| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08250057B2 |
Method for automatically sensing a set of items
A method for automatically sensing a set of elements in a computer system, wherein each element in the set has an associated character body from a plurality of character bodies, and each character body comprises character strings which characterize a respective element, the performance of the method involving a search for at least one prescribed character string within the character bodies and use of the at least one character string to ascertain at least one property for at least one element, and association of this at least one ascertained property with at least one category, and this involving a user of the method being provided with a taxonomy which is inherent of the set of elements. |
| US08250054B2 |
Network search engine utilizing client browser favorites
An Internet infrastructure that supports search operations that are restricted by user favorite lists, related user metadata, and user trends that are based on client-stored user favorite behavior. The Internet infrastructure contains a search engine server coupled to a plurality of web browsers resident on client devices that contain user/favorite lists and metadata. The search engine supports delivery of search result web links to the client device based upon a search string, favorite list, and related metadata. The search engine server gathers favorite lists and related metadata from the plurality of web browsers, anonymously and with user permission. The search engine server stores the gathered favorite lists and related metadata in a database that is associated with the search engine server, and delivers search results based upon the search string by putting restrictions on search results based upon stored data in the database. |
| US08250053B2 |
Intelligent enhancement of a search result snippet
A method, system, and medium are provided for enhancing a search result snippet that is associated with a URL. Potentially descriptive terms of the URL are identified by reconciling multiple sources of terms related to the URL. One aspect includes comparing search terms of historically relevant queries to anchor text for the URL. The search result snippet might be intelligently enhanced by causing common terms to be visibly distinguished when the snippet is displayed. |
| US08250046B2 |
Cross-language search
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, in which a cross-language search can be performed. A search query is received in a first language. A translated search query of the search query is obtained and evaluated to determine whether it is a candidate for cross-language searching. Upon identifying a candidate, a search can be performed using the translated search query to generate search results relevant to the translated search query. |
| US08250041B2 |
Method and apparatus for propagation of file plans from enterprise retention management applications to records management systems
Integration between Enterprise Records Management systems (ERMs) and Records Management Systems (RMSs) is provided, thus providing a robust record classification and retention schedule enforcement process in large enterprises. Typically, ERMs have been designed from the ground up to be highly scalable across multiple national and regional jurisdictions, whereas RMS's were primarily departmental. Proper integration between ERMs and RMSs, as provided by the invention, allows corporations to deploy larger scale multi-organizational instances of RMSs, thus achieving a better level of control and significant economies of scale. |
| US08250033B1 |
Replication of a data set using differential snapshots
A replication process using snapshots to maintain information regarding changes made to a production data set following a point in time. In some embodiments, the production data set may be a file system and the snapshot may store information relating to changes made to both previously-allocated and newly-allocated data blocks. When a change is made to a previously-allocated data block, the original contents for the data block may be copied to a save volume prior to being overwritten by the new data, while for a newly-allocated data block no data may be copied to the save volume. An entry may also be created in a map identifying each changed data block. A replication process may then read the block map to identify data blocks storing new data to should be replicated to a replication data set, such that the replication data set remains a copy of the production data set. |
| US08250031B2 |
Low traffic failback remote copy
The local storage performs remote copy to the remote storage. For low traffic failback remote copy, the remote storage performs a delta copy to the local storage, the delta being the difference between the remote storage and local storage. The local storage backs up snapshot data. The remote storage resolves the difference of the snapshot of the local storage and the remote storage. The difference resolution method can take one of several approaches. First, the system informs the timing of snapshot of the local storage to the remote storage and records the accessed area of the data. Second, the system informs the timing of snapshot of the local storage to the remote storage, and the remote storage makes a snapshot and compares the snapshot and remote copied data. Third, the system compares the local data and remote copy data with hashed data. |
| US08250030B2 |
Provisional authority in a distributed database
Techniques for writing data in a distributed database system having a plurality of members and a master are disclosed. In one embodiment, a write request is received at an originating member. The write request is applied to a version of a database on the originating member and is placed in a journal queue of items for propagating to the master in one single atomic action. The write request is propagated to the master. Whether the propagated write request is associated with a conflict is determined, and in an event it is determined that the propagated write request is associated with the conflict, an indication that the write request is associated with the conflict is sent to the originating member. |
| US08250029B2 |
Method for ensuring replication from a change queue of a source database to a target database when transaction load exceeds data path by spawning a new transaction path between the change queue and the target database
A method is provided for replicating transaction data from a source database to a target database wherein the transaction data is communicated from a change queue associated with the source database to the target database. An initial path is provided between the change queue and the target database for transaction data to flow. The initial path has a maximum transaction load capacity. It is then detected whether the current transaction load is close or equal to the maximum transaction load capacity of the initial path. If so, another path is provided between the change queue and the target database. |
| US08250028B2 |
Method for coordinating updates to database and in-memory cache
A computer method and system of caching. In a multi-threaded application, different threads execute respective transactions accessing a data store (e.g. database) from a single server. The method and system represent status of datastore transactions using respective certain (e.g. Future) parameters. Results of the said transactions are cached based on transaction status as represented by the certain parameters and on data store determination of a subject transaction. The caching employs a two stage commit and effectively forms a two level cache. One levels maps from datastore keys to entries in the cache. Each entry stores a respective last known commit value. The second level provides an optional mapping from a respective transaction as represented by the corresponding certain parameter to an updated value. |
| US08250025B2 |
Anonymous reporting system
An anonymous reporting system for use in reporting and following up on incidents, accidents, and the like. The system may be accessed via an Internet website. A reporting individual may select a type of incident to report. In one example, the reporting individual may select a level on anonymity and some, none or all of the individual's personal identification is displayed to the organization according to the selected level. |
| US08250016B2 |
Variable-stride stream segmentation and multi-pattern matching
A variable-stride multi-pattern matching apparatus segments patterns and input streams into variable-size blocks according to a modified winnowing algorithm. The variable-stride pattern segments are used to determine the block-symbol alphabet for a variable-stride discrete finite automaton (VS-DFA) that is used for detecting the patterns in the input streams. Applications include network-intrusion detection and protection systems, genome matching, and forensics. The modification of the winnowing algorithm includes using special hash values to determine the position of delimiters of the patterns and input streams. The delimiters mark the beginnings and ends of the segments. In various embodiments, the patterns are segmented into head, core, and tail blocks. The approach provides for memory, memory-bandwidth, and processor-cycle efficient, deterministic, high-speed, line-rate pattern matching. |
| US08250012B1 |
Evaluating recommendations by determining user actions, and performance values pertaining to lists of recommendations
Generally described, embodiments of the present disclosure are directed toward the identification of items for inclusion in a recommendations list that may be displayed concurrently with an item selected by a user or users. The recommended items may be items that are of potential interest to the user and/or may be items that are related to the selected item. More specifically, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method and system for generating one or more recommendations lists, providing those lists to users, evaluating users' interactions with those lists, and modifying the engines or techniques used to identify items that are to be included in the recommendations lists. |
| US08250011B2 |
Autonomous learning dynamic artificial neural computing device and brain inspired system
A hierarchical information processing system is disclosed having a plurality of artificial neurons, comprised of binary logic gates, and interconnected through a second plurality of dynamic artificial synapses, intended to simulate or extend the function of a biological nervous system. The system is capable of approximation, autonomous learning and strengthening of formerly learned input patterns. The system learns by simulated Synaptic Time Dependent Plasticity, commonly abbreviated to STDP. Each artificial neuron consisting of a soma circuit and a plurality of synapse circuits, whereby the soma membrane potential, the soma threshold value, the synapse strength and the Post Synaptic Potential at each synapse are expressed as values in binary registers, which are dynamically determined from certain aspects of input pulse timing, previous strength value and output pulse feedback. |
| US08250006B2 |
Inferential sensors developed using three-dimensional pareto-front genetic programming
A predictive algorithm for predictive at least one output variable based on a plurality of input variables is developed using a genetic programming technique that evolves a population of candidate algorithms through multiple generations. Within each generation, the candidate algorithms are evaluated based on three fitness criteria: (i) an accuracy criterion that evaluates each candidate algorithm's ability to predict historical measurements of the at least one output variable based on corresponding historical measurements of the input variables; (ii) a complexity criterion that evaluates each candidate algorithm's complexity; and (iii) a smoothness criterion that evaluates each candidate algorithm's nonlinearity. The predictive algorithm may be implemented in an inferential sensor that is used to monitor a physical, chemical, or biological process, such as an industrial process in an industrial plant. |
| US08250004B2 |
Machine learning
Computer implemented machine learning methods are described. A co-operative learning method involves a first rule based system and a second rule based system. A rule base is generated from input data and recursion data is used to recursively update the rule base as a result of newly received input data. Rule data defining at least one rule and associated data are sent to the second system which determines whether to update its rule base using the transmitted rule data, and if so the recursion data is used to recursively determine the updated rules for its rule base. A father machine learning method for a rule based system, involves receiving time series data, determining whether the data increases or decreases the spatial density for previously existing rules, and if so then creating a new cluster and associated rule, otherwise a new cluster is not created. |
| US08249998B2 |
System for resolving distressed shipments
A cooperative system and an associated method are provided for resolving a distressed shipment during transport by a carrier, where the distressed shipment includes one or more parcels rendered temporarily undeliverable by an exception event while in transit from a shipper to a consignee. The inventive method involves the shipper in the task of contacting the consignee for the additional information necessary to resolve the shipment. The system creates a cooperative of participating shippers and carriers, working together to complete a shipment and thereby avoid the delay and expense associated with a premature or unnecessary return. |
| US08249993B2 |
Transparently securing data for transmission on financial networks
Systems and methods for performing financial transactions are provided. In one embodiment, the invention provides a method for processing token data for a bank card transaction, the method includes: receiving a string of first token data from a token at a token reader; modifying the first token data and generating second token data, the second token data including modified token data; performing a modulo arithmetic operation on the second token data and determining a mod 10 check digit that will cause a modulo arithmetic check of the second token data to yield the same result as the modulo arithmetic check would yield on the first token data; and inserting the mod 10 check digit in the second data string and forwarding the second data string for the transaction. |
| US08249991B2 |
Contents reproduction expiration management system, contents reproduction expiration managing method, terminal apparatus, server apparatus, program, and recording medium for managing permission/non-permission of reproduction of contents
Peculiar identification information to identify a recording medium itself is recorded onto the recording medium on which contents information as a target of a reproduction deadline management is recorded. At least the identification information recorded on the recording medium as mentioned above is read by a terminal apparatus and transmitted to a server apparatus. In the server apparatus, a reproduction possible deadline of the contents information recorded on the recording medium is managed on the basis of reproduction possible deadline information indicative of the reproduction possible deadline regarding the contents information recorded on the recording medium on the basis of at least the identification information.Thus, when the reproduction deadline of the contents recorded on the recording medium is managed, the operation for allowing the server apparatus side to set registration information such as personal information or the like of the user as in the conventional system is unnecessary. |
| US08249988B2 |
System and method for verifying payment
A method, apparatus and system for verifying a charge payment transaction subsequent to executing the charge payment transaction in a retail location. The method includes moving a charge payment device into the retail location and presenting the charge payment device at a merchant point of sale located at the retail location for performing the charge payment transaction. A transaction record of the charge payment transaction is stored in a transaction log within the charge payment device. A report record of the charge payment transaction is transmitted from the merchant point of sale to a settlement system and added to an electronic payments report. The transaction log is electronically correlated with the electronic payments report, checking for discrepancies between the transaction log and the electronic payments report. |
| US08249986B2 |
Methods and systems of controlling activities of financial accounts
Embodiments describe a method and a system to control activities of a financial account. A holder of the financial account may be restricted to transact only with a first set of merchants. The holder of the financial account may be prohibited from transacting with a second set of merchants. The holder of the financial account may further be restricted to transact based on at least one of category or spending limit. |
| US08249981B2 |
Methods and systems for generating transition probability matrices through an optimization framework
A method for generating an optimized transition probability matrix (OTPM) is provided. The method is performed using a computer system coupled to a database. The method includes storing in the database financial data including obligor credit ratings, generating multi-period empirical transition probability matrices (ETPMs) for a selected time horizon using the financial data stored within the database, generating a mathematical expression to minimize a difference between target ETPM values and candidate OTPM values, and calculating the OTPM from the generated mathematical expression and the financial data stored within the database, wherein the calculated OTPM includes a first set of optimized transition probability values for predicting a likelihood that a credit rating of an obligor will migrate from one credit state to another credit state during a first time interval in the future. |
| US08249979B2 |
Multiple protocol trading system
A multi-protocol trading system in which traders preferring different trading protocols may coexist within the same system, and access the same liquidity pool, while maintaining their trading rule preferences. The system supports two protocol preferences: a workup preference and a FIFO preference, and includes a single integrated order book that stores orders received from both workup and FIFO traders. Received orders are matched against orders in the order book in accordance with a FIFO and/or workup protocol, as a function of preferences selected by the traders and/or the system operator. Alternatively, the system includes a pair of order books, a workup order book and a FIFO order book. Customers submit linked orders having a workup leg and a FIFO leg which may be matched against the workup and/or FIFO order books, as a function of preferences selected by the traders and/or the system operator. |
| US08249978B1 |
System and method for holding and sending an order to a matching engine
A user can submit an order to buy or sell a tradeable object, only the order does not get sent to the matching engine. Instead, the order is placed in temporary storage and it is displayed to the user in the form of a virtual order icon. The virtual order icon indicates that an order request is waiting for an event to occur before it is automatically released to the matching engine. The virtual icon to a different price level or deleting it. The system continuously monitors for an event to take place. In response to detecting the event, the order is released to the matching engine. As such, the virtual order icon is transformed or removed and a real order icon is displayed indicating that the order has now been sent to the matching engine. |
| US08249977B2 |
System and method for aggressively trading a strategy in an electronic trading environment
System and method for aggressively trading a spread trading strategy in an electronic environment are provided herein. According to the example embodiments, a trader may configure the automated trading tool to trade as aggressively as possible by leaning on a price without an associated quantity. This allows a trader to possibly obtain a more profitable price as well as get filled faster. Traders submit an order for a spread and the automated trading tool calculates the quote order price based on a defined level of aggressiveness, the leaned on price, and the desired spread price. Based on the level of defined aggressiveness and the gap in the market, the automated trading tool may lean on a mildly, moderately, or extremely aggressive price. |
| US08249974B1 |
System and method for continuously offered guaranteed mutual fund with allocation to risky market investments
Software implemented guarantee valuation engine and methodology that enable a mutual fund that is continuously offered; always fully invested in assets, such as risky securities or strategies, that comprise a primary source of the fund's return that correlate to a benchmark and which is subject to a guarantee with respect to net asset value on a specified future date to be re-priced on a daily basis and to have the effect of such re-pricing in the reported NAV of the fund. |
| US08249973B2 |
System and method for asymmetric offsets in a risk management system
A system and method for using asymmetrical offsets for products in a risk management analysis system are disclosed. Conventional systems assign symmetrical offsets for products, that is, if two products have an 80% correlation they each would be assigned an offset of 80% with respect to each other. However, it is desirable to allow for asymmetrical offsets. In the disclosed system and method, when two products have a correlation of 80%, one may be assigned an offset of 75% and the other may be assigned an offset of 80%. There are many reasons to vary the offset between the products. The varying offset may reflect an asymmetry in the risk in one of the products, such as being traded in an illiquid market or in a less desirable venue. The varying offset may correct for an imbalance in spread credits due to special charges from intra spreading. |
| US08249972B2 |
Method and system for creating a volatility benchmark index
A method and system for creating a volatility benchmark index is disclosed. The method includes obtaining a value of a Treasury bill account less a mark-to-market value of at least one of a volatility-based future or option and calculating a value reflecting a volatility benchmark. The value may be displayed at a trading facility and volatility benchmark quotes may be transmitted by the trading facility to a market participant. |
| US08249968B1 |
Real-time insurance estimate based on non-personal identifying information
Methods and systems for providing estimated insurance quotes/premiums are described herein. After analyzing rate factors, a subset of rate factors are selected that yield a fairly accurate estimated insurance premium from a minimum amount of information easily obtainable from a user. The user inputs a value from a predetermined set of allowable inputs (value input filter). After receiving and analyzing the user inputs, the system generates one or more estimates and displays the one or more estimates to the user, e.g., via a web page. When multiple estimates are provided, the multiple estimates may differ based on the level of coverage, add-on features, or both. Readily known non-personal identifying information is preferably requested and used, thereby alleviating privacy concerns while still being able to provide an estimate to the user very quickly, e.g., under 30 seconds, once all the requested information is obtained. |
| US08249965B2 |
Member-supported mobile payment system
A member-supported payment system is available to consumers and merchants without sign-up fees, subscription fees, or transaction fees to either consumers or merchants. In a specific implementation, the member payment system is a mobile payment system where consumers may conduct transactions using a mobile device such as a mobile telephone, smartphone, personal digital assistant, or similar portable wireless handheld device. Merchants will make a refundable one-time contribution. These contributions are stored in a pooled trust account by the system and the float dividends or interest on these contributions will fund the system. |
| US08249961B1 |
Systems and methods for managing consolidated purchasing, billing and payment information
A method, system and computer-usable medium are disclosed for managing purchase, billing, and payment transactions. A unique identifier of a consolidated purchase card account, issued by a service provider to a user, is accepted by a plurality of vendors as a proxy of the unique identifier of their own vendor-issued purchase card account. Purchase transactions resulting from acceptance of the consolidated purchase card account are processed to produce an individual billing statement for each vendor. The individual billing statements are aggregated into a consolidated billing statement by the service provider, which is then presented to the user on behalf of each vendor. The user reviews the consolidated billing statement and provides payment instructions to the service provider. The payment instructions are processed to pay funds from a funding account of the user to each respective vendor. |
| US08249955B2 |
Method of testing item availability and delivery performance of an e-commerce site
An inventory management, and a shipping/returns management system can be analyzed to determine various performance characteristics of an e-commerce operator, such as whether the latter maintains sufficient items to meet demand, whether distribution is occurring in a timely fashion, etc. The systems are analyzed using one or more anonymous proxy accounts. |
| US08249953B2 |
Methods and apparatus for determining the status of a device
Methods and devices are provided for determining the status of a networked device, e.g., a networked RFID device. In some embodiments of the invention, a customized packet is used to transmit a “heartbeat” from each of a plurality of networked devices to a server. Some such embodiments use a customized syslog packet for the heartbeats. The heartbeat includes identification information regarding the device, e.g., the unique electronic product code (“EPC”) of the device. The identification information may include other identification and/or authentication information, such as a shared secret and time data, which may be hashed with the identification information. The heartbeat may include information indicating the health, accuracy and/or reliability of the device and/or of the network that includes the device. |
| US08249951B2 |
System and method for providing access to product related electronic catalog functionality
An aggregation of functionality related to a product within an electronic catalog hosted by a wholesaler web system is provided by presenting on a client computing device a webpage in which a single product is directly associated with a single access point. The single access point provides a means by which plural wholesaler web system functions related to the single product are made available to a consumer. A listing of the plural wholesaler web system functions related to the single product is displayed within the webpage in response to an activation of the single access point by the consumer. In response to a selection by the consumer from the displayed listing the wholesaler web system initiates a performance of the one of the plural wholesaler web system functions so selected. |
