2D panoramic image. Second geometrical attributes are correlated with first geometrical attributes for reconstructing the 2D panoramic image in multiple dimensions. Multiple defocused elements of the object are determined along the 2D panoramic image's horizontal dimension. A transverse dimension is determined for the reconstructed panoramic image by mapping the defocused elements to a translation along the transverse dimension in the first coordinate system on either side of the center of the focal troughs. The multiple dimensions of the reconstructed panoramic image are transformed into an orthogonal coordinate system to generate the 3D tomographic image. |
| US08244008B2 |
Methods involving optimizing and mapping images
A method for optimizing images, the method comprising, receiving a designation of a first feature of interest, receiving a designation of a second feature of interest, receiving a target image, receiving an atlas image including labels of first and second features of interest of the target image and a first optimization parameter associated with the first feature of interest and a second optimization parameter associated with the second feature of interest, mapping the atlas image onto the target image resulting in a global mapped image, defining an area of the first feature of interest and an area of the second feature of interest, mapping the reference image onto the area of the first feature of interest on the global mapped image using the first optimization parameter, and mapping the reference image onto the area of the second feature of interest on the global mapped image using the second optimization parameter. |
| US08244004B2 |
Image preprocessing
A method performed by a software process executing on a computer system, includes accessing a digital image having a plurality of pixels encoded in a color space that defines hue as a pair of Cartesian coordinates. The method also includes calculating a chroma value for a specified pixel by determining a distance between a point corresponding to a hue coordinate pair value for the specified pixel and a Cartesian origin point. The calculated chroma value is compared to a predetermined threshold and an image processing operation is performed on the digital image based on a result of the comparison. |
| US08244003B2 |
Image preprocessing
A method, performed by a software process executing on a computer system, includes accessing a digital image comprising a plurality of pixels. The method also includes determining whether one or more pixels bounding a first rectangular sub-region of a predetermined size within the digital image satisfy a specified criterion. If a predetermined percentage of bounding pixels satisfy the specified criterion, the method assumes that all pixels within the first rectangular sub-region also satisfy the specified criterion. The method further includes selectively executing an image analysis algorithm on the digital image using the assumption that all pixels within the rectangular sub-region also satisfy the specified criterion. |
| US08243998B2 |
Repeating band print artifact evaluation
A method and apparatus are provided for evaluating the severity in a printed image of a repeating band print artifact. After electronically capturing the printed image, each of a plurality of patches taken from captured image is analysed to produce an artifact severity measure for the patch; an overall artifact severity value is then determined for the printed image from the patch severity measures. The analysis of each patch involves producing a spatial intensity profile across the patch substantially at right angles to an expected direction of extent of any repeating band print artifact present; a Fourier-related transform is then applied to the spatial intensity profile and the patch artifact severity measure generated by summing the resultant spatial frequency coefficients in a limited range about a frequency of interest. |
| US08243995B2 |
Apparatus and method for eye margin calculating, and computer-readable recording medium recording program therefof
A center location of an eye pattern generated by superimposing waveform signal pieces cut out from a waveform signal generated by a simulator is calculated, and an arrangement of a mask as a quality evaluation criterion of the eye pattern on the center location is envisaged to calculate time coordinate values and voltage coordinate values of feature points included in the mask. First feature points not on a time axis is set as processing objects, and a margin in the voltage axis direction is calculated based on the voltage coordinate values of the first feature points and the voltage coordinate values of waveform signal piece parts associated with the first feature points. Second feature points on the time axis is set as processing objects, and a margin in the time axis direction is calculated based on the time coordinate values of the second feature points and the time coordinate values of waveform signal piece parts associated with the second feature points. |
| US08243992B2 |
Device for optically detecting position and/or orientation of objects comprising at least one linear sensor
The electro-optical system for determining the attitude of a mobile part comprises a fixed part and a mobile part, the fixed part being linked rigidly with at least one virtual image plane.The mobile part is linked rigidly with at least one first linear electro-optical device defining a first direction vector, the calculation of the position of the vanishing point of the projection of the straight line comprising the first direction vector in the image plane determining a first direction, representing the direction of the mapping of the first direction vector in the image plane, and a first choice of a first point of the projection in the image plane of the straight line comprising the first direction vector determining a first sense, representing the sense of the mapping of the first direction vector in the image plane. |
| US08243990B2 |
Method for tracking moving object
A method for tracking a moving object is provided. The method detects the moving object in a plurality of continuous images so as to obtain space information of the moving object in each of the images. In addition, appearance features of the moving object in each of the images are captured to build an appearance model. Finally, the space information and the appearance model are combined to track a moving path of the moving object in the images. Accordingly, the present invention is able to keep tracking the moving object even if the moving object leaves the monitoring frame and returns again, so as to assist the supervisor in finding abnormal acts and making following reactions. |
| US08243988B1 |
Clustering images using an image region graph
Methods for grouping images from image corpora using graph clustering are presented. In one embodiment, a method is presented where grouping of images from a collection of digital images is done by: representing regions of images as vertices in a graph; connecting each pair of matching-vertices with a matching-edge; connecting each pair of overlap-vertices with an overlap-edge; assigning weights to each said matching-edge and to each said overlap-edge; clustering the graph, wherein clustering generates one or more vertex-clusters; and grouping the digital images into visual-clusters based on the vertex-clusters. Corresponding systems and computer program products are also presented. |
| US08243987B2 |
Object tracking using color histogram and object size
A solution for monitoring an area uses color histograms and size information (e.g., heights and widths) for blob(s) identified in an image of the area and model(s) for existing object track(s) for the area. Correspondence(s) between the blob(s) and the object track(s) are determined using the color histograms and size information. Information on an object track is updated based on the type of correspondence(s). The solution can process merges, splits and occlusions of foreground objects as well as temporal and spatial fragmentations. |
| US08243986B2 |
Method and apparatus for automatic visual event detection
Disclosed are methods and apparatus for automatic visual detection of events, for recording images of those events and retrieving them for display and human or automated analysis, and for sending synchronized signals to external equipment when events are detected. An event corresponds to a specific condition, among some time-varying conditions within the field of view of an imaging device, that can be detected by visual means based on capturing and analyzing digital images of a two-dimensional field of view in which the event may occur. Events may correspond to rare, short duration mechanical failures for which obtaining images for analysis is desirable. Events are detected by considering evidence obtained from an analysis of multiple images of the field of view, during which time moving mechanical components can be seen from multiple viewing perspectives. |
| US08243977B2 |
Media player system, media player, and earphone
An exemplary media player system includes a media player and an earphone. The earphone includes a first earpiece, a second earpiece, a primary volume control unit, and a secondary volume control unit. The first earpiece and the second earpiece are configured for receiving first channel audio signals and second channel audio signals respectively, and converting the audio signals to yield audible sounds. The primary volume control unit adjusts the volume levels of the first earpiece and the second earpiece simultaneously. The secondary volume control unit adjusts the volume of sounds outputted from one of the first earpiece and the second earpiece. |
| US08243976B2 |
Earphone facility with vibration-isolated earphone
An earphone facility is proposed to reduce feedback in hearing devices with an external earphone. The earphone facility includes an earphone, which is embodied to convert electrical signals, and an earpiece, which lies snugly against the auditory canal when the earphone facility is being worn. A stem is attached to the earphone, having a smaller circumference than the smallest circumference of the earphone. Also a support element is disposed between the stem and an internal wall of the earpiece, said support element holding the stem in the earpiece in a movable manner. With this structure vibrations of the earphone are barely transmitted to the earpiece so that feedback is ultimately reduced. |
| US08243975B2 |
Condenser microphone unit
There is provided a condenser microphone unit in which the shield of a shielding member that covers a front acoustic terminal from the inside of a unit case is assured to prevent noise caused by electromagnetic waves radiated especially from a cellular phone from being generated. In a condenser microphone unit including a metallic cylindrical unit case 10 having a front acoustic terminal 11 on one end side; an electrostatic acousto-electric converter 20 housed in the unit case 10; and a shielding member 30 disposed between the acousto-electric converter 20 and the front acoustic terminal 11 to cover the front acoustic terminal 11 from the inside of the unit case 10, as the shielding member 30, there is used a shielding plate 32 consisting of a metallic porous plate integrally having a plurality of locking pieces 33, which dig into the inner wall surface of the unit case 10 on account of elastic deformation, in the peripheral edge part thereof. |
| US08243973B2 |
Communication eyewear assembly
A frame assembly worn to maintain at least one transparent eye panel in front of a wearer's eyes. A processor receives an incoming audio signal and wirelessly transmits it to an earpiece which audibly communicates the incoming signal to the wearer. An outbound microphone assembly picks up an outbound audio signal from the wearer and transmits it to the processor which transmits it to a remote recipient. An ambient microphone assembly picks up an ambient audio signal and transmits it to the processor. The processor is structured to enhance the incoming and/or the outbound audio signal based on the ambient audio signal. The processor transmits a voice component of the ambient audio signal to the earpiece. A camera assembly picks up an outbound visual signal and transmits it to the processor which further transmits it to a remote recipient. A display assembly displays an incoming visual signal. |
| US08243972B2 |
Method and apparatus for the configuration of setting options on a hearing device
The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for the configuration of at least one adjustment option on a hearing device, with the hearing device wearer having the task of setting the hearing device by ear with the aid of the adjustment option to be configured such that a predetermined characteristic on the hearing device is adjusted, with the adjustment option being enabled if the characteristics set by the hearing device wearer equate to the predetermined characteristics or has deviations herefrom, which lie within a predetermined tolerance range. |
| US08243971B2 |
Behind-the-ear hearing device having an external, optical microphone
An optically unnoticeable and acoustically improved behind-the-ear hearing device having a housing which can be worn behind the ear, a signal processing facility which is arranged in the housing, and which comprises an optoelectrical converter, and at least one optical microphone is provided. The optical microphone is arranged outside the housing and can be positioned in the concha or in the auditory canal. Furthermore, the optical microphone is connected to the signal processing facility by way of an optical wave guide for optical signal transmission purposes. An optical microphone of this type can be realized small and in an unnoticeable fashion on/in an otoplastic, such that during the acoustic recording, the typical frequency behavior through the concha can also be used. |
| US08243967B2 |
Hand-held electronic device
A hand-held electronic device for producing stereo effect sound in both a first and a second orientation of the device. The first and second directions are perpendicular to each other. The device comprises a pair of loudspeakers spaced from each other in two directions perpendicular to each other. One direction always lies in a horizontal plane irrespective of whether the device is in its first or second orientation. |
| US08243964B2 |
Piezo speaker pressure sensor
A piezo speaker pressure sensor that includes a bladder and a piezo speaker element. The bladder abuts the piezo speaker element. A pressure may be sensed from the piezo speaker element proportional to a pressure exerted on the bladder in a direction of the piezo speaker element. The piezo speaker element functions as a speaker when audio signals are received by the piezo speaker element. |
| US08243962B2 |
MEMS microphone and method for manufacturing the same
An MEMS microphone includes a casing (10) and a microphone chip (30) disposed in the casing. The casing defines a sound entrance (11) therein. The microphone chip includes a back plate (31), an isolation layer (32) and a diaphragm (33). The isolation layer separates the back plate from the diaphragm so as to form an air interstice (35) therebetween. The back plate and the diaphragm electrically connect with two electrodes (34a, 34b), respectively. The back plate defines a plurality of holes (36) therethrough. The holes communicate the air interstice with a sealed acoustic chamber (38) between the casing and the microphone chip. The diaphragm is adhered to an inner side of the casing at a position over the sound entrance. |
| US08243960B2 |
Planar audio amplifier output inductor with current sense
An audio amplifier, that includes a planar inductor structure that includes a first plurality of windings, formed on layers of a first circuit board and a second plurality of windings, formed on layers of a second circuit board. The planar inductor structure may further include a sense winding. |
| US08243959B2 |
Audio output control device and audio output control method
An audio output control device includes: display means for displaying two screens; speaker output control means for recognizing whether a main screen or a sub screen is being selected on the display means that is displaying the two screens and performing a control process to output a main or sub sound of the selected main or sub screen through a speaker; and headphone output control means for, before a headphone is connected, performing a control process to supply to a headphone terminal of the headphone the sub or main sound of the sub or main screen that is not being selected. |
| US08243958B2 |
Receiver
The present invention provides a receiver for making an earphone cord of an earphone function as an earphone antenna. The receiver includes a receiver circuit for receiving a broadcast wave signal received at the earphone code of the earphone and outputting an audio signal, an earphone jack into which a earphone plug is inserted, a first detector circuit for detecting whether the earphone is one of stereo and monaural functionalities, and a second detector circuit for the earphone is connected to the receiver. The earphone jack has an antenna terminal, left channel audio terminal and right channel audio terminal, a first detection terminal and a second detection terminal, and a ground terminal. |
| US08243956B2 |
Auto bias microphone system for use with multiple loads and method of forming same
An autobias vehicular microphone system (300) includes a microphone (301) uses an amplifier (306) for amplifying an output of the microphone. A first feedback path (308) provides an amplifier output signal to the amplifier input for providing amplifier linearity and a second feedback path (305) is used for providing bias to an voltage reference (303). The voltage reference (303) operates to provide an autobias to the amplifier (306) based upon amplifier loading. Thus, a DC feedback loop works as an average voltage sensing circuit operating to center the amplifier (306) to an operating point near one half its supply voltage. By allowing the bias point to vary, a constant clip level can be maintained depending on varying load conditions of electronic devices (307, 309, 311) using the microphone (301). |
| US08243955B2 |
System for attenuating noise in an input signal
A noise attenuation system attenuates noise in an input signal. The system may estimate a power of the input signal, and determine a noise power value based on the input power estimate. The noise power value corresponds to an estimate of a noise power within the input signal. The system may determine an attenuation factor based on the noise power value, and attenuate the input signal by using the attenuation factor. |
| US08243954B2 |
System and method for a device sound interface manager
A system for regulating the volume and frequency content of audio producing devices, the system includes: one or more noise making objects (NMO) configured with individual sound control devices in electrical communication with a noise management server and one or more audio producing devices configured with individual sound control devices; wherein the sound control devices have electronic logic processing, storage, and communication capabilities; wherein the noise management server utilize the sound control devices to: determine whether the NMO are producing noise in the audible range of one or more audio producing devices; determine a noise characteristic of the one or more NMO; command the one or more NMO to send the noise characteristic to the one or more audio producing devices; and wherein the volume and frequency content of audio produced by the one or more audio producing devices is adjusted in response to the received noise characteristic. |
| US08243948B2 |
Selector and amplifier device therefor
An amplifier device includes a plurality of input terminals for receiving input signals (e.g. audio signals), a main switch, which switches over the input terminals so as to select one input terminal, an analyzer, which analyzes the input signals at respective timings so as to determine whether or not each of the input signals corresponds to a playback signal, a storage for storing a plurality of determination results in connection with the input terminals, a controller for controlling the main switch to select the input terminal whose input signal is newly determined as the playback signal, and an amplifier for amplifying the input signal of the selected input terminal. The analyzer performs frequency analysis on the input signals so as to determine the input signal including a specific frequency component having a high intensity as noise not forming the playback signal. |
| US08243946B2 |
Personal acoustic device position determination
Apparatus and method for determining an operating state of a personal acoustic device by receiving a signal from one or more movement sensors indicating movement detected by the one or more movement sensors, wherein the one or more movement sensors are disposed on portions of the personal acoustic device structured to be worn on a user's head to enable the one or more movement sensors to detect rotational movements of a user's head when the personal acoustic device is in position on the user's head such that a casing of the personal acoustic device is adjacent an ear of the user. |
| US08243940B2 |
Medical device with communication, measurement and data functions
A medical diagnostic and communications apparatus with audio output comprises an electronic processor for processing stethoscope signals and secondary audio signals. An electronic stethoscope sensor is contained within a housing for transducing body sounds to electronic signals, and is operatively connected to the electronic processor. One or more secondary audio signal sources operatively connects to the electronic processor. A common audio output is connected to electronic processor to convert electronic stethoscope signals or secondary audio signals to acoustic output. These sounds may be produced separately or mixed. |
| US08243939B2 |
Hearing instrument with improved initialisation of parameters of digital feedback suppression circuitry
A method of modelling a feedback path from a receiver to a microphone in a hearing instrument, includes applying an electronic probe signal with an increasing level as a function of time to the receiver for conversion of the electronic probe signal into an acoustic probe signal output by the receiver, monitoring values of a first quality parameter calculated based at least in part on recorded microphone output signal, and after the first quality parameter reaches a predetermined first threshold value, determining at least one parameter of the feedback path based at least in part on the recorded microphone output signal values. |
| US08243937B2 |
Adaptive ambient audio transformation
A method and device for transforming ambient audio are provided. Example embodiments may include monitoring ambient audio proximate to a sound processing device located in an environment. The device may sense environmental conditions associated with the environment. Memory may be accessed to obtain transformation audio. The device may generate output transformation audio based on the transformation audio, the ambient audio, and the environmental conditions to provide modified output audio for propagation into the environment |
| US08243936B2 |
Efficient and scalable parametric stereo coding for low bitrate audio coding applications
The present invention provides improvements to prior art audio codecs that generate a stereo-illusion through post-processing of a received mono signal. These improvements are accomplished by extraction of stereo-image describing parameters at the encoder side, which are transmitted and subsequently used for control of a stereo generator at the decoder side. Furthermore, the invention bridges the gap between simple pseudo-stereo methods, and current methods of true stereo-coding, by using a new form of parametric stereo coding. A stereo-balance parameter is introduced, which enables more advanced stereo modes, and in addition forms the basis of a new method of stereo-coding of spectral envelopes, of particular use in systems where guided HFR (High Frequency Reconstruction) is employed. As a special case, the application of this stereo-coding scheme in scalable HFR-based codecs is described. |
| US08243932B2 |
Methods and systems for distributed processing on consumer devices
Systems and methods are used to provide distributed processing on a service provider network that includes a plurality of remotely located consumer devices. Each of the remotely located consumer devices includes a processing device. A service is provided from the service provider network to the remotely located consumer devices. Distributed processing of a task on the processing devices of the remotely located consumer devices occurs, the distributed processing being unrelated to the service provided to the consumers. The distributed processing occurs even when the processing devices are in use by corresponding remotely located consumer devices. |
| US08243929B2 |
Gaming terminal and system with biometric identification
A gaming system is provided with biometric facilities for identifying or verifying the identity of a player or perspective player. In one aspect reference biometric data is stored in a portable biometric data storage device such as a smart card, PCMCIA card or the like and is preferably left in the possession or control of the individual or individuals to whom the biometric data relates. The reference biometric data is read in individual gaming terminals and compared, in individual gaming terminals to measured biometric data of a player or perspective player. In one aspect, gaming terminals use biometric verification or indication to implement a practical and feasible cashless gaming terminal. |
| US08243927B2 |
Digital video receiver, ECM extract equipment, EMM extract equipment, scramble key extract equipment, CCI extract equipment, digital video receiving system, ECM extract method, EMM extract method, scramble key extract method, CCI extract method, digital video receiving method, and recording medium
A decryption process chip has a memory in which a first decryption control unit for decrypting a scramble key by using an ECM and an EMM is downloaded from outside and stored. A stream input unit extracts a packet including the ECM based on first information obtained from the first decryption control unit, and the first decryption control unit extracts the ECM from the packet. An STB control unit extracts only data including the EMM based on second information set up from the first decryption control unit, and the first decryption control unit extracts the EMM from the data. The stream input unit indirectly obtains a scramble key decrypted by the first decryption control unit so as to extract the scramble key and transmit it to a descrambler. |
| US08243925B2 |
Method and apparatus for supporting multiple broadcasters independently using a single conditional access system
A method and apparatus for brokering the enablement of the communication of encrypted media programs from a plurality of independent broadcasters to a plurality of receivers is disclosed. The system makes use of a pairing key for each provided service, which is differently encrypted by a pairing server and by the broadcaster providing the service. The encrypted versions of the pairing key are decrypted in a first receiver module using information known to the pairing service but not the broadcaster and in a second receiver module using information known to the broadcaster. The pairing key is used to cryptographically bind the first and second receiver modules. |
| US08243924B2 |
Progressive download or streaming of digital media securely through a localized container and communication protocol proxy
Various embodiments are directed towards employing a container and communication protocol proxy component within a client device to receive securely real-time streamed, progressively downloaded, or adaptively streamed container over a network using one container and communication protocol, and to securely decrypt the container and provide it to a media player using a different container and communications protocol. In one embodiment, the container is in Flash Video (FLV) file format. A browser or the media player on the client device may be used to request the container. The requested container is sent over one communication protocol and intercepted by the container and communication protocol proxy component. The container may be received as selectively encrypted container. The container and communication protocol proxy component then may enable decryption of the container and providing of it to the media player using another container and communication protocol combination. |
| US08243920B2 |
Method for scalar multiplication in elliptic curve groups over binary polynomial fields for side-channel attack-resistant cryptosystems