| US08249950B2 |
Payment mechanism integration wizard
The wizard steps the merchant through creating an account to obtain credentials and educates the merchant on the page flows of the payment mechanism that the merchant wishes to integrate. Then, the wizard generates code snippets and files to be downloaded by the merchant and to be easily inserted into key pages of the merchant's online commercial website. The merchant can then test the completely integrated code in a developer's sandbox or go live with the completely integrated code. |
| US08249948B1 |
System for obtaining recommendations from multiple recommenders
A personalization network service enables developers to develop recommenders that can be made available to content site operators for providing recommendations to end users. The personalization network service may also be capable of optimizing the use and selection of the recommenders for different end users, groups or segments of end users, content sites, and the like. |
| US08249947B2 |
Vehicle seat component selection system
A vehicle seat component selection system includes a showroom having a vehicle seat component display and a touch screen terminal for input of customer data such as vehicle identification, vehicle assembly location and vehicle assembly volume. The terminal has access to a vehicle seat component database which defines characteristics of each component, such as sourcing location, cost, and compatibility with other components. A customer seat selection report is created by selecting components from the database, with a signal provided in the event incompatible components are selected. The terminal graphically displays the components as they are selected, and indicates a price range for the seat assembly as it is being proposed. |
| US08249943B2 |
Auction based polling
A system and method for auction based polling is provided. Parameters related to a poll are received from a first user. Parameters related to a poll are received from a first user. A query is associated with the poll. A priority of the poll is determined based on the parameters. The poll is distributed to one or more second users according to the priority. Results to the poll are gathered. The results are reported to the first user. |
| US08249938B2 |
Fuzzy evaluation of responses to provide degree of satisfaction
The present invention provides a system and method for evaluating offers that are received in response to a request of a user. The system and method of the present invention use fuzzy logic to evaluate the offers. The evaluation provides a degree of satisfaction based on the information provided by the user. |
| US08249937B2 |
Tier-based dynamic incentive arbitration in an on-demand computing environment
A system for allocating resources which are anticipated to be available in an on-demand computing at some time in the future, wherein a producer trending agent (PTA) lists resources according to a trend prediction of resource availability in the past, a consumer trending agent (CTA) places bids for listed resources according to previous resource usage trends, and an arbitration system (REAS) matches the bids with the listings to determine if a match exists. If so, a binding contract for consumption of the matched listed resources is established. The PTA also produce tier-based dynamic incentive (TDI) schema which divides potential bidders into tiers, and offers additional resource incentives according to the tiers. Both PTA and CTA dynamically update their available/usage trends, listings and bids, over time. |
| US08249931B2 |
System for selectively communicating promotional information to a person
A system for selectively communicating promotional information to a person, includes a sensing system, a storage device, a controller, and a projection device. The sensing system measures a detectable feature associated with the person sensed by the sensing system and the storage device stores a plurality of promotional segments. The controller uses the measured detectable feature associated with the person for selecting one of the stored promotional segments and causing the projection device to project to the person at the predetermined location the selected promotional segment. |
| US08249930B2 |
Online map advertising
Systems and methods for selecting advertisements for presentation in a map space are disclosed. Map requests are received, map spaces identified, advertisement bids are received for advertisement space within the map spaces, and advertisements are selected for presentation in the map space based on the advertisement bids. The advertisement bids can be selected through an auction. |
| US08249928B2 |
Food product scale and method for providing in-store incentives to customers
In addition to standard product labels, incentive labels are printed and provided to customers when an item is identified to and weighed by a scale/label printer located in a store by accessing an incentive database to determine the existence and nature of any incentive. One or more display devices may be used in connection with providing incentives, including enabling a customer to select from among a number of incentives displayed. An incentive label construction may be provided with desirable folding features. Certain incentives may be of a graduated/progressive type to invite larger purchases by customers. |
| US08249927B2 |
Computer-implemented method and system of tracking and automatically making payments for recyclable items deposited at reverse vending machines
A method and system are provided for automatically making payments for recyclable items deposited at reverse vending machines. The method includes the steps of: (a) creating a user recycling record accessible by a server computer system for each of a plurality of users and associating each user's record with a unique user identifier; (b) receiving data in real time at the server computer system from a plurality of reverse vending machines over a communications network, the data relating to deposits of recyclable items by users at the reverse vending machines, the data for each deposit by a user including the unique user identifier of the user and information on the recyclable items deposited; (c) from the data for each deposit by a user identifying the user recycling record associated with the unique user identifier and crediting the user recycling record based on the information on the recyclable items deposited by the user using the server computer system; and (d) for each deposit by a user, issuing a request to have a financial institution to make a specified electronic payment based on the recyclable items deposited by the user. |
| US08249925B2 |
Methods, systems, and computer program products for managing organized binary advertising asset markets
Binary advertising markets are developed where personalized media such as digital and even analog advertising is delivered to and accessed by audience members enabling advertisers to buy advertising for broadcast to televisions, smartphones and other types of digital devices. The market is designed to provide participants a new way to have their orders entered, matched, executed, and settled, to manage and monitor risk characteristics of their content placement or advertising placement transactions, and any rights and positions that result from those transactions. Standardized units of exchange represented by profile access rights and display space access rights appropriately designed for their respective markets are used in both primary direct and secondary alternative markets. Processes are also implemented where an audience member receives economic benefit in exchange for confirming view of or rating an advertisement, or viewing advertisements while logged in. |
| US08249922B2 |
Method and apparatus for advertisement delivery in wireless networks
The invention provides for advertising content selection, presentation, and statistics reporting at a wireless user terminal. The invention includes a method for selecting a subset of advertising content for presentation at the wireless user terminal. The invention includes a method for presenting advertising content at a wireless user terminal in response to one or more conditions detected at the wireless user terminal. The invention includes a method for collecting advertising content presentation statistics and providing the advertising content presentation statistics to at least one network system. In one embodiment, the invention may include one or more of the advertising content selection, presentation, and statistics reporting functions. |
| US08249908B2 |
Targeted content request
Advertisements are selected from a plurality of advertisements and associated with an advertisement environment in a document. Document advertisement request code that is configured to issue an advertisement request for one of the selected advertisements for presentation in the advertisement environment is stored in the document. |
| US08249904B1 |
Managing use of program execution capacity
Techniques are described for managing execution of programs. In some situations, program execution is managed for multiple users using excess program execution capacity of one or more computing systems. In some such situations, excess or otherwise unused program execution capacity may be made available to execute programs on a temporary basis, such that the programs executing using the excess program execution capacity may be terminated at any time if other preferred use for the excess program execution capacity arises. The excess program execution capacity may in some situations be provided in conjunction with other dedicated program execution capacity that is allocated to particular users, such as to use unused dedicated capacity of some users as excess capacity for other users. In some situations, the techniques are used in conjunction with a fee-based program execution service that executes multiple programs on behalf of multiple users of the service. |
| US08249901B1 |
Pension insurance program methods and systems
A pension insurance plan system and method protect the outstanding balance of a defined contribution plan loan secured by participant's plan assets, eliminating adverse tax consequences to the plan beneficiary in the event of the death or disability of the participant and ensuring that the full plan account balance passes intact to beneficiary in such event. |
| US08249898B2 |
Connecting consumers with service providers
A set of answers is received to a series of questions sent to a consumer of services, the set of answers to the series of questions is analyzed in a computer to identify types of service providers that can provide services to the consumer based on the received answers, and an agenda is produced, the agenda including the identified types of service providers and topics for the consumer of services to discuss with a service provider of each type, with the topics determined at least in part based on the answers. |
| US08249894B2 |
Networked remote patient monitoring with handheld devices
A networked health-monitoring system is configured to collect and process patient health-related data. The system includes at least one handheld microprocessor device having a display; and a memory. At least one central server is connected to receive health-related data communicated to the handheld microprocessor device and at least one remotely located health care professional computer is in signal communication with the central server. It receives patient health-related information based on the patient health-related data received from the handheld microprocessor device. The system is configured to convert the handheld microprocessor device into a healthcare monitoring device that functions to monitor patient health conditions and communicate data related to the monitored conditions to the central server. |
| US08249893B1 |
Automated service provider payment method
A method of facilitating payments to service providers such as medical practitioners wherein a virtual payment card issued by a card processor is processed by the service provider responsive to a first payment. The merchant identification number of the service provider and its associated acquirer are captured by the card processor. Subsequent payments to the service provider are made directly from the card processor to the acquirer and an authorization confirmation of the direct payment and an explanation of benefits are sent to the service provider which no longer needs to run virtual payment cards through its card processing system. |
| US08249888B2 |
Development of personalized plans based on acquisition of relevant reported aspects
A computationally implemented method includes, but is not limited to: acquiring one or more relevant reported aspects associated with one or more source users that are relevant to achieving one or more target outcomes, the acquisition of the one or more relevant reported aspects being based, at least in part, on relevancy of the one or more relevant reported aspects with respect to the achievement of the one or more target outcomes; and developing one or more personalized plans designed to facilitate an end user to achieve the one or more target outcomes when one or more emulatable aspects indicated by the one or more personalized plans are emulated, the development of the one or more personalized plans being based, at least in part, on the acquiring In addition to the foregoing, other method aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure. |
| US08249887B2 |
Personalized plan development based on identification of one or more relevant reported aspects
A computationally implemented method includes, but is not limited to: identifying one or more relevant reported aspects associated with one or more source users that are relevant to achieving one or more target outcomes, the identifying of the one or more relevant reported aspects being based, at least in part, on the one or more relevant reported aspects' relevancy with respect to the one or more target outcomes; and developing one or more personalized plans designed to facilitate an end user to achieve the one or more target outcomes when one or more emulatable aspects indicated by the one or more personalized plans are emulated, the development of the one or more personalized plans being based, at least in part, on the identifying In addition to the foregoing, other method aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure. |
| US08249879B2 |
System and method of providing a spoken dialog interface to a website
Disclosed is a system and method for training a spoken dialog service component from website data. Spoken dialog service components typically include an automatic speech recognition module, a language understanding module, a dialog management module, a language generation module and a text-to-speech module. The method includes converting data from a structured database associated with a website to a structured text data set and a structured task knowledge base, extracting linguistic items from the structured database, and training a spoken dialog service component using at least one of the structured text data, the structured task knowledge base, or the linguistic items. The system includes modules configured to implement the method. |
| US08249876B1 |
Method for providing alternative interpretations of a voice input to a user
A system and computer-implemented method for providing alternative voice interpretations to a user, including receiving an indication of a request for a search from a user comprising a voice input of search criteria, determining an n-best list of a plurality of possible interpretations of the voice input in response to receiving the indication, each possible interpretation comprising a word or phrase corresponding to the voice input, providing a first possible interpretation of the plurality of possible interpretations for display to the user, the first possible interpretation being the most likely interpretation of the voice input, receiving an indication that the first possible interpretation does not correspond to the voice input search criteria and providing one or more alternative interpretations of the plurality of interpretations for display to the user within a suggestion display area in response to receiving the indication. |
| US08249875B2 |
System and method for determining a personal SHG profile by voice analysis
According to one embodiment of the present invention a computerized voice-analysis device for determining an S,H,G profile is provided (as described herein, such an S,H,G profile relates to the strengths (e.g., relative strengths) of three human instinctive drives). Of note, the present invention may be used for one or more of the following: analyzing a previously recorded voice sample; real-time analysis of voice as it is being spoken; combination voice analysis—that is, a combination of: (a) previously recorded and/or real-time voice; and (b) answers to a questionnaire. |
| US08249873B2 |
Tonal correction of speech
Tonal correction of speech is provided. Received speech is analyzed and compared to a table of commonly mispronounced phrases. These phrases are mapped to the phrase likely intended by the speaker. The phrase determines to be the phrase the user likely intended can be suggested to the user. If the user approves of the suggestion, tonal correction can be applied to the speech before that speech is delivered to a recipient. |
| US08249872B2 |
Skipping radio/television program segments
Techniques for notifying at least one entity of an occurrence of an event in an audio signal are provided. At least one preference is obtained from the at least one entity. An occurrence of an event in the audio signal is determined. The event is related to at least one of at least one speaker and at least one topic. The at least one entity is notified of the occurrence of the event in the audio signal, in accordance with the at least one preference. |
| US08249870B2 |
Semi-automatic speech transcription
A semi-automatic speech transcription system of the invention leverages the complementary capabilities of human and machine, building a system which combines automatic and manual approaches. With the invention, collected audio data is automatically distilled into speech segments, using signal processing and pattern recognition algorithms. The detected speech segments are presented to a human transcriber using a transcription tool with a streamlined transcription interface, requiring the transcriber to simply “listen and type”. This eliminates the need to manually navigate the audio, coupling the human effort to the amount of speech, rather than the amount of audio. Errors produced by the automatic system can be quickly identified by the human transcriber, which are used to improve the automatic system performance. The automatic system is tuned to maximize the human transcriber efficiency. The result is a system which takes considerably less time than purely manual transcription approaches to produce a complete transcription. |
| US08249869B2 |
Lexical correction of erroneous text by transformation into a voice message
The method is suitable for dysorthographic or partially sighted persons, to facilitate the semantic, syntactic and/or lexical correction of an erroneous expression in a digital text input by a user. The method comprises the sequence of: a step (74) of transforming the digital text into a digital voice message, in which the graphemes of the erroneous textual expression are converted into phoneme(s) constituting an intelligible vocal expression, then a step (78) of processing the digital voice message obtained at the end of the transformation step (74), in which the phoneme or phonemes constituting the intelligible vocal expression are converted into grapheme(s) constituting a corrected textual expression of the erroneous textual expression, with the aid of pre-established writing rules. |
| US08249868B2 |
Speech and noise models for speech recognition
An audio signal generated by a device based on audio input from a user may be received. The audio signal may include at least a user audio portion that corresponds to one or more user utterances recorded by the device. A user speech model associated with the user may be accessed and a determination may be made background audio in the audio signal is below a defined threshold. In response to determining that the background audio in the audio signal is below the defined threshold, the accessed user speech model may be adapted based on the audio signal to generate an adapted user speech model that models speech characteristics of the user. Noise compensation may be performed on the received audio signal using the adapted user speech model to generate a filtered audio signal with reduced background audio compared to the received audio signal. |
| US08249867B2 |
Microphone array based speech recognition system and target speech extracting method of the system
A microphone-array-based speech recognition system using a blind source separation (BBS) and a target speech extraction method in the system are provided. The speech recognition system performs an independent component analysis (ICA) to separate mixed signals input through a plurality of microphone into sound-source signals, extracts one target speech spoken for speech recognition from the separated sound-source signals by using a Gaussian mixture model (GMM) or a hidden Markov Model (HMM), and automatically recognizes a desired speech from the extracted target speech. Accordingly, it is possible to obtain a high speech recognition rate even in a noise environment. |
| US08249866B2 |
Speech decoding method and apparatus which generates an excitation signal and a synthesis filter
A speech decoding method which generates an excitation signal and a synthesis filter from coded data and which obtains a speech signal based on the excitation signal and the synthesis filter. The method includes acquiring identification information used for determining whether the speech signal to be decoded is a narrowband signal or a wideband signal; and modifying the excitation signal based on the identification information by controlling strength or presence of emphasis of pitch periodicity with respect to the excitation signal generated from the coded data, so as to generate the speech signal by use of the modified excitation signal and the synthesis filter. |
| US08249864B2 |
Fixed codebook search method through iteration-free global pulse replacement and speech coder using the same method
Provided are a fixed codebook search method based on iteration-free global pulse replacement in a speech codec, and a Code-Excited Linear-Prediction (CELP)-based speech codec using the method. The fixed codebook search method based on iteration-free global pulse replacement in a speech codec includes the steps of: (a) determining an initial codevector using a pulse-position likelihood vector or a correlation vector; (b) calculating a fixed-codebook search criterion value for the initial codevector; (c) calculating fixed-codebook search criterion values for respective codevectors obtained by replacing a pulse of the initial codevector each time for respective tracks, and determining a pulse position generating the largest fixed-codebook search criterion value as a candidate pulse position for the respective tracks, respectively; (d) calculating fixed-codebook search criterion values for respective codevectors of all combinations obtained by replacing at least one pulse position of the initial codevector with the candidate pulse positions of the respective tracks, and determining the largest value of the fixed-codebook search criterion values; and (e) comparing the fixed-codebook search criterion value for the initial codevector obtained in step (b) with the largest value determined in step (d) to determine an optimum fixed codevector. |
| US08249861B2 |
High frequency compression integration
A speech enhancement system that improves the intelligibility and the perceived quality of processed speech includes a frequency transformer and a spectral compressor. The frequency transformer converts speech signals from the time domain to the frequency domain. The spectral compressor compresses a pre-selected portion of the high frequency band and maps the compressed high frequency band to a lower band limited frequency range. The speech enhancement system may be built into, may be a unitary part of, or may be configured to interface other systems that process audio or high frequency signals. |
| US08249856B2 |
Machine translation
A method for computer-assisted translation from a source language to a target language makes use of number of rules. Each rule forms an association between a representation of a sequence of source language tokens with a corresponding tree-based structure in the target language. The tree-based structure for each of at least some of the rules represents one or more asymmetrical relations within a number of target tokens associated with the tree-based structure and provides an association of the target tokens with the sequence of source language tokens of the rule. An input sequence of source tokens is decoded according to the rules to generate a representation of one or more output sequences of target language tokens. Decoding includes, for each of at least some sub-sequences of the input sequence of source tokens, determining a tree-based structure associated with the sub-sequence according a match to one of the plurality of rules. |
| US08249853B2 |
Exposing device features in partitioned environment
An embodiment of the present invention is a technique to process an input/output (I/O) transaction. An emulated device driver in a guest partition interacts with a virtual machine (VM) manager in processing an input/output (I/O) transaction on behalf of an application via an operating system (OS). The I/O transaction is between the application and a device. A device emulator in a service partition communicatively coupled to the emulated device driver interacts with the VM manager in processing the I/O transaction on behalf of a device specific driver via the OS. The device specific driver interfaces to the device. |
| US08249852B2 |
Condition monitoring of windturbines
A method for monitoring a wind turbine is provided. The method includes defining at least one subsystem of the wind turbine and providing a simulation model for the at least one subsystem. During normal operation of the wind turbine at least an input parameter of the at least one subsystem is determined a behavior of the at least one subsystem is simulated using the at least one input parameter as an input of the simulation model. Based on the simulated behavior, it is determined, if the at least one subsystem operates within a given specification. |
| US08249848B2 |
Verifying a processor design using a processor simulation model
An improved method of verifying a processor design using a processor simulation model in a simulation environment is disclosed, wherein the processor simulation model includes at least one execution unit for executing at least one instruction of a test file. The method includes tracking each execution of each of the at least one instruction, monitoring relevant signals in each simulation cycle, maintaining information about the execution of the at least one instruction, wherein the maintained information includes a determination of an execution length of a completely executed instruction, matching the maintained information about the completely executed instruction against a set of trap elements provided by the user through a trap file, and collecting the maintained information about the completely executed instruction in a monitor file in response to a match found between the maintained information and at least one of the trap elements. |
| US08249847B2 |
Simulation system and method for manufacturing printed circuit board
An exemplary simulation system for manufacturing a printed circuit board is provided. The simulation system includes at least one simulation sub-system. The simulation sub-system includes an input module, a storing module, a processing module, and an output module. The input module is configured for acquiring a number of processing parameters associated with steps of a process for manufacturing the printed circuit board. The storing module is configured for storing a number of simulation functions relating to the steps of the process for manufacturing the printed circuit board. The processing module is configured for selecting and performing the corresponding simulation function according to the acquired parameters, thereby obtaining a simulation result. The output module is configured for output the simulation result. |
| US08249844B2 |
Well modeling associated with extraction of hydrocarbons from subsurface formations
A method and apparatus associated with various phases of a well completion. In one embodiment, a method is described that includes identifying failure modes for a well completion. At least one technical limit associated with each of the failure modes is obtained. Then, an objective function for the well completion is formulated. Then, the objective function is solved to create a well performance limit. |
| US08249843B1 |
Predicting aerodynamic impacts for small appendages (IRCM installation) on large fixed wing aircraft using computational fluid dynamics
A method for predicting aerodynamic impact for small appendages on aircraft, wherein the improvement comprises using an adaptable computational fluid dynamic model of airflow adjacent the appendage by isolating a patch surrounding the small appendage, measuring the load on the patch without the appendage in place and with the appendage in a place and subtracting the two for increasing computational accuracy of the load predictions for the small appendage to be able to measure the effect of the small appendage. |
| US08249840B2 |
Diversity and defense-in-depth simulation apparatus
A simulator system transfers parameters between an enhanced nuclear power plant simulator and a safety control system simulator. Problems concerning software common mode failure, interface interactions errors, software failure complexity, and other failure modes, are evaluated. Thus, diversity and defense-in-depth are analyzed and safety is improved. |
| US08249839B2 |
Method for building magnetic bead mathematical model
A method for building a magnetic bead mathematical model includes defining component elements of the model of the magnetic bead, building the model of the magnetic bead, obtaining a characteristic curve of an impedance of a magnetic bead in a standard magnetic bead specification of the magnetic bead, ascertaining parameters of the component elements, simulating the model of the magnetic bead, and comparing the characteristic curve with the characteristic curve in the standard magnetic bead specification, to further optimize the mode of the magnetic bead. |
| US08249838B2 |
Method and apparatus for modeling memristor devices
A method and apparatus for modeling the characteristics of memristor devices. The invention provides methods and an apparatus for accurately characterizing the linear and non-linear Lissajous current-voltage behavior of actual memristor devices and incorporating such behavior into the resultant model. The invention produces a model that is adaptable to large scale memristor device simulations. |
| US08249837B1 |
Method for optimization of sheet metal forming tool topology
A method for determining an optimized structure for skin stretch form blocks. An optimized stretch form block design is generated by performing a finite element analysis on a stretch form block design selected from a target group of the stretch form blocks which have been classified into a plurality of groups based on similar topology of the blocks. The finite element analysis includes specifying a suggested design and generating the optimized stretch form block design by iteratively modifying the suggested design until the suggested design has a predetermined sufficient structural strength. An interpolation model is generated from the optimized stretch form block design, and an optimized stretch form block structure is determined for any stretch form block having size and weight parameters within an envelope defined by the target group of the stretch form blocks, by performing a weighted nearest neighbor interpolation using specified geometric parameters and material parameters. |
| US08249835B2 |
3-D casino gaming floor visualization utilizing real-time and batch data
An integrated computing device (tool) and method is disclosed, for creating a casino gaming floor layout, analyzing the layout from the simulated point of view of a patron within the floor, and assessing the performance of the layout in real time or with historical data. |
| US08249833B2 |
Apparatus and method for verifying model-design, and program thereof
An interference-check-result sorting unit sorts the result of the interference check on an entire 3D model in a 3D-model storage/display unit that is implemented by an overall interference check unit of a model-design verification system into the interference information related to male-screw models and the interference information related to other models. A tapped-hole-diameter changing unit considers that models that interfere with the male-screw models are tapped-hole models, and changes the tapped-hole diameter of the tapped-hole models. A male-screw model/tapped-hole model interference check unit implements checks on the interferences between the respective male-screw models and the corresponding tapped-hole models whose tapped-hole diameter has been changed. And a verification result output unit outputs the result of the verification on the fits between the male-screw models and the tapped-hole models, based on the interference-check results. |
| US08249832B2 |
Correlation of inspection information and computer-aided design data for structural assessment
A system and method for correlating data is provided. Generally, the system contains a scanning system having at least one inspection emitter. The scanning system situated to scan a structure and produce a quantity of inspection information. A local positioning system is in communication with the scanning system and situated to detect a location of the quantity of inspection information in relation to the structure. A quantity of computer-aided design data corresponding to the quantity of inspection information is included. An imaging system is in communication with the scanning system and the local positioning system, the imaging system situated to produce an overlay image of at least two of an image based from the structure, an image based from the quantity of inspection information and an image formed from at least a portion of the quantity of computer-aided design data. |
| US08249822B2 |
Motion controller having micro electrical mechanical system pressure sensing module
A motion controller includes a handle and a MEMS pressure sensing module. The handle has an output interface circuit for coupling with a terminal electronic device. The MEMS pressure sensing module includes a compressible member mounted on the handle, a MEMS sensor for sensing a pressure applied on the compressible member and converting the pressure into electronic signals, a processing unit for calculating a value of the pressure according to the electronic signals, and a power supply unit for supplying power to the processing unit. The processing unit is connected with the output interface circuit such that a user is able to obtain the pressure value from the terminal electronic apparatus. |
| US08249814B2 |
Method, computer readable medium, and system for determining a probability of colorectal cancer in a test subject
Disclosed is a method of testing for colorectal cancer in a test individual by providing data corresponding to a level of products of selected biomarkers and applying the data to a formula to provide an indication of whether the test individual has colorectal cancer. Also disclosed are kits for measuring data corresponding to the products of selected biomarkers, and kits and methods of monitoring therapeutic efficacy of treatments for colorectal cancer. |
| US08249813B2 |
System and process for metabolic guidance of introduced cellular material
A computer-implemented system and method for determining an optimal manner of introducing and moving an introduced entity from an introduction site to a target tissue region. The method comprises: calculating a modeling value at the introduction site, the pathway to the target tissue region, and the target tissue region; calculating a diffusion value representing a concentration gradient of the introduced entity as it moves through the introduction site, the pathway, and the target tissue region; calculating a flow value representing how the introduced entity is transported through the introduction site, the pathway, and the target tissue region; and determining a time, location, and method for introducing and moving the introduced entity based on the modeling value, the diffusion value, and the flow value. |
| US08249809B2 |
Star tracker with baffle
A star tracker is used to measure the direction of stars. Preferably a wide imaging range is provided so that a reliable orientation of the star tracker can be computed from measurements of the directions of star at substantially different directions. The star tracker comprises a light baffle and located between the light baffle and an image sensing arrangement. The light baffle comprises an array of walls, including sidewalls and at least one internal wall between the sidewalls. Preferably, the side walls and the at least one internal wall are oriented at mutually different orientations emanating from a virtual line of intersection of the planes of the walls. Thus a range of star directions can be imaged with constant sensitivity. |
| US08249808B2 |
Method and apparatus for setting destination in navigation terminal
Provided is a navigation system including method of setting a destination in a navigation terminal, which includes receiving a position information message; and setting position coordinates corresponding to position information included in the position information message as position coordinates of a destination related to a certain route. |
| US08249802B2 |
Vehicle keyless operation system and method
A keyless function system and method includes a portable device having a vehicle function actuator thereon for initiating operation of a vehicle function. The portable device transmits an actuation signal to the vehicle when the vehicle function actuator is actuated. The receiver onboard the vehicle receives the actuation signal from the portable device. A controller onboard the vehicle and operatively connected to the receiver determines at least one of: whether the vehicle is located at a predetermined location or whether the portable device is located less than a predetermined distance from the vehicle. The controller selectively commands performance of the vehicle function when the actuation signal is received by the receiver based on at least one of: whether the vehicle is at the predetermined location or the portable device is less than the predetermined distance from the vehicle. |
| US08249799B2 |
Method and device for aiding navigation for an aircraft in relation to obstacles
The invention relates to a method of presenting zones at risk for an aircraft comprising a system of databases, a processor, an anticollision device and a viewing device, wherein to display on the viewing device the zones at risk in relation to the obstacles, the processor carries out the steps of: acquiring obstacle data, the data corresponding to obstacles situated in the aircraft's close displacement zone; calculating the risk of collision with each of the obstacles of the displacement zone; calculating the limits of the zones at risk of collision in the close displacement zone, these limits representing the positions from which the anticollision device might possibly produce collision alerts in relation to the obstacles if the aircraft were to steer towards the obstacle while maintaining the instantaneous flight parameters; and displaying the limits of zones at risk. |
| US08249795B2 |
Method for detection of emissions levels during extended engine speed controlled operation
A method for detection of emissions levels during extended engine speed controlled operation is provided. The method includes monitoring mass airflow passing through the engine while operating the engine. The method further includes adjusting mass airflow responsive to engine speed to maintain a desired engine speed. The method further includes shutting down the engine when engine mass airflow becomes higher than a predetermined mass airflow threshold. |
| US08249793B2 |
Air-fuel ratio control apparatus and air-fuel ratio control method for internal combustion engine
An amount of fuel injected into an internal combustion engine is controlled to adjust an air-fuel ratio. An air-fuel ratio sensor is disposed upstream of a three-way catalyst. An ammonia sensor is disposed downstream of the three-way catalyst. Main feedback control based on the air-fuel ratio sensor is performed such that the air-fuel ratio of exhaust gas becomes close to a target air-fuel ratio in the neighborhood of a stoichiometric air-fuel ratio. Sub-feedback control is performed on the basis of an output value of the ammonia sensor. |
| US08249791B2 |
Method for determining the coefficient of friction of disk brakes
A method for determining the friction value of a disk brake, in particular of self-energizing disk brakes, in which the friction value is determined on the basis of the: motor current for the application direction and retraction direction, idle current I0, wedge angle α, transmission constant K, and clamping force. |
| US08249788B2 |
Information method of economical driving for manual transmission vehicle
The present invention relates to an information method for a manual transmission vehicle that provides information for inducing stepping on an accelerator pedal for economical driving of a manual transmission vehicle and provides information for inducing changing a shift stage for the economical driving by using a driving performance guidance map showing a fuel consumption rate area in accordance with BSFC. |
| US08249784B2 |
Control apparatus and control method for automatic transmission
When a post-direct shift gear position does not match a target gear position during a direct shift but before engagement of an input clutch for the post-direct shift gear position begins, an ECU executes engagement control on a reaction brake for the new target gear position instead of executing engagement control on a reaction brake for the post-direct shift gear position, and executes engagement control on an input clutch for the new target gear position instead of executing engagement control on an input clutch for the post-direct shift gear position. |
| US08249783B2 |
Vehicle automatic transmission
A vehicle automatic transmission includes a plurality of gears provided on an input shaft, a countershaft, and an output shaft and are meshed with one another. A plurality of hydraulic clutches are each configured to couple any of the gears to the input shaft, the countershaft, or the output shaft to establish a predetermined shift stage. An engagement unit is configured to couple a reverse gear to the input shaft or the countershaft to establish a reverse shift stage. A shift-position detection unit is configured to detect a shift position. A vehicle-speed detection unit is configured to detect a vehicle speed. A control unit is configured to detect, based on an output of the shift-position detection unit, a first time and a second time. The control unit is configured to delay a timing when the engagement unit operates after the shift position changes to an R-position. |
| US08249782B2 |
Method for electronically controlling a bicycle gearshift and electronic system for a bicycle
A method for electronically controlling a bicycle gearshift and a bicycle electronic system perform gearshifting. To perform this gearshifting, a displacement of an actuator from a current position (P) to a position (P1, PN) of engagement of a chain on an extreme toothed wheel of a gearshift group is started (203,205), a destination toothed wheel (PT) of the gearshift group is subsequently preselected (208), and the displacement is subsequently stopped (210) when the actuator is in a position (PT) of engagement of the chain on the destination toothed wheel (PT) of the gearshift group. |
| US08249780B2 |
Seat control device
A seat control device has a first input unit for performing an operation of moving a first seat to a front side or a back side, a first drive control unit for moving the first seat to the front side or the back side based on an output of the first input unit, a second input unit for performing an operation of moving a second seat, positioned behind the first seat, to the front side or the back side, and a second drive control unit for moving the second seat to the front side or the back side based on an output of the second input unit. A control unit is arranged for prohibiting movement of the first seat and the movement of the second seat from being simultaneously carried out when the operation to move the first seat to the back side is performed at the first input unit and the operation to move the second seat to the front side is performed at the second input unit. |
| US08249779B2 |
Device and method for activating passenger protection means
In a method and a device for activating passenger protection device(s), the passenger protection device(s) are activated as a function of a first signal of an acceleration sensor system and a second signal of a structure-borne noise sensor system. The activation is decided as a function of a position of a vector composed of at least two features of the first signal in relation to a characteristic curve, the characteristic curve being modified as a function of the second signal. |
| US08249778B2 |
Method for controlling the steering feedback torque
The invention relates to a method for controlling the steering feedback torque of a power steering system within a closed loop control system, whereby the power steering system provides an actual value (TACT) of the steering feedback torque, whereby a nominal value (TNOM) of the steering feedback torque is calculated by first processor using vehicle dynamic related measurements or estimates, whereby a difference between said actual value (TACT) of the steering feedback torque and said nominal value (TNOM) of the steering feedback torque is used as an input for a controller providing an controller output (COUT), and whereby an input for the power steering system is provided on basis of said controller output (COUT) influencing said steering feedback torque in a way that the difference between said actual value (TACT) of the steering feedback torque and said a nominal value (TNOM) of the steering feedback torque is eliminated. |
| US08249773B2 |
Vehicle and its control method
To provide a vehicle capable of performing a transition between a stable state and an inverted state with a simple structure. A vehicle in accordance with an aspect of the present invention is a vehicle that moves by inverted pendulum control, including a rider seat, a chassis, a right driving wheel, a left driving wheel, motors to rotationally drive the right driving wheel and the left driving wheel, a forward bar protruding forward beyond the chassis, a motor to rotational drive the forward bar, a footstep attached to the forward bar, and a control box to control the motor. The feet of a rider 80 are put on the footstep. The control box changes the vehicle to an inverted state by raising the footstep so that the footstep moves away from a ground, or changes the vehicle to a stable state by lowering the footstep so that the footstep comes into contact with the ground. |
| US08249772B2 |
Electric wiring system of a motor vehicle with an authentication apparatus
An electric wiring system of a motor vehicle with several control devices that communicate with each other via a data bus, and with an immobilizer is provided. In order to create an electric wiring system of a motor vehicle that includes an immobilizer with high reliability the immobilizer includes at least a first and a second control device from the plurality of control devices and an authentication apparatus, in particular an authentication control device. The authentication information of the plurality of control devices is supplied via the data bus to the authentication apparatus. The authentication cancels the immobilizer of the vehicle when the authentication information transmitted from the first and the second control device corresponds to the authentication information expected for the particular control devices. |
| US08249767B2 |
Eco-drive assist apparatus and method
An eco-drive assist apparatus displays a quantity of eco-drive that indicates a degree of ecology and/or economy in driving in a hybrid vehicle equipped with an engine and a motor. The apparatus includes a first part configured to calculate the quantity of eco-drive on the basis of a vehicle power generated in the vehicle, and a second part configured to cause the quantity of eco-drive to be displayed in a graphic manner as a relative quantity to an eco-drive judgment threshold value that indicates whether the vehicle is in an eco-drive state and as a relative quantity to an engine startup threshold value that indicates whether the engine has been started up and configured to cause the quantity of eco-drive to be displayed on a boundary of the engine startup threshold value or displayed at a position where the quantity of eco-drive is worse than the engine startup threshold value when the engine has been started up. The second part causes the quantity of eco-drive to be displayed at a position where the quantity of eco-drive is better than the engine startup threshold value when the engine has been started up and a driver's operation needs no vehicle power. |
| US08249763B2 |
Method and computer software code for uncoupling power control of a distributed powered system from coupled power settings
A method for powering a powered system having a first power generating unit where power settings for the first power generating unit are decoupled from power settings for a second power generating unit, the method including developing a power operating plan which is independent of a coupled power setting, and determining a power setting responsive to the power operating plan. A computer software code operable within a processor and configured to reside on a computer readable media for powering a powered system having at least a first power generating unit where power settings for the at least first power generating unit are decoupled from power settings for at least a second power generating unit is further disclosed. |
| US08249762B1 |
Device and method for monitoring the obstructions in the close environment of an aircraft
The invention relates to a device for monitoring obstructions for an aircraft including data storage, an anticollision device and viewing devices, wherein the monitoring device comprises a detector to detect in real-time obstructions, of terrain type and of human constructions type, in a close environment of the aircraft in a flight situation, a sensor to identify the obstructions at risk calculating identification parameters, a circuit to calculate criticality of the obstructions, a display to display both the obstructions with the identification and criticality parameters of the obstructions, and a generator of alerts to describe the situation according to a combination of the identification and criticality parameters. One or more embodiments of the invention is a monitoring system adapted for zones close to the aircraft and in the flight zones not visible to the crew. One or more embodiments of the invention applies particularly to helicopters executing low-altitude flights. It relates more particularly to military carriers such as rescue carriers. |
| US08249760B2 |
Vehicle remote starter using an electronic ignition module emulator
A remote starter system for a vehicle having an electronic ignition module connected to vehicle controller modules by a serial data interface. The electronic ignition module is capable of receiving at least one keycode from a cryptographic controller vehicle key for verification before changing the state of at least one vehicle controller module. The remote starter system is defined in one embodiment to include a remote starter module having at least a memory for storing at least one keycode and having the ability to send the at least one keycode for verification and the ability to request modification of a state of at least one vehicle controller module. Wherein when the at least one keycode is verified, the state of at least one vehicle controller module is modified as requested by the remote starter module. |
| US08249756B2 |
Method, device and system for responsive load management using frequency regulation credits
A method, device and system for responsive load management using frequency regulation credits. The method includes using an AC frequency measuring device, measuring a current AC frequency on an AC power line; using a power consumption measuring device, measuring a current power consumption on the AC power line over a period of time equal to a sampling interval; calculating a power consumption moving average of a last N power current power consumptions measured, where N is a positive integer greater than 1; generating credits or debits based on the current power consumption, the current AC frequency and the power consumption moving average; adding the credits or debits to a frequency regulation credit; and for each next sampling interval repeating measuring the current AC frequency, measuring current power consumption, calculating the power consumption moving average, generating the credits or debits, and adding the credits or debits to the frequency regulation credit. |
| US08249755B2 |
Protection arrangement for an electrical power distribution network
Protection arrangements and methods of operating protection arrangements are important in order to maintain operability with regard to electrical power distribution networks. Such networks generally comprise grids or meshes of electrical distribution pathways from generators and electrical loads. Faults may occur within the network and circuit breakers or other protection elements are utilised to isolate such faults. A number of regimes for protection are known but problems can arise with regard to ensuring an appropriate pan of the distribution network is isolated. By providing circuit breakers which have a time grade margin compared to other circuit breakers which is proportional to an inverse current-time logarithmic relationship between a fault electrical current divided by a major contribution electrical current to the circuit breaker operation can be achieved which is sufficiently quick for high electrical fault currents but incorporates a time delay for low electrical currents which may have a more transient nature. |