A method for transforming data with a secret parameter in an elliptic curve cryptosystem based on an elliptic curve defined over an underlying binary polynomial field, includes multiplying a point of the elliptic curve, and representing the data to be transformed by a scalar representing the secret parameter, wherein the multiplying includes performing at least one point addition operation and at least one point doubling operation on points of the elliptic curve. The point addition operation includes a first sequence of elementary field operations, and the point doubling operation includes a second sequence of elementary field operations, both the first and the second sequences of elementary field operations including a field inversion of coordinates of the elliptic curve points. A representation of the elliptic curve points in affine coordinates is provided and the first and second sequences of elementary field operations are balanced. The field inversion of coordinates is performed by the extended Euclidean algorithm and the balancing includes balancing the extended Euclidean algorithm by adding at least one dummy operation. |
| US08243917B2 |
Method for indicating charge status of backup power supply and communication device employing the same
A method for indicating the charge status of a backup power supply of a communication device includes detecting the charge status of the backup power supply. If the charge status of the backup power supply is lower than or equal to a predetermined charge status, the communication device alerts via a telephone connected thereto. The communication device alerts a user by sounding one or more tones if the telephone is off-hook, and alerts user by sounding one or more rings if the telephone is on-hook. |
| US08243915B1 |
Network and location based phone number format identification
Method, system, and computer readable medium for detecting the collect phone number format to use based on the user current country and an original country associated with a number to be dialed. This information can be used to allow a user to keep phone numbers in his/her contact list in any common format on his/her country of origin and still allow numbers to be dialed correctly when the user is travelling anywhere in the world. |
| US08243912B1 |
Method and apparatus for providing transaction data in a packet network
A method and apparatus for providing transaction data in a packet network is described. In one embodiment, at least one routed call is received. Transaction data is subsequently obtained from the at least one routed call. In turn, the transaction data is provided to an entity (e.g., a business or store) associated locally to the at least one routed call. |
| US08243911B1 |
Failover mechanism based on historical usage data
Computer readable media and methods are provided for initiating a failover state in a network element. A failover is when the element's traffic is routed to a redundant element which takes over the functions of the element, and any session state information stored in the element is also transferred to the redundant element. If a failover occurs with an upstream element, a downstream element is not aware of the failover and does not transfer its session state information to its redundant element. By maintaining a database of historic usage information, the downstream element can determine that an upstream failover has occurred when the amount of data it is processing drops below a minimum usage threshold. The minimum usage threshold is based on the historical usage data and a relationship between a given time in the past and the current time. |
| US08243908B2 |
Systems and methods for restricting the use and movement of telephony devices
Systems and methods for restricting the use and movement of telephone system devices are presented. The system includes an interface configured to allow telephone calls to a limited set of telephone numbers or area codes. The interface may be configured to detect a number during a call attempt and compare the number to a stored sequence list of allowed numbers. If the detected number matches one of the allowed numbers, the call attempt is allowed to continue. However, if the detected number does not match a number in the stored sequence list, the call attempt is blocked. The interface may also be configured to restrict the movement of a cellular telephone based on received location data, configured with a physical lock to prevent removal from a docking station, or configured to generate a locking signal inhibiting use of the telephone after it has been moved greater than the predetermined distance. |
| US08243902B2 |
Method and apparatus for mapping of conference call participants using positional presence
A method includes receiving audio electronic business card data during a conference; comparing said audio electronic business card data with voices of conference speakers to confirm identities of said speakers; performing an acoustic triangulation to determine a position of speakers; correlating a position of said speakers with said identities; and displaying locations of said speakers. |
| US08243898B2 |
Call screening method and apparatus
A cellular telephone system is provided with a process and apparatus for screening an incoming call. The process is carried out by, and the apparatus comprises, a service provider (20) and a mobile station (30). The mobile station (30) answers the incoming call and places the call on hold. The mobile station (30) connects to the service provider (20) and places the service provider (20) and the incoming caller on multi-party hold. The mobile station (30) then signals the service provider (20) to begin screening the call. In response, the service provider (20) prompts the incoming caller for the incoming caller's identification and then communicates this information to the mobile station (30). Based on this information, the mobile station (30) can elect to accept or reject the incoming call. |
| US08243897B2 |
Automatic detection and notification of proximity of persons of interest
A computing device is configured to monitor a local vicinity around a user and detect identification devices located in the vicinity. When an identification device is detected, data is read from the device and a person associated with the device is identified. One or more user applications are searched to determine if the identified person is listed in a user application. If so, a notification is provided to the user that the identified person is in the vicinity. In one implementation, a user calendar is searched to determine if the identified person is scheduled to attend an upcoming event with the user (e.g. a meeting). If so, the user is notified that the identified person is in the area and that the person is scheduled to attend an upcoming event—which is particularly identified—with the user. |
| US08243896B1 |
Selection of a particular communication carrier from a plurality of communication carriers in a secure environment
Systems and methods which facilitate selection of communication carriers for communications made in association with a controlled environment facility by a party to the communications are shown. Embodiments allow for a calling party and/or a called party to select a preferred communication carrier from a plurality of communication carriers for a current communication and/or one or more future communications. A party's carrier selection may be stored by a communication processing system for use with respect to a plurality of communication sessions. Embodiments provide a conflict resolution algorithm to arbitrate conflicting carrier selections where both a calling party and a called party to select a carrier for a communication session. Embodiments provide a premise based communication processing system, a centralized communication processing system, or a distributed configuration comprising a hybrid of the foregoing premise based and centralized configurations. |
| US08243892B1 |
System, apparatus and method for managing switch capacity in broadcast messaging
A system, apparatus and method for identifying the capacity of a particular switch through which a plurality of telephone calls will be broadcast has a processor in operative communication with a communication network and an NPANXX database, and is configured to retrieve a telephone number from a call list from a call list database, then to retrieve from the NPANXX database a CLLI identification associated with the retrieved telephone number. The processor is configured to retrieve a maximum call capacity for a switch associated with the retrieved CLLI identification from a CLLI limit database. The processor is configured to store a number of current calls being made through the switch associated with the retrieved CLLI identification and to make a next telephone call when the number of current calls is less than or equal to the maximum call capacity. |
| US08243891B2 |
Voice message exchange
Disclosed is a voice message exchange system and method for improving communication between an inmate and a third party by enabling the inmate to leave a message when a call is not answered and further allowing the third party who receives the message to reply with a message to the inmate. Additionally, outside parties that meet the institution's requirements can leave messages for inmates at any time. The present invention can be used as an add-on to legacy inmate call management systems or incorporated internally into an inmate call management system. The system also provides monitoring, controlling, recording, and billing means. |
| US08243890B2 |
All-HTTP multimedia messaging
A WAP-free, IETF-Specification Compliant Multimedia Message Service Center (MMSC)-Multimedia Message Service (MMS) User Agent Interface based on the Hyper Text Transfer Protocol (HTTP) is provided, as well as an all-HTTP multimedia messaging technique in general, using HTTP POST and GET techniques, between mobile stations and multimedia messaging service centers (MMSCs) for multimedia message (MM) submission and delivery. |
| US08243887B2 |
Identification of notifications in a mass notification system
A method for providing identification for voice notifications sent to notification recipients is disclosed. The method includes receiving, from a user, a request for transmitting at least one voice notification to a plurality of notification recipients, and receiving at least one identifier related to the at least one voice notification. The method also includes associating the voice notification with the identifier, and transmitting the voice notification and the identifier. In certain instances, the method further includes transmitting an alert containing the identifier before the voice notification is transmitted. A system for providing identification for voice notifications sent to notification recipients is also provided. |
| US08243881B2 |
Radiography device
A radiography device that can be applied to even general-purpose scattered radiation removing means, capable of producing appropriate radiation images that are independently of the status of installation of scattered radiation removing means. A pixel specifying portion specifies particular pixels of the various pixels that comprise an x-ray image. An intensity estimating portion estimates the scattered x-ray intensities (scattered radiation intensities) at the particular pixels specified by the pixel specifying portion and/or the direct x-ray intensities (the direct radiation intensities) of the particular pixels. Consequently, it is possible to estimate appropriately the scattered x-ray intensities and/or direct x-ray intensities at the particular pixels in consideration of the status of installation of a grid (scattered radiation removing means). |
| US08243877B2 |
Dual-use radiation system
The present invention relates to the field of medical imaging and therapy of lesions that are detrimental to the body. The system is capable of both imaging and treatment with the same kilovoltage radiation source. Dual-use collimators produce a wide beam, which is not a pencil beam or a fan beam, to image and treat a target that has an enhanced radiation cross-section after taking up contrast agent containing a high-Z element. This results in increased radiation dose in the lesion. Furthermore, the significant drop in intensity of a low-energy radiation beam traveling through tissue is surmounted by continually aiming the beam at the target while moving it around the patient. Wide detectors opposing the radiation source permit the imaging and measurement of contrast in the target. More specifically this invention relates to a system, which optimizes delivery of kilovoltage x-rays to a lesion containing contrast agents in higher concentration than the surrounding normal tissues. Thereby subsequent delivery of radiation becomes cytotoxic upon interaction with the contrast. |
| US08243869B2 |
Burst mode clock and data recovery circuit and method
Burst mode clock and data recovery (BCDR) circuit and method capable of fast data recovery of passive optical network (PON) traffic. An over-sampled data stream is generated from an input burst data signal and a phase interpolator generates sampling clock signals using a reference clock and phase information. A phase estimation unit (PEU) determines a phase error in the over-sampled data streams; and a phase retrieval unit sets the phase interpolator with the respective phase information of the input burst data signal prior to reception of the input burst data signal. |
| US08243865B2 |
Data processing apparatus
A disclosed data processing apparatus includes: a binarization unit binarizing input data based on a threshold voltage; a capture unit capturing data from a binary output binarized by the binarization unit; a duty cycle detection unit detecting a duty cycle of the binary output; and a control unit controlling a level of the input data based on the duty cycle detected by the duty cycle detection unit. |
| US08243858B2 |
Receiver and method for receiving
A procedure of receiving includes estimating a phase offset of a received signal and calculating one or more phase offsets which result in the estimated phase offset of the received signal and which have different phase rotation directions and/or different phase rotation amounts from one another; compensating for the phase offset of the received signal, using each of a plurality of phase offsets that are the estimated phase offset and the calculated phase offsets, and demodulating and decoding the plurality of compensated received signals; and selecting a decoding result that is the most likely to be the received signal among a plurality of results of the decoding corresponding one for each of the plurality of phase offsets. |
| US08243855B2 |
Calibrated quadrature generation for multi-GHz receiver
An integrated receiver circuit includes a phase locked loop circuit (21) with a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) (25) and a quadrature generator circuit (29) which uses hybrid-branch line coupler circuits (27, 28) coupled to buffered VCO outputs, where the hybrid-branch line coupler circuits (27, 28) are tuned by same control voltage (25a) that controls the VCO (25). By replicating the VCO core circuitry in each hybrid-branch line coupler circuit (27, 28) under common control of a control voltage, calibrated quadrature signals are generated that have the same frequency as the phase locked loop circuit (21). |
| US08243854B2 |
Amplitude control circuit, polar modulation transmission circuit and polar modulation method
The amplitude control circuit of the present invention can reduce output noise and suppress a decrease in reception sensitivity. An amplitude control section (120), which is an amplitude control circuit, is provided with: a DA converter (121) that converts amplitude data into differential amplitude signals and outputs the differential amplitude signals; a level control section (122) that controls the levels of the differential amplitude signals according to transmission power information P; and an offset calculating section (123) that assigns the DC voltage based upon transmission power information P to the differential amplitude signals subjected to level control in the level control section (122). |
| US08243850B2 |
Method and system for generating reference signals in a wireless communication system
A method of generating reference signals is provided. The method includes precoding a reference signal to generate a plurality of precoded reference signals. For each precoded reference signal, a signal based on the precoded reference signal is transmitted from a corresponding physical antenna. |
| US08243849B2 |
Digital television transmitter/receiver and method of processing data in digital television transmitter/receiver
A digital television (DTV) transmitter and a method of processing data in the DTV transmitter are disclosed. A pre-processor pre-processes the enhanced data by coding the enhanced data for forward error correction (FEC) and expanding the FEC-coded enhanced data. A data formatter generates enhanced data packets including the pre-processed enhanced data and for inserting known data to at least one of the enhanced data packets. A first multiplexer multiplexes the enhanced data packets with main data packets including the main data. An RS encoder RS-codes the multiplexed main and enhanced data packets, the RS encoder adding systematic parity data to each main data packet and adding RS parity place holders to each enhanced data packet. And, a data interleaver interleaves the RS-coded main and enhanced data packets, wherein a known data sequence is included in every Nth enhanced data segment outputted from the data interleaver. |
| US08243846B2 |
Transmission device with enhanced signals
A transmission device includes a first encoder, a plurality of current sources, a switch module, a second encoder, and a plurality of current enhanced circuits. The first encoder converts an input signal to a first control signal. The switch module is coupled between the plurality of current sources and a plurality of signal lines for controlling the connection of the current sources and the signal lines according to the first control signal to generate a current signal. The second encoder generates a second control signal according to the first control signal or the input signal. The plurality of current enhanced circuits is coupled to the plurality of current sources respectively. The plurality of current enhanced circuits provides an extra current in a predetermined duration to enhance the current signal. |
| US08243845B2 |
Pre-emphasis automatic adjusting method and data transmission system using same
A signal transmission system is provided which is capable of simplifying circuits and shortening time required for automatic adjustment of pre-emphasis. A signal having a single pulse pattern is generated by a single pulse pattern generating circuit. A signal having passed through a selector is divided into two signals whose phases are inverted and which are transmitted to a receiving circuit. An eye aperture of an eye waveform in a direction of time is measured by an eye aperture judging section by using the two signals and a sampling clock output from a sampling clock controlling section. An adjustment controlling section compares the measured eye aperture with a target value for judgment and transmits the judgment result to the transmitting circuit, where pre-emphasis is adjusted based on the judgment result. |
| US08243839B2 |
Base station, mobile station and method
A base station performs communication of an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) scheme with a mobile station by using any one of equal to or greater than two frequency bands. The base station includes means that transmits a synchronization channel and a control channel using a band that includes a center frequency fA on a raster of a first band (20 MHz) and that has a bandwidth equal to or greater than that of a second band (5 MHz of the end). The control channel includes center frequency information for specifying a center frequency fA′ of the second band. Since the mobile station moves to a desired band after obtaining center frequency information using a band including the center frequency on a raster, the mobile station can connect to the desired band without searching frequencies that are not on the raster. |
| US08243836B2 |
Channel estimation apparatus and method in mobile communication system having dispersed pilot
Provided are a channel estimation method and apparatus in mobile communication system having dispersed pilot. The channel estimation apparatus includes an entire band channel estimation unit and an edge channel estimation unit. The entire band channel estimation unit performs channel estimation on an entire frequency band. The edge channel estimation unit performs channel estimation on an edge region. By separately performing the gating operation of the entire band channel estimation unit and the gating operation of the edge channel estimation unit, a channel frequency response is more accurately calculated even in an edge region. |
| US08243834B2 |
Wireless communication device
A wireless communication device (1) comprises a spatially-multiplexed PSC extracting section (8) for extracting a spatially multiplexed known pilot subcarrier signal (S5) from the received multicarrier-modulated signal, a reference signal generating section (7) for generating a reference signal (S4) of the spatially-multiplexed pilot subcarrier signal, and a phase compensating section (9) for compensating the phase difference of the received signal (S1) according to the pilot subcarrier signal (S5) extracted by the spatially-multiplexed pilot subcarrier extracting section (8) and the reference signal (S4). Therefore, even if a pilot subcarrier signal is spatially multiplexed and transmitted, phase difference detection and phase compensation can be performed by a simple constitution. |
| US08243821B2 |
For spatial Wyner Ziv coding
A system (100) for encoding an input video frame (1005), for transmitting or storing the encoded video and for decoding the video is disclosed. The system (100) includes an encoder (1000) and a decoder (1200) interconnected through a storage or transmission medium (1100). The encoder (1000) includes a turbo encoder (1015) for forming parity bit data from the input frame (1005) into a first data source (1120), and a sampler (1020) for down-sampling the input frame (1202) to form a second data source (1110). The decoder (1200) receives data from the second data source (1110) to form an estimate for the frame (1005). The decoder (1200) also receivers the parity bit data from the first data source (1120), and corrects errors in the estimate by applying the parity bit data to the estimate. Each bit plane is corrected in turn. Bits in bit planes other than a bit plane presently being processed are also modified based in a selective manner. |
| US08243814B2 |
Combing artifacts detection apparatus and combing artifacts detection method
A combing artifacts detection apparatus includes a feature-value calculating unit that calculates a feature value from an input image; a film-mode detecting unit that detects a film mode by using the feature value; and a pixel-difference calculating unit that calculates a pixel difference between fields by using 2:3 pulldown sequence detection information and input-image combination information that are results of the film mode detection. The apparatus also includes a luminance-variation determining unit that determines luminance variation based on a calculation result of the pixel-difference calculating unit; a combing artifacts-candidate detecting unit that detects a combing artifacts candidate per line based on a determination result of the luminance-variation determining unit; and a combing artifacts determining unit that determines whether a combing artifacts occurs for each image based on a detection result of the combing artifacts-candidate detecting unit. |
| US08243813B2 |
Moving picture decoding device, moving picture decoding program, and moving picture decoding method
The moving picture decoding device receives a moving picture bit stream compressed according to a coding method using interframe prediction and 2-dimensional discrete cosine transform. The device generates a decoded picture in a block unit from an interframe prediction picture generated by decoding the bit stream and a prediction residual generated by performing the 2-dimensional discrete cosine transform and integerization processing on a discrete cosine transform coefficient. The device judges, block-by-block, whether it is highly probable that the prediction residual of “0” is obtained by the processing of the 2-dimensional discrete cosine transform and integerization executed by the encoding device when compressing the bit stream. If YES, the interframe prediction picture is selected and outputted. Otherwise, the prediction residual generated by the decoding device is added to the interframe prediction picture so as to obtain a picture, which is selected and outputted. |
| US08243809B2 |
Image information encoding method and encoder, and image information decoding method and decoder
In an image information encoder (10) supplied with an interlaced image in a 4:2:0 format, a color-difference signal phase correction unit (22) shifts, for motion estimation and compensation, the phase of the color-difference signal in a reference image block adaptively to a selected motion estimate mode and the value mv of vertical component in motion vector information so that the reference image block will coincide in phase of the color-difference signal with an input image block. |
| US08243797B2 |
Regions of interest for quality adjustments
Quality settings established by an encoder are adjusted based on information associated with regions of interest (“ROIs”). For example, quantization step sizes can be reduced (to improve quality) or increased (to reduce bit rate). ROIs can be identified and quality settings can be adjusted based on input received from a user interface. An overlap setting can be determined for a portion of a picture that corresponds to an ROI overlap area. For example, an overlap setting is chosen from step sizes corresponding to a first overlapping ROI and a second overlapping ROI, or from relative reductions in step size corresponding to the first ROI and the second ROI. ROIs can be parameterized by information (e.g., using data structures) that indicates spatial dimensions of the ROIs and quality adjustment information (e.g., dead zone information, step size information, and quantization mode information). |
| US08243796B2 |
Image data compression device, encoder, electronic apparatus, and method of compressing image data
An image data compression device comprises a quantizing section for quantizing image data with a quantization step changing in accordance with a quantization parameter, a FIFO buffer section for buffering the quantized data corresponding to a plurality of frames, an encoded data generating section for generating encoded data obtained by encoding the quantized data retrieved from the FIFO buffer section asynchronously with writing thereto, and a rate control section for controlling a data size of the encoded data by changing the quantization step. The rate control section finds a predicted data size of the encoded data of the precedent frame from the size of the quantized data of the precedent frame, and sets or releases an upper limit threshold of the quantization parameter based on the number of assignable bits assignable to a compressing process or the number of remaining frames. When setting the upper limit threshold of the quantization parameter, the quantization parameter is found so as to be equal to or less than the upper limit threshold of the quantization parameter using the predicted data size. |
| US08243793B2 |
Apparatus for performing loop-filtering on a pixel of an image
In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a decoder configured to obtain quantization information of a first block including the pixel to be filtered, and obtain a block type of the first block and a second block. The second block is adjacent to the first block. The quantization information is compared to a threshold value by the decoder, and loop-filtering is performed by the decoder on the pixel to be filtered by using at least three successive pixels if the quantization information is greater than the threshold value and the type of the first and second block is an intra-coded block type. The at least three successive pixels include the pixel to be filtered. |
| US08243792B2 |
Method of performing loop-filtering on four successive pixels of an image
In one embodiment, the method includes obtaining quantization information of a first block, obtaining a block type of the first block, and comparing the quantization information and a threshold value. Loop-filtering is performed on four successive pixels by using at least three successive pixels if the quantization information is greater than the threshold value and the type of the first block is an intra-coded block type. Two pixels of the four successive pixels are in the first block and two pixels of the four successive pixels are in a second block adjacent to the first block. |