| US08249754B2 |
Wind turbine generator and yaw driving method for wind turbine generator
It is an object to make it possible to completely or partially eliminate a yaw driving device and to reduce power consumption in a nacelle. A moment around a wind-turbine tower axis is calculated; an angle command value around the wind-turbine tower axis is calculated by adding a yaw-control command value to a reference command value for canceling out the moment; and a pitch angle command value of each wind turbine blade is set on the basis of the angle command value around the wind-turbine tower axis. |
| US08249752B2 |
Flow rate measuring system
In a slave electromagnetic flow meter, the synchronization signal from a master electromagnetic flow meter (that is, a master electromagnetic signal) MPs is monitored, and if the master synchronization signal MPs ceases to be received, then the synchronization signal used for the flow rate measurement is switched to a synchronization signal Ps that is generated by the synchronization signal generating unit of the slave electromagnetic flow meter, and the switched synchronization signal Ps is defined as the master synchronization signal MPs' for the slave electromagnetic flow meter in the next stage. |
| US08249746B2 |
Method and device to regulate an automated manipulator
A method for regulation of a multi-axis automated manipulator, in particular of a robot, includes flexible regulation of at least one guide axis, and rigid regulation of at least one additional axis, and determining a desired value of the at least one additional axis on the basis of a real value of the guide axis. |
| US08249744B2 |
Mail routing system including a data block analyzer
A method is provided for routing mail items in a mail sorting system that includes means for capturing address information from a mail item in the form of an address block and an analysis engine comprising a plurality of analysis modules. The method comprises: receiving the address block at the analysis engine and making available to each of a set of the analysis modules at least a portion of the address block; at each analysis module, decomposing the available portions of the address block into one or more data objects, each including a representation component representing at least part of the portion and a data type identifier; storing the data objects with an indication of the mail item to which the objects relate; and subsequent to identifying a delivery endpoint for the mail item, adding at least one of the stored data objects to a data set associated with that delivery endpoint whereby future mail items may be routed to that delivery endpoint in dependence on those data objects. |
| US08249743B2 |
Article management system
An apparatus for controlling secure access and storage of at least two different types of articles is disclosed. The apparatus includes a plurality of compartments for articles, the compartments arranged in a rotatable cylindrical array with one opening for each compartment on the surface of the cylinder. A linearly driven belt having an access port thereon limits access to a single compartment. The compartments may be of equal or different size to accept different articles. A sliding door, positionable over an opening in the housing, provides additional security. A drawer with additional compartments may be included in the apparatus in addition to the cylindrical array. Certain compartments may have an assignment linking them to other compartments in the cylindrical array or drawer, allowing for the secure and separate storage of sets of related articles, such as the keys, registration and/or license plate of a car. Access to stored articles is achieved through a touch screen user interface, an OCR document reader or scanner, a biometric reader device, or any combination thereof. The apparatus provides easier and quicker access to stored articles, especially sets of stored articles. |
| US08249739B2 |
Yarn feeding device and yarn feeding method for knitting machine
A yarn feeding device for a knitting machine comprises a motor for driving a roller from which a yarn is fed out, and a rotatable arm which intermediately stores the yarn fed out from the roller, and the yarn is fed from the arm to a knitting machine body. A torque generator is provided to apply a variable torque to the arm. A yarn speed is obtained from a loop length of a stitch for each knitting needle and a knitting speed calculated on the basis of knitting data used in the knitting machine body. The yarn speed is converted into a torque to be applied to a buffer using a conversion table at each knitting section in a knitting course so as to correct a yarn tension fluctuation caused by the yarn speed, and the torque generator is controlled in accordance with the torque thus obtained. The yarn tension fluctuation is reduced so that high-speed knitting and knitting using a weak yarn can be facilitated. |
| US08249738B2 |
Device and method for designing a garment
The invention relates to a system and a method for the computer-aided design of a garment occupying a virtual surface represented by data stored in a memory of a computer including the following steps: generating base patterns on said virtual surface, adding at least one style effect on at least one base pattern transforming said at least one base pattern into at least one stylized base pattern, and forming a stylized virtual surface. |
| US08249736B2 |
Registration system and method
Printed circuit boards are manufactured by forming a composite layer using a control system which models a production process to generate data using non-linear compensation techniques to compensate for non-linear distortion occurring in a circuit layout applied to a constituent layer. Measurement data of actual circuit layouts is used to update stored values of parameters used in the modelling process. In one form of the model, the desired layout in the composite layer is represented by an array of cells and cell sizes corresponding to an initial stage of the production process are calculated, the model working backwards from the final state of the production process to the initial state, and a finite element model used to determine corresponding positions of cells, taking account of interaction between cells, from which the compensation data is calculated. |
| US08249729B2 |
System and method for casino management
A casino resort management system collects patron data, manages patron data in a high performance data warehouse, shares patron data with other systems and reports vital patron information. The system particularly tracks machine history, including changes in location, configuration and performance, and tracks the location history, including game type and denomination, and allows for placards to be moved from one gaming machine to another without losing historical machine or location information. In addition, the system provides two particularly useful graphical displays that simplify visual analysis of the large amounts of data within a casino. One display method depicts tables of thin bar graphs that compactly allow side-by-side comparison of different groupings of machines and another display method depicts machines in three dimensions so that each dimension can provide visual information to a viewer. |
| US08249727B2 |
Control system for influencing test-environment parameters, method for controlling a microscope system and computer control program for same
A microscope configuration according to an exemplary embodiment includes a microscope system with at least one addressable component and also a control system with a plurality of control modules for influencing a plurality of test-environment parameters in a test chamber of the microscope system. The control modules are configured to be combined in modular manner and to be coupled through an interface unit with a unified bus, through which they are controlled. A control module influencing a test-environment parameter of an incubation system has a control command interface unit configured to receive at least one control command. The control command interface unit couples with a bus. A control device is coupled with the control command interface unit and influences the test-environment parameter based upon the control command. A further interface unit is coupled to the control command interface unit and outputs, again, the received control command. |
| US08249726B2 |
Method and device for accessing a functional module of automation system
The present invention proposes a method for accessing a functional module (118, 128, 138) of an automation system, wherein the automation system comprises a device in the form of higher-level device (200) and at least one lower-level device (110, 120, 130) arranged under this higher-level device and wherein the functional module (118, 128, 138) is in the form of part of the one or more lower-level devices (110, 120, 130) and for executing at least one device function. In addition, a device in the form of the higher-level device (200) for performing the method in an automation system is also proposed, wherein at least one device (110, 120, 130) comprising a functional module (118, 128, 138) for executing at least one device function is arranged under the higher-level device. |
| US08249715B2 |
Implantable medical device configured as a pedometer
A system includes an implantable medical device. The implantable medical device includes a control circuit and a motion sensing device. The motion sensing device is coupled to the control circuit, and the motion sensing device is configured to transmit signals to the control circuit. The control circuit is configured to identify one or more steps of a patient using the motion sensing device signal. |
| US08249714B1 |
Lower extremity exercise device with stimulation and related methods
A device and methods for performing a closed-chain exercise for the lower extremities of a human subject and, in particular, the legs, using stimulation. The device may include a sled for receiving the subject and for translating to and fro between a first, lower position in which the legs are at least partially bent and a second, higher position in which the legs are less bent than in the first position. A stimulator is provided for facilitating the performance of the closed-chain leg exercise by the subject to move the sled between the first and second positions, either by way of electrical signals provided directly to the applicable muscles or by way of sensory (e.g., visual) stimulation, with or without electro-muscular stimulation. In another aspect, adaptive feed-forward control may also be used to enhance the exercise regimen performed using the device. |
| US08249710B2 |
Complex connector in component footprint of implantable medical device
At least one storage component, for example a capacitor or a battery, of an implantable medical device includes two perimeter surfaces. Linear extensions of the two perimeter surfaces define a zone. An electrical connector, which is coupled to the storage component and includes at least one connection point for electrically connecting the storage component with at least one other component within the medical device, is contained within the zone defined by the linear extensions of the two perimeter surfaces. |
| US08249708B2 |
Implantable medical device crosstalk evaluation and mitigation
Electrical crosstalk between two implantable medical devices or two different therapy modules of a common implantable medical device may be evaluated, and, in some examples, mitigated. In some examples, one of the implantable medical devices or therapy modules delivers electrical stimulation to a nonmyocardial tissue site or a nonvascular cardiac tissue site, and the other implantable medical device or therapy module delivers cardiac rhythm management therapy to a heart of the patient. |
| US08249706B2 |
Adaptive rate programming control in implantable medical devices using ventricular-arterial coupling surrogates
Selection of an appropriate rate programming control (RPC) setting in an implantable medical device (IMD), uses analysis of VA coupling surrogate conditions. The VA coupling surrogate conditions are derived from signals such as cardiogenic impedance, blood pressure, and the pulsatile components of PPG. By analyzing a waveform of the measured surrogate condition, the IMD estimates wall stiffness, through the slope of the waveform, and peripheral arterial pressure, through the reflection time between the main wave and reflection wave of the waveform. These values are plotted against each other on a VA coupling coordinate plane. Based on the location and orientation of the resulting VA coupling plot, the IMD selects an appropriate RPC setting. |
| US08249705B1 |
Devices, systems, and methods for improving left ventricular structure and function using baroreflex activation therapy
Described here are devices, systems, and methods for improving left ventricular function in a patient with systolic heart failure with left ventricular dysfunction using baroreflex activation therapy. In general the systems have at least one electrode and a control system in communication with the electrode, the control system including a processor and memory, wherein the memory includes software defining a stimulus regime configured to effect improvement in left ventricular function. The methods for improving left ventricular function in a subject typically include identifying a patient in need of left ventricular function improvement and stimulating a baroreceptor with a baroreceptor activation device to improve left ventricular function. |
| US08249704B2 |
Method and apparatus for treatment of cardiac tachyarrhythmias
Method and apparatus for preventing heart rhythm disturbances by recording cardiac electrical activity, measuring beat-to-beat variability in the morphology of electrocardiographic waveforms, and using the measured beat-to-beat variability to control the delivery of electrical impulses to the heart during the absolute refractory period. |
| US08249701B2 |
Methods, devices and systems for programming neurostimulation
Methods, devices and systems are provided to efficiently identify, from among a plurality of possible neurostimulation parameter sets, one or more preferred neurostimulation parameter sets that treat a targeted pain of a patient. Each neurostimulation parameter set defines electrode parameters and neurostimulation signal parameters. A plurality of different neurostimulation parameter sets are tested on the patient to thereby identify those tested neurostimulation parameter sets that treat the targeted pain. Each of the tested neurostimulation parameter sets defines an electrode configuration that differs from the other tested neurostimulation parameter sets. All of the tested neurostimulation parameter sets comprise a same value for a specific neurostimulation signal parameter (e.g., pulse width) that if reduced reduces power consumption. If more than one of the tested neurostimulation parameter sets are identified as treating the targeted pain, then neurostimulation parameter sets identified as treating the targeted pain are retested, with the value for the specific neurostimulation signal parameter reduced by a same amount for each of the retested neurostimulation parameter sets, to thereby identify those neurostimulation parameter sets that treat the targeted pain at the reduced power consumption level. |
| US08249695B2 |
Meibomian gland imaging
A method of evaluating dry eye in humans wherein the flow of naturally occurring secretion to the eye is reduced or stopped due to the presence of an obstruction of a meibomian gland in the eyelid involves applying a pressure to the eyelid that mimics pressure applied during blinking; and simultaneously imaging the glands to diagnose the condition of the meibomian gland. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract. |
| US08249693B2 |
Gamma guided stereotactic localization system
A stereotactic gamma-guided localization system for imaging a suspected cancer and guiding a physician in the removal of tissue samples for biopsy. The gamma-guided localization system includes a three step procedure including localization, correlation, and verification. The localization system includes a gamma camera with a set of slant-hole collimators for producing stereo images of a region of interest. A positioning system including a fiducial marker is placed adjacent to the object to be imaged and held rigidly in place to provide correlation of the location of the region of interest relative to the fiducial marker. A gamma emitting marker is then positioned at the calculated location of the region of interest and imaged to verify that that the calculated position corresponds to the actual location. The positioning system can then be used to accurately position and support any other hardware that needs to be positioned at the region of interest. |
| US08249689B2 |
Coil arrangement for electromagnetic tracking method and system
An electromagnetic tracking coil arrangement, comprising three co-planar electromagnetic sensors and a fourth electromagnetic sensor that is not co-planar with the three co-planar sensors, wherein the three co-planar electromagnetic sensors and the fourth electromagnetic sensor are each located at a vertex of a tetrahedron. |
| US08249688B2 |
Method for affixing a magnetic resonance RF coil to a patient
In a method to affix RF coils (in particular local coils) on a patient in examinations with a magnetic resonance apparatus, a horizontal board accommodates the patient for a magnetic resonance examination to be implemented, an RF coil that has coil electronics is affixed with a fastening strap on the patient, and the fastening strap has a connection cable integrated therewith. The coil electronics are supplied with energy via the integrated connection cable. |
| US08249685B2 |
Method and apparatus for mapping and/or ablation of cardiac tissue
An apparatus for mapping and/or ablating tissue includes a braided conductive member that may be inverted to provide a ring-shaped surface. When a distal tip of the braided conductive member is retracted within the braided conductive member, the lack of protrusion allows the ring-shaped surface to contact a tissue wall such as a cardiac wall. In an undeployed configuration, the braided conductive member is longitudinally extended, and in a deployed configuration, the distal end of the braided conductive member is retracted to invert the braided conductive member. |
| US08249673B2 |
Sliding-type portable electronic device
A portable electronic device comprises a cover, a base and a sliding mechanism. The sliding mechanism includes a connecting rod mechanism and a controlling mechanism. The connecting rod mechanism is rotatably mounted between the base and the cover and is configured to rotate the cover relative to the base. The controlling mechanism is configured to control the rotation of the connecting rod mechanism. |
| US08249672B2 |
Transmission plug and related complex earphone and radio player
A transmission plug for a complex earphone is disclosed. The complex earphone is capable of receiving a broadcast signal and sending out an audio signal. The transmission plug includes a first metal ring for providing an audio grounding, a first insulation layer formed inside the first metal ring, a second metal ring formed inside the first insulation layer for transmitting the audio signal, a second insulation layer formed inside the second metal ring, and a radio-frequency transmission stick formed inside the second insulation layer for transmitting the broadcast signal, wherein a shape of the transmission plug conforms to an international standard audio plug. |
| US08249666B2 |
Battery-centric tamper resistant circuitry and portable electronic devices
Tamper-resistant circuitry for use with an electronic device is provided, where the electronic device comprises a plurality of connections for coupling the tamper-resistant circuitry to functional circuitry for performing functionality in connection with the electronic device. The tamper-resistant circuitry comprises an interface for coupling to the plurality of connections and a power source for coupling to at least one connection in the plurality of connections. The tamper-resistant circuitry further comprises circuitry operable to evaluate a measure of an operational parameter related to the power source and in response to a signal at at least one connection in the plurality of connections, to provide an acceptable range for the operational parameter, and to inhibit standard operation of the functional circuitry in response to detecting an anomaly in the functional circuitry by detecting that the measure is outside the acceptable range. |
| US08249665B2 |
Wireless communication device management
A method and system that limits the use of a communication device present in an area controlled by an intelligent controller. The intelligent controller detects any present communication devices in the area and conducts an inventory providing information about each detected device. The intelligent controller compares that information to a standard of use data, which specifies the conditions need to be present for allowing the usage of a communication device. If such conditions are not met, the intelligent controller sends commands to the communication device to restrict its functionality. Else if, the intelligent controller is incapable of restricting the communication device, it can notify authorities of unauthorized usage of a communication device in the restricted area. |
| US08249661B2 |
Mobile terminal
A mobile terminal including a terminal body having first and second regions on a front surface thereof, a touch screen part on the first region and configured to display visual information and perform an inputting operation in a tactile manner, and a touch pad part corresponding to the second region and configured to input information corresponding to a touch applied to a pre-set position on the second region. |
| US08249657B2 |
Apparatus and method for allocating preamble index to self configurable base station in a broadband wireless communication system
An apparatus and method for allocating a preamble index to a self configurable base station in a broadband wireless communication system are provided. The apparatus comprises a first selector for selecting a segment IDentifier (ID) to be allocated to a Self Configurable-Base Station (SC-BS) by using a per-segment ID Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) estimated by the SC-BS, a second selector for selecting an ID cell to be allocated to the SC-BS by using geographical location information of surrounding BSs, and a communicator for transmitting a segment ID and the ID cell to the SC-BS. |
| US08249647B2 |
Mobile communication device having multiple independent optimized physical layers
A system and method in a mobile communication device for providing and/or utilizing multiple independent optimized physical layers to provide communication services. As a non-limiting example, a mobile communication device may comprising a first PHY layer comprising first circuitry operable to provide any of at least a first plurality of communication services through one or more types of communication network, and a second PHY layer comprising second circuitry operable, independent of the first PHY layer, to provide at least one communication service through one or more types of communication network. For example, operation of the first circuitry may be optimizable in a first manner for providing a first communication service of the first plurality of communication services and optimizable in a second manner, different from the first manner, for providing a second communication service of the first plurality of communication services. |
| US08249645B2 |
Radiation reducing apparatus for wireless communication device
A radiation reducing apparatus for a wireless communication device includes a sensing module, a control module, and a radiation reducing module. The sensing module senses radiation intensity of the wireless communication device and generates a signal corresponding to the sensed radiation intensity. The control module compares the sensed radiation with a preset radiation intensity threshold. The radiation reducing module is activated by the control module to reduce the radiation of the wireless communication device when the sensed radiation intensity reaches the radiation intensity threshold. |
| US08249640B2 |
Method for determining a paging slot of a CDMA mobile station trunking service
The present invention provides a method for determining a paging slot of a CDMA mobile station trunking service. The method includes two situations: the mobile station supporting the minus slot function and not supporting the minus slot function. When the station supports the minus slot function, according to the matching situation of the system identifier and a network identifier of a base station, and the system identifier and the network identifier stored in the mobile station, and whether the minus slot paging cycle information is contained on the paging channel overhead message, the paging slot is determined by different modes. |
| US08249636B2 |
Method and apparatus for detecting adverse channel conditions and conserving power
A wireless device detects for an adverse channel condition, which may be (1) a frequent out of service (FOOS) condition indicative of frequent in and out of service or (2) an unbalanced forward/reverse link condition indicative of unbalanced coverage for the forward and reverse links. A FOOS condition may be detected based on an average in-service time, the number of lost system connections, the number of systems to which connections have been made, the rate of change for the systems, the altitude of the wireless device, and/or other parameters. An unbalanced forward/reverse link condition may be detected based on the average in-service time, the number of system access failures, and/or other parameters. The wireless device performs at least one action to conserve battery power if an adverse channel condition is detected. The action(s) may include performing system acquisition less frequently, disabling system registration, performing registration less frequently, and/or going to sleep. |
| US08249634B2 |
Base station apparatus and communications control method
A base station apparatus for carrying out communications with a mobile station in downlink using an OFDM method is disclosed. The base station apparatus is characterized in that the base station apparatus transmits a first signal and a second signal; a predetermined transmission power of the second signal is set; and the base station apparatus comprises a first transmission power controlling section that controls so that a transmission power per unit frequency band of the first signal is constant; and a frequency resource assignment section that determines a frequency resource to be assigned to the first signal, in accordance with the transmission power of the second signal and the transmission power per unit frequency band of the first signal. |
| US08249631B2 |
Transmission power allocation method, communication device and program
There is provided a method for allocating a transmission power to a second communication service making secondary usage of a spectrum assigned to a first communication service, in a node which is able to communicate with a secondary usage node, comprising the steps of: determining an interference power acceptable for two or more second communication services when the two or more second communication services are operated; distributing a transmission power depending on the interference power among the two or more second communication services according to a first rule; distributing the transmission power similarly according to a second rule; selecting one of the first rule and the second rule based on transmission powers distributed according to the first rule and transmission powers distributed according to the second rule; and allocating the transmission powers distributed according to the selected rule respectively to the two or more second communication services. |
| US08249630B1 |
Messaging session enhancement with user data
Computer media, systems, and computer-implemented methods for enhancing SMS messaging sessions with user data are provided. A data sharing agreement between a service provider and a receiving entity, such as broadcaster or a consumer goods manufacturer, is established. A user with a wireless device sends an SMS message to the receiving entity. Data associated with the user is retrieved by the service provider in accordance with the data sharing agreement and is transmitted to the receiving entity along with the SMS message. |
| US08249629B2 |
Providing transparent CDMA short message service using non-CDMA mobile devices, smart cards and networks
Methods and systems for sending, receiving, storing, and reading CDMA type SMS messages on wireless non-CDMA or multimode mobile devices include embedding a CDMA SMS message in a non-CDMA SMS host message. Such a host message may be created, transmitted, received, or otherwise processed by a mobile device, such as one operating in a GSM or UMTS mode. Similarly a CDMA SMS message may be stored in a SIM/USIM module using similar techniques. An embodiment provides a software application programming interface (API) which transparently processes SMS messages regardless of whether they are CDMA or non-CDMA and regardless of the operating mode of the mobile device. |
| US08249626B2 |
GPS based friend location and identification system and method
A system and method for observing a personal networking event which shares the position of a number of friendly participants with other participants within a group. In one form, the position of unknown participants meeting certain criteria is also displayed to a user or one or more friendly participants. The views are selectable by friendly participants on, for example, a GPS equipped cell phone, to include a view from the participant's position, zoom, pan, and tilt views, or views from another friendly location or from another geographic location, giving increased situational awareness and identification of participants. Other information can be shared among friendly participants, including social information, status and directions. Preferably, an orientation mechanism shows when the device is correctly pointed to a position. |
| US08249620B1 |
System and method for operating a communication service
A system and method are described. A communication interface receives a request that identifies a service and a first communication device. A location system determines a location of the first communication device and a location of a second communication device. A processing system processes the location of the first communication device and the location of the second communication device to determine if the first communication device is in the vicinity of the second communication device. In response to determining that the first communication device is in the vicinity of the second communication device, the processing system transfers a notification indicating that the first communication device is in the vicinity of the second communication device. |
| US08249618B2 |
System and method for enabling determination of position of a receiver
There is provided a system and method for positioning a receiver, the system comprising an antenna array coupled to a common generating and switching unit. The generating and switching unit is configured to generate a periodic signal and to switch the signal between at least two antennas, constituting a positioning signal; such that an RF receiver receiving the positioning signal and having a phase difference estimator is capable to measure phase differences between portions of the positioning signal transmitted by the spaced-apart antennas, the phase differences indicating the orientation of the received relative to the positioning system. |
| US08249616B2 |
Satellite (GPS) assisted clock apparatus, circuits, systems and processes for cellular terminals on asynchronous networks
A wireless circuit (1100, 1190) for tracking an incoming signal and for use in a network (2000) having handover from one part (Cell A) of the network to another part (Cell B). The wireless circuit includes a processor (CE 1100) responsive to the incoming signal, the processor (CE 1100) operable to generate pulse edges representing network-based receiver synchronization instances (RSIs), and a timekeeping circuitry (2420, 2430, 2450) including an oscillator circuitry (2162), the timekeeping circuitry (2420, 2430) operable to maintain a set of counter circuitries (2422-2428) including a counter circuitry (2422) operable to maintain at least one network time component based on the RSIs and another counter circuitry (2428) operable at least during handover and during loss of network coverage for maintaining at least one internal time component (NC) based on the oscillator circuitry (2162), the set of counter circuitries (2422-2428) operable to account for elapsing time substantially gaplessly and substantially without overlap between the time components during a composite of network coverage, loss of network coverage and handover, and the timekeeping circuitry further including a time generator (2450) for combining the time components from the set of counter circuitries (2422-2428) to generate an approximate absolute time (SGTB). Other electronic circuits, positioning systems, methods of operation, and processes of manufacture are also disclosed and claimed. |
| US08249607B2 |
Scheduling in wireless communication systems
A wireless communication infrastructure entity assigns a plurality of schedulable wireless communication entities to a group wherein each entity is assigned a location within the group. The infrastructure entity indicates which of the plurality of schedulable wireless communication entities assigned to the group have been assigned a radio resource, for example in a first bitmap (510), and indicates radio resource allocation policy information (520) and indicates a weighting for each assigned wireless communication entity, for example, in a second bitmap (530), to the schedulable wireless communication entities that have been assigned a radio resource. |
| US08249605B2 |
Systems and methods for optimizing the topology of a bluetooth scatternet for social networking
A wireless device is provided that includes a processor configured to execute instructions that promote performing a method. The method includes determining a user profile of a user of the wireless device. The method also includes determining a relationship of the wireless device to a topology of a wireless network wherein the wireless device is a node, the relationship of the wireless device to the topology of the network based at least in part on the user profile. |
| US08249604B2 |
System and method for landline replacement
A femto cell is provided that automatically routes new communication sessions among the connected mobile and landline handsets based upon local detection of mobile registration with the femto cell, which helps to reduce the backhaul bandwidth requirements and offload backend network processing load. When the mobile handset successfully registers with the femto cell, a User Detection Module at the femto cell routes new calls destined for the mobile telephone number to one or more traditional landline handsets. The femto cell also provides a ring tone to the connected landline handsets for making the outgoing calls. Since the mobile handset remains available for conducting additional communication sessions, the user is able to talk on the landline handset while conducting a simultaneous data session using the mobile phone. |
| US08249602B2 |
Reducing handoff latency in a wireless local area network through an activation alert that affects a power state of a receiving mesh access point
If a handoff by a mobile station currently associated with a particular access point is probable, then the particular access point sends an activation alert to one or more other access points. An access point receiving the activation alert that is in a low-power state enters a higher-power state. An access point receiving the activation alert that is in a higher-power state, remains in that higher-power state. |
| US08249601B2 |
Mobile station, infrastructure processor, system and method for use in cellular communications
A mobile station for use in a cellular communication system includes a transceiver and a processor operable to apply a cell re-selection procedure which includes determining whether the mobile station should change its serving base station, wherein the transceiver is operable to receive via its serving base station a signal from an infrastructure processor advising or instructing the mobile station to select a particular base station in its cell re-selection procedure, and the processor of the mobile station is operable to apply a cell re-selection procedure to determine whether the mobile station should change its serving base station to the particular selected base station, wherein the particular selected base station has been selected and specified by the infrastructure processor based upon the location of members of a group of mobile stations with which the mobile station is to communicate. |
| US08249598B1 |
Probing to disambiguate a reported pilot signal so as to facilitate handoff
A method is disclosed for disambiguating a reported pilot signal so as to facilitate handoff of a mobile station. When a radio access network (RAN) receives from a mobile station a handoff request carrying a parameter that ambiguously identifies at least two sectors as the potential handoff target, the RAN will send a test probe on at least one of the potential handoff target sectors and will determine, based on mobile station response to the test probe, which sector the mobile station received the test probe on and thus which sector was the intended handoff target. The RAN may then direct the mobile station to hand off to that sector if appropriate. Further, the RAN may add the identified sector into a neighbor list of a similarly situated other mobile station, to allow the other mobile station to more efficiently hand off to the same sector if appropriate. |
| US08249597B2 |
Method of packet switched handover
A method of packet switched handover in a mobile communication system comprising a terminal, a source node and a destination node comprises negotiating protocol parameters for the destination node on behalf of a new network entity, by communicating with an old network entity whilst the terminal is still connected to the source node; and completing the packet switched handover, such that service interruption on handover is reduced. |
| US08249595B2 |
Cell selection method and mobile station
A cell selection method includes steps of: (A) determining, at a mobile station (UE), whether or not a first CSG cell satisfies a predetermined condition, when using a first macro cell as a camped cell; and (B) changing, at the mobile station (UE), the camped cell from the first macro cell to a first CSG cell, when determined that the first CSG cell satisfies the predetermined condition. |
| US08249592B1 |
Authenticating a mobile station that communicates through a local premises wireless gateway
To authenticate a mobile station that is able to access packet-switched services in a packet-switched services network, an intermediate server receives a registration request from a local premises wireless gateway on behalf of the mobile station. In response to the registration request, the intermediate server performs an authentication procedure with an authentication infrastructure in a circuit-switched network, where the authentication infrastructure contains authentication information relating to the mobile station to enable authentication of the mobile station. |
| US08249591B2 |
Method and device for obtaining candidate information
A method, computer readable medium and mobile device for operating using more than one Radio Access Technology (RAT) are provided. When the mobile device is operating in a serving cell of a first RAT, it obtains, through at least one of wireless access radios in the mobile device, a first set of candidate information from a message transmitted for the serving cell. It also obtains, through at least one of the wireless access radios, a second set of candidate information from a message transmitted for a neighbor cell of the serving cell. The mobile device considers the candidate information from the first set and the candidate information from the second set for reselection by the mobile device. |
| US08249590B2 |
System, method, and apparatus for voice handoffs
A power management system is described where the handset can enter sleep or hibernation mode for a particular service, when the particular service is either not used or not available. The handset is capable of using the service, even in response to a non-user initiated incoming request for communication. The handset receives the request over the active service. The handset can then check for the availability of the inactive service, activate it, and a selection can be made between them. |
| US08249584B2 |
Portable electronic device with controllers
The present invention provides a portable electronic device. The device includes a first controller, a second controller, a mode switch unit, and a main controller. The mode switch unit is for a user to operate thereby generating a mode switch instruction. The main controller is for switching a work mode according to the mode switch instruction from the mode switch unit. When the mode switch unit generates a first mode switch instruction, the device enters a common work mode whereby the main controller activates the first controller and the second controller to be on standby; and when the mode switch unit generates a second mode switch instruction, the device enters a single work mode whereby the main controller activates only one of the first controller and the second controller to be on standby. |
| US08249579B2 |
Reprogramming nodes in a wireless automation system
A method for wireless communication within a building automation system is disclosed. The method includes establishing a communication connection between a wireless device and a controller, and communicating an upgrade packet to the wireless device from the controller. The method further includes executing the upgrade packet to upgrade the wireless device or a building automation component connected to the wireless device. A building automation system is further disclosed. The system includes a controller configured to provide a software module, and a wireless transceiver in communication with the controller and configured to communicate the software module. The system further includes a wireless device in communication with the wireless transceiver and configured to receive the software module to upgrade the wireless device. |
| US08249574B2 |
Communication method and system
A software button and software agent downloaded to a computing in response to actuation of the button make it possible to create a communication connection providing privacy, security and dynamic control of service. In one embodiment an online telephone directory comprised of software buttons is provided, in which a calling party can select a called party by clicking a software button dedicated to the called party. The button provides an identification of the called party, but all contact information is hidden and inaccessible to the calling party. Upon actuation of the button server containing the directory causes download of a software agent to the calling party's computing device, causing it to establish communication with the called party. In a second embodiment, software buttons provide a communication service which is dynamic, the nature or type of service changing based on conditions predefined by the called. For example, a called party may specify that, during business hours, communication be by telephone to a specific telephone number and outside of business hours, communication be by text message if urgent and e-mail if not urgent. When the calling party clicks a software button, the software agent downloaded to his computing device would then be a soft phone during business hours. Outside of business hours, a software agent would be downloaded to the calling party which would inquire whether the call is urgent and, depending upon the response, would provide a text message agent or an e-mail agent, respectively. |
| US08249573B2 |
Method and system for software defined power amplifier for multi-band applications
Methods and systems for software definition of a power amplifier for multi-band applications are disclosed and may comprise configuring a single programmable output stage of a transmitter to transmit a signal via one of a plurality of selectively coupled antennas, wherein each antenna handles signals in a different frequency band. A power amplifier within the single programmable output stage may be tuned to a frequency within a range of frequencies handled by the selectively coupled antenna. The tuning may be accomplished by programmably adjusting at least one inductance and capacitance. The antennas may be impedance matched to the power amplifier using transformers and may be activated by at least one integrated transistor. The power amplifier may be biased in a class of operation, which may include Class A, AB, C and F, and may be biased utilizing a digitally-controlled current source and a digitally-controlled voltage source. |
| US08249571B2 |
Method and system for mobile call conferencing
A system and method for providing conference calls in a client-server environment is described. In some aspects, conference calling is made possible and efficient for mobile users, including mobile hosts of the conference call who may arrange and set up the conference call easily from a mobile device with the assistance of an application server and/or a call conference server. Also, other mobile users may easily participate in such conference calls from their mobile devices. |
| US08249570B2 |
Apparatus, method, and computer-readable medium for interfacing devices with communications networks
An apparatus, method, and computer-readable medium for interfacing devices with communications networks are provided. According to one aspect, an interface device for providing communications between a first communications network and a device associated with a second communications network comprises one or more inputs, one or more outputs, and logic. The one or more inputs of the interface device receive data in a first format from the first communications network. The logic translates the data to a second format compatible with the second communications device. The translated data is then transmitted to the device associated with the second communications network via the one or more outputs. The first and second formats may comprise rich media content. |
| US08249569B1 |
Using local codecs
In one embodiment, a method is provided. The method includes evaluating local codecs of a cellular telephone. The method further includes playing a content file with a media player on the cellular telephone. The method also includes accessing encoded media referred to by the content file in a format determined based on local codecs of the cellular telephone. |
| US08249566B2 |
System and method for profile filtered messaging
Embodiments of the present invention include improved communication system and methods. In one embodiment, the present invention includes a wireless communication method comprising, on a first wireless device, receiving one or more wireless device identifications associated with one or more other wireless devices, and transmitting at least one of the one or more wireless device identifications from the first wireless device to a remote computer system, and on the remote computer system, receiving the at least one wireless device identification, and accessing information associated with the at least one wireless device identification. Embodiments of the present invention may be used for electronic dating, social networking and other communication applications. |
| US08249561B2 |
System and method for sharing a SIP communication service identifier
A method for providing a user agent (UA) with service identification data. The method includes an application server (AS) transmitting Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) data. The SIP data comprises an identifier of the AS and a service identifier for at least one service supported by the AS. The method further includes the UA receiving the SIP data. |
| US08249560B2 |
Sending method, receiving method, and system for email transfer by short message
A system and method are used for sending and receiving email. The system includes a gateway. The gateway communicates with the mobile phone via a wireless network capable of receiving a short message sent from a mobile phone. The gateway is connected to a mail server which has a plurality of mailboxes via a network. The gateway is capable of communicating between the mobile phone and the mail server in such a manner that the gateway converts the short message to an email, and sends the email to a receiver's mailbox in the mail server whose address is included in the short message, and the gateway converts the emails of the mailboxes of the mail server to short messages, and sends the short messages to the corresponding mobile phones. |
| US08249559B1 |
Promotion operable recognition system
Embodiments describe a recognition system that works in conjunction with a subscriber's cellular phone and the network serving the subscriber. According to an embodiment, a subscriber can use a cellular phone to receive and capture data signals, from, for example, an audio output. The captured data signals can be transmitted to a remote network element that receives and translates the captured data and performs a plurality of functions. A promotion can be selectively tailored to a user based in part on the user location. |
| US08249558B2 |
Securing a mobile computing device
In general, this disclosure describes techniques for unlocking certain functionality of a mobile computing device upon wirelessly detecting that an external device is in relatively close proximity to the mobile computing device. One example method comprises: providing a phone application and a second, different application; initiating a first mode of operation when the mobile computing device becomes locked; prohibiting user access to the second application during the first mode of operation when the mobile computing device fails to wirelessly detect a presence of an external device; and initiating a second mode of operation when the mobile computing device wirelessly detects the presence of the external device and when the mobile computing device has received user input specifying an access password, wherein the mobile computing device allows complete user access to both the phone application and the second application during the second mode of operation. |
| US08249555B2 |
Method for performing initial ranging in wireless communication system
A method of enabling a mobile station to perform initialization to a base station in a wireless communication system is provided. The method includes synchronizing with the base station, obtaining an uplink parameter based on the synchronization, performing initial ranging by using the uplink parameter and establishing security association between the mobile station and the base station while performing the initial ranging. During the initial ranging, a mobile station's unique identifier or control signaling can securely be transmitted. |
| US08249547B1 |
Emergency alert device with mobile phone
A wearable emergency alert device includes a wearable member and a separately encased mobile phone member that is selectively attachable to the wearable member. The wearable member includes an attachment member for attaching the wearable member to a body part of the user, a first transmitter for sending a first signal to the mobile phone member, a power source for the first transmitter and a first actuator operable by a user for actuating the first transmitter to send a signal to the mobile phone member. The mobile phone member includes a mobile phone transceiver for establishing a first communication link between the mobile phone transceiver and the first transmitter; and the second communication link between the mobile phone transceiver and a remote receiver for transmitting and receiving at least one of data, voice and messages between the mobile phone transceiver and a remote receiver. A mounting member is provided for selectively removably mounting the mobile phone member to the wearable member, and permitting the mobile phone member to engage the first actuator to actuate an emergency signal. |
| US08249541B2 |
Subharmonically pumped mixer
The present invention relates to a sub-harmonically pumped conversion mixer arrangement that includes a transistor arrangement and transistor terminals for application of a local oscillator, LO-, signal and application of a radio frequency, RF-, signal and for extraction of a mixed intermediate frequency, IF-, signal. The transistor arrangement includes at least one NMOS transistor and at least one PMOS transistor. The drain of the at least one NMOS transistor is interconnected with the drain of the at least one PMOS transistor, and in that the gate of the at least one PMOS transistor is interconnected with the gate of the at least one NMOS transistor. |
| US08249538B2 |
Offset direct conversion receiver
An offset direct conversion receiver apparatus and corresponding receiving method are provided. A received wireless signal is directly downconverted and demodulated to a baseband offset frequency that is offset from zero frequency to produce an in-phase (I) baseband offset signal centered at the baseband offset frequency and a quadrature-phase (Q) baseband offset signal centered at the baseband offset frequency. The I baseband offset signal and Q baseband offset signal are bandpass filtered to produce an I bandpass signal and a Q bandpass signal, respectively. The I bandpass signal and the Q bandpass signal are downconverted from the baseband offset frequency to zero frequency to produce an I baseband receive signal and a Q baseband receive signal. A technique and logic are also provided to select the best baseband offset frequency used in an offset direct conversion receiver. |
| US08249537B2 |
Noise cancellation circuit for a mixer device and related mixer device
A noise cancellation circuit for a mixer device includes a first signal terminal, coupled to a first output terminal, and a second signal terminal, coupled to a second output terminal of the RF input stage of the mixer device, a first variable current source with a first end coupled to the first signal terminal, a second end coupled to the second signal terminal, and a third end coupled to a first voltage source, a second variable current source with a first end coupled to the second signal terminal, a second end coupled to the first signal terminal, and a third end coupled to the first voltage source, and a phase shift device coupled to the first signal terminal and the second end of the second variable current source, transforming a first signal into a second signal, and outputting to the second end of the second variable current source. |