| US08243774B2 |
System and method for information scrambling in a wireless communication system
The present disclosure relates generally to a system and method for scrambling in a wireless communication system. In one example, the method includes receiving a bit group representing at least a portion of a signal, where a total number of bits in the bit group is defined by a modulation scheme applied to the signal. A bit of the bit group is identified that indicates a sign of an imaginary part of the signal and another bit of the bit group is identified that indicates a sign of a real part of the signal. Only the two bits indicating the signs of the imaginary and real parts of the signal are scrambled using a random sequence prior to wirelessly transmitting the bit group. |
| US08243771B2 |
Driving method of global positioning system using short-range communication
A global positioning system using Bluetooth technology, including: a first Bluetooth master that receives satellite orbit information; a Bluetooth slave that communicates with the first Bluetooth master in a Bluetooth protocol; and a second Bluetooth master that transmits an inquiry code for communication with the Bluetooth slave in the Bluetooth protocol. The second Bluetooth master provides positioning information by requesting the satellite orbit information from the first Bluetooth master through the Bluetooth slave and transmitting the satellite orbit information to the second Bluetooth master through the Bluetooth slave. |
| US08243769B2 |
Semiconductor light emitting device, optical pickup unit and information recording/reproduction apparatus
A semiconductor light emitting device downsized by devising arrangement of connection pads is provided. A second light emitting device is layered on a first light emitting device. The second light emitting device has a stripe-shaped semiconductor layer formed on a second substrate on the side facing to a first substrate, a stripe-shaped p-side electrode supplying a current to the semiconductor layer, stripe-shaped opposed electrodes that are respectively arranged oppositely to respective p-side electrodes of the first light emitting device and electrically connected to the p-side electrodes of the first light emitting device, connection pads respectively and electrically connected to the respective opposed electrodes, and a connection pad electrically connected to the p-side electrode. The connection pads are arranged in parallel with the opposed electrodes. |
| US08243763B2 |
Method and apparatus for generating information signal to be recorded
A compressively-encoding-resultant video signal resulting from compressively encoding a video signal, a first compressively-encoding-resultant audio signal resulting from compressively encoding a first audio signal having a synchronized relation with the video signal, a reference clock information signal relating to synchronization between the compressively-encoding-resultant video signal and the first compressively-encoding-resultant audio signal, and an indication timing information signal designating an indication timing of the video signal are multiplexed to get an AV multiplexing-resultant signal. A second audio signal is compressively encoded to get a second compressively-encoding-resultant audio signal. A sound-production-timing information signal is added to the second compressively-encoding-resultant audio signal to get a substitution playback audio signal. During playback, the substitution playback audio signal can be reproduced instead of the first audio signal while being synchronous with the video signal. The sound-production-timing information signal responds to the reference clock information signal, and relates to synchronization with the video signal. |
| US08243762B2 |
Method and apparatus for generating information signal to be recorded
A compressively-encoding-resultant video signal resulting from compressively encoding a video signal, a first compressively-encoding-resultant audio signal resulting from compressively encoding a first audio signal having a synchronized relation with the video signal, a reference clock information signal relating to synchronization between the compressively-encoding-resultant video signal and the first compressively-encoding-resultant audio signal, and an indication timing information signal designating an indication timing of the video signal are multiplexed to get an AV multiplexing-resultant signal. A second audio signal is compressively encoded to get a second compressively-encoding-resultant audio signal. A sound-production-timing information signal is added to the second compressively-encoding-resultant audio signal to get a substitution playback audio signal. During playback, the substitution playback audio signal can be reproduced instead of the first audio signal while being synchronous with the video signal. The sound-production-timing information signal responds to the reference clock information signal, and relates to synchronization with the video signal. |
| US08243761B2 |
Decoder synchronization adjustment
A device is disclosed that makes packetized and encoded speech data audible to a listener, as is a method for operating the device. The device includes a unit for generating a synchronization request for reducing an amount of synchronization delay, and further includes a speech decoder that is responsive to the synchronization delay adjustment request for executing a time-warping operation for one of lengthening or shortening a duration of a speech frame. In one embodiment the speech decoder comprises a code excited linear prediction (CELP) speech decoder, and the CELP decoder time-warping operation is applied to a reconstructed excitation signal u(k) to derive a time-warped reconstructed signal uw(k). The time-warped reconstructed signal uw(k) is input to a Linear Predictor (LP) synthesis filter to derive a CELP decoder time-warped output signal y^w(k) In another embodiment the speech decoder comprises a parametric speech decoder, and where an adaptation of the frame length N in the parametric speech decoder results in the use of a modified frame length Nw. |
| US08243758B2 |
Method and arrangement in a communications system
The object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism for a more efficient carrier search. The object is achieved by a method for sending a signal in a first node. The first node communicates with a second node via radio communication, which radio communication is performed by multi carrier transmission. The first node uses a carrier, being associated with a frequency range. The method comprises the step of transmitting an end-marker signal within or close to the frequency range. The end-marker signal is intended to be received and used by the second node for identifying the frequency range of the used carrier. |
| US08243754B2 |
Devices and methods for matching link speeds between controllers and controlled devices
A controller system for detecting and matching link speeds. The present invention provides for a controller system. The controller system is a first controller and a first port. The first port is located in the first controller and has a first link speed. The first controller is adapted to match the first link speed to a second link speed of a second port of a first controlled device that is connectable to the first controller. |
| US08243752B2 |
Long-reach ethernet for 1000BASE-T and 10GBASE-T
A physical-layer device (PHY) having corresponding methods comprises: a data rate module to select a data rate divisor N, where N is at least one of a positive integer, or a real number greater than, or equal to, 1; and a PHY core comprising a PHY transmit module to transmit first signals a data rate of M/N Gbps, and a PHY receive module to receive second signals at the data rate of M/N Gbps; wherein the first and second signals conform to at least one of 1000BASE-T, wherein M=1, and 10GBASE-T, wherein M=10. |
| US08243749B2 |
Wireless communication system, associated methods and data structures
A wireless communication device, and a wireless communication system and a method of beamforming is presented. The wireless communication system and/or device includes a beamformee unit, a beamformer unit and two or more antennas to transmit the data unit and the protocol data unit according to the beamformee and the beamformer units, respectively. The beamformee conveys feedback information by a data unit in one of the feedback positions that include an immediate feedback position, an aggregated feedback position and a delayed feedback position. The beamformer unit generates a protocol data unit including a control field that includes one of the feedback request information types which is selected from a Channel State Information or uncompressed Steering Matrix or compressed Steering Matrix to request feedback from a remote communication device. |
| US08243748B2 |
Channel utilizing method and system for wireless networks
A channel utilizing method for a wireless network is adapted for channel utilization by a switch node having a number (N) of transceivers in an environment with a number (M) of channels, wherein (N)<(M). The channel utilizing method includes the steps of: calculating a channel weight set, and selecting one of the (M) channels according to the channel weight set; determining a notify mechanism according to a relation between the switch node and a neighbor node; using the notify mechanism to notify the neighbor node of a current state of the switch node; and calculating a channel stay-in period, and causing the switch node to stay in the selected one of the channels for a duration of the channel stay-in period. A channel utilizing system is also disclosed. |
| US08243747B2 |
System and method for scalable multifunctional network communication
A system and method for scalable multifunctional network communication between presentation devices and service providers are disclosed. A group of consumer premise equipment (CPE) units are coupled to the presentation devices, and a headend control computer receives upstream messages from the CPE units and for sending downstream messages to the CPE units. A group of service provider control subsystems interface between the headend control computer and the service providers. The head end control computer receives messages from the CPE units and transports them to the service provider control subsystems, and the headend control computer receives messages from the service provider control subsystems and transports them to the CPE units. |
| US08243741B2 |
Frame switching device and address learning method
A frame switching device includes a plurality of ports sending a sending frame and receiving a receiving frame; an address entry memory storing an address entry; a flooding processor executing flooding process; a flooding determination unit determining whether the flooding occurrence for the address satisfies a predetermined condition; a notification transmitting unit transmitting a searching frame; a notification receiving unit for receiving a predetermined notification for the address entry related to the address in flooding occurrence from an other frame switching device; and an address entry registration unit registering the address entry in the address entry memory. |
| US08243739B2 |
Broadband wireless network
Disclosed herein are methods and apparatus for operating and deploying a broadband wireless network having at least one data transmission node and a plurality of CPE units, wherein there is a wireless data link at least in part between the data transmission node and the CPE units, and further wherein the management and configuration of the network is managed centrally and at least one of authorization, authentication, data stream prioritization or queuing is accomplished through the operation of the CPE units. According to one embodiment there is provided a user group manager that provides a user interface for at least one local service provider to manage information about end users served by the local service provider. In another embodiment, management and configuration of the network is managed using a device that communicates with CPE units and the data transmission nodes. The system and method further provides a data transmission node that includes routing capability, wherein the data transmission node is located with at least one CPE unit. In another embodiment, a network supervision and management device holds an original configuration file for each CPE unit wherein each CPE unit further includes a configuration file that includes an address reference to one or more of the supervision and management devices thereby providing for connectivity to the supervision and management devices and capability of redundancy when more than one supervision and management device is referenced. |
| US08243736B2 |
Packet capturing device
A next sequence number, which is a sequence number that a next packet should have, is compared with the sequence number of a current packet, an identifier of a previous packet is compared with the identifier of the current packet, and a delay is judged to be a simple delay when the next sequence number matches the sequence number of the current packet and the identifier of the previous packet is followed by the identifier of the current packet. Or the delay is judged to be caused by a retransmission when the identifier of the previous packet is not followed by the identifier of the current packet. |
| US08243733B2 |
Cascaded memory tables for searching
Devices, systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with cascaded memory tables for searching are described. In one embodiment, an integrated chip is implemented with two or more address tables. The two or more address tables are implemented with separate memory tables to store addresses. The two or more address tables are comprised of a first address table and a second address table. Connection lines connect the first address table and the second address table to create a cascaded address table. Search logic initiates a search of the first address table for an address. If the address is not found, the search logic initiates a search of the second address table through the connection lines. |
| US08243730B1 |
Geographically localizing mobile communication devices
This specification describes technologies relating to geographically localizing mobile communication devices. In general, one aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in a method that includes receiving information corresponding to a location of a wireless landmark in a mobile communication network. The method also includes communicating with the wireless landmark to estimate the location of a first node in the mobile communication network proximate to the wireless landmark. Other embodiments of this aspect include corresponding systems, apparatus, and computer program products. |
| US08243726B2 |
System and method for enabling operation of an ethernet device over an extended distance
A system and method for enabling operation of an Ethernet device over an extended distance. In a multiple dwelling unit (MDU) a customer premises equipment (CPE) can be coupled to a network unit via a broad reach Ethernet link that is greater than 100 meters (e.g., 500 meters). In this example, a CPE having a conventional Ethernet port can be operated over the broad reach Ethernet link using a converter device. |
| US08243724B2 |
Enhanced calling features
Systems, methods, apparatus, and computer program products are provided for scheduling and initiating calls. For example, a request for a prospective call between a caller and a callee can be received via a server. The prospective call can be electronically added to call lists associated respectively with the caller and the callee. In response to a determination that both the caller and the callee are available, a call between a caller device and a callee device can be automatically initiated. |
| US08243721B2 |
Jitter buffer and jitter buffer controlling method
A method of controlling a jitter buffer includes writing, buffering and reading data having a series of voice data frames. Writing and buffering the data is executed synchronously and repeatedly. Writing the data includes detecting whether the data packet is normally received, and calculating a storage address for each of the voice frames. Buffering the data includes buffering the voice frames in a corresponding storage address calculated in the data writing. Reading the data includes transmitting the voice data frames to a voice digital processor (VDSD) for playing. |
| US08243720B2 |
Voice-over-IP hybrid digital loop carrier
Certain exemplary embodiments can comprise a method of use comprising: for a call between a local IP network and a remote non-IP network, converting between IP packets and PCM robbed bit signaling via a VoIP channelized router; providing the PCM robbed bit signaling to a TDM switch via the VoIP channelized router; and/or converting between IP packets and GR303 call reference values via the VoIP channelized router. |
| US08243713B2 |
Cellular radiotelephone signal which enables synchronisation at an entity of a supplementary channel by means of symbol numbering, and corresponding method, terminal and base station
A cellular radiotelephone signal is disclosed of the type that includes a main symmetrical bi-directional channel comprising a main up-link and a main down-link for the low- or medium-speed transmission of signaling and control information and data; and at least one supplementary channel which is assigned solely to the down-link and which is intended for high-speed data transmission using a multi-carrier technique, which ensures that the data are distributed over frequency/time space and which is structured in the form of pre-defined entities. Each entity contains a pre-determined number of symbols. At least one symbol from each entity of the supplementary channel includes a position identifier, which can be used to identify the position of the symbol within the entity, such that a terminal can read the symbol position identifier and deduce therefrom the start of the next entity, thereby obtaining synchronisation at the relevant entity of the supplementary channel. |
| US08243708B2 |
Method and apparatus for code division switching
Time division multiplexed input signals (i.e., separated into time slots) are spread in each time slot with a destination code. This spreading is applied for destination identification as opposed to signal information modulation. Each spreading signal is associated with a particular destination for a particular time slot. These spread signals are then combined on a code division bus. Output signals for retransmission to the destinations are recovered from the bus by application of despreading codes. Each despread signal has a destination code which appears in its individual time slot. In a variant code division multiplexed signals are directed to a destination by use of time slot interchanger to achieve time division switching to route the CDMA multiplexed channels. |
| US08243706B2 |
Method and system for providing multi-input-multi-output (MIMO) downlink transmission
An approach is provided for supporting transmission in a multi-input-multi-output (MIMO) communication system including a plurality of terminals. A preamble portion of a frame is transmitted by a multiple transmit antennas of a hub using Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) to the terminals over a channel, wherein each of the terminals determines a characteristic of the channel with respect to the transmit antennas as feedback information. The hub receives the feedback information from the terminals. The hub selects, according to the feedback information, a subset of the antennas for transmission of a remaining portion of the frame to the terminal. |
| US08243705B2 |
System for transmitting high throughput data between multiple devices
A system for transmitting data directly between a plurality of client network devices in a network having an Access Point (“AP”) device separate from the plurality of client network devices is disclosed. The system may include a first client network device having a first client (“STA”) module and a second client network device of the plurality of client network devices. |
| US08243702B2 |
Wireless communication system
It is an object of the present invention to provide a wireless communication system which can allow a wireless LAN terminal device (1000) to establish a connection to a wireless LAN through a simplified procedure. In the wireless communication system, a wireless LAN access point (1100) performs wireless communication with a wireless LAN terminal device (1000) having personal identification information (1005) necessary to identify a person as a registered user. The wireless LAN access point (1100) includes: a wireless interface (1101) operable to receive the personal identification information (1005) outputted from the wireless LAN terminal device (1000), and a connection permitting unit (1102) operable to have an input and output unit (1103) output the personal identification information (1005) received by the wireless interface (1101), wherein the connection permitting unit (1102) receives information on whether or not the connection is permitted by a network manager (1901), and allows the wireless LAN terminal device (1000) to establish the connection when the connection is permitted by the network manager (1901). |
| US08243701B2 |
Low power protocol for wireless terminal peer-to-peer communications
A Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) system in which wireless terminals each operate upon battery power. One of the wireless terminals acts as a Master to coordinate the transmission and receptions of the Slaves so as to reduce the power consumed by all of the devices. The Slaves operate according to a power up and power down sequence to conserve battery power. Further, the terminals may alternate between being Slaves and being the Master to equalize battery consumption of the wireless terminals. |
| US08243695B2 |
Method and apparatus for improved detection of rate errors in variable rate receivers
A system and method for detection of rate determination algorithm errors in variable rate communications system receivers. The disclosed embodiments prevent rate determination algorithm errors from causing audible artifacts such as screeches or beeps. The disclosed system and method detects frames with incorrectly determined data rates and performs frame erasure processing and/or memory state clean up to prevent propagation of distortion across multiple frames. Frames with incorrectly determined data rates are detected by checking illegal rate transitions, reserved bits, validating unused filter type bit combinations and analyzing relationships between fixed code-book gains and linear prediction coefficient gains. |
| US08243687B2 |
Secure and seamless WAN-LAN roaming
Systems and methods are described for secure and seamless roaming between internal and external networks. Double and triple tunnels may be used to connect a mobile node to a correspondent host. A mobile node may include the ability to connect to two networks simultaneously to enable seamless roaming between networks. |
| US08243685B2 |
IP handoff method in mobile agent platform environment
Provided is an Internet protocol (IP) handoff method in a mobile agent platform (MAP). Accordingly, when an IP address of a mobile node (MN) is changed while the MN moves from an MAP to an adjacent MAP, the two MAPs generate border lists so as to share information on the MN, so that it is possible to perform a rapid IP handoff. |
| US08243680B2 |
Traffic transmission path relocation method for radio communication system
A method for effectively relocating a traffic transmission path when a mobile terminal changes a gateway for a traffic transmission that may include: when a mobile terminal performs handover from a first radio network node to a second radio network node, determining a gateway for processing traffic most suitable for the second radio network node; changing a traffic transmission path to the determined gateway; and transmitting, by a traffic transmission node, traffic to the second radio network node through the changed traffic transmission path. |
| US08243679B1 |
Initiating a handover in a communication network
Systems, methods, and software are provided to manage a handover of a mobile station from a source base station to a target base station. In an embodiment, a method comprises monitoring a condition of a first backhaul link between the source base station and an access node, processing the condition of the first backhaul link to determine if the handover should be initiated, and in response to determining that the handover should be initiated, transmitting a handover request to initiate the handover. |
| US08243677B2 |
Scheduler and method for allocating time and frequency dimensions of downlink bursts in broadband wireless access networks
Embodiments of a scheduler and a method for assigning frequency and time dimensions of downlink bursts in broadband wireless access networks are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed. In some embodiments, the frequency and time dimensions of downlink bursts are assigned to each of a plurality of subscriber stations based on one or more individual channel characteristics and one or more individual data requirements associated with the subscriber stations. |
| US08243669B2 |
Method, device and system for assigning ACK channels to users
A method for assigning acknowledgement (ACK) channels to a user is used to feed back ACKs of a plurality of downlink sub-frames in one uplink sub-frame. According to the method, reserved ACK channels are divided into blocks according to the number of downlink sub-frames; each downlink sub-frame corresponds to one block; each block is divided into several sub-blocks; control channel element (CCE) sets within the same sub-frame are respectively mapped to different sub-blocks; and the ACK channels are assigned to the downlink sub-frames according to a sequence of increasing a mapping label d first and then increasing a sub-block label m. Thus, more unused ACK channels can be released to form resource blocks (RBs) for transmission on other channels, for example, for PUSCH transmission. Other methods for assigning ACK channels to a user, a device for assigning ACK channels to a user, and a communication system are further provided. |
| US08243663B2 |
Method and system for adaptively obtaining bandwidth allocation requests
A method and apparatus for adaptively obtaining bandwidth requests in a broadband wireless communication system. The method and apparatus includes dynamically varying technique combinations enabling a plurality of users to efficiently request bandwidth from a shared base station. A user may “piggyback” a new bandwidth request upon, or set a “poll-me bit” within, presently allocated bandwidth. A base station may poll users, individually or in groups, by allocating unrequested bandwidth for new requests. Polling may respond to a “poll-me bit,” and/or it may be adaptively periodic at a rate based on communication status parameters, such as recent communication activity and connection QoS levels Group polling permits a possibility of collisions. Polling policies may be established for dynamically varying user groups, or may be determined for each user. Dynamic selection of appropriate polling techniques makes use of efficiency benefits associated with each technique. |
| US08243660B2 |
Method of transmitting scheduling request in mobile communication system and terminal apparatus for the same
Disclosed is a method and apparatus for transmitting an uplink scheduling request in a mobile communication system. A radio resource controlling node sets a priority for scheduling request retransmission, and cyclically notifies the priority in downlink. A terminal does not retransmit a scheduling request when the highest priority included in the scheduling request to be retransmitted is lower than the lowest priority for scheduling request retransmission. Alternatively, the radio resource controlling node sets scheduling request retransmission cycles (timers) according to priorities, and transmits the cycles in the downlink. The terminal does not retransmit a scheduling request before a cycle (timer) corresponding to the highest priority included in the scheduling request expires after the scheduling request is initially transmitted or retransmitted. |
| US08243654B2 |
Transmission frame and radio unit with transmission frame