| US08249536B2 |
Apparatus and method for removing transmission leakage signal
An apparatus and method for removing a transmission leakage signal are provided. The apparatus includes: a directional coupler connecting an antenna to a transmission path and a reception path; and a reflection coefficient adjustment unit outputting a reflection signal to the reception path, the reflection signal having the same amplitude as and opposite phase to a first transmission leakage signal generated from the transmission path and input to the reception path and a second transmission leakage signal reflected by the antenna and input to the reception path. |
| US08249533B2 |
Rapidly adjustable local oscillation module and applications thereof
A rapidly adjustable local oscillation (LO) module for use in a radio transmitter or a radio receiver includes an oscillation generating module and a high frequency switching module. The oscillation generating module is operably coupled to generate a plurality of local oscillations. The high frequency switching module is operably coupled to, for a first one of a plurality of transmission paths, provide one of the plurality of local oscillations when a first transmission path selection indication is in a first state and provide another one of the plurality of local oscillations when the first transmission path selection indication is in a second state and, for a second one of the plurality of transmission paths, provide the one of the plurality of local oscillations when a second transmission path selection indication is in a first state and provide the another one of the plurality of local oscillations when the second transmission path selection indication is in a second state. |
| US08249526B2 |
System and method for sending a safety monitor report using a mobile device
A safety monitoring system and method sets a preset acceleration and a preset gravity gradient of a mobile device, and a preset contact. If an obtained acceleration and a gravity gradient of the mobile device are greater than preset values, the system and method obtains positional data of the mobile device using a global positioning system (GPS) unit of the mobile device. The system and method further packs the positional data into short message service/multimedia message service (SMS/MMS) message, searches for the preset contact in the mobile device, and sends a safety monitor report to the preset contact by the SMS/MMS message. |
| US08249524B2 |
Transmit and receive performance of a near field communication device that uses a single antenna
A near field communication (NFC) transceiver contains a transmitter portion to generate a transmit wireless signal, and a receiver portion to receive and process a receive wireless signal. The circuit further contains a shunt capacitor, a switch, and an antenna interface to couple the transmitter portion and the receiver portion to an antenna designed to communicate with external antennas by inductive coupling. The switch couples the shunt capacitor in parallel with the antenna in one operational mode, and decouples the shunt capacitor from the antenna in another operational mode. Transmit and receive performance of the NFC transceiver are enhanced as a result. |
| US08249523B2 |
Method and system for a multi-port distributed antenna
Methods and systems for a multi-port distributed antenna are disclosed and may include configuring one or more amplifiers to communicate signals via one or more ports on a distributed antenna. A characteristic impedance of the distributed antenna at each of the one or more ports may be configured by a location of the one or more ports on the distributed antenna. The amplifiers may be impedance matched to the distributed antenna by coupling each of the amplifiers to the ports based on the characteristic impedance. The amplifiers may include power amplifiers and/or low noise amplifiers. The signals may be time division duplexed. The signals communicated via the ports on the distributed antenna may include RF signals. The distributed antenna may be integrated on a chip with the amplifiers or may be located external to a chip with the amplifiers. The distributed antenna may include a microstrip antenna. |
| US08249522B2 |
Apparatus and method for transmitting/receiving control message in wireless communication system
Disclosed is an apparatus and method for transmitting/receiving a control message in a wireless communication system that is designed to reduce overhead associated with transmission/reception of the control message. To this end, a transmission apparatus generates a control message, generates a compressed control message by compressing the generated control message, based on a control message that has been lastly received by a reception apparatus from among previously transmitted control messages, selects one of the generated control message and the generated compressed control message according to whether or not the control message lastly received by the reception apparatus exists, and transmits the selected one of the generated control message and the generated compressed control message to the reception apparatus. Therefore, it is possible to reduce resources used for control message transmission, and thus increase the use efficiency of the resources. |
| US08249514B2 |
Radio communication method, device and system for equalizing a signal
A base station 20 monitors change of a parameter for an adaptive array antenna, the parameter being used to control a directivity of a beam to be transmitted to a mobile terminal device 30. As a result, when detecting that a value indicating the change has fallen below a predetermined value, the base station 20 suppresses control of the directivity of a transmission signal. Moreover, the base station 20 transmits decrease information to the mobile terminal device 30, the decrease information indicating that the value indicating the change has fallen below the predetermined value. Upon receipt of the decrease information transmitted from the base station 20, the mobile terminal device 30 equalizes a signal to be transmitted to the base station 20 on the basis of a delay status of a reception signal received from the base station 20, and then transmits the equalized signal to the base station 20. |
| US08249512B2 |
Assessing interference environment for wireless communication devices
Disclosed is a device and method to automate the process of measuring RF noise, correlating measured noise with known sources, and making adjustments to the noise-measuring and reporting process. A wireless communication device is coupled to equipment at a fixed location, and transmits data about the operation of the equipment back to an operator, via a provider's network. Examples include fixed wireless terminals. A management entity aboard the wireless communication device performs the measurements via a transceiver, and performs remedial actions when required, without requiring an onsite technician or remote assistance. The management entity may include a spectrum analyzer. |
| US08249508B2 |
Frequency separation for multiple bluetooth devices residing on a single platform
A single host device, comprising a plurality of wireless devices, estimates bandwidth requirements such as maximum rates and/or an average data rate expected by each of a plurality of applications to be run on the single host. For each wireless device, available frequencies utilized are determined based on the estimated bandwidth requirements. Each of the plurality of applications is allocated to corresponding one or more wireless devices based on the determined available frequencies so as to, for example, concurrently run corresponding applications on the single host. The determined available frequencies are assigned to corresponding wireless devices based on the estimated bandwidth requirements. The determined available frequencies and the plurality of applications may be reassigned and reallocated, respectively. Each of plurality of applications is allocated to the corresponding one or more wireless devices based on the assigned/reassigned available frequencies and/or the estimated bandwidth requirements. |
| US08249504B2 |
Setting parameters in a communication device for network connection
In a communication control method for wireless communication between a first communication device and a second communication device through a wireless communication unit, identification information is notified from the second communication device to the first communication device by using a communication unit other than the wireless communication unit. Wireless communication between the first and second communication devices is performed by the wireless communication unit using the first communication parameter shared in advance, and authentication processing based on identification information is performed. When authentication is acquired by this authentication processing, the second communication parameter to be set with respect to a wireless communication unit is shared by the first and second communication devices through the above wireless communication. Parameters for wireless communication between the first and second communication devices are set in the wireless communication unit by using the second communication parameter shared in this manner. |
| US08249502B2 |
Radio-frequency communication device, system and method
The invention relates to a radio-frequency communication device comprising an inductive antenna in order to communicate with a transponder. According to the invention, the antenna is capable of establishing weak coupling with a transmitter which produces a magnetic field which is substantially homogeneous on the scale of the antenna and is also capable of establishing strong inductive coupling with a transponder located in the vicinity of the device, with the device comprising a transponder interrogation circuit comprising means of sampling and processing the signal on the antenna terminals which are capable of producing a reference signal as a function of said signal; modulation means capable of modulating the reference signal; and application means capable of applying the modulated signal to the antenna terminals. |
| US08249501B2 |
Self-detecting electronic connection for electronic devices
According to one embodiment, an apparatus has first and second connectors configured for removably connecting to one another. The first connector circuit has a first differential amplifier, a first differential signal path, a first capacitor section capacitively coupling the first differential amplifier to the first differential signal path, and a first DC biasing circuit for imparting a first DC bias to the first differential signal path opposite the first capacitor section. The second connector circuit has a second differential amplifier, a second differential signal path, a second capacitor section capacitively coupling the second differential amplifier to the second differential signal path, and a second DC biasing circuit for imparting a second DC bias to the second differential signal path opposite the second capacitor section having a different magnitude than the first DC bias when the first and second connector are not connected. One or both of the first and second connector circuits is configured for detecting a change in the first or second DC bias and outputting a connection status signal in response to the detected change. |
| US08249489B2 |
Developing unit and image forming device
A developing unit includes a developing roller which rotates about a rotational axis to supply toner to a photoreceptor, and a magnetic roller which forms a magnetic brush with a two-component developing agent having carrier and the toner and thereby forms a toner layer on the developing roller, the developing roller including: a cylindrical core portion which includes an electric conductor; a first resistive layer which covers a cylindrical surface of the core portion; a second resistive layer which covers the first resistive layer, and has electric-resistivity lower than that of the first resistive layer; and a current leakage control member which prevents leakage of electric current from the core portion toward the second resistive layer through an end of the developing roller along a direction of the rotational axis. |
| US08249487B2 |
Electron emitting element, electron emitting device, charging device, image forming apparatus, electron-beam curing device, light emitting device, image display device, air blowing device, and cooling device
According to an electron emitting element of the present invention, an electron acceleration layer sandwiched between an electrode substrate and a thin-film electrode contains (i) insulating fine particles and (ii) at least one of (a) conductive fine particles having an average particle diameter smaller than an average particle diameter of the insulating fine particles and (b) a basic dispersant. The electron acceleration layer has a surface roughness of 0.2 μm or less in centerline average roughness (Ra). The thin-film electrode has a film thickness of 100 nm or less. As such, according to the electron emitting element of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the thickness of the thin-film electrode to an appropriate thickness. Accordingly, it is possible to increase electron emission. |
| US08249486B2 |
Fixing unit, roller replacement auxiliary tool of fixing unit, and image forming apparatus
Disclosed is a fixing unit that includes a heating roller; a pressure roller capable of being brought into press-contact with the heating roller, one of the heating roller and the pressure roller being capable of being extracted along a shaft direction of the roller; and an assist-unit linkage part to which an assist unit for assisting an extraction of the roller is detachably linked and which is provided at a tip end part in an extracting direction of the roller. |
| US08249485B2 |
Process cartridge with portions to be supported and regulated during insertion of the cartridge into an electrophotographic image forming apparatus
A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, wherein the apparatus includes a supporting member, a movable member for moving the supporting member in a horizontal direction and upward and downward directions, an operating member for moving the movable member, and a regulating portion, the process cartridge includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum; process means actable on the drum; a portion to be supported for being supported by the supporting member when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly of the apparatus; and a portion-to-be-regulated for being regulated by being contacted by the regulating portion to regulate movement of the process cartridge in the horizontal direction, when the supporting member is moved, by movement of the movable member by operation of the operating member and in the horizontal direction and the upward direction while supporting the process cartridge, wherein when the supporting member is moved in the horizontal direction and upward direction while supporting the process cartridge, the portion-to-be-supported slides on the supporting member, and the portion-to-be-regulated slides on the regulating portion. |
| US08249478B2 |
Fusing unit to fuse developing agent on a print medium, image forming apparatus, and method of controlling the same
Disclosed are a fusing unit, an image forming apparatus employing the fusing unit and a method of controlling the same. The fusing unit disclosed herein includes a heating belt having a non-conductive outer surface and a pressing roller that allows a print medium to be in pressing contact with the outer surface of the heating belt. A negative voltage or a positive voltage is selectively applied to the pressing roller based on the presence of a print medium between the pressing roller and the heating belt. |
| US08249477B2 |
Method of detecting position of toner pattern, optical sensor, and image forming apparatus
A light-emitting unit includes M (M≧3) number of light-emitting elements. A light-receiving unit includes N (N≧3) number of light-receiving elements that receive a reflected light from at least one of a supporting member and a toner pattern. The toner pattern is formed on a surface of the supporting member. A detection light is emitted onto the supporting member from the light-emitting unit. A reflected light reflected from at least one of the supporting member and the toner pattern is received by the light-receiving unit. A position of the toner pattern on the supporting member is detected based on outputs of the light-receiving elements. |
| US08249476B2 |
Image forming apparatus and method of controlling image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus has a charging unit which charges an image carrier by applying a voltage to a charging member arranged to be in contact with the image carrier. The image forming apparatus includes an alternating voltage applying unit which generates an alternating voltage, a first voltage detection unit which detects a positive peak voltage of the alternating voltage, a second voltage detection unit which detects a negative peak voltage of the alternating voltage, a voltage amplitude determination unit which determines an amplitude value of the alternating voltage based on the positive peak voltage detected, and an alternating voltage control unit which outputs a signal which changes an output from the alternating voltage applying unit. |
| US08249470B2 |
Powder material recovery container, and powder material recovery device and image forming device using powder material recovery container
A powder material recovery container includes: a container main body that accommodates a powder material; a conveying member that is arranged with a part existing at least in an intermediate position of a dropping movement of the powder material and rotates to convey it, the conveying member having a conveying part that conveys the powder material around a central line of rotation; and a moving passage surface arranged in a lower part of the part existing at least in the intermediate position, and opposed to one part of the conveying member and move it by a conveying force, wherein the moving passage surface has upper end parts of side surfaces opposed to each other with respect to the central line that are formed with relatively different heights, and the relatively lower upper end part is formed with height not higher than a height of the central line. |
| US08249468B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes at least one image carrier and a recording medium conveyor forming a transfer nip therebetween, a conveyance member disposed closest to the transfer nip on an upstream side of the transfer nip to convey the recording medium to the transfer nip, and a conveyance control mechanism to deactivate the conveyance member to stop providing a conveyance force to the recording medium after the leading edge of the recording medium has entered the transfer nip and before the trailing edge of the recording medium passes a point of force application and remaining in the inactive state until the recording medium passes the point of force application. The conveyance force remains unapplied to the recording medium from when the conveyance control mechanism deactivates the conveyance member to when the trailing edge of the recording medium passes the transfer nip. |
| US08249466B2 |
Polarization multiplexing optical receiver and polarization multiplexing optical transmission system
A polarization multiplexing optical receiver includes a polarization controller configured to control a polarization state of a polarization multiplexed optical signal; a polarization splitter configured to split the polarization multiplexed optical signal for which the polarization state is controlled by the polarization controller into a first polarization signal and a second polarization signal; a first detector configured to detect an optical power of the first polarization signal and output a first optical power signal representing the optical power of the first polarization signal; a second detector configured to detect an optical power of the second polarization signal and output a second optical power signal representing the optical power of the second polarization signal; and a controller configured to control the polarization controller on the basis of the first optical power signal and the second optical power signal. |
| US08249458B2 |
Optical communication system and method for operating the same
An optical communication system has a master station and a plurality of slave stations connected thereto via an optical fiber network, which is provided with an optical splitter and a relay unit which relays signals transmitted/received between the master station and the plurality of slave stations. The master station includes a first controller for performing ranging between the master station and the relay unit, and the relay unit includes a second controller for performing ranging between the relay unit and the plurality of slave stations. The master station determines, on the basis of the results of ranging performed by the first and second controllers as well as reports from the slave stations, timings for the slave stations to transmit signals to the master station, and receives signals multiplexed through the optical fiber network from the slave stations. |
| US08249455B2 |
Passive optical network system and ranging method
In a WDM-PON system wherein a plurality of ONUs transfer signals by sharing wavelengths, one wavelength dedicated to a ranging procedure is set, and the ranging is performed with only the dedicated wavelength, so as to measure reciprocating delay times. At the other wavelengths, transmission signals from a plurality of ONUs are transferred in time division multiplexing based on the obtained reciprocating delay times. An OLT includes a burst receiver circuit for only the wavelength dedicated to the ranging, and subsequently to the ranging, the OLT adjusts transmission amplitudes and transmission phases for the ONUs, so as to equalize received amplitudes and received phases in the OLT. For this purpose, the OLT includes means for measuring the amplitudes and phases of received signals, as the burst receiver circuit, and it includes a table for managing the received amplitudes and received phases of the respective ONUs. |
| US08249451B2 |
Methods for characterizing optical switches and multiplexers/demultiplexers
A network component comprising at least one processor configured to implement a method comprising creating a port restriction matrix comprising a plurality of port restrictions, and compressing the port restriction matrix. Included is a method comprising establishing a port wavelength restriction data for an optical component, establishing a port connectivity data for the optical component, and transmitting the port wavelength restriction data and the port connectivity data to a path computation element. Also included is an apparatus comprising a path computation client configured to communicate data to a path computation element, wherein the data comprises a port restriction data. |
| US08249448B2 |
System and method of blocking an electrical signal transmission
A communication device comprises a port via which the communication device is operable to communicate over a communication channel; command hardware operable to output a controlled signal over the communication channel; monitor hardware operable to monitor the controlled signal and output a controlling signal to block propagation of the controlled signal if a fault is identified in the controlled signal; and signal blocking circuitry coupled to a transmission path of the controlled signal and to a transmission path of the controlling signal; wherein, when the controlled signal is to be blocked, the signal blocking circuitry applies the controlling signal to the controlled signal such that a receiver at one end of the transmission path of the controlled signal identifies the controlled signal as a faulty signal; and wherein, when the controlled signal is not being blocked, the controlled signal is unimpeded by the signal blocking circuitry. |
| US08249444B2 |
Covert camera with a fixed lens
A covert camera for surveillance in an aircraft comprises a front panel that can have an appearance other than a conventional camera. The front panel can include at least one aperture therethrough. A lens can be in or near the aperture, the lens having a field of view. A camera mount can be positioned on the front panel. The camera mount can include a sensor capable of receiving an image of at least a portion of the field of view. The camera mount can be capable of adjustment without movement of the lens. |
| US08249442B2 |
Flash unit and imaging apparatus
A flash unit includes a flash device operable to emit flash, a storage member operable to store the flash device, a cover with which the storage member is covered from above, and to which the flash device is attached, a first link member that is turnably connected to the storage member at one end and turnably connected to the cover at another end, and a retaining member. The first link member is stored in the storage member in a lying state when the flash device is not used, and the first link member is adapted to turn about a connection portion of the first link member and the storage member to take a raised up state in which a connection portion of the first link member and the cover is located above the connection portion of the first link member with the storage member when the flash device is used, the cover can turn about the connection portion with the first link member to take the raised up state in which the flash device is raised higher than the connection portion with the first link member, and the retaining member retains the first link member in the raised up state. |
| US08249433B2 |
Data multiplexing apparatus
A data multiplexing apparatus for arranging video streams and audio streams respectively into packs and multiplexing these packs to create a system stream. The apparatus includes a virtual decoding video buffer occupancy calculator virtually calculating an occupancy of a decoding video buffer temporarily storing the video streams, a virtual decoding audio buffer occupancy calculator virtually calculating an occupancy of a decoding audio buffer temporarily storing the audio streams, a virtual decoding audio buffer storing a calculation result in the virtual decoding audio buffer occupancy calculator, and a payload length setting section setting an overflow limit value for the virtual decoding audio buffer. The payload length setting section sets the overflow limit value to a value of an integral multiple of an audio frame length. |
| US08249432B2 |
Video and audio playback apparatus and video and audio playback method