For transmitting messages in a radiotelecommunications network from a first subscriber station, a transmission frame at least two data fields with data in a first data format transmitted in a first data field of the short message, and data in a second data format, different from the first data format, are transmitted in a second data field of the short message, a first identification code, which identifies a makeup of the short message, is transmitted in the first data field and includes information about at least one of a number of data fields, one or more data formats of data in the data fields, and a size of the data fields, and in each of two data fields, one data-field-specific identification code, which identifies a makeup and content of the corresponding data field, per data field is transmitted. |
| US08243653B2 |
Synchronization system and synchronizing method for plurality of base stations and mobile station in a forward link wireless transmission
There is provided a wireless communication system which can synchronize a mobile station with a destination base station in response to the mobile station determining to switch base stations. Each base station generates synchronization information to synchronize the mobile station with the base station from a reverse pilot signal received from the mobile station, generates reverse propagation quality information from the reverse pilot signal, and generates and transmits a control signal including the synchronization information and the reverse propagation quality information. A mobile station generates and transmits a reverse pilot signal, receives a signal including the control signal from each of the base stations. |
| US08243648B2 |
Spatial reuse techniques with wireless network relays
In various embodiments of the invention, a relay station in a wireless communications network may communicate with one or more subscriber stations at the same time and/or on the same frequency that the associated base station is communicating with another relay station in the same network. This contrasts with the conventional technique of devoting one time period or frequency exclusively to communications between the base station and the relay stations, and devoting another time period or frequency exclusively to communications between the relay stations and the subscriber stations. |
| US08243645B2 |
Method and apparatus for enhancing transmission efficiency in a wireless communications system
A method for enhancing transmission efficiency in a wireless communications system includes a first protocol entity of the wireless communications system always performing a duplication avoidance and reordering, called DAR hereinafter, function on a logic channel, without referring to a configuration of the DAR function by an upper-layer protocol entity. |
| US08243640B2 |
WCDMA device and method for discontinuous reception for power saving in idle mode and flexible monitoring of neighboring cells
A WCDMA enabled user equipment device configured to have functions collectively or selectively idle to conserve power. A discontinuous receiver is used to detect and read network messages and report the messages to the computer within the WCDMA enabled user equipment device. The computer then activates functions previously powered down to receive incoming messages for the user of the device. The discontinuous receiver is also used when the device is active to read network messages, freeing a modem of the device to operate on user messaging; and therefore, enhancing user related performance. |
| US08243629B2 |
Methods and apparatus for selecting between an ad-hoc conference mode and an infrastructure supported conference mode
Devices that are enabled to communicate with each other via an ad hoc conference mode and an infrastructure supported conference mode, are provided with processing capabilities that can allow them to evaluate one or more resources required to support an ad hoc conference communication session and/or one or more quality metrics associated with the ad hoc conference communication session, and determine whether one or more resources or metrics are outside optimal operating parameters. If so, the processing logic can initiate a transition from the ad hoc conference communication session to an infrastructure supported conference communication session hosted at a conference server. This way, the devices can drop the ad hoc conference communication session when one or more of the resources or metrics are outside optimal operating parameters, so that one of the devices does not need to mix communication information streams (CISs) from the devices, generate a plurality of conferenced communication information streams (CCISs), and transmit a unique one of the conferenced communication information streams (CCISs) to the other devices. |
| US08243628B2 |
Free market based pricing for bandwidth and network usage
A system and method for establishing a price for communicating over a communications network may include initiating a bandwidth occupancy query message to at least one network node along a traffic path to which a user is communicating. A highest bandwidth occupancy of the network nodes along the traffic path may be determined. A current price may be computed for a user communicating over the traffic path based on the highest bandwidth occupancy. The user may be notified of the current price for communicating over the traffic path, thereby enabling the user to adjust network usage. |
| US08243627B2 |
Methods, apparatus and data structures for preserving address and service level information in a virtual private network
Supporting virtual private networks by using a new layer 3 address to encapsulate a network-bound packet so that its context information, from which a layer 2 (e.g., MAC) address can be derived, is preserved. If this encapsulation was not done, the layer 2 address would change over each segment of the network. Thus, the encapsulation preserves the concept of group identification, using at least a part of the context, over the entire network and not just at the edge of the network. If a packet is received from the network (to be forwarded to a customer), the layer 3 address that was added in the encapsulation is stripped off. The original layer 3 destination address may be used with a client device addressing table to determine a new context information, and a layer 2 (e.g., MAC) address of a destination client device. |
| US08243625B2 |
Systems and methods for implementing multi-topology support for label distribution protocol (LPD) of a multiprotocol label switching network
System and method for support multiple topology in Label Distribution Protocol of Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) network are disclosed. The system includes a number of network elements and a communication mechanism used to connect the network elements. The network elements discover LDP peers within the network topology, and create and maintain LDP sessions for each of the network topologies. The network elements further establish LSPs by mapping network layer routing information within each network topology to data link layer switches paths. Furthermore, the communication mechanism enables the network elements to advertise the multi-topology capability and exchange the mapping information of label and FECs within each network topology. |
| US08243624B2 |
Routing table generation, data transmission and routing route formation method for multi-hop services in high rate wireless personal networks
Provided are a routing table generating method, a data transmission method, and a routing route formation method for multi-hop communication in high rate wireless personal networks. In a high rate WPAN environment including a plurality of piconets, a piconet controller (PNC), which performs a topology server function to provide the optimal route, collects link state information from the PNCs or DEVs (devices) belonging to a sub-tree that serves as a root and applies a minimum cost algorithm based on the collected link state information to calculate the optimal route for all pairs of originations and destinations existing within the sub-tree in consideration of QoS. The optimal route information is transmitted to the origination PNC via the destination PNC/DEV. During performing this, the optimal route between the pairs of originations and destinations is set. |
| US08243623B2 |
Combined device and service discovery technique in stations supporting tunneled direct link setup (TDLS)
A tunneled direct link set-up (TDLS) capable wireless network may comprise a router such as an access point (AP) and a plurality of stations (STA) including service consumer and service provider station. A service consumer station may generate and send a layer-2 query frame to the plurality of stations. A service provider station may generate a layer-2 service frame in response to receiving the layer-2 query frame. The service consumer station may discover the service provider station and the services offered by the service provider station based on the layer-2 service frame. Also, the service consumer may discover the service provider station using layer-2 query frame and may discover the services offered by the service provider station using higher layer service discovery procedure. |
| US08243615B2 |
Allocation of user equipment identifier
A communication system that comprises a base station and a substation connected to the base station. The base station maintains a set of identifiers, each identifier of the set being at least temporarily allocatable to a user equipment for identifying the user equipment when it resides in a cell of the base station. From the set of identifiers of the base station at least one subset of identifiers is extracted, and assigned to the substation. The substation may then respond to a connection establishment request of user equipment by providing it with an identifier from the subset of identifiers assigned to it. The substation also transmits to the base station information on the connection establishment request and on the identifier provided to the user equipment. |
| US08243612B2 |
Dynamic channel-width allocation in wireless networks
Techniques for enhancing throughput capacity and/or bandwidth distribution fairness among APs in a wireless network are described. Specifically, a channel frequency profile which includes a center frequency and channel-width (i.e., channel bandwidth) is dynamically assigned to each of one or more APs in a wireless network. The assigned channel frequency profile for each AP is based, at least in part, on the current composition of the wireless network including, its topology and traffic load distribution. In this regard, each AP's channel frequency profile can be continuously or periodically changed such that the entire available frequency spectrum is effectively utilized and/or interference between APs is avoided or limited. This, in turn, enhances the throughput capacity and/or bandwidth distribution fairness of the wireless network. |
| US08243611B2 |
Method and system for configuring a device that has failed to obtain network address
Method and system for configuring a device that has failed to obtain a network address. In one aspect of the invention, a method for remotely configuring a device includes attempting to obtain a network address from a network server over a network, and receiving a valid network address over the network from a remote device connected to the network in response to failing to obtain the network address from the network server. |
| US08243606B2 |
Information acquisition device and method
A device includes a storage unit that stores in a predetermined unit an identifier acquired from a packet transmitted from a transmitting device in association with a source address. The transmitting device receives from each terminal device connected communicatable via a network a packet including a source address, an identifier generated by adding a numerical value every time a packet is sent by the terminal device, and a session ID, and converts and transmits the source address. The transmitting device and the terminal device are connected to the device via a different network. The device also includes a determining unit that determines whether the identifier stored has monotonically increased; and a detector that detects a source indicated by a certain source address to be the transmitting device, if the determining unit determines that the identifier for the certain source address has not monotonically increased. |
| US08243599B2 |
Method and apparatus for high resolution passive network latency measurement
A method includes receiving a first capture time corresponding to a first time that a data packet is received at a first probe and a second capture time corresponding to a second time that the data packet is received at a second probe. The data packet is from existing network traffic transmitted over a data network. The first and second probes can be configured to capture the data packet in response to a capture instruction. The first capture time and second capture time are different and are used to calculate the latency of at least a portion of a data network. |
| US08243598B2 |
Load-balancing via modulus distribution and TCP flow redirection due to server overload
A method, system and/or computer program product route IP packet flows. An Ethernet switch is coupled to a load balancing control engine, which contains load balancing logic that is logically isolated from the Ethernet switch. The Ethernet switch, which routes IP packet flows to servers, receives an IP packet flow. The load balancing control engine determines if the servers are balanced in their workloads. In response to the load balancing control engine determining that the servers are balanced, the Ethernet switch routes the IP packet flow to the servers without the Ethernet switch directly receiving any feedback from the servers regarding their workloads. In response to the load balancing control engine determining that the servers are unbalanced, the load balancing control engine instructs the Ethernet switch to redirect the IP packet flow to a server that is relatively less busy than other servers. |
| US08243597B2 |
Application layer synchronous traffic shaping
A method, a system, and a computer program product implements traffic shaping by processing as a synchronous request, tasks representing one or more units of work contained within the request. Before a request is sent through the network, the request is inspected in order to derive the amount of work that the request would generate in the network. A traffic manager queries the amount of work in that request compared to the amount of work that the network can support and generates a number of traffic envelopes. Based on the results of this query, “task pruning” may be implemented to break the request into smaller manageable task that fit into the traffic envelopes. Task pruning may also enable only a subset of the work to be performed. Thus, a measure of the amount of work, rather than the amount of data, within a request is considered when scheduling the request. |
| US08243591B2 |
Method and tool for router interface L2 redundancy
A method of router interface level 2 redundancy, and router implementing the method, including one or more of the following: starting redundant ports that are members of a level 2 redundancy group (L2RG) in a DOWN state; determining that none of the redundant ports are in an ACTIVE state; switching a first one of the redundant ports to an ACTIVE state; activating an Internet protocol interface for the L2RG; inserting an Internet protocol route for an interface subnet in an FIB of a router that contains the redundant ports; binding the Internet protocol route for the interface to the first one of the redundant ports; transitioning the first one of the redundant ports to a DOWN state; transitioning the Internet protocol interface to the DOWN state from an UP state; and removing the Internet protocol route for the interface from the FIB of the router. |
| US08243588B2 |
Disaster recovery for active-standby data center using route health and BGP
The present invention provides an active/standby data center that avoids the delay associated with a cached DNS entry to switch from the active data center to the standby data center. When the active data center becomes unavailable, the standby data center advertises the same address as the primary data center so the change over occurs quickly. When the IP address of the primary data center is no longer visible to the standby data center, the standby data center begins to advertise. |
| US08243586B2 |
Cross-layer reconfiguration method for surviving multiple-link network failures
A second link in a network is reconfigured after failure of a first link, so that multiple-link failures may be survived. After receipt of an OSPF link state advertisement (LSA) indicating use of a backup path bl after the failure of link l, new backup paths are determined for each impacted link (x,y) that has a backup path sharing one or more links with the backup path bl. The new backup paths are computed while ignoring the failed link l, the impacted link (x,y), and links common to the backup paths b(x,y) and bl. The LSA protocol is modified to accommodate information used in determining whether a link is an impacted link. |
| US08243583B2 |
OFDM/DMT/digital communications system including partial sequence symbol processing
A method of managing a signal over a symbol period includes supplying samples of the signal at beginning and end portions of the symbol period. The method further includes suppressing the supply of samples of the signal at a middle portion of the symbol period. |
| US08243582B2 |
Feedback for transmit precoding in wireless networks
Channel state information for closed-loop transmit precoding in MIMO networks is fed back from the MSs to the BSs. The feedback is quantized using codebooks shared by the MSs and BSs to reduce overhead. The codebooks can be full-rank or rank-one. The quantized feedback is applicable to any definitions of MIMO channel covariance matrix as well as MIMO channel matrix. Since these codebooks are designed for closed-loop MIMO precoded transmissions, no additional memory is needed to store the codebooks at the BS and the MS only for the quantized feedback purposes. |
| US08243579B2 |
OFDM receiving circuit having multiple demodulation paths using oversampling analog-to-digital converter
Embodiments according to the application relates to an OFDM (orthogonal frequency division multiplexing) receiving circuit and methods thereof configured to have a plurality of demodulation paths for an oversampling ADC, which can increase or improve an overall performance of the circuit. |
| US08243576B2 |
Optical disc device and playing method of optical disc
To determine the optimum amplitude of high frequency signal for the loaded disc with a simple configuration to achieve stable playing performance, there is provided an optical disc device comprising: a light source driven by a drive signal with a high frequency signal superimposed; a detector for detecting return light emitted from the light source; and a controller for controlling amplitude of the high frequency signal to be superimposed on the drive signal for the light source; the optical disc device being configured to read data on an optical disc loaded therein by a signal outputted from the detector, wherein the controller determines the amplitude of the high frequency signal to be superimposed on the drive signal based on asymmetry of the signal outputted from the detector. |
| US08243574B2 |
Method and system for reading high density optical information
The invention relates to the writing and optical reading of high-density information. The higher energy density at the center of the reading laser beam is used for modifying the energy structure of an active layer in such a way as to make it capable of bearing surface plasmons. The coupling of the laser beam and the active layer thus modified can then excite surface plasmons in an interface between a dielectric layer and the active layer. These surface plasmons are disturbed by physical marks having very small dimensions and written in the optical storage medium; these disturbances generate a remote-field optical response which can be detected by a detector. The operation is carried out in super-resolution, the surface plasmons being generated only at the center of the laser beam and not at the periphery. It is therefore possible to write and to read again marks having dimensions of size smaller than the theoretical resolution of the optical reading system. |
| US08243573B2 |
High-speed optical disk drive
If the read speed is increased while high-frequency modulated carrier is fixed at a constant frequency, it becomes difficult to separate the read signal from the carrier by using bandwidth limitation of the analog system because the upper limit of the read signal band nears to the carrier frequency. Moreover, if the separation between them is eased by raising the carrier frequency, a problem that write-waveform controls become difficult arises. However, the carrier amplitude can be suppressed simultaneously preventing leakage to the read signal band by converting the carrier frequency into the stop-band of the adaptive equalizer by making the use of aliasing that occurs at the A/D conversion. |
| US08243570B2 |
System and method for combining pre-mastered errors with marks or printed spots on optical media
An optical article for playback in a player, the optical article including at least one sector having data, and a mark disposed in a predetermined relationship with the at least one sector, wherein the mark renders a portion of the data generally unreadable. The optical article further includes error correction code associated with the at least one sector, wherein data within the error correction code is configured as partially corrupted. The inclusion of partially corrupted error correction code reduces the size of the mark or spot required to render the data sector uncorrectable. |
| US08243569B1 |
Method and system for radial and tangential tilt calibration of optical storage systems
A system and method for adjusting the radial tilt, tangential tilt, or a combination of radial and tangential tilt of an optical detection unit in an optical disc reading system can include applying different weighting factors to different signal components depending on which detection area detects the component, measuring a value of a signal characteristic, such as signal-to-noise ratio, of two signals with different sets of weighting factors, and determining an adjustment factor to the radial tilt as a function of the of the measured signal characteristic values. |
| US08243561B2 |
Head for thermal assisted magnetic recording device, and thermal assisted magnetic recording device
In a head for thermal assisted magnetic recording device, a semiconductor laser is mounted so that the total height of the head does not become larger and light power fluctuation due to wavelength fluctuation occurs less frequently. In addition, the rise in temperature of the mounted semiconductor laser is suppressed. A semiconductor laser is placed on a side surface which is different from surfaces on an inflow end side and a trailing side, of four side surfaces of a floating slider. An entrance of a waveguide is placed on the side surface of the floating slider, to thereby cause emitted light from the semiconductor laser to directly enter the waveguide. A curved line part or a reflective mirror is formed in the middle of the waveguide so that the light which has entered the waveguide travels toward an optical near-field generating element. |
| US08243560B2 |
Heat-assisted magnetic recording head including internal mirrors of first and second inclined surfaces
A heat-assisted magnetic recording head has an internal mirror that includes a reflecting film support body and a reflecting film. The internal mirror reflects light that comes from above a waveguide so that the reflected light travels through the waveguide toward a medium facing surface. The reflecting film support body includes first and second inclined surfaces. The reflecting film includes first and second portions that are located on the first and second inclined surfaces, respectively. The step of forming the reflecting film support body includes two-taper etching operations to be performed on an initial support body. |
| US08243553B2 |
Portable electronic device having a history function and intended to display the value of variables on the basis of measurements made by a sensor
The present invention relates to a portable electronic device (1) comprising at least two analog display elements (16, 17) to display the current time in a first operating mode, the time mode, the electronic device (1) additionally comprising a sensor (23) for a physical magnitude to measure the value of this physical magnitude as a function of time in a second operating mode and memory elements (25, 26) intended to store at least a portion of the measured values with a given period. The display elements can be controlled in the second operating mode to respectively display a value representative of the measured physical magnitude and a calculated value representative of the variation in time of the physical magnitude. The electronic device (1) has a third operating mode, the history mode, in which the analog display elements (17, 16) are actuated to respectively display, chronologically and with a time interval of predefined duration, values representative of the physical magnitude on the basis of the stored values and values representative of the variation in time of the physical magnitude calculated on the basis of the stored values. The invention also relates to a method of displaying a history. |
| US08243550B2 |
Downhole communication method and system
A system and method is provided for communicating with a device disposed in a wellbore. Signals are sent through the Earth via signal pulses. The pulses are created by a seismic vibrator and processed by a receiver disposed in the wellbore. The receiver is in communication with the device and transfers data, such as command and control signal, to the device. |
| US08243547B2 |
Identification and suppression of multiples in ocean bottom seismic data
A method for identifying and suppressing water column reverberations (“multiple reflections”) in two-component ocean bottom seismic data is disclosed. The method involves processing the hydrophone (P) data and the geophone (Z) data separately to produce two stacked images of the subsurface (21). Analyzing the stacked P-image and the stacked Z-image together can be used to identify multiple reflections (22). Analyzing the stacked /′-image and the stacked Z-image together with an image of the subsurface created from hydrophone and geophone data combined in the usual way (PZ-image) (20) can be used to identify residual multiples in the PZ image (23). The stacked P and Z images can be combined using an existing PZ combination technique to suppress multiples (24). The efficiency of the PZ combination technique at suppressing multiples is increased because of the higher signal-to-noise ratio of stacked data. |
| US08243543B2 |
Semiconductor memory device for high-speed data input/output
Semiconductor memory device for high-speed data input/output includes a first serializer configured to partially serialize input 8-bit parallel data to output first to fourth serial data, a second serializer configured to partially serialize the first to fourth serial data to output fifth and sixth serial data and a third serializer configured to serialize the fifth and sixth serial data to output seventh serial data. |
| US08243540B2 |
Semiconductor memory device and test method thereof
Example embodiments disclose a semiconductor memory device and a test method thereof. The semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell array that provides first and second data groups at a first data rate and an output circuit, in a normal mode of operation, serially outputs the first and second data groups at a first data rate on an external terminal. In a test mode of operation, the output circuit outputs the first data group or the second data group at a second data rate on the external terminal in response to control signals, without switching the test mode. The second data rate may be lower than the first data rate. |
| US08243539B2 |
Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device
When bit lines or sense amplifiers are checked whether they are defective during a test performed to check whether the bit lines are defectively open, an electrical current supplied from one sense amplifier is detected by another sense amplifier. Thus, if plural bit lines are defectively open, they can be detected simultaneously. Consequently, the test time can be shortened greatly. |
| US08243528B2 |
Erase method of flash device
In an erase method of a flash device, including a page buffer configured to transfer a virtual voltage in response to a discharge signal and further comprising strings each including memory cells and coupled to the page buffer via a respective bit line, applying a ground voltage to a gate of each of the memory cells and erasing the memory cells coupled to a selected bit line by supplying the virtual voltage wherein the virtual voltage is applied to the selected bit line and a unselected bit line. |
| US08243525B1 |
Refreshing non-volatile semiconductor memory by reading without rewriting
A non-volatile semiconductor memory is disclosed comprising a first memory device including a plurality of memory segments, and control circuitry operable to determine whether a memory segment in the first memory device needs refreshing, and when the memory segment needs refreshing, read data from the memory segment into a data register without rewriting the data. |
| US08243522B2 |
NAND memory programming method using double vinhibit ramp for improved program disturb
A method of applying an inhibit bias to an unselected word line when programming a NAND memory device is provided. The method may include ramping the inhibit bias to the unselected word line to a first predetermined voltage and ramping the inhibit bias to the unselected word line to a second predetermined voltage. Ramping of the inhibit bias to the unselected word line to a first predetermined voltage may occur until a boosted channel reaches a leakage limited saturation potential. |
| US08243520B2 |
Non-volatile memory with predictive programming
A method of operating an integrated circuit includes applying at least one first programming pulse to a plurality of non-volatile memory cells to adjust a level of a storage parameter of each of the non-volatile memory cells, the at least one first programming pulse defined by a plurality of pulse parameters each having a fixed valued, and determining a fail count by measuring the number of non-volatile memory cells of the plurality of non-volatile memory cells having a storage parameter level exceeding a verify level. The method further includes determining a change in an programming behavior of the plurality of non-volatile memory cells based on the fail count, adjusting a value of at least one pulse parameter of at least one second programming pulse defined by the plurality of pulse parameters to a desired value based on the change in programming behavior, and applying the at least one second programming pulse to the plurality non-volatile memory cells. |
| US08243517B2 |
Nonvolatile semiconductor memory, method for reading out thereof, and memory card
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory includes: a memory cell unit including a plurality of memory cells having an electric charge accumulation layer and a control electrode, said memory cells being electrically connected in series; a plurality of word lines, each of which is electrically connected to said control electrode of said plurality of memory cells; a source line electrically connected to said memory cells at one end of said memory cell unit; a bit line electrically connected to said memory cells at the other end of said memory cell unit; and a control signal generation circuit, which during a data readout operation staggers a timing for selecting the word line connected to said memory cells of said memory cell unit from a timing for selecting a non-selected word line connected to a non-selected memory. |
| US08243513B2 |
Non-volatile multilevel memory cells with data read of reference cells
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods, devices, modules, and systems for non-volatile multilevel memory cell data retrieval with data read of reference cells. One method includes programming at least one data cell of a number of data cells coupled to a selected word line to a target data threshold voltage (Vt) level corresponding to a target state; programming at least one reference cell of a number of reference cells coupled to the selected word line to a target reference Vt level, the number of reference cells interleaved with the number of data cells; determining a reference state based on a data read of the at least one reference cell; and changing a state read from the at least one data cell based on a change of the at least one reference cell. |
| US08243512B2 |
Semiconductor memory write method
A semiconductor memory write method which, when writing data at a threshold voltage level in a memory cell, is configured to perform two write operations including a preliminary data write operation of writing temporary data at a threshold voltage level lower than that of the data at the threshold voltage level, and a final data write operation of additionally writing final data at the threshold voltage level, includes making at least one of a write time of the preliminary data write operation, a word-line waiting time of verify read, and a bit-line waiting time of verify read, shorter than that of the final data write operation. |
| US08243511B2 |
Reuse of information from memory read operations
A nominal reference read operation compares analog voltages of the memory cells to at least one nominal reference voltage. A shifted reference read operation compares the analog voltages of the memory cells to at least one shifted reference voltage that is shifted from the nominal reference voltage to compensate for an expected change in the analog voltages of the memory cells. Data stored in the memory cells is decoded by a first decoding process that uses the information from either the nominal reference read operation or the shifted reference read operation. The data stored in the memory cells is decoded by a second decoding process that uses the information from both the nominal reference read operation and the shifted reference read operation. |
| US08243510B2 |
Non-volatile memory cell with metal capacitor
According to one exemplary embodiment, a memory cell in a semiconductor chip includes a non-volatile memory transistor, a control gate, and a floating gate. The control gate is capacitively coupled to the floating gate of the non-volatile memory transistor by a metal capacitor. The metal capacitor can be formed in one or more metal levels and in one embodiment is in a shape of a comb with multiple fingers. In one embodiment, the non-volatile memory transistor is an NMOS non-volatile memory transistor. |
| US08243509B2 |
Nonvolatile memory cell operating by increasing order in polycrystalline semiconductor material
A nonvolatile memory cell is described, the memory cell comprising a semiconductor diode. The semiconductor material making up the diode is formed with significant defect density, and allows very low current flow at a typical read voltage. Application of a programming voltage permanently changes the nature of the semiconductor material, resulting in an improved diode. The programmed diode allows much higher current flow, in some embodiments one, two or three orders of magnitude higher, at the same read voltage. The difference in current allows a programmed memory cell to be distinguished from an unprogrammed memory cell. Fabrication techniques to generate an advantageous unprogrammed defect density are described. The memory cell of the present invention can be formed in a monolithic three dimensional memory array, having multiple stacked memory levels formed above a single substrate. |
| US08243507B2 |
Programmable via devices in back end of line level
Programmable via devices and methods for the fabrication thereof are provided. In one aspect, a programmable via device is provided. The programmable via device comprises a first dielectric layer; at least one isolation layer over the first dielectric layer; a heater within the isolation layer; a capping layer over a side of the isolation layer opposite the first dielectric layer; at least one programmable via extending through the capping layer and at least a portion of the isolation layer and in contact with the heater, the programmable via comprising at least one phase change material; a conductive cap over the programmable via; a second dielectric layer over a side of the capping layer opposite the isolation layer; a first conductive via and a second conductive via, each extending through the second dielectric layer, the capping layer and at least a portion of the isolation layer and in contact with the heater; and a third conductive via extending through the second dielectric layer and in contact with the conductive cap. |
| US08243502B2 |
Nonvolatile latch circuit and logic circuit using the same
A nonvolatile latch circuit includes: a latch circuit; a first magnetoresistance element and a second magnetoresistance element; and a current supply portion. The latch circuit temporarily holds data. Each of the first magnetoresistance element and the second magnetoresistance element includes a first magnetic layer and a second magnetic layer that are stacked with an insulating film sandwiched therebetween. The current supply portion complementarily changes magnetization states of the first magnetoresistance element and the second magnetoresistance element based on a state of the latch circuit. The first magnetic layer of the first magnetoresistance element and the first magnetic layer of the second magnetoresistance element are series-connected to each other in. The latch circuit has a function that brings data corresponding to the magnetization states to data held by the latch circuit. |
| US08243492B2 |
One time programmable memory device and manufacturing method of one time programmable memory device
Embodiments relate to a manufacturing method of a one time programmable (OTP) memory device including: forming a common source in a linear configuration on a semiconductor substrate; forming a gate dielectric layer on the semiconductor substrate at both sides of the source; forming a gate over the gate dielectric layer; forming a spacer between the gates and at both side walls of the gate; and forming a drain on the semiconductor substrate at both sides of the spacer. With embodiments, the OTP memory device can be formed together with the logic part using the logic process and can increase the storage capacity of the OTP memory device by improving density of memory arrays. |
| US08243489B2 |
Memory device no common source region and method of fabricating the same
A memory array including a plurality of memory cells, a plurality of word lines, a dummy word line, at least a first conductive region and at least a first plug is provided. Each word line is coupled to corresponding memory cells. A dummy word line is directly adjacent to an outmost word line of the plurality of word lines. The first conductive region is disposed only between the dummy word line and the outmost word line. The first plug is located between the dummy word line and the outmost word line. |
| US08243488B2 |
Memory module and layout method therefor
The present invention provides a novel wiring method for LR-DIMM of VLP type that conforms to LR-DIMM technology. The LR-DIMM comprises a plurality of DRAMs mounted on a board, two connectors mounted on the board for receiving data, and a buffer device mounted on the board for redriving data applied to the two connectors to supply the data to the plurality of DRAMs. The buffer device is located near the center of the board on which the two connectors are arranged at both ends thereof, and supplies data from each connector to DRAMs arranged on the opposite side to the connector. |
| US08243484B2 |
Adjustable width strobe interface
A memory system comprises a circuit board 40 including N data signal lines 60, 65 and at least two strobe signal lines 70, 75, and first and second memory devices 50, 55 secured to opposing surfaces 40a, 40b of the circuit board. Each memory device is coupled to a portion of the N data signal lines and to a portion of the at least two strobe signal lines such that the devices do not share any of the N data signal lines and such that the devices do not share any of the strobe signal lines. The memory system further includes a controller 45 to communicate in parallel with the first and second memory devices through the N data signal lines and the at least two strobe signal lines. |
| US08243482B2 |
Control device for matrix converter
A control device for a matrix converter includes an input voltage detector, an output current detector, a pulse width modulator, and an input voltage command calculator. The input voltage detector is configured to detect an input voltage of the matrix converter. The output current detector is configured to detect an output current of the matrix converter. The pulse width modulator is configured to generate a PWM pulse command signal by using the input voltage, the output current, and an output line voltage command. The input voltage command calculator is configured to calculate an input voltage command of the matrix converter. |
| US08243479B2 |
On-die anti-resonance structure for integrated circuit
A structure and method for reducing the effects of chip-package resonance in an integrated circuit assembly is described. A series RLC circuit is employed to reduce the output impedance of the power delivery system at the resonance frequency. |
| US08243473B2 |
Switching power supply device and switching power supply control circuit
The invention provides a switching power supply device which can detect a light load state on a pulse-by-pulse basis without worsening power efficiency. In a synchronous control circuit, for each timing of the turning-on of main switching elements, the delay time Tdif of the conduction timing of internal diodes Ds determined according to the magnitude of the load LD is detected by a comparator, a reference time pulse Tsrs having a prescribed time width is generated by a load judgment circuit, and the logical product of the two is generated by an AND circuit. By this means, the load is regarded as being a light load when the delay time Tdif is longer than the reference time pulse Tsrs, and the synchronous rectification MOSFETs Qs are not turned on. |
| US08243472B2 |
Power supply having a two-way DC to DC converter
A power supply having a two-way DC to DC converter has an AC to DC converter and a two-way DC to DC converter. When an AC power is input to the AC to DC converter, the AC to DC converter transforms the AC power to a middle level DC power and the two-way DC to DC converter transforms the middle level DC power to a low level DC power. When the AC power is unavailable and the two-way DC to DC converter obtains an external DC power, the two-way DC to DC converter transforms the external DC power to the middle level DC power. Therefore, if the power supply obtains the external DC power, the power supply can still output the middle level DC power even the AC power is unavailable. |
| US08243470B2 |
Ferrite inductors integrated within top-mounted input/output cable port assembly of an electronics rack
An input/output cable port assembly and electromagnetic interference attenuation method are provided. The cable port assembly includes a cable port structure mounted to an electronics rack with an opening for input/output cables to pass therethrough, and multiple bottom ferrite inductor portions and multiple top ferrite inductor portions. The bottom and top ferrite inductor portions include first and second surfaces, respectively. The inductor portions are configured to be stacked within the cable port structure with their first and second surfaces in opposing relation to define at least one ferrite inductor with a central opening defined by the first and second surfaces for input/output cable(s) of the electronics rack to pass. The ferrite inductor attenuates electromagnetic interference resulting from transient or steady state current on the cable(s) passing therethrough. |
| US08243467B2 |
Semiconductor device
A main chip has a signal processing circuit for executing signal processing; a plurality of signal transmitting circuits for transmitting signals between the signal processing circuit and a signal transmitting circuit; and a control circuit for controlling operation/non-operation of the signal transmitting circuits in accordance with signal processing content of the signal processing circuit. Functional chips each have a signal processing circuit for executing auxiliary signal processing different from that of the signal processing circuit; and one or a plurality of signal transmitting circuits for transmitting signals between the signal processing circuit and the signal transmitting circuits. The main chip and the functional chips are stacked. The signal transmitting circuits and the signal transmitting circuit are non-contact-type signal transmitting circuits utilizing inductive coupling and are arranged so as to overlap when viewed from the stacking direction. |
| US08243466B2 |
Printed circuit board
A printed circuit board includes first and second layers, a control chip, bonding pads, and several electronic elements. The bonding pads can be selectively applied to interconnect the first and second layers, and the control chip with any of the electronic elements in a simple layout. |
| US08243463B2 |
Capacitor module
A capacitor module in which the structure of a connecting portion is highly resistant against vibration and has a low inductance. The capacitor module includes a plurality of capacitors and a laminate made up of a first wide conductor and a second wide conductor joined in a layered form with an insulation sheet interposed between the first and second wide conductors. The laminate comprises a first flat portion including the plurality of capacitors which are supported thereon and electrically connected thereto, a second flat portion continuously extending from the first flat portion while being bent, and connecting portions formed at ends of the first flat portion and the second flat portion and electrically connected to the exterior. |
| US08243458B2 |
Waterproof structure for portable electronic device
A waterproof structure for a portable electronic device includes a housing, an interface member, a waterproof circuit board, a chamber, and a main circuit board. The housing has a bottom wall and a peripheral wall around the bottom wall, the bottom wall has an enclosure formed thereon, the peripheral wall defines a connecting hole through to the enclosure. The interface member has an interconnect inlet, the interface member is placed into a chamber, the interconnect inlet aligns with the connecting hole, the waterproof circuit board engages in the enclosure to prevent vapors or dust enter into the main circuit board, the waterproof circuit board also electronically connect the main circuit board. |
| US08243456B2 |
Component joining structure, IC card, and connector
An ultrasonic weld is provided in a cover component, is formed protruding from the cover component, and is provided so that it can join the cover component and the body component together by being fixed to the body component with ultrasonic welding. A locking mechanism is provided so that it can join the cover component and the body component together via engaging portions that engage with each other. The locking mechanism includes a first engaging portion provided in the cover component, and a second engaging portion that is provided in another component fixed to the body component, and that can engage with the first engaging portion. Thus, it is possible to decrease the number of components, and also reduce equipment costs and production control costs. |
| US08243451B2 |
Cooling member for heat containing device
A cooling member for withdrawing heat from a heat containing device is disclosed. The cooling member can have a housing with a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet and a plurality of irregular-shaped fins located at least partially therewithin. In addition, a plurality of irregular-shaped and hierarchical branched fluid pathways can be located between the plurality of fins and the housing and/or the plurality of fins can be in physical contact with the heat containing device. |
| US08243447B2 |
Power conversion apparatus
A power conversion apparatus includes a casing and an inverter unit housed in the casing. The inverter unit includes a unit case, a capacitor block removably provided at a position on an inner side of a detachable side plate of the unit case, and a fan block placed in the unit case in such a manner as to be removable from a front side. The capacitor block includes a capacitor case having a plurality of capacitor insertion holes, a plurality of electrolytic capacitors placed in the capacitor insertion holes, respectively, and a laminated bus bar connected to the electrolytic capacitors. The fan block includes a fan case and a cooling fan provided in the fan case. |
| US08243446B2 |
Photovoltaic inverter
A DC to AC inverter used in a solar cell power system can include an improved control scheme for cooling itself and optimizing power output. |
| US08243443B2 |
Filter mountable on display device and electronic equipment provided with display device
A filter 101 of the present application has flexibility. The filter 101 includes a left protruding portion 102, a right protruding portion 103, a lower protruding portion 104a, a lower protruding portion 104b, and an upper protruding portion 105. The electronic equipment of the present application includes a main portion 2 and a display portion 3. The display portion 3 includes a left groove 11a, a right groove 11b, a lower groove 12a, and a lower groove 12b. The left protruding portion 102 can be inserted in the left groove 11a. The right protruding portion 103 can be inserted in the right groove 11b. The lower protruding portion 104a can be inserted in the lower groove 12a. The lower protruding portion 104b can be inserted in the lower groove 12b. When the filter 101 is mounted on the display portion 3, the upper protruding portion 105 is positioned on the display frame 9. When the filter 101 is attached/detached with respect to the display portion 3, the upper protruding portion 105 is held, and hence, fingerprints can be prevented from adhering to the display surface of the filter 101. |
| US08243439B2 |
Slider mechanism for opening and closing a portable terminal
The present invention relates to a sliding opening and closing device for a portable terminal. The sliding opening and closing device for a portable terminal according to the present invention includes: a first plate; a second plate slidably joined to the first plate; a cam profile formed at the first plate along a sliding direction of the second plate; and an elastic module mounted on the second plate, wherein one end of the elastic module is in contact with the cam profile to slide therealong. A guide part is formed at the first plate and the cam profile is formed along an edge portion of the guide part. |
| US08243434B2 |
Electronic device enclosure
An electronic device enclosure includes a chassis, a drive bracket, and an air duct. The drive bracket is secured to the chassis and defines a subspace for receiving a disk drive. The air duct is rotatably secured to the drive bracket, and rotatable between a first position, where the subspace is exposed, and a second position, where the subspace is covered by the air duct. |
| US08243431B2 |
Electronic device
According to one embodiment, an electronic device includes a first body, a second body, a hinge mechanism, and a contact portion. The hinge mechanism connects the first body and the second body such that the first body and the second body can relatively rotate about a rotation axis and relatively move in a direction along the rotation axis. In the contact portion, the housing of the first body and the housing of the second body are in contact with each other while the first body and the second body are relatively rotating about the rotation axis to guide one of the first body and the second body to move spirally about the rotation axis relative to another one of the first body and the second body. |
| US08243426B2 |
Reducing optical effects in a display
One embodiment may take the form of a system for reducing the appearance of optical effects in a display. The system may include an enclosure with a first surface and a second surface. Furthermore, the system may include spacers that may be deposited on the bottom face of the first surface and/or the top face of the second surface, where the first surface may be a touch panel and/or cover lens and the second surface may be a display module. The spacers may be deposited in one layer with an anti-reflection coating. The thickness of the coating may be less than the diameter of the spacers. |
| US08243425B2 |
Key assembly and portable electronic device using the same
A key assembly comprises a base plate, two resisting mechanisms and a key body. The resisting mechanisms and the key body are mounted the base plate, and the resisting mechanisms are respectively located at two opposite ends of the key body. When the key body slides toward and compresses one of the resisting mechanisms, said another one of the resisting mechanisms is stretched. |
| US08243423B2 |
Expandable meter center employing digital electronic meter assemblies
An improved gangable meter center for distributing electric power to and measuring electric power consumption by a plurality of individually measured units in a complex comprises: a plurality of meters for measuring the electric power consumption by the plurality of individually measured units in the complex; and a plurality of feeder buses electrically coupled between at least one utility line supplying power to the plurality of individually measured units in the complex, wherein the plurality of meters are included within the meter center without use of a meter socket. Ganged meter centers comprise at least two such gangable meter centers. |
| US08243421B2 |
Electrolytic capacitor and method of manufacturing the same
An electrolytic capacitor in which positions of an anode terminal and a cathode terminal in a wound-type capacitor element can be fixed and consequently increase in leakage current can be suppressed and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The electrolytic capacitor including a wound-type capacitor element having an anode terminal and a cathode terminal, a bottomed case accommodating the wound-type capacitor element, and a sealing member sealing the winding structure portion in the bottomed case, through which the anode terminal and the cathode terminal penetrate, includes a fixing member arranged between the winding structure portion and the sealing member and having openings in number not smaller than the sum of the number of anode terminals and the number of cathode terminals, the anode terminal and the cathode terminal passing through the openings, and the anode terminal and the cathode terminal being fixed by the fixing member. |
| US08243420B2 |
Conductive electrode using conducting metal oxide film with network structure of nanograins and nanoparticles, preparation method thereof and supercapacitor using the same
A porous conducting metal oxide electrode prepared by depositing a porous conducting metal oxide film containing a conducting metal oxide film layer having a network structure of nanofibers, containing nanograins or nanoparticles, on at least one surface of a current collector, and a conducting metal oxide coating layer on the network layer of the porous conducting metal oxide through a constant current method or a cyclic voltammetric method; and a high-speed charge/discharge and ultrahigh-capacity supercapacitor using the porous conducting metal oxide electrode are provided. |
| US08243419B2 |
Capacitor structure
A capacitor structure includes: a first electrode configured to include a plurality of openings; a second electrode formed in each center of the openings; and a dielectric layer formed to surround the second electrode and fill the openings of the first electrode. |
| US08243417B2 |
Variable capacitor and electronic device
Disclosed is a variable capacitor that includes signal electrodes configured to sandwich a dielectric layer so as to generate a signal electric field, and control electrodes configured to sandwich the dielectric layer so as to generate a control electric field in a direction intersecting with the signal electric field generated between the signal electrodes. |
| US08243416B2 |
High efficiency gas lighting device for an electric household appliance
A gas lighting device including: a body formed by an electrically insulating material carrying a plurality of high-voltage outputs for the connection of spark generating means; a transformer accommodated in the body and including a primary winding wound around and carried by a ferromagnetic material core, a carrying element formed by an electrically insulating material and designed to contain the primary winding therein, and a secondary winding consisting of a plurality of coils externally carried by the carrying element, electrically insulated from the primary winding and essentially coaxial with the latter; the core is ring-shaped on a plane parallel to an axis (A) of the windings and consists of two half rings reciprocally coupled and arranged facing and closely adjacent to each other in the direction of the axis of the windings; a first circumferential portion of the ring-shaped core, formed by one or both of the half rings, is accommodated inside the carrying element so as to be surrounded by the windings, while a second circumferential portion of the core is formed parallel to the first and radially on the outside of the windings so as not to be surrounded by the same. |