A video and audio playback apparatus which generate a video and an audio at high-speed in accordance with the respective characteristics is provided. The apparatus plays back a video/audio data having a first video data encoded by an intra-frame encoding, a second video data encoded by an inter-frame prediction encoding and an audio data corresponding to the video frame of the first video data or the second video frame. The apparatus includes a deciding unit to determine a first rate, a second rate and a number of times; a first extraction unit to extract the first video data from the video/audio data at the first rate; a second extraction unit to extract the audio data from the video/audio data at the second rate; a playback unit to play back the first video data the number of times; and an audio playback unit to play back the audio data. |
| US08249429B2 |
Digital broadcasting receiving system, digital broadcasting receiver, and mobile communication device
When the number of requests for recording is more than the number of tuners by the extension of a broadcast time period of a program that has been timer-recorded as a reserved program, recording instruction information relating to the reserved program that is extended is transmitted to a mobile communication device from an information transmitter in a digital broadcasting receiver. In this case, the recording of the reserved program that is extended is started in the mobile communication device, and another reserved program is recorded by a program recorder in the digital broadcasting receiver. Further, when the number of requests for recording is more than the number of tuners by timer-recording other program or programs within the broadcast time period of the reserved program, recording instruction information relating to the one reserved program is transmitted to the mobile communication device from an information transmitter in the digital broadcasting receiver. In this case, the recording of the one reserved program is started in the mobile communication device, and the other reserved program is recorded by a program recorder in the digital broadcasting receiver. |
| US08249425B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling image display
When an image is displayed on a material administration browser, a story board window and a time line window based on material data, the editing image display is controlled to display items of the material data that is combined with the frame rate information as the associated information and not combined with the frame rate information as the associated information with the items of the material data being distinguished from each other. When the material data is combined with the frame rate information as the associated information, a speed range available for reproduction of said material data is displayed based on the frame rate information. A console indication in variable speeds for indicating a reproduction speed or for altering the reproduction speed within the speed range available for reproduction is provided. Thus, reproduced image may be displayed on material image representation at set reproduction speed. |
| US08249422B2 |
Content usage system, content usage method, recording and playback device, content delivery method, and content delivery program
A content usage system includes a recording and playback device and a portable electronic device mutually connected via a network. When the recording and playback device receives a certain command while outputting digital content, that content is converted into transfer content suitable for use with the portable electronic device, and then stored with metadata indicating that the content is transfer content. Using the metadata, the recording and playback device is able to generate and transmit a list of transfer content upon request from the portable electronic device. Using the list, the user of the portable electronic device then selects desired transfer content from the list and sends a transfer content request. In response, the recording and playback device transmits the selected transfer content to the portable electronic device, thereby making the content available for use on the portable electronic device. |
| US08249419B2 |
Method for generating additional information for guaranteeing seamless playback between data streams, recording medium storing the information, and recording, editing and/or playback apparatus using the same
A method for generating additional information for guaranteeing seamless playback of data streams, a recording medium for storing the information, and recording, editing and/or playback apparatus using the same are provided. The method generates additional information for guaranteeing seamless playback. The method includes a step of generating data stream information for each of two or more data streams, which includes packet data to which information on an arrival time of the respective packet data is added. The data stream information includes seamless playback information, which indicates whether a corresponding data stream is to be seamlessly reproduced after playback of a preceding data stream, and/or seamless time control information for controlling an output time of the corresponding data stream to be seamlessly reproduced. Therefore, data streams can be seamlessly reproduced without interruption between the data streams, by using data stream information which includes seamless information and/or seamless time control information including reference time, an offset value and/or a gap length value. Especially, by using the information structure, even if data streams are edited, the data streams can be seamlessly reproduced in such a simple manner of just modifying data stream information, instead of directly rewriting or modifying arrival time information which is added to packet data. |
| US08249417B2 |
Recording medium capable of interactive reproducing and reproduction system for the same
On an optical disk, video object sets (VTST_VOBS) to be reproduced and video title set information (VTSI) serving as management information on the video object sets have been stored. In each video object set (VTST_VOBS), many data cells, each containing video, audio, and sub-picture data, are arranged. Management information on programs chains, which are combinations of programs to be reproduced one after another, has been written in a video title set PGC table (VTS_PGCIT). By referring to the program chain table (VTS_PGCIT) according to the user's input, the playback order of program chains can be changed, enabling the program chains to be reproduced one after another in various modes. |
| US08249413B1 |
Video recording failover
A video recording system includes a first Network Video Recorder (NVR) that receives a video delivered via a video packet stream and records the video to a first long-term storage. A second NVR receives the same video and temporarily stores it in temporary storage. When a failure of the first NVR is detected at a first point, the second NVR starts recording the video to long-term storage. The temporarily stored video is used by the second NVR to fill in the gap in recorded video in long-term storage that occurred between the failure of the first NVR and the start of the second NVR recording the video to long-term storage. |
| US08249412B2 |
Wedge deadend to support optical ground wire
A wedge deadend used to secure a cable is disclosed. The wedge deadend includes a single assembled frame comprising two plates. Two wedges between the plates grip a cable between them. A cam/bail retainer is included to align the wedges precisely. |
| US08249410B2 |
Connector housing for a communication network
A connector housing for use with a communication network and management system thereof includes a housing having a plurality of berths each configured to receive an optical connector adapter unit. A housing electrical connector is associated with each berth and faces the front of the housing to engage an adapter unit electrical connector as the adapter unit is inserted into the berth. Guide elements guide and align the housing electrical connectors with the adapter unit connectors as the adapter units are inserted into the berth to allow blind mating of the housing electrical connectors and the adapter unit connectors. Electrical contacts from at least two housing electrical connectors are consolidated into a cable connector positioned adjacent the back of the housing. |
| US08249409B2 |
Light extraction film with nanoparticle coatings
A multifunctional optical film for enhancing light extraction includes a flexible substrate, a structured layer having nanoparticles of different sizes, and a backfill layer. The structured layer effectively uses microreplicated diffractive or scattering nanostructures located near enough to the light generation region to enable extraction of an evanescent wave from an organic light emitting diode (OLED) device. The backfill layer has a material having an index of refraction different from the index of refraction of the structured layer. The backfill layer also provides a planarizing layer over the structured layer in order to conform the light extraction film to a layer of an OLED display device. The film may have additional layers added to or incorporated within it to an emissive surface in order to effect additional functionalities beyond improvement of light extraction efficiency. |
| US08249407B2 |
Optical fiber and optical cable
An optical fiber that has a small bending loss can be securely prevented from being fractured due to accidental bending during installation or other operations, and is compliant with the G. 652 standard. The optical fiber includes a core, a first cladding, a second cladding and a third cladding. The relative refractive index difference Δ1 of the core is in the range of 0.3% to 0.38%, the relative refractive index difference Δ2 of the first cladding is equal to or smaller than 0%, and the relative refractive index difference Δ3 of the second cladding is in the range of −1.8% to −0.5%. The inner radius r2 and the outer radius r3 of the second cladding satisfy the expression “0.4r2+10.5 |
| US08249403B2 |
Optical wiring board and manufacturing method thereof
An optical wiring board and a manufacturing method thereof are disclosed. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the method includes providing a flexible optical waveguide layer, selectively forming a reinforcing clad on one surface of the optical waveguide layer and forming a mirror groove on the other surface of the optical waveguide layer in accordance with where the reinforcing clad is formed. Thus, the clad can be formed thick only on the place where the mirror groove is to be formed, and thus a flexible optical wiring board having flexibility can be manufactured even though the optical wiring board is generally made thin. |
| US08249401B2 |
Surface state gain
A gain medium may be arranged to provide energy to a surface state. |
| US08249396B2 |
System and methods for handling financial document returns and processing exceptions
A system and methods for handling financial document returns and processing exceptions are disclosed. Embodiments of the invention provide a returns and exceptions platform to image-enable check returns and exceptions within a financial institution. This capability can be in part enabled by a system that provides both for decisioning based on images, and dispatching or exporting images and data in a plurality of formats from the system into which they are first loaded, so that paper items need not be referenced again. The plurality of formats for export can include X9.37i files, external and internal cash letters, and image replacement documents. The image-based processes of the invention can be implemented by a plurality of application servers and a plurality of database servers interconnected by a network. |
| US08249395B2 |
System, method, and computer program product for picture resizing
System, method, and computer program product to adaptively blend the interpolation results from an 8-tap Lanczos filter and the interpolation results from a bilinear filter, according to the local transitions of the input content. Artifacts may occur, which may be identified as such and corrected. Pixels that represent artifacts in the blended image may be replaced with the pixel for that location taken from the bilinear interpolation. |
| US08249384B2 |
Method and system for removing date and time stamp of digital image in imaging device
A method for removing date/time of a digital image file having a predefined date/time stamp location in an imaging device, wherein the image data of the digital image, and a position coordinates of the predefined date/time stamp location, are stored in the digital image file. The method includes: selecting the digital image having the predefined date/time stamp location; obtaining and saving the image data and the position coordinates of the predefined date/time stamp location from the digital image file; and applying the original date/time stamp according to the position coordinates of the predefined date/time stamp location. |
| US08249382B2 |
Image-capturing apparatus, image processing method and program product
An image-capturing apparatus includes an image-acquiring unit which acquires an image that is captured by photographing a photographic subject which is laid on an arbitrary place, a difference image producing unit which produces a difference image between the captured image that is acquired by the image-acquiring unit and an image which is captured before the photographic subject is laid, a contour extraction unit which extracts contour information of the photographic subject from the difference image that is produced by the difference image producing unit, and an image conversion unit which corrects a distortion of the captured image on the basis of the contour information that is extracted by the contour extraction unit. |
| US08249381B2 |
Image based correction for unwanted light signals in a specific region of interest
A method for correcting the signal in an image having a plurality of regions of interest, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing an image having a plurality of regions of interest, these regions of interest having areas between them; (b) determining a region of correction between at least two regions of interest; (c) calculating a correction signal from the region of correction; and (d) using the correction signal to correct a measured signal from one or more regions of interest. This invention also provides a method for defining a region of correction for use in a method for correcting the signal in an image having a plurality of regions of interest, the defining method comprising the steps of: (a) providing an image having a plurality of regions of interest; (b) extracting geometric information for a plurality of regions of interest; (c) selecting a location between at least two regions of interest; (d) selecting at least one parameter to describe regions of correction; and (e) constructing regions of correction between the at least two regions of interest. |
| US08249378B2 |
Image recognition apparatus and image recognition method
An image recognition apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention has a measurement unit measuring a blur level of an image, a comparison unit comparing the blur level measured in the measurement unit with a threshold, an image processing unit applying to the image a blurring filter which increases the blur level when the blur level measured in the measurement unit is smaller than the threshold, and applying to the image a deblurring filter which decreases the blur level when the blur level measured in the measurement unit is larger than the threshold, and a recognition unit recognizing the image from features of the image processed in the image processing unit. |
| US08249375B2 |
Information processing apparatus and method
An information processing apparatus includes a device for performing horizontal analysis filtering, a device for performing vertical analysis filtering, and a device for horizontal control. The information processing apparatus also includes a first control device. This device allows the device for horizontal control to repetitively perform the horizontal control until the horizontal analysis filtering is performed on all of columns of a processing object line. The information processing apparatus further includes a device for vertical control and a second control device that allows the device for vertical control to repetitively perform the vertical control until the vertical analysis filtering is performed on all of lines. |
| US08249374B2 |
Systems and methods for adaptive multiresolution signal analysis with compact cupolets
Systems and methods for signal analysis using orbits of a chaotic system are provided. For example, a multiresolution analysis may be constructed and cupolets may be used to approximate arbitrary signals and compress images. Cupolets may be phase transformed to produce compact cupolets that are well-suited for producing sharp changes in signals, or to produce compact cupolets that are more oscillatory and have less or no sharp global maximum amplitudes. Alternatively, cupolets may be phase transformed to allow for optimal or near optimal adjustment to fit a signal. |
| US08249373B2 |
Image data decoding apparatus and method for decoding image data
An image decoding apparatus includes a memory, a detecting part which receives data of a plurality of macroblocks included in an image and detects whether or not a first macroblock included in the plurality of macroblocks has an intra-block, and a control part which writes a DCT coefficient of the first macroblock into the memory when the detecting part determines that the first macroblock has the intra-block, and does not write the DCT coefficient of the first macroblock into the memory when the detecting part determines that the first macroblock has no intra-block. |
| US08249372B2 |
Methods and devices for coding and decoding multidimensional digital signals
In order to code a multidimensional digital picture signal by decomposition into frequency sub-bands, wherein the decomposition into frequency sub-bands uses a filtering according to a plurality of geometric orientations: a picture at a resolution lower than the resolution of the digital picture signal is obtained; the edges of the picture at the lower resolution are located; and orientation values are attributed to the data of the digital picture signal as a function of the result of the edge location step. |
| US08249371B2 |
Selective predictor and selective predictive encoding for two-dimensional geometry compression
A selective predictor utilizes a selective prediction method for coordinate data encoding. The selective predictor may calculate multiple prediction vectors for each vertex in the shape traversal order. Then, the selective predictor selects the vector that is closest to the vertex to be estimated. In determining the multiple prediction vectors, the selective predictor considers the position of several previous vertices in the traversal order. The selective predictor outputs a correction vector for the selected prediction vector and identification information indicting the selected prediction vector. |
| US08249366B2 |
Multi-label multi-instance learning for image classification
Described is a technology by which an image is classified (e.g., grouped and/or labeled), based on multi-label multi-instance data learning-based classification according to semantic labels and regions. An image is processed in an integrated framework into multi-label multi-instance data, including region and image labels. The framework determines local association data based on each region of an image. Other multi-label multi-instance data is based on relationships between region labels of the image, relationships between image labels of the image, and relationships between the region and image labels. These data are combined to classify the image. Training is also described. |
| US08249365B1 |
Methods and apparatus for directional texture generation using sample-based texture synthesis
Methods and apparatus for directional texture generation using flow-guided, sample-based texture synthesis. A texture synthesis directional texture generation method may, for example, be used to design hair or hairstyles. The method may obtain one or more strokes, one or more optional masks, one or more optional user maps, and directional texture samples. A target region and one or more samples may be divided into patches. For each patch in the target region, a matching patch from the samples may be located according to one or more features to generate a similarity map. The patches in the target region may then be replaced with the patches from the samples according to the similarity map. To match sample patches to target region patches based on features such as color and brightness, a procedural directional texture generation method may be used as a pre-processing step. |
| US08249364B2 |
Method for resolving contradicting output data from an optical character recognition (OCR) system, wherein the output data comprises more than one recognition alternative for an image of a character
The present invention is related to a method for resolving contradicting output data from an Optical Character Recognition (OCR) system providing a conversion of pixelized documents into computer coded text as the output data, wherein the OCR output data comprises at least a first and second character listed as being likely candidates for an exemplar of a same sampled character instance from the pixelized document, by providing steps that identify locations of differences in graphical appearance between the candidate characters, and then using the location information to identify a corresponding locations in the sampled character instance. Based on correlation technique, this location information is used to select the correct candidate character as the identification of the sampled character instance. |
| US08249363B2 |
Image comparison system and method
An image comparison method compares a reference image with a test image. Each image includes objects and a background. The method generates a skeleton image of the reference image. The skeleton image of the reference image is compared with the test image so as to determine if the reference image have more objects or objects parts than the test image. Similarly, a skeleton image of the test image is generated. The skeleton image of the test image is compared with the reference image so as to determine if the test image have more objects or objects parts than the reference image. |
| US08249356B1 |
Physical page layout analysis via tab-stop detection for optical character recognition
Physical page layout analysis for optical character recognition is performed. A physical page layout analysis method finds constituent parts of an image and gives an initial data-type label, such as text or non-text. Within the text data, connected components are identified and analyzed. Tab-stops are detected from groups of edge-aligned connected components. The detected tab-stops are used to deduce the column layout of the page by finding column partitions. The column layout is then applied to find the polygonal boundaries of and a reading order of regions containing flowing text, headings, and pull-outs. |
| US08249352B2 |
Document image processing apparatus, document image processing method and computer readable medium
A document image processing apparatus includes an specifying section, an extracting section, a recognizing section, an interpreting section, an arranging section and a generating section. The specifying section specifies a sentence region including a character row from a document image. The extracting section extracts at least one of character row images included in the specified sentence region. The recognizing section recognizes respective characters included in the extracted character row image. The interpreting section interprets an original sentence character row comprising the recognized characters and generates an interpreted sentence character row. The arranging section arranges the respective character row images in the sentence region by contracting the respective character row images. The arranging section arranges the generated respective interpreted sentence character rows in a vacant region except a region arranging the respective character row images from the sentence region. |
| US08249351B2 |
Recording medium for recording logical structure model creation assistance program, logical structure model creation assistance device and logical structure model creation assistance method
A method for assisting in the creation of a logical structure model, which stores, from an image in which character strings associated respectively with a plurality of logical elements constituting a logical structure are described, the logical elements, character strings associated with the logical elements, and the logical structure, wherein character strings in an input image and the logical structure among the character strings in the input image are extracted, a logical element is selected among the plurality of logical elements according to the degrees of similarity between the extracted character strings and the character string associated respectively with the plurality of logical elements stored in the logical structure model, a character string associated with the selected logical element and a character string in the input image associated with the logical element based on the logical structure among the extracted character strings in the input image are extracted. |
| US08249345B2 |
Automatic image segmentation using contour propagation
Described are computer-based methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, for automatic image segmentation using contour propagation. A path metric of a candidate piece of a contour in a cross-sectional image is calculated to generate a three dimensional model using a plurality of cross-sectional images of an object. Data indicative of the cross-sectional image is stored. A cost of each of a plurality of pixels associated with the candidate piece is calculated using the data, wherein the cost is representative of a likelihood the pixel is on the contour and the cost is based on one or more templates. An orientation change value is calculated for each of the plurality of pixels associated with the candidate piece based on an initial pixel of the candidate piece and the pixel. A ratio of pixels is calculated. The path metric of the candidate piece of the contour is stored, the value of the stored path metric being based on the calculated cost, the calculated orientation change value, and the calculated ratio. |
| US08249342B1 |
Color analytics for a digital image
In a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an automated, computerized method is provided for processing an image. According to a feature of the present invention, the method comprises the steps of providing an image file depicting an image, in a computer memory, determining intrinsic component information as a function of spatio-spectral information for the image, and calculating analytical information, as a function of the intrinsic component information. |
| US08249338B2 |
Device for detecting anomalies in a digital image
The device facilitates the verification of conformity between an anticipated digital image, or reference image, and a digital image actually obtained. The device implements a method that makes it possible to quickly and effectively distinguish the differences between a reference image and an obtained image. The device comprises receiving an input of two images, reference and obtained, and producing as output a single image, resulting from the merging of the two input images in which the portions common to both images are represented in shades of grey, the differences between the first and the second image being represented in green or red depending on whether they belong to the first or the second image. |