| US08243413B2 |
Polymer surge arrester
A polymer surge arrester has: internal elements including a plurality of disc-shaped nonlinear resistors disposed in a stacked manner, electrodes disposed at both ends of the nonlinear resistors, and a plurality of insulating rods coupling the electrodes; an insulating outer skin formed outside the internal elements by casting an insulating resin; and disc-shaped porous metal plates interposed between at least parts of the nonlinear resistors. |
| US08243412B2 |
Surge protection systems and methods for outside plant ethernet
The present disclosure generally pertains to surge protection systems that protect outside plant equipment from high-energy surges. In one exemplary embodiment, a protection system is used for protecting Ethernet equipment that is coupled to an outside Ethernet cable. The protection system provides protection and remains capable of coupling signal energy between an Ethernet cable and Ethernet equipment without significantly degrading Ethernet performance. However, the protection system, while allowing the desirable Ethernet signals to pass between the cable and the equipment, prevents the electrical voltages and currents of high-energy surges, such as surges from lightning or AC power faults, from damaging the Ethernet equipment. |
| US08243406B2 |
ESD protection device and composite electronic component of the same
The present invention provides an ESD protection device and the like having improved durability against repeated use. An ESD protection device includes a base having an insulating surface, electrodes disposed on the insulating surface and facing but spaced apart from each other, and a functional layer disposed on at least between the electrodes. The electrodes have a multistage structure in which a gap between the electrodes is narrower toward the base. |
| US08243404B2 |
ESD protection circuit with merged triggering mechanism
An ESD protection circuit has a merged triggering mechanism. The ESD protection circuit comprises: an ESD detection circuit, for detecting an ESD voltage to generate a control signal; a first type ESD protection device, for outputting a first trigger current; a second type ESD protection device, for receiving a second trigger current; and a trigger circuit, for constituting a conductive path according to the control signal, such that the trigger circuit can receive the first trigger current from the first type ESD protection device and outputs the second trigger current to the second type ESD protection device. |
| US08243397B2 |
Micromachined electrothermal rotary actuator
The present disclosure is directed to a micromachined rotary actuator constructed of a central portion and an outer portion at least partially surrounding the central portion and separated from the central portion by an in-plane gap. A plurality of arms are each connected at one end to the central portion and at another end to the outer portion so as to span the in-plane gap. The arms are constructed of a plurality of horizontally stacked materials positioned to enable the arms to bend in-plane when heated. Conductors are positioned within the actuator for heating the arms. Because of the rules governing abstracts, this abstract should not be used to construe the claims. |
| US08243395B2 |
Method of utilizing a solder reflow channel in the formation of a hard disk drive
A method of utilizing a solder reflow channel in the formation of a hard disk drive is disclosed. The method provides a first hard disk drive component having at least one solder reflow channel, the at least one solder reflow channel for retaining a predeposited solder material. The solder reflow channel is utilized to provide a solder location for coupling the first hard disk drive component and a second hard disk drive component to the predeposited solder material. |
| US08243394B2 |
Disk drive suspension having flexure and load beam with insulating space between load beam and conductor of flexure
A slit is formed between two opposite side portions of a metal base made of an electrically conductive material. The slit penetrates the metal base thicknesswise and extends longitudinally relative to the metal base. An insulating layer is formed on the metal base. A first conductor is formed within the slit. The first conductor extends longitudinally relative to the metal base along the slit. A second conductor is formed on the insulating layer. The second conductor faces the first conductor across the insulating layer. The second conductor extends longitudinally relative to the metal base along the first conductor. The metal base and the first conductor consist of a common base material, such as a stainless-steel plate. The first conductor is formed by etching the base material. |
| US08243392B2 |
Magnetic head slider locking apparatus
A magnetic head slider locking apparatus includes a fixed portion having a distal-side engage portion engaged with a slider's distal end and fixed to a flexure part, an endless spring portion surrounding the fixed portion in a plan view, a connection portion connecting the fixed portion to the spring portion, and a proximal-side engage portion provided to the spring portion so as to be engaged with a slider's proximal end. The spring portion takes an initial posture where no external operational force is applied thereto so that the proximal-side engage portion is located closer to a distal end side in the suspension longitudinal direction than the slider's proximal end, and also takes an elastically deformed posture where an external operational force is applied thereto so that the proximal-side engage portion is located closer to a proximal end side in the suspension longitudinal direction than the slider's proximal end. |
| US08243390B2 |
Reading multi-layer continuous magnetic recording media
A method and system for reading readback pulse shapes representing a magnetization state transition between such written magnetization states of a two-layer continuous magnetic recording medium. A readback pulse shape representing a written magnetization state transition is read. The written magnetization state transition is uniquely identified from the readback pulse shape of the transition or from both the readback pulse shape of the transition and the readback pulse shape of one or more next magnetization state transitions. |
| US08243389B2 |
Write fringing reduction for recording media
A recording media design having discrete track recording structure where the trenches between tracks are filled with a soft magnetic material is provided. The soft magnetic material provides a low magnetic impedance path to the soft underlayer such that fringe fields from the write head are conducted to the soft underlayer without having a negative effect such as adjacent track erasure. A method of manufacturing the media includes a nano-imprint step and ion milling out the data layer to create the trenches. A B2O3 material allows the data layer to be ion milled out without redeposition bridging the B2O3 layer thus preventing lift off of the mask. The trenches are then filled by ion deposition with the layers of ferromagnetic material separated by an anti-ferromagnetic coupling that causes the flux to be conducted to the soft underlayer and remnant flux to rotate within the island and not into adjacent tracks. |
| US08243379B2 |
Camera module
A camera module includes a barrel, a holder, a focus ring and an elastic element. The barrel includes a bottom surface opposing the holder. The holder includes an end surface facing the bottom surface of the barrel. At least one of the bottom surface and the end surface defines a first curved cutout and a second curved cutout. The depth of the first curved cutout is different from that of the second curved cutout. The focus ring is positioned between the bottom surface and the end surface. The focus ring includes a bump. An end of the elastic element is fixed to the barrel and the other end is fixed to the holder. The elastic element pulls the barrel to position the focus ring between the barrel and the holder. When rotating the focus ring, the bump can be received in the first curved cutout or the second curved cutout. |
| US08243378B2 |
Holding apparatus, telescope, and optical apparatus
A holding apparatus for holding an optical element includes: a barrel; a first member having one end connected to the barrel, and an opposite end located apart from the one end in a direction perpendicular to an axis of the barrel and outside the barrel; a second member passing through the hole and having one end connected to the opposite end of the first member and the other end located apart from the opposite end of the first member in the direction and inside the barrel. Their linear expansion coefficients and dimensions are configured so that the opposite end of the second member is in contact with a side of the optical element, and the amounts of displacement of the side of the optical element and the opposite end of the second member due to a change in temperature correspond to each other. |
| US08243376B2 |
Lens module
A lens module includes a base, and first and second lens units. The base defines a receiving space, and has two spaced-apart through holes for fluid communication of the receiving space with an area external to the base. The first lens unit is disposed within the receiving space, and defines a first light communicating path that corresponds in position to one of the through holes. The second lens unit is disposed within the receiving space in a side-by-side manner with the first lens unit, and defines a second light communicating path that corresponds in position to the other one of the through holes. |
| US08243375B2 |
Sub-micron adjustable mount for supporting a component and method
An optical assembly includes a light path and at least one optic to be positioned in the path. A support arrangement supports the optic having a foot arrangement including at least one foot that receives a direct manipulation with the foot slidingly engaged against a support surface to move the optic relative to the light path. Movement of the foot may move the optic along a predetermined path. The foot defines a footprint for engaging the support surface and receives the direct manipulation in a way which changes the footprint on the support surface to move the optic responsive to changes in the footprint. A movement arrangement may selectively bias the foot against the support surface during a movement mode, intended to permit movement of the foot against the support surface, and in a locked mode, intended to lock the foot against the support surface. |
| US08243370B2 |
Zoom lens and image pickup apparatus
The zoom lens which is compact and has high optical performance over the entire zoom range includes in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens unit having a negative refractive power, a second lens unit having a positive refractive power, and a third lens unit having a positive refractive power. Distances between the first to third lens units are varied during zooming. The second lens unit includes a lens element whose image side surface has a concave shape, a most object side positive lens element and a most image side positive lens element. Conditions of 0.4 |
| US08243369B2 |
Wavelength monitored and stabilized source
Methods and apparatus for sampling techniques can constantly monitor a spectral output from a broadband source in order to control a central wavelength of interrogation light supplied by the source for input to a sensor. A first portion of light output from the broadband source passes through a controller module for spectral analysis and referencing to provide measurements that can be used as feedback to actively modify a second portion of the light from the source. This modified second portion thereby controls the central wavelength to ensure accurate determination of sensor response signals received at a receiver. |
| US08243368B2 |
Optical element and optical apparatus
An optical element including a first layer (011) made of a medium having optical anisotropy, wherein a difference between refractive indexes nh and nl (nh>nl) at a central wavelength λ for first and second polarized lights which enter the optical element and whose polarization directions are different from each other is at least 0.1, and wherein conditions (nt1−nl)·(nl−nt2)≦0 and nt1 |
| US08243367B2 |
Manufacturing method of three-dimensional image display apparatus
A manufacturing method of a three-dimensional image display apparatus including an image display section and a retarder is provided. The manufacturing method includes attaching an adhesion sheet containing a curable resin to at least one of an exit surface of the image display section and an entrance surface of the retarder, layering the retarder on the image display section such that the entrance surface of the retarder faces the exit surface of the image display section, applying a resin onto a periphery portion of the image display section and onto a periphery portion of the retarder, adhering together the periphery portions by curing the resin applied to the periphery portions, and adhering together the image display section and the retarder by curing the resin between the image display section and the retarder, after adhering together the periphery portions. |
| US08243363B2 |
Optical signal processing apparatus, optical receiving apparatus, and optical relay apparatus
An optical signal processing apparatus includes an input unit to which signal light is input; a wave coupling unit that couples the signal light from the input unit and pump light having a waveform different from that of the signal light; a first nonlinear optical medium that transmits light coupled by the wave coupling unit, the light being the signal light and the pump light; a dispersion medium that transmits the light that has been transmitted through the first nonlinear optical medium; and a second nonlinear optical medium that transmits the light that has been transmitted through the dispersion medium. |
| US08243358B2 |
Constructing planar and three-dimensional microstructures with PDMS-based conducting composite
We present an invention on the synthesis of elastic, bio-compatible functional microstructures wherein the designed electrical functionalities are achieved by mixing conducting nano to micro-particles with PDMS gels. The methodology for constructing planar and three-dimensional microstructures by soft-lithographic technique is presented. Applications such as electrodes, conducting strips, two and three-dimensional microstructures for electrical wiring connections, micro heaters, micro heater arrays, flexible thermochromic displays, and applications for microfluidic devices are demonstrated, all with demonstrated elastic flexibility and fall-proof characteristics while maintaining their functionalities. Results obtained are very promising for the utilization of such composites in future micro-fabrications, especially for the bio-chips and microfluidic devices. |
| US08243356B2 |
Security document circuit
The authenticity of a security document, such as a bank note, is verified by use of a security feature arranged in or on the document, which security feature comprises an antenna arranged to receive EM-radiation from an external energy source; a rectifier arranged to receive electric energy from the antenna and convert it into a rectified current; and an electrochromic display arranged to alter its electrochromic state in response to said rectified current. Hence, a security feature able alter its appearance in response to EM-radiation is provided, which comprises a display that can be given a large variety of two dimensional shapes. |
| US08243355B2 |
Dynamic wavefront shaping unit
An optical unit for dynamically shaping a wavefront is disclosed, having light modulation cells disposed regularly in cell fields, and locally influencing partial light waves in a propagating light wavefront. Each cell field is connected to a cell controller separately adjusting the optical behavior of the light modulator cells. Serially-disposed fields, each having modulator cells, are located in the light path of the light wavefront. Cell control means adjust the modulator cells in a first cell field such that the modulator cells discretely implement a phase shift having a continuous phase value, and in a second cell field such that the modulator cells implement a prism function having a continuous directional value for the partial light waves. A focusing means for the emitted wavefront is also located in the light path of the optical unit, guiding the partial light waves at an output pupil of the optical unit. |
| US08243348B2 |
Image processing apparatus and method and computer program product for controlling the same
A scanner-characteristic correcting unit converts read image data into normalized image data. A first image processing unit applies a first image processing on the normalized image data. A color determining unit performs a color determination of the normalized image data. A controller image processing unit that applies a second image processing on the normalized image data is provided in a removable manner. When a B&W plotter unit is connected to an image processing apparatus without the controller image processing unit, the first image processing unit generates binary image data of the image data before a result of the color determination is output. |
| US08243343B2 |
Recording material detecting apparatus
A recording material detecting apparatus includes a detecting device and a reference member. The detecting device irradiates a recording material with light and detects the light from the recording material. The reference member has a reference portion detectable by the detecting device in order to correct the output from the detecting device. The reference member is capable of moving from a position where the reference portion is detected by the detecting device. The reference member is moved by the recording material. Since a driving unit such as a motor is not necessary, the cost of the apparatus body can be dramatically reduced, and the apparatus structure can be dramatically simplified. |
| US08243331B2 |
Print control apparatus, print control method and printer
A print control apparatus comprising: a first receiving unit that receives, from a printer, support language information indicating whether a particular kind of language is supported by the printer; a judging unit that judges, by referring to the support language information received by the first receiving unit, whether the particular kind of language which is supported by the print control apparatus is supported by the printer; a transmitting unit that transmits, to the printer, a specification information acquisition command for acquiring specification information relating to a specification supported by the printer if the judging unit judges that the particular kind of language is supported by the printer; a second receiving unit that receives the specification information which is transmitted from the printer in response to the specification information acquisition command; and a controller that performs processing according to the specification information received by the second receiving unit. |
| US08243326B2 |
Methods and apparatus for color profile editing
Apparatus and methods are provided for editing color profiles. In particular, input data (such as reference image data) are received, and then are converted to first output data using a first color profile and to second output data using a second color profile, wherein the second color profile is an edited version of the first color profile. Soft proof data corresponding to the input data, first output data and second output data are calculated and then displayed on a display device. The soft proof data corresponding to the input data, first output data and second output data may be simultaneously or selectively displayed on the display device. |
| US08243322B2 |
Image data processor and image data processing program storage medium for variable printing
The image data processor generates storage layout information and output joint information, and then generates a page raster for storage based on the storage layout information and a page raster for output based on the output joint information. The storage layout information is based on layout information describing object layouts and includes a page formed by the same objects and reusable objects of the same arrangements and a page formed by each variable object. The output joint information combines a page for reusable objects and a page for the variable object. |
| US08243320B2 |
Document management apparatus, control method therefor, computer program, and storage medium
A document management apparatus includes an electronic document editing unit which performs processing associated with creation and edit of an electronic document, a processing information obtaining unit which obtains processing information in the electronic document editing unit, a restriction information acceptance unit which accepts input of restriction information that restricts processing for the electronic document, and a uniformed electronic document creation unit which-creates a uniformed electronic document by attaching generation information containing the processing information and the restriction information to the electronic document. |
| US08243319B2 |
Image processing apparatus and computer program product generates and displayed processed image in a stack
A finished-image generating unit generates a finished image showing a result of a process performed on a target image according to various function setting items. A finished-image display unit, when the target image extends to a plurality of pages, forms the finished image in a stack, and displays the stacked finished image on a display unit with a page structure image that shows an overall page structure of the stacked finished image. A page moving unit, when one of the pages constituting the page structure image is specified via an operating unit, executes a page moving from a page currently displayed on the display unit to the specified page. |
| US08243315B2 |
Printing system and print control method
A printing system comprises a printer and an information processor, which includes a control unit. The control unit generates a print data file, which includes a resource saving flag and mode information. This information represents either a printing mode or a document filing mode, in which the printer operates. The control unit determines whether one or more specified resource saving functions of the printer are selected for the print data file in a main setting window. If so, the control unit turns on the flag and outputs the print data file as a first print data file to the printer. If not, the control unit turns off the flag and outputs the print data file as a second print data file to the printer. If a user is specified for the second print data file, the control unit outputs the file to the printer, with the mode information representing the document filing mode. |
| US08243314B2 |
Systems and methods for enhanced facsimile communication network and preference selection
A system and a method including allowing a transmitting facsimile device and a receiving facsimile device to select a preferable communications network by enabling the receiving facsimile device to advertise both communication network capability data associated with the receiving facsimile device and addressing identifiers associated with the communication network capability data and the receiving facsimile device, enabling the transmitting facsimile device to read the advertised communication network capability data and the advertised addressing identifiers associated with the communication network capability data and the receiving facsimile device, and enabling a selection logic to preferentially select a communication network chosen from the advertised communication network capability data that is also compatible with the transmitting facsimile device's capabilities. |
| US08243312B2 |
Network synchronizing system and information processing apparatus
A network synchronizing system includes plural apparatuses. A first apparatus includes a first recording unit to record personal data of one or more users who can use the first apparatus to share the personal data with other apparatuses. A second apparatus includes a first setting unit to record personal data of one or more users who can use the second apparatus; and a first control unit to compare the personal data recorded in the first setting unit and the first recording unit and update the personal data recorded in the first setting unit of the second apparatus with the latest personal data for each user. The first control unit determines that users are the same user when data uniquely provided for the users in the personal data recorded in the first setting unit and the first recording unit are the same. |
| US08243311B2 |
Image output apparatus for controlling order of print jobs and display jobs in queue
An image output apparatus including: an image processing section for processing an image; a printing section that prints the image; a display section that displays the image; an instruction section that allows a user to instruct execution of a print job, and execution of a display job; and a job control section that controls the jobs to start the execution of the print job or the display job in response to the instruction, wherein when the job control section receives instructions to start print jobs and/or display jobs, the job control section controls the jobs to register the print jobs and/or the display jobs in a queue and start these jobs in the order, and when an instruction for a display job in the queue is again received from the instruction section, the job control section controls the jobs to move the display job to the forefront of the queue. |
| US08243310B2 |
Image forming device configured to receive and process print data from a client via network
An image forming device, which is configured to receive print data from a client via a network and process the print data, includes a print request receiving unit configured to receive a print request transmitted by the client with a protocol through a port of the image forming device, a protocol specifying unit configured to specify a kind of the protocol used in the transmission of the print request, a destination information creating unit configured to create destination information representing a destination to which the print data are to be sent, based on the protocol of the kind specified by the protocol specifying unit, and a destination information sending unit configured to send the destination information to the client with the protocol of the specified kind. |
| US08243307B2 |
HTTP server and program for transmitting reports with chunked data
An HTTP server including a communication section which communicates with a client, and a control section which, as a response to an HTTP request for requesting a report pertaining to a monitoring object received from the client via the communication section, transmits the report via the communication section to the client by making the report with chunked data in chunked transfer coding, upon a change of the monitoring object occurs. |
| US08243299B2 |
Printing apparatus with recovery from interruption factor, controlling method, and storage medium
A printing system which enables to improve its flexibility, convenience, and/or productivity by utilizing a post-processing by a post-processor connected to a printer without printing by a printer. An execution request is received for a specific type of job executing a post-processing by a post-processor connected to a printer without printing by the printer. The post-processor is caused to execute the post-processing for a first printed matter previously generated for the specific type of job without printing by the printer when receiving the execution request. Print data is received which is utilized for generating the first printed matter. The printer is caused to generate a second printed matter corresponding to the first printed matter, by using the print data. |
| US08243298B2 |
Low-paper sensor using rollers
A computer implemented method, data processing system, and computer usable program code are provided for detecting a printer condition. A set of signals is received from a sensor in a printer. A current state of a paper roll within the printer is detected within the set of signals. Responsive to the current state indicating that the paper roll moved from a desired position between a set of devices, a response signal is sent to the user of the printer. Alternatively, in response to the current state indicating that the paper roll moved from the desired position, a number of paper line feed commands that are issued are counted. A determination is made as to whether the number of paper line feed commands that are issued exceeds a predetermined value. Responsive to the number of paper line feed commands exceeding the predetermined value, the response signal is sent. |
| US08243296B2 |
Image forming apparatus and image forming method
An image forming apparatus includes an information storage section, an operation section, an image condition information storage section, a comparison section and an operation control section. The information storage section stores image information and attribute information corresponding to the image information. The operation section has an instruction section through which a user inputs instructions for execution of a process on the image information. The image condition information storage section stores image condition information corresponding to the process. The comparison section compares the attribute information with the stored image condition information. The operation control section changes a state of the instruction section based on results of a comparison of the attribute information and the stored image condition information by the comparison section. |
| US08243295B2 |
Image forming apparatus and image forming method that converts a transfer speed of the image data signal according to a transfer speed of a destination processor
An image processing application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) is capable of receiving a plurality of image data signals having different formats. The image processing ASIC includes a data-format selecting unit that determines a format of each of the image data signals and selects, based on the signal format, one image data signal from among the image data signals. |
| US08243294B2 |
Simplified walk-up print driver installation
An apparatus and method for loading and configuring a print driver onto a PC/workstation such that upon completion the PC/workstation is fully enabled to send print jobs to a printer connected on a network includes a unique methodology which eliminates virtually all of the steps, data entry, and decision points that a user would typically encounter. This printer-resident system includes the ability to have the target printer, upon a simple printer front panel pushbutton request, synthesize a complete installer program that is then written to a removable storage device, e.g., USB flash drive. Once written, the storage device is removed from the printer and installed on the user's PC/workstation. The user then accesses the flash drive contents and runs the installer program executable. The installer program, owing to the fact that it was created on the target printer, has all the information needed for a one-click, fully automated installation process. |
| US08243293B2 |
Image forming device for printing in a selected region, and method and computer readable medium therefor
An image forming device includes a rotational body carrying a sheet thereon, the rotational body including first regions defined thereon that begin with respective different phases on the rotational body, a forming unit forming an image on one of the rotational body and the sheet carried on the rotational body, a storage unit storing thereon information regarding positional deviations of images formed within each of the first regions, a region specifying unit that determines a variation of the positional deviations of the images within each of the first regions based upon the information stored and specifies one of the first regions based upon the determined variation, and a control unit controlling the forming unit to form an intended image of which an image forming position is corrected based upon the information stored, in the first region specified on the rotational body. |
| US08243291B2 |
Image forming apparatus with correction device for defect correction
The image forming apparatus includes: a recording head which has a plurality of recording elements; an intermediate transfer medium on which an image is recorded temporarily by the recording head while the intermediate transfer medium implements relative movement with respect to the recording head; an image defect determination device which is disposed on a downstream side of the recording head in terms of a direction of the relative movement of the intermediate transfer medium and which determines whether the image recorded on the intermediate transfer medium includes an image defect or not; a transfer device which is disposed on a downstream side of the image defect determination device in terms of the direction of the relative movement of the intermediate transfer medium and which transfers the image recorded on the intermediate transfer medium, to a recording medium; and an image correction device which creates correction data according to information about the image defect if the image defect determination device determines that the image recorded on the intermediate transfer medium includes the image defect, wherein, if the image defect determination device determines that the image recorded on the intermediate transfer medium includes the image defect, an image based on the correction data is recorded on the intermediate transfer medium by the recording head. |
| US08243284B2 |
Method for measuring the roundness of round profiles
A method for measuring the roundness profiles moved forward in longitudinal direction inside a rolling mill, using two laser scanners, respectively provided with a light-sensitive sensor and a laser. At least three shadow edges that fit against the round profile to be measured and enclose the round profile to form a polygon are generated and measured and the corresponding tangents are computed. The method includes: a) determining a center (Z0) in the measuring field prior to the measuring operation; b) determining perpendicular lines from the center (Z0) to the tangents and measuring the distance from the center (Z0) to the tangents; c) determining a contour by computing the corner points of the polygon enclosing the round profile; d) positioning a reference circle relative to the contour so that: i) the square shape deviation of the contour relative to this reference circle reaches a minimum; ii) the reference circle represents the smallest possible circle that can fit around the contour, iii) the reference circle represents the largest possible circle that can fit inside the contour; or iv) the reference circle together with a different circle, arranged concentric to the reference circle, encloses the contour with a minimum radial difference; e) computing the diameter (Dref) of the reference circle and determining from the position in space of the reference center (Zp), which represents the center point of the reference circle, and f) computing at least two vectors extending from the reference center (Zp) to the contour and determining the out-of-roundness from the obtained data. |
| US08243280B2 |
Laser ultrasonic measurement system with movable beam delivery
A laser ultrasonic measurement system includes a first and a second laser source configured to generate a first and a second laser beam, respectively. A movable mechanical link is arranged to transmit the first laser beam. The movable mechanical link is formed by a plurality of rigid sections interconnected by rotating joints. A robot is configured to support and control the movement of at least a section of the mechanical link to transmit the first laser beam to an object. An optical scanner is positioned proximate to the mechanical link. The optical scanner is configured to direct the first and second laser beams onto the object. An interferometer is optically coupled to the optical scanner. The interferometer is configured to receive reflected light from the object and in response generate an electrical signal. The first laser source is kinematically mounted in a housing assembly. |
| US08243279B2 |
Displacement measurement apparatus
A displacement measurement apparatus includes a first diffraction grating transmitting light from a light source and producing diffracted beams including first to third diffracted beams output in different directions; a second diffraction grating movable together with an object to be measured, provided in a plane parallel to the first diffraction grating, and reflecting the first to third diffracted beams transmitted through the first diffraction grating; a first photodetector receiving the first and second diffracted beams diffracted by the second diffraction grating; a second photodetector receiving at least the third diffracted beam transmitted through the first diffraction grating; and a calculation unit calculating displacement of the object in a first direction in accordance with the beams received by the first photodetector, and displacement of the object in a second direction, different from the first direction, in accordance with the beam received by the second photodetector. |
| US08243278B2 |
Non-contact selection and control of lighting devices
The present disclosure presents systems and methods for providing for detecting a presence of an object or a user via a non-contact selection switch. An LED may emit a signal, comprising high components and low components within a plurality of pulses. A detector may determine that an average intensity of a received portion of the electromagnetic signal is below a predetermined threshold. The average intensity may be responsive to a ratio of high components duration over a period of time to low components duration over the period of time. An object located in proximity of the non-contact switch may reflect the portion of the signal. The detector may detect presence of the object by determining that a sum of average intensities of the received portion of the electromagnetic signal and the reflected portion of the electromagnetic signal exceeds the predetermined threshold responsive to the ratio of a duration of high components to a duration of low components within or over the period of time. |
| US08243273B2 |
Enhanced OVL dummy field enabling “on-the-fly” OVL measurement methods
A semiconductor wafer may include a dummy field configured to enable overlay measurements. The enhanced dummy field may include a plurality of encoding blocs that enable OVL measurements to be made throughout the enhanced dummy field. |
| US08243270B2 |
Vibrating tip surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy
A vibrating tip surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) apparatus, system and method employ a nano-needle configured to vibrate. The apparatus includes the nano-needle with a substantially sharp tip at a free end opposite an end attached to a substrate. The tip is configured to adsorb an analyte. The apparatus further includes a vibration source configured to provide an alternating current (AC) electric field that induces a vibration of the free end and the tip of the nano-needle. Vibration of the nano-needle under the influence of the AC electric field facilitates detection of a Raman scattering signal from the analyte adsorbed on the nano-needle tip. The system further includes a synchronous detector configured to be gated cooperatively with the vibration of the nano-needle. The method includes inducing the vibration, illuminating the vibrating tip to produce a Raman signal, and detecting the Raman signal using the detector. |
| US08243267B2 |
Method and apparatus for detection of biological organisms using raman scattering
A system for the detection of compounds, including a target biological organism or component from a sample, using one or more reactant that will bind to the biological organism or compound forming a Raman active product, concentrating the Raman active product, and detecting the Raman active product using Raman light scattering. |
| US08243266B2 |
Sample observation system and sample observation process
A sample observation system and a sample observation process are provided which do not need any special manipulation or treatment to limit the motion of the sample or adjust the orientation of the sample when observing the sample, and enable observation of samples simply from wider direction than ever. A sample observation system of a sample whose vertical direction is defined by gravity, wherein the system at least includes a sample holder having at least one penetrating hole for retaining a liquid containing the sample; an observation unit for observing the sample; and an angle adjusting unit for varying the angle of the observation unit to the direction of the gravity which acts on the sample in a condition in which the sample holder and the observation unit have a fixed relative angle therebetween. |
| US08243265B2 |
Method and apparatus for detecting foreign materials and storage medium
A foreign material detecting method for detecting a foreign material attached to a substrate surface includes a spraying step of spraying an organic solvent or an oil-phase material containing a halogen element to the substrate surface, a condensing step of emphasizing the foreign material by condensing the sprayed organic solvent or oil-phase material around the foreign material attached to the substrate surface by controlling a temperature of the substrate surface, and a surface inspecting step of detecting the foreign material emphasized by the condensation of the organic solvent or the oil-phase material by a surface inspecting device. |
| US08243262B2 |
Method and system for supporting a moving optical component on a sloped portion
A device and a method for supporting an optical component (240) of an optical evaluation system, the device includes: (a) a supporting element (220) that includes a sloped portion (222); (b) at least one movement control component (210) that is coupled to the sloped portion; and (c) a movable element (230), adapted to move along the at least one movement control component; wherein the movable element is adapted to support the optical component; wherein when the movable element supports the optical component a center Of gravity of a combination of the movable element and the optical component is positioned above, the sloped portion or in proximity to the sloped portion. |
| US08243260B2 |
Lithography apparatus
A lithography apparatus includes: a light source comprising a first light beam and a second light beam, a photomask, a polarization controlling system positioned between the light source and the photomask, a wafer state for holding a wafer, and a lens positioned between the photomask and the wafer stage. The polarization controlling system diverts the first light beam into a first polarization direction and diverts the second light beam into a second polarization direction, wherein the first polarization direction and the second polarization direction are different from each other. |
| US08243252B2 |
Movie copy protection
A method for frustrating piracy of a movie, the movie including a plurality of filmed frames, each of the filmed frames including an image, the method including editing the movie prior to projection such that different regions of the image of one of the filmed frames are in different frames so that the different regions will be projected at different times, and repeating the editing for other ones of the filmed frames. Related apparatus and methods are also described. |
| US08243251B2 |
Liquid crystal fresnel lens
The present invention is directed to the provision of a liquid crystal Fresnel lens that achieves high focusing performance. The liquid crystal Fresnel lens according to the present invention includes a concentrically segmented ring-shaped electrode group, a common electrode disposed opposite the ring-shaped electrode group, a liquid crystal layer provided between the ring-shaped electrode group and the common electrode, a first lens segment region which includes a first plurality of ring-shaped electrodes from the ring-shaped electrode group, and which forms a first retardation distribution by utilizing the first plurality of ring-shaped electrodes, and a second lens segment region which includes a second plurality of ring-shaped electrodes from the ring-shaped electrode group, the second plurality of ring-shaped electrodes being located outwardly of the first plurality of ring-shaped electrodes, and which forms a second retardation distribution by utilizing the second plurality of ring-shaped electrodes, wherein a Fresnel lens-like retardation distribution is formed across the first and second lens segment regions, and the number of the second plurality of ring-shaped electrodes is made smaller than the number of the first plurality of ring-shaped electrodes. |
| US08243246B2 |
Liquid crystal display having particular conductive element
A liquid crystal display includes a color filter substrate, an array substrate, a liquid crystal layer, and at least one conductive element. The color filter substrate has at least one color filter, at least one first electrode, and at least one second electrode opposite the first electrode. The second electrode is comb-shaped and disposed between the first electrode and the liquid crystal layer, and one of the first and the second electrodes is electrically connected to a common voltage of the liquid crystal display. At least one conductive element electrically connects the source/drain region of a thin film transistor with the other one of the first and the second electrodes which is not connected to the common voltage. |
| US08243244B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and manufacturing method thereof
A liquid crystal display device for preventing a vertical line defect includes sub-pixels arranged repeatedly in order of red, green, and blue along an N-th (where N is a natural number) horizontal line, and sub-pixels formed in a staggered structure with the N-th horizontal line and arranged repeatedly in order of green, blue, and red along an (N+1)-th horizontal line. Gate lines are formed along the horizontal lines. Data lines are formed to cross the gate lines with a gate insulating layer disposed therebetween and formed to be bent along the sub-pixels of the staggered structure. Thin film transistors are connected to the gate lines and to the data lines and pixel electrodes are connected to the thin film transistors. Storage electrodes overlap the pixel electrodes with the gate insulating layer and a passivation layer disposed therebetween to form storage capacitors. The capacitance of a red storage capacitor of the (N+1)-th horizontal line is greater than the capacitance of a red storage capacitor of the N-th horizontal line. |
| US08243243B2 |
Display device
An embodiment of the invention provides a display device having a common electrode and pixel electrodes disposed in an insulating state on one of a pair of substrates between which a liquid crystal layer is held, in which each of the pixel electrodes includes a plurality of electrode portions disposed in parallel with one another, each of the electrode portions has a flat surface shape in which each of the electrode portions is bent approximately at a central portion in an extension direction, and each of the pixel electrodes also includes a bridge portion through which corresponding ones of the electrode portions are connected to one another in the bending portion. |
| US08243239B2 |
In-plane switching mode liquid crystal display
The present invention relates to an in-plane switching (IPS) mode liquid crystal display. More particularly, the IPS mode liquid crystal display according to the present invention comprises 1) a first polarizing plate; 2) a liquid crystal cell; 3) a retardation film comprising a positive biaxial acryl-based film and a negative C plate; and 4) a second polarizing plate. Accordingly, a contrast property can be improved at a front side of the IPS mode liquid crystal display and at an inclining angle. |
| US08243237B2 |
Transmissive and transflective device display
A device includes a display that includes a transmissive portion, a transflective portion, and a lens array associated with the transflective portion. |
| US08243236B2 |
Liquid crystal display and method for manufacturing liquid crystal display
A transflective-type and a reflection-type liquid crystal display device having a high reflection efficiency and a high image quality are provided. A liquid crystal display device of the present invention is a liquid crystal display device including a reflection region for reflecting incident light toward a display surface, wherein the reflection region includes a metal layer, an insulating layer formed on the metal layer, a semiconductor layer formed on the insulating layer, and a reflective layer formed on the semiconductor layer; a plurality of recesses are formed in at least one of the metal layer, the insulating layer and the semiconductor layer; a plurality of dents are formed in the reflective layer in the reflection region according to the plurality of recesses; and a shortest distance a between edge portions of at least two of the plurality of recesses is 4 μm or less. |
| US08243230B2 |
Image display apparatus, and disguising device
An image display apparatus including a display device for displaying an image by emission of display light in a first direction; a scattering layer disposed in front of the display device, for scattering at least a portion of ambient light; a transparent plate-shaped light source, arranged parallel to the scattering layer and being optically coupled to the scattering layer. The plate-shaped light source may be a passive light source, in which case at least one light source is arranged along an edge of the plate-shaped light source. When the display device is ON, the scattering layer and the plate-shaped light source are transparent. When the display device is OFF, the scattering layer is scattering and the plate-shaped light source is ON. |
| US08243228B2 |
Lighting device, display device and television receiver
The backlight unit 12 includes cold cathode tubes 18, a chassis 14, inverter boards 20, relay connectors 21, and covers 22. The chassis 14 houses the cold cathode tubes 18. The inverter boards 20 are arranged on a side of the chassis 14 opposite from the cold cathode tubes 19. The inverter boards 20 are configured to supply drive power to the cold cathode tubes 18. The relay connectors 21 are mounted to the chassis 14 such that the inverter boards 20 are connected thereto so as to be removal therefrom in one of the directions along a board surface of the inverter board 20. The relay connectors 21 are configured to relay power from the inverter boards 20 to the cold cathode tubes 18. The covers 22 are made of material having a lower strength than the chassis 14 and arranged between the chassis 14 and the inverter boards 20. The chassis 14 has receiving portions 35 that project toward the inverter boards 20 and receive the inverter boards 20. The covers 22 have spacer portions 38 between the receiving portions 35 and the inverter boards 20. |
| US08243226B2 |
Backlight unit and display device having the same
A tiled display device includes a combination of multiple display devices to form a larger tiled display device. The larger tiled display device minimizes the boundaries between in the multiple display devices to improve the active area of the display. A partition wall between display devices may be configured to reduce the distance between the combined display devices. |
| US08243225B2 |
Electronic device having protection panel
An electronic device having a protection panel includes: a display device (3) having a display part (3A); a housing (2) for mounting the display device (3) therein which has a display window (2A) including an opening for allowing the display part (3A) to face externally and a supporting portion (2b) in a shape of a frame; a protection panel (4) fitted into the display window (2A), whose back side rim portion is supported by the supporting portion (2b); and a pressure-sensitive conductive print layer (30) which is disposed between the protection panel (4) and the supporting portion (2b) and configured to detect a pressing operation on the protection panel (4), and includes a resin having a glass-transition temperature (Tg) in a temperature range higher than room temperature as binder, and a conductive material dispersed therein. |
| US08243224B2 |
Flat panel display device having a plurality of first bosses disposed on the rear face of a front panel and a bezel fixedly coupled to an outer peripheral portion
A flat panel display device includes a front cabinet, a rear cabinet, and a flat panel display component. The front cabinet includes a front panel, an edge portion, a plurality of contact ribs, a plurality of first bosses, and a plurality of reinforcing ribs. The contact ribs are disposed on the rear face of the front panel along side parts of the edge portion, respectively. The contact ribs have a main rib that extends parallel to a respective one of the side parts of the edge portion, and a sub rib that extends between the main rib and the respective one of the side parts of the edge portion in a direction perpendicular to the main rib. The reinforcing ribs are disposed on the rear face of the front panel. The reinforcing ribs extend between the first bosses and the main ribs of the contact ribs, respectively. |
| US08243222B2 |
Array substrate for liquid crystal display device and method of manufacturing the same
A method of manufacturing an array substrate for a liquid crystal display device includes forming a gate electrode and a gate line on a substrate through a first mask process, forming a first insulating layer, an active layer, an ohmic contact layer, a buffer metallic layer, and a data line on the substrate including the gate electrode and the gate line through a second mask process, and forming a source electrode, a drain electrode, and a pixel electrode through a third mask process, the pixel electrode extending from the drain electrode, wherein the active layer is disposed over and within the gate electrode. |
| US08243214B2 |
Screen apparatus for vehicle
A screen apparatus for a vehicle is disclosed. The screen apparatus of the present invention includes a screen (5) for displaying an image thereon, a support frame (10), which supports the screen such that the screen is rotatable between an operation position, at which the screen is perpendicular to a ceiling surface of the vehicle, and a storage position, at which the screen is parallel with the ceiling surface of the vehicle, and a vibration absorbing unit (61), which is provided between the support frame and the ceiling surface of the vehicle and has a plurality of elastic wires (67) for absorbing vibrations transmitted to the support frame in multiple directions. Therefore, the present invention can prevent the screen from undesirably moving, thus making it possible for a user to comfortably watch images. |
| US08243208B2 |
Selectable audio output configuration
An audio/video apparatus such as a television apparatus includes two or more auxiliary audio inputs (AUX1, AUX2, and AUX3) for receiving respective audio signals, an audio output, and a switch arrangement for selecting one of a broadcast audio signal and the auxiliary audio input signals. The audio/video apparatus operates in two modes. In the first mode where the audio/video apparatus is turned on, the switch arrangement selects one of the auxiliary audio input signals and a broadcast audio signal in response to a user command, and in the second mode where the audio/video apparatus is turned off, the switch arrangement selects a pre-determined one of the auxiliary audio input signals. |
| US08243203B2 |
Apparatus for automatically generating video highlights and method thereof
The present invention provides an apparatus and method for automatically generating moving picture highlights for video stored in a digital video recorder that detects scene change of stored video, extracts information amount with respect to the relevant video interval on the basis of the scene change detection information, automatically generates moving picture highlights according to moving picture highlight length information set by a user or default value in the system, on the basis of results of the scene change detection and the interval information amount. |
| US08243198B2 |
Apparatus for providing multiple screens and method of dynamically configuring multiple screens
An apparatus for providing multiple screens and a method of dynamically configuring the multiple screens are provided. The apparatus for providing multiple screens uses flags included transferred packets in order to dynamically configure multiple screens that provide a plurality of contents on a physical display device and a method of dynamically configuring multiple screens. The apparatus for providing multiple screens includes a digital signal processing module which determines whether an application included in data information can be executed on a screen on the basis of received data information, and an operational module which operates the application on the screen on the basis of the determination result. |
| US08243196B2 |
Motion adaptive image processing
A method of image processing for converting interlaced images to progressive scan images comprises the steps of generating a motion dependent mixing value for determining the extent to which a preceding image field should be mixed with a current intra-field interpolated image field at a given pixel position, comparing the generated mixing value with a preceding historical mixing value, and if the comparison indicates an increase in motion, using the generated mixing value; otherwise, if the comparison indicates a decrease in motion, temporally filtering the generated mixing value prior to use. |
| US08243194B2 |
Method and apparatus for frame interpolation
The invention provides a method of frame interpolation, the method comprising: receiving first and second frames from an input video stream; generating an interpolated frame for arranging between the first and second frames in a processed video stream so that the second video stream has a different higher frame rate than the input video stream, wherein generating the interpolated frame comprises: identifying one or more moving objects within the first frame; segmenting the or each of the identified moving objects; and, determining motion parameters for each of the segments of the segmented objects. |
| US08243186B2 |
Solid-state image pickup apparatus and electronic apparatus
Disclosed is a solid-state image pickup apparatus including a plurality of pixels. The plurality of pixels each including a lens, a photoelectric converter to convert incident light that passes through the lens into an electrical signal, and a waveguide provided between the lens and the photoelectric converter. The waveguide is disposed so that a center of at least a part of the waveguide on a light exit side is shifted from a main light beam that passes a center of the lens in a direction in which an area where an end portion of the waveguide on the light exit side is overlapped with the photoelectric converter is increased. |
| US08243182B2 |
Method of making a digital camera image of a scene including the camera user
A method of making an image in a digital camera comprises capturing a digital image of a scene into which the camera user is to be inserted, and superimposing a symbol (subject locator) onto the scene image representing at least a part of a human subject. The subject locator is scaled to a desired size and moved to a desired position relative to the scene image. Next a digital image of the user is captured, and at least the part of the user image represented by the subject locator is extracted. The part of the user image represented by the subject locator is scaled (before or after extraction) to substantially the same size as the subject locator and inserted into the first image at the position of the subject locator. |
| US08243180B2 |
Imaging apparatus
An imaging apparatus has an optical system that forms an optical image of a subject field and can vary a magnification of the optical image; an imaging section that converts the optical image formed by the optical system, into an electrical image signal; a display section that displays an image taken by the imaging section; a subject detecting section that detects a main subject in the image taken by the imaging section; a framing controlling section that controls framing based on information about a position of the main subject detected in the subject detecting section; a controlling section that selectively executes one of a first framing support mode that presents on the display section a display that supports the framing based on the information about the position of the main subject detected in the subject detecting section, and a second framing support mode that operates the framing controlling section based on the information about the position of the main subject detected in the subject detecting section; and a switching section that switches between the first framing support mode and the second framing support mode. |
| US08243179B2 |
Solid-state image capturing apparatus, driving method of a solid-state image capturing apparatus, and electronic information device
A solid-state image capturing apparatus according to the present invention includes a pixel area in which pixels for generating a signal charge by a photoelectric conversion on an incident light are arranged in a two dimensional matrix; a row selection section for selecting each pixel row of the pixel area; a plurality of column signal lines, to which an analog pixel signal from each pixel of a pixel row selected by the row selection section is readout; and a signal processing circuit for generating a digital pixel value from the analog pixel signal of each pixel that is read out to each of the column signal lines, where the signal processing circuit includes at least two or more AD conversion circuits for simultaneously converting the analog pixel signal of each pixel of the selected pixel row into a digital pixel value. |
| US08243178B2 |
Physical quantity distribution detecting apparatus and imaging apparatus
A physical quantity distribution detecting apparatus includes a sensor array in which a plurality of unit sensors for sensing physical quantity are two-dimensionally arranged in a matrix; and an analog-to-digital conversion unit that includes a plurality of comparators for comparing an analog signal read from the unit sensor with a reference signal, the analog-to-digital conversion unit converting a digital signal by measuring a period of time or measuring a signal corresponding to the period of time of each comparison output of the plurality of comparators. Each of the plurality of comparators includes at least one capacitor element connected between a signal line and a constant-voltage line. |
| US08243172B2 |
Image pickup system
An SSG circuit section is composed of: a memory storing correction information for correcting a transmission characteristic of an image pickup signal in a transmission path; a readout circuit for reading out the correction information stored in the memory; and an SSG for generating a drive signal to be outputted from a driving circuit and a sampling pulse to be used in a CDS circuit, and for specifying an amplification factor of an amplifier circuit. |
| US08243171B2 |
High resolution zoom: a novel digital zoom for digital video camera
A camera system and a method for zooming the camera system is disclosed. The method generally includes the steps of (A) generating an electronic image by sensing an optical image received by the camera, the sensing including electronic cropping to a window size to establish an initial resolution for the electronic image, (B) generating a final image by decimating the electronic image by a decimation factor to a final resolution smaller than the initial resolution and (C) changing a zoom factor for the final image by adjusting both of the decimation factor and the window size. |
| US08243164B2 |
Method, apparatus, and system for selecting pixels for automatic white balance processing
A method, apparatus, and system that use a white balance operation. A selecting process is applied to each pixel selected and considered for automatic white balance statistics to determine the distance from the selected pixel to a white curve defined in a white area corresponding to an image sensor. |
| US08243163B2 |
Adjusting auto white balance
Techniques, systems and apparatus are described for adjusting auto white balance (AWB). An AWB adjusting device includes a map setting unit to perform map-setting on a number of light-source boxes that is at least M times greater than a number of registers by performing map-switching. M is an integer greater than or equal to 2. The AWB adjusting device includes a pixel counting unit for counting a number of white pixels of a standard image contained in each light-source box with map-setting. The AWB adjusting device includes a light-source selection unit to select a light source based on a maximum light-source box selected from the number of light-source boxes having a greatest number of the white pixels. The AWB adjusting device includes a balance gain applying unit to calculate a red gain and a blue gain based on a mapping value of the maximum light-source box to adjust AWB. |
| US08243162B2 |
Automatic white balancing using meter sensors
An image sensor system includes an image sensor that can be exposed with light from an illuminated scene to produce a secondary image, a meter sensor that can be exposed with light from the illuminated scene to produce a meter secondary image, and an image processor. The image processor can be configured to determine an average pixel color in the secondary image. The image processor can also be configured to determine a white balancing point in response to the secondary image average pixel color, the meter secondary image, meter calibration information for the meter sensor, and the image calibration information for the image sensor. |
| US08243159B2 |
Image capturing device, image processing device, image analysis method for the image capturing device and the image processing device, and program for facial attribute detection
An image capturing device includes: an image capturing unit that captures a subject and generates a captured image; a resolution converting unit that converts the captured image into a plurality of images with different resolutions; an image storing unit that stores the converted plurality of images with different resolutions as a set of images; a first image analysis processing unit that performs a first image analysis process of analyzing the captured image by using a combination of a plurality of images among the images included in the set of images; and a second image analysis processing unit that performs a second image analysis process that is different from the first image analysis process and is a process of analyzing the captured image by using, among the images included in the set of images, a combination of a plurality of images different from the combination of a plurality of images. |
| US08243153B2 |
Photographing apparatus including at least one shake correction lens and method on photographing apparatus
Provided is a photographing apparatus including at least one shake correction lens through which image light is transmitted; a first driving unit moving the shake correction lens; an imaging device converting the image light transmitted through the shake correction lens to an electronic signal; a rotating unit rotating the imaging device about an optical axis of the image light; and a controller controlling the first driving unit and the rotating unit. A method on a photographing apparatus. The method including sensing shaking of the photographing apparatus; compensating for the shaking of the photographing apparatus by rotating an imaging device, the imaging device generating electrical signals from light incident to a subject image; and compensating for the shaking of the photographing apparatus by moving a shake correction lens in two directions, wherein light incident to the subject image passes through the shake correction lens and strikes the imaging device. |
| US08243152B2 |
Photographic apparatus with inclination correction
A photographic apparatus comprises a movable platform and a controller. The movable platform has an imager that captures an optical image through a taking lens, and is movable and rotatable on an xy plane perpendicular to an optical axis of the taking lens. The controller calculates an inclination angle of the photographic apparatus, which is formed by rotation of the photographic apparatus around the optical axis, as measured with respect to a level plane perpendicular to the direction of gravitational force, and performs a controlled movement of the movable platform for an inclination correction based on the inclination angle. The controller calculates an elevation/depression angle that represents an angle at which the optical axis intersects said level plane, and calculates the inclination angle in consideration of the elevation/depression angle. |
| US08243151B2 |
Vibration prevention control circuit of imaging device
A vibration prevention control circuit is provided, comprising at least one analog-to-digital converter circuit that converts an output signal of a vibration detection element which detects vibration of an imaging device, and an output signal of a position detection element which detects a position of an optical component, into digital signals, and a logic circuit that generates a control signal which drives the optical component, based on the output signal of the vibration detection element which is digitized by the analog-to-digital converter circuit and the output signal of the position detection element which is digitized by the analog-to-digital converter circuit, wherein a phase delay circuit (all-pass filter) is provided that delays a phase of the output signal of the vibration detection element without changing an intensity in a predetermined frequency band and outputs the processed signal. |
| US08243149B2 |
Camera module with anti-shake mechanism
An exemplary camera module includes a fixture, a lens module, a movable frame, an image sensor, a position sensor, a first and a second magnet, and a first and a second magnetic field generator. The position sensor is used to detect displacements of the lens module caused by shake. The magnetic field generators are used to apply a magnetic field to the corresponding magnets, each of the magnetic field generators is electrifiable in response to detection by the position sensor of displacement of the lens module caused by shake. Accordingly, at least one of the magnets and the corresponding magnetic field generator cooperatively drive the lens module to move and compensate the displacement of the image sensor. |
| US08243148B2 |
Image processing device
An image processing device that produces a restored image that gives people natural feeling when a shot image with longer exposure time on the way to image blurring due to hand jiggling or an end portion is restored. The image processing device comprises an image processing unit that produces a restored image approximated to an original image from an object image to be processed, which is fluctuated against the original image due to movement of an image shooting device during exposure. The image processing unit produces the restored image while making the restored image correspond to a position having the longest exposure time for an object image to be processed. |
| US08243146B2 |
Solid-state imaging device and electronic apparatus
Disclosed herein is a solid-state imaging device including a plurality of pixel units configured to be disposed in an imaging area in such a way that a plurality of pixels corresponding to different colors are treated as one unit, wherein the amount of shift of a position of each of the pixels in the pixel unit is so set as to differ depending on distance from a center of the imaging area to the pixel unit and a color. |
| US08243143B2 |
Method and apparatus for generation of a video quality parameter
This invention provides a parameter for use in assessing video quality based on temporal frame freezing for use in an apparatus and method for perceptual video quality measurement. The invention provides a method of generating a freeze frame parameter relating to the perceptual impact of frozen frames in a video signal comprising the steps of: identifying frozen frames; identifying a freeze event comprising a plurality of consecutive frozen frames, the freeze event having a duration in dependence upon the number of frozen frames in said sequence; defining a set of duration ranges; and generating a freeze frame parameter in dependence upon the number of freeze events having a duration falling within each duration range. Methods and apparatus for perceptual video quality measurement using the method are also provided. |
| US08243140B1 |
Deployable checkpoint system
A system and method for conducting traffic surveillance at a deployable checkpoint lane. At least one license plate reader is positioned adjacent to the checkpoint lane, in a predetermined location relative to a license plate reading zone, for acquiring and interpreting images of a license plate on a vehicle transiting through the license plate reading zone. At least one video camera is positioned adjacent to the checkpoint lane for capturing images of the vehicle transiting through the license plate reading zone. A trigger device is positioned adjacent to the checkpoint lane for initiating the capture of video images of the vehicle. A field control unit including a processor and a data store, and cooperative with each digital and video camera, compares images of the license plate on the vehicle and determines which license plate characters and vehicle images to store in a vehicle record to be transmitted to an external database for processing and analysis. |
| US08243130B2 |
Capsule medical device guidance system
A capsule medical device guidance system including a magnetic field generator that generates either a trapping magnetic field that attracts a magnetic field response unit at any position on a horizontal plane and traps a capsule medical device or a gradient magnetic field that has a substantially uniform magnetic field gradient and forces the magnetic field response unit. When the control unit switches the magnetic field from the trapping magnetic field to the gradient magnetic field, a control unit causes a storage unit to store a generation position on the horizontal plane, and when the control unit switches a magnetic field from the gradient magnetic field to the trapping magnetic field, the control unit causes the magnetic field generator to generate the trapping magnetic field at the position stored in the storage unit. |
| US08243127B2 |
Switchable optical imaging system and related 3D/2D image switchable apparatus
The present invention is directed a switchable optical imaging system and a 3D/2D image switchable apparatus having high functional flexibility in a number of aspects and adaptability to various applications. The present invention is based on generating directional optical beams, transforming these optical beams and projecting transformed optical beams in a field of view to thereby divide the field of view into one or more adjustable viewing zones and to form 2-dimensional (2D) images or perspective views of a 3-dimensional (3D) image of an object or scene therein. The present invention is embodied in the switchable optical imaging system and the 3D/2D image switchable apparatus using the same system. |
| US08243124B2 |
Face detection apparatus and distance measurement method using the same
Provided are a face detection apparatus and a distance measurement method using the same. The face detection apparatus detects a face using left and right images which are acquired from a stereo camera. The face detection apparatus measures distance from the stereo camera to the face using an image frame which is provided from the stereo camera without a stereo matching process. Accordingly, the face detection apparatus simultaneously performs face detection and distance measurement even in a low-performance system. |
| US08243120B2 |
Method and device for realizing private session in multipoint conference
A method for realizing a private session in a multipoint conference is provided. The method includes: establishing, by a multipoint control unit (MCU), a private session according to a private session establishment request carrying private session participant identifiers (IDs) sent by a private session initiator, and sending audio code streams of private session participants corresponding to the private session participant IDs. A device for realizing a private session in a multipoint conference is further provided. Thus, a part of participants can discuss privately while normally listening to the content of the multipoint conference. |
| US08243119B2 |
Recording and videomail for video conferencing call systems
In one aspect, a request to initiate a video conference is received from a caller. The request identifies one or more called parties for the video conference. A request for the video conference is sent to one of the called parties. The called party does not accept the request. In response to a lack of acceptance of the request by the called party, a videomail service is provided. A videomail message from the caller is recorded. The caller is the sender of the videomail message and the called party is the recipient of the videomail message. The called party is notified that he has a videomail message. |
| US08243117B2 |
Processing aspects of a video scene
Embodiments are configured to provide video conferencing functionality including using pre-processing and/or post-processing features to provide a video signal, but the embodiments are not so limited. In an embodiment, components of a video conferencing system can operate to provide a video signal based in part on the use of features of a pre-processing component and/or post-processing component. In one embodiment, a video conference device can include a pre-processing component and/or post-processing component to that can be used to compensate for bandwidth constraints associated with a video conferencing environment. |
| US08243115B2 |
Method for adjusting a spatial light modulator
A method for adjusting a spatial light modulator comprising an array of channels, the method includes selecting a plurality of channel sets, wherein all the channels in each set are contiguously arranged; determining a first intensity value for first output radiation in the channel sets; performing a first adjustment based on the first intensity value, including adjusting a control level of a first channel in the first channel set without adjusting a control level of a second channel in the first one of the channel sets; determining a second intensity value for second output radiation, which includes output radiation by some of the channels in the first channel set, and excludes output radiation provided by at least one channel in the first channel set; and performing a second adjustment based at least on the second intensity value. |
| US08243112B2 |
Recording head and recording apparatus provided with the recording head
The present invention provides a recording head for a photographic printing device. The recording head of the present invention includes on a substrate two heating elements arranged adjacently and parallel to each other on a substrate. Each of the heating elements has connected to its ends a connection section, the connection sections and the heating element lying in a straight line. First and second connection sections are connected to the first heating element and third and fourth connection sections are connected to the second heating element. The heat capacities of the first and fourth connection sections are different from that of the second and of the third connection sections. The heat capacities of the first and fourth connection sections are substantially the same, as are the heat capacities of the second and third connection sections. |
| US08243107B2 |
Display panel device, display device, and control method thereof
A display panel device includes: a luminescence element; a capacitor; a driver that passes a drain current through the luminescence element; a data line that supplies a signal voltage to the capacitor; a switch that switchably interconnects the data line and the capacitor; and a controller. The controller is configured to: apply a predetermined bias voltage to a second capacitor electrode to prevent a flow of the drain current; turn ON the switch to supply the signal voltage to a first capacitor electrode; apply a reverse bias voltage to the second capacitor electrode to flow a discharge current between a source of the driver and the second capacitor electrode; and turn OFF the switch, after a lapse of a predetermined period of time since the discharge current is caused to flow, to stop the supply of the signal voltage to the first capacitor electrode. |
| US08243104B2 |
Image display apparatus and method
An image display device and an image display method are provided so as to suppress consumption power and provide a more brightly colored display image. The image display device is provided with a light modulating means wherein image data is inputted and an image is formed by modulating light from a light source based on the image data. The image display device is also provided with a color information detecting means for detecting a quantity of a chromatic color component of an image expressed by the image data; a light source control data generating means for generating light source control data for controlling brightness of the light source; and a light source control means for controlling the brightness of the light source based on the light source control data. |
| US08243102B1 |
Derivative-based selection of zones for banded map display
A graphics or image rendering system, such as a map image rendering system, determines a viewing window of a map surface to be displayed, wherein the viewing plane is at an angle of incidence with respect to the map surface. The method generally determines a depth boundary along the map surface where a height projection of a depth increment of a first unit of area is lower than a threshold height increment at a non-zero angle of incidence and at a single zoom level magnification. The method renders the first unit of area within the depth boundary and a second unit of area outside the depth boundary. The first unit of area is rendered at a first density of map data and the second unit of area is rendered at a second density of map data that is lower than the first density of map data. |
| US08243100B2 |
System and method to perform fast rotation operations
Systems and methods to perform fast rotation operations are disclosed. In a particular embodiment, a method includes executing a single instruction. The method includes receiving first data indicating a first coordinate and a second coordinate, receiving a first control value that indicates a first rotation value selected from a set of ninety degree multiples, and writing output data corresponding to the first data rotated by the first rotation value. |
| US08243094B2 |
Gray scale data bit allocation processing method within a light-emitting diode driving integrated circuit device
The present invention is related to a gray-scale data bit processing method applied in a driving integrated circuit device of light-emitting diode (LED), and more particularly to a separating and recombining method applied to reduce the bit numbers of data to be processed to indicate the brightness of light-emitting diode, and thus a set of weight values and more updating rates are generated to obtain an identical sum of gray-scale weight values compared to the original one processed at a higher bit numbers of data operation. |
| US08243093B2 |
Systems and methods for dither structure creation and application for reducing the visibility of contouring artifacts in still and video images
Aspects of the present invention relate to creation, modification and implementation of dither pattern structures applied to an image to diminish contouring artifacts. Some aspects relate to dither pattern structures with pixel values in a first color channel pattern that are spatially dispersed from pixel values in a corresponding pattern in a second color channel. Some aspects relate to application. Some aspects relate to systems and apparatus for creation and application of these dither pattern structures comprising pixel values dispersed across color channels. |
| US08243092B1 |
System, method, and computer program product for approximating a pixel color based on an average color value and a number of fragments
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for approximating a pixel color. In operation, an average color value and a number of fragments are identified for each of a plurality of pixels. Additionally, a color of each pixel is approximated, based on such average color value and number of fragments. |
| US08243091B2 |
Image processor capable of converting values in a color gamut for suitable color matching
An image processor includes a first data acquiring unit, a second data acquiring unit, a third data acquiring unit, a convergence point setting unit, and a converting unit. The first data acquiring unit acquires first color data that is included in a first color gamut. The second data acquiring unit acquires second color data having a highest chroma of a second color gamut. The second color gamut has a middle point on an achromatic axis. The third data acquiring unit acquires third color data that is located on the achromatic axis and that is closer to the middle point than a point on the achromatic axis having the same lightness of the second color data. The convergence point setting unit sets a convergence point for the first color data on a first line segment defined between the second color data and the third color data. The converting unit converts the first data into fourth data that is included in the second color gamut by moving the first data in a direction toward the convergence point. |