| US08249335B2 |
Method of making printed material for stereoscopic viewing, and printed material for stereoscopic viewing
Printed material for stereoscopic viewing is fabricated by creating images for the left eye and the right eye IL1 and IR1 for stereoscopic viewing, performing correction processing to remove perspective of images in the IL1 and IR1 at a base surface, creating images for the left eye and the right eye IL2 and IR2, and performing anaglyph processing or the like, based on the IL2 and IR2. An image IL for the left eye is created by rendering a projection of each point of a graphic object onto a base surface BS in a projection direction linking a viewpoint position for the left eye VPL to each point of the graphic object OB, and an IMAGE IR FOR THE RIGHT EYE is created by rendering a projection of each point of the graphic object onto the base surface BS in a projection direction linking a viewpoint position for the right eye VPL to each point of the graphic object OB. Printed material for stereoscopic viewing is fabricated by anaglyph processing or the like, based on the IL and IR. |
| US08249331B2 |
Method and system for evaluating an object
A method, system and a computer program product for evaluating a object; the method includes: (i) obtaining an image of an area of the object; wherein the area comprises multiple arrays of repetitive structural elements that are at least partially surrounded by at least one group of non-repetitive regions; wherein non-repetitive regions that belong to a single group of non-repetitive regions are ideally identical to each other; wherein the non-repetitive regions are arranged in a repetitive manner; and (ii) providing an evaluation result in response to a comparison between image information of a first sub-area to image information of a second sub-area that is proximate to the first sub-area; wherein the first sub-area comprises a first array of repetitive structural elements and a first non-repetitive region; wherein the second sub-area comprises a second array of repetitive structural elements and a second non-repetitive region. |
| US08249329B2 |
Method and apparatus for detecting and characterizing an object
Disclosed are methods and apparatus for automatic optoelectronic detection and inspection of objects, based on capturing digital images of a two-dimensional field of view in which an object to be detected or inspected may be located, analyzing the images, and making and reporting decisions on the status of the object. Decisions are based on evidence obtained from a plurality of images for which the object is located in the field of view, generally corresponding to a plurality of viewing perspectives. Evidence that an object is located in the field of view is used for detection, and evidence that the object satisfies appropriate inspection criteria is used for inspection. Methods and apparatus are disclosed for capturing and analyzing images at high speed so that multiple viewing perspectives can be obtained for objects in continuous motion. |
| US08249326B2 |
Apparatus and methods for automated assessment of tissue pathology
Methods and apparatus for assessing tissue pathology involve computing an index having a value based upon measures of a plurality of morphological features of cell nuclei in the tissue. The methods may be performed completely automatically or semi-automatically. The index value can be predictive of outcome. The index value may be determined by computing discriminant scores for the cell nuclei based upon values of the measures of morphological features and classifying the nuclei into bins based upon the discriminant score values. The index may be based upon proportions of the nuclei classified in different ones of the bins. |
| US08249323B2 |
Method for automatic quality control of data in in-vivo images
A method for quality control assessment in single time-point in-vivo imaging data related to imaging of objects, includes acquiring an in-vivo image of the object with imaging apparatus, defining a background image corresponding to an imaged air of the in-vivo image, defining an object image corresponding to the in-vivo image from which the background image has been removed, obtaining the background and object images by atlas-based registration, reflecting an intensity distribution of the background image with a histogram, fitting a noise mathematical model to part of the histogram intensity distribution, deriving background quality characteristics from the noise mathematical model, reflecting an intensity distribution of the object image with a further histogram, fitting a signal mathematical model to the further histogram intensity distribution, deriving object quality characteristics from the signal mathematical model, and automatically deriving signal-to-noise and contrast-to-noise ratios of in-vivo imaging data from the object quality and background quality characteristics. |
| US08249321B2 |
Image processing apparatus and method for red eye detection
An image processing apparatus includes an organ detecting unit that detects an organ area including an image of an eye in a target image and a red-eye detecting unit that detects a red-eye area including an image of a red eye by using the organ area. The red-eye detecting unit detects the red-eye area in accordance with a first detection process from the organ area and detects the red-eye area in accordance with a second detection process that is different from the first detection process from a remaining area acquired by excluding the organ area from the target image. |
| US08249320B2 |
Method, apparatus, and program for measuring sizes of tumor regions
A tumor region is determined within a three dimensional medical image. A long axis and a short axis of the determined tumor region are designated. The lengths of the designated long axis and the designated short axis are measured. The measured lengths of the long axis and the short axis are displayed. |
| US08249316B2 |
Component labeling
Disclosed herein are methods, computer systems and computer program products for labeling components. One method includes the step of labeling (130) with a current label all voxels that are internal to a predetermined sub-volume oriented with respect to an unlabeled voxel, and directly connected to the unmarked voxel. The labeling step is repeated for all voxels that are not internal to the predetermined sub-volume, but which are labeled with a current label. The method includes the step of incrementing the current label and may include the step of increasing a window size to a predetermined maximum. The preceding steps are repeated for remaining unlabeled object voxels. |
| US08249309B2 |
Image evaluation for reading mode in a reading machine
A portable reading machine detects poor image conditions for performing optical character recognition processing. The portable reading machine receives an image of sufficient resolution to distinguish lines of text but not necessarily of sufficient resolution to distinguish individual characters and processes the image to determine imaging conditions from the image. The reading machine reports imaging conditions to the user. |
| US08249303B2 |
Restoration apparatus for weather-degraded image and driver assistance system
In a restoration apparatus, an estimating unit divides a captured original image into a plurality of local pixel blocks, and estimates an luminance level of airlight in each of the plurality of local pixel blocks. A calculating unit directly calculates, from a particle-affected luminance model, a luminance level of each pixel of each of the plurality of local pixel blocks in the original image to thereby generate, based on the luminance level of each pixel of each of the plurality of local pixel blocks, a restored image of the original image. The particle-affected luminance model expresses an intrinsic luminance of a target observed by the image pickup device as a function between the luminance level of airlight and an extinction coefficient. The extinction coefficient represents the concentration of particles in the atmosphere. |
| US08249301B2 |
Video object classification
Techniques for classifying one or more objects in at least one video, wherein the at least one video comprises a plurality of frames are provided. One or more objects in the plurality of frames are tracked. A level of deformation is computed for each of the one or more tracked objects in accordance with at least one change in a plurality of histograms of oriented gradients for a corresponding tracked object. Each of the one or more tracked objects is classified in accordance with the computed level of deformation. |
| US08249296B2 |
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. |
| US08249288B2 |
Earphone with adjustible plug
An earphone comprises two headphones, a plug assembly and a wire electronically connected to the headphones and the plug assembly. The plug assembly comprises a main pole, a first plug set in one end of the main pole and electronically connected to the wire, a sleeve placed over the first plug, and an adjusting wheel screwed on the main pole. The adjusting wheel is configured for driving the main pole to move when receiving an exterior force, thereby driving the first tube body to extend out of the sleeve or receive into the sleeve. |
| US08249286B2 |
Interconnecting earphones
Various embodiments are directed to earphones, earphone assemblies, and methods of using the same. Further, these embodiments provide earphones that can releasably interconnect in a compact configuration that also reduces the likelihood that the earphone wires or cords will become entangled. By way of example, in at least one embodiment, an earphone can comprise a housing including a channel defined therein and a wire stem extending from the housing. The channel may be sized and configured to releasably retain a wire stem portion from another earphone. These and other various embodiments are described herein. |
| US08249281B2 |
Condenser microphone
A condenser microphone is disclosed. The condenser microphone includes a substrate having a cavity, a backplate connected to the substrate, a diaphragm facing to the backplate, and an anchor supporting the diaphragm. A first gap is formed between the diaphragm and the backplate. A groove is arranged on the anchor and the diaphragm partially covers the groove. The diaphragm and the groove forms a second gap communicating with the first gap. |
| US08249279B2 |
Thermoacoustic device
An apparatus includes an electromagnetic signal device, a medium, and a sound wave generator. The sound wave generator includes a carbon nanotube structure. The electromagnetic signal device transmits an electromagnetic signal to the carbon nanotube structure. The carbon nanotube structure converts the electromagnetic signal into heat. The heat transfers to the medium and causes a thermoacoustic effect. |
| US08249278B2 |
Audio signal processing system
In an audio signal processing system, a plurality of audio signal processing apparatuses are previously linked to form a zone, and logically defined as devices belonging to a zone, and further the devices are grouped into a plurality of device groups within the zone. Each of the audio signal processing apparatuses includes a device group table that registers information specifying controls which are performed in respective audio signal processing apparatuses belonging to a device group in case that a group control command is given for collectively controlling the device group, and a master table that registers information specifying controls which are performed in respective device groups included in the zone in case that a zone control command is given for collectively controlling the zone. Both the collective control of the zone and the collective control of the device group are performed. |
| US08249277B2 |
Apparatus capable of switching volume adjustment mode automatically and volume adjustment method thereof
A method for automatically switching volume adjustment mode of an electronic device is provided. The method includes: storing a first predetermined volume and a second predetermined volume; when receiving a signal for volume adjustments, judging a current adjustment mode of the electronic device; if the current adjustment mode is the heavy adjustment mode, adjusting the volume with larger increment/decrement; if a value of the volume is larger than or equal to the first predetermined volume, switching to the light adjustment mode automatically; if the adjustment mode is the light adjustment mode, adjusting the volume with smaller increment/decrement; if the volume is less than or equal to the second predetermined volume, switching to the heavy adjustment mode automatically. The present invention also provides an electronic device capable of switching volume adjustment mode automatically. |
| US08249276B2 |
Information processor and controller device
A controller device is provided whereby players can experience realistic sounds. The controller device is connected to the main body of an information processing apparatus, wherein the controller device comprises a first speaker for emitting a sound signal in a low frequency range, and a second speaker for emitting a sound signal in a frequency range that is higher in comparison with the first speaker. |
| US08249275B1 |
Modulated gain audio control and zipper noise suppression techniques using modulated gain
A modulated gain audio control and zipper noise suppression techniques provide reduction in audible artifacts caused by discrete-valued gain changes. The gain of a signal is controlled by modulating between multiple gain values for corresponding time durations, so that a resulting average gain is controlled according to the average of the multiple gain values as weighted by their corresponding time durations. The modulation frequency is above the bandwidth of the signal. Transitions between gain levels are performed by changing the relative proportion of the durations to slowly change the gain according to a transition profile, which may be linear or non-linear. The modulation employed may be pulse-width modulation, or another modulation pattern such as a delta-sigma modulation pattern. |
| US08249268B2 |
Woofer-less and enclosure-less loudspeaker system
A woofer-less and box-less loudspeaker system including a plurality of tweeter drivers is provided. The speaker system includes a plurality of drivers, each driver including a front face and a rear face with an axis of symmetry, each driver configured for propagating sound energy along the axis of each driver from the front face, wherein the sound energy includes low frequency and high frequency components; and a support structure for arranging the plurality of drivers in such a way that the axis extending from the rear face of each of the drivers converge in a single point in space, wherein as the sound is propagated along the axis of each driver from the front face, the high frequency components from each driver are evenly spaced and the low frequency components from each driver are reinforced by the low frequency components of adjacent drivers. |
| US08249267B2 |
Earphone and headset
There is provided an earphone comprising a hoop band (1) for receiving at least one ear pad (OM). The hoop band (1) has at least two hoop band portions (2a, 2b), wherein at least two of the hoop band portions (2a, 2b) are rotatably connected together by way of a rotary joint unit (5). In addition in the region of the rotary joint unit the hoop band has a spring unit (10) which couples the two hoop band portions together and thus exerts a spring force on the hoop band portions (2a, 2b), wherein the spring force is adjustable by adaptation of the coupling by way of a coupling means. |
| US08249265B2 |
Method and apparatus for achieving active noise reduction
A system and method for actively changing the sound perceived by listeners in an audio environment. A single transducer is used as both a sensing microphone and as an output driver. In one embodiment, the invention is implemented as an active noise cancellation system. The sensed noise signals are phase shifted to provide a cancellation effect, combined with the desired audio program signals, and output to the transducer, thereby reducing the level of unwanted noise heard by they listener. In other embodiments, the system can be used to sense the frequency response of a listening room and make appropriate equalization adjustments to the output. |
| US08249263B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing audio motion feedback in a simulated three-dimensional environment
Embodiments of the invention provide method, system, and computer readable storage medium for providing an audio motion feedback to a user of a simulated three-dimensional (“3D”) environment, where the user controls an entity within the simulated 3D environment. A plurality of gridlines is projected over the simulated 3D environment to form a virtual 3D grid. A crossing of at least one boundary point by the entity is detected, wherein the boundary point is located on or within a threshold distance from at least one of the plurality of the projected gridlines. At least one boundary point type of the crossed boundary point is determined. At least one audio motion signal associated with the determined boundary point type is generated, thus providing audio motion feedback to the user regarding the entity's movements in the simulated 3D environment. |
| US08249262B2 |
Device for acoustically analyzing a hearing device and analysis method
A device for acoustic analysis has a first hearing device with a first sound input and a first sound output and a second hearing device with a second sound input and a second sound output. The first hearing device is in acoustic communication with the second hearing device. The first hearing device can analyze the acoustic communication and output a corresponding result. Consequently, two hearing aids, for example, can test each other, and permit a user to check hearing devices and, in particular, hearing aids in a simple fashion without the hearing aid wearer having to visit an audiologist for the test. |
| US08249253B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit having encrypter/decrypter function for protecting input/output data transmitted on internal bus
A semiconductor integrated circuit is provided, which includes: a first circuit; a second circuit; a data BUS; and first and second encryption/decryption circuits for encrypting/decrypting data transmitted between the first and second circuits on the data bus. The first encryption/decryption circuit is for encrypting data output from the first circuit, outputting the encrypted data to the data BUS, decrypting an encrypted data received from the second encryption/decryption circuit, and providing the decrypted data to the first circuit. The second encryption/decryption circuit is for decrypting the encrypted data received from the first encryption/decryption circuit, providing the decrypted data to the second circuit, encrypting data output from the second circuit, and outputting the encrypted data to the data BUS. |
| US08249247B2 |
Tracking voltage regulator for a subscriber line interface circuit
In one embodiment, the present invention includes an apparatus having a first pair of low voltage operational amplifiers to generate an output representative of an absolute value difference of first and second line voltages of a subscriber loop, and a third low voltage operational amplifier having an input coupled to the output of the first pair of low voltage operational amplifiers to filter the output and to provide a switch control signal for a switching regulator that provides a voltage used to generate the first and second line voltages. The apparatus may include additional circuits such as a limit circuit to limit the input to the third low voltage operational amplifier and one or more speedup circuits to reduce a filter time constant of the third low voltage operational amplifier during a ringing mode of the subscriber loop. |
| US08249240B2 |
Systems and methods for providing selectable options to a calling party on-hold
Systems and methods are disclosed for providing selectable options to a calling party while the calling party is on hold. A call from the calling party is received and the calling party is placed on hold. While on hold, the calling party is provided with a plurality of selectable options. Each of the plurality of options corresponds to a predefined operation. A selected option request, corresponding to one of the plurality of options, is received from the calling party. The predefined operation corresponding to the selected option request is then performed. A system is also provided having instructions thereon for providing selectable options to a calling party while on hold. |
| US08249238B2 |
Dynamic key exchange for call forking scenarios
In some embodiments, a call forking dynamic key exchange system may include one or more of the following features: (a) a memory comprising, (i) a dynamic key exchange program that allows a caller to initiate a call having a security request to multiple subscribers and selecting at least one subscriber who answers the call, and (b) a processor coupled to the memory that executes the dynamic key exchange program. |
| US08249237B2 |
Heterogeneous video conferencing
Some embodiments provide an architecture for establishing a multi-participant conference. This architecture has one participant's computer in the conference act as a central content distributor for the conference. The central distributor receives data (e.g., video and/or audio streams) from the computer of each other participant, and distributes the received data to the computers of all participants. In some embodiments, the central distributor receives A/V data from the computers of the other participants. From such received data, the central distributor of some embodiments generates composite data (e.g., composite image data and/or composite audio data) that the central distributor distributes back to the participants. The central distributor in some embodiments can implement a heterogeneous audio/video conference. In such a conference, different participants can participate in the conference differently. For instance, different participants might use different audio or video codecs. Moreover, in some embodiments, one participant might participate in only the audio aspect of the conference, while another participant might participate in both audio and video aspects of the conference. |
| US08249236B2 |
Network call back to add conference participants and/or media capabilities
An exemplary method includes receiving at a calling party network a notice of an intended communication between a calling endpoint and a plurality of called endpoints located in a plurality of called party networks, wherein the intended communication requires a resource in each of the calling party network and the called party networks for supporting a streaming data protocol. The notice is forwarded toward the plurality of called party networks and in parallel with said forwarding, a determination of resource availability for the calling party network is initiated for the intended communication. The method further includes determining for the intended communication the determination of resource availability for the calling party network, wherein the determination is for a first resource for the first network; and verifying resource availability for the intended communication based on the determination for the calling party network and a resource availability indicator for each called party network. |
| US08249235B2 |
Conference call prioritization
An improved solution for prioritizing conference call participants is provided. In an embodiment of the invention, a method includes detecting a sound of a first conference call participant; disabling a distribution of a sound of a second conference call participant upon the detecting; and enabling the distribution of the sound of the second conference call participant after an expiration of a time period. In an embodiment, a higher priority may be assigned to a specific participant, such as the host, an administrator, or manager. |
| US08249232B2 |
System and method for control of communications connections
A method and system for selectively prohibiting a communications connection between an origin and destination in a communications network based on one or mediations rules and one or more lists of prohibited and exempted destination identifiers either in real-time using a control unit or with a pre-check using an analysis unit. |
| US08249230B1 |
Scalable and flexible internet fax architecture
Methods and systems for processing inbound fax messages in an efficient and scalable manner are provided. According to one embodiment, an inbound fax call is received at a telecommunications system of an Internet fax system. The inbound fax call includes a source and destination address and a fax signal. The inbound fax call is switched to a call mediation system, which determines desired technical call processing capabilities for processing the fax signal. A subset of fax processing resources that have the desired technical call processing capabilities are identified from among multiple fax processing resources associated with the call mediation system. The inbound fax call is switched to a selected fax processing resource of the identified subset. The fax signal is translated by the selected fax processing resource into a digital representation. And, the digital representation is made available to one or more users associated with the particular subscriber. |
| US08249229B2 |
Communication terminal, and dial registration method and dial registration program therefor
A communication terminal having one or more one-touch-dial buttons simplifies operations needed for registration of destination data such as phone numbers or mail addresses. A communication terminal (e.g., a cellular phone) having one or more one-touch-dial buttons includes a destination-data registration unit (e.g., a phone-directory database) that allows destination data such as phone numbers or mail addresses to be registered therein, a one-touch-dial registration unit that allows destination data to be registered therein so as to be associated with the one or more one-touch-dial buttons, and a control unit that, in response to an operation of the one or more one-touch-dial buttons, determines whether destination data has been registered in the one-touch-dial registration unit or the destination-data registration unit, and that outputs a result of the determination and a query message regarding registration of the destination data. |
| US08249227B2 |
Apparatus and method for converting control information
Picture and speech communication between plural terminals connected to different networks, such as a circuit-switched network and IP network. A converting apparatus 400 for control information or media information for picture/speech communications is provided across first and second terminals 301, 302 connected to respective different types of networks. Converting apparatus 400 includes control information converter 420, transcoder 450 and ability information converter 460. In case the ability information extracted from the decoding information, received from the first terminal 301, is not coincident to the ability information extracted from the call control information received from the second terminal 302, it is further checked whether or not there is picture format size coincidence. If the picture format size coincidence persists in one direction, processing is carried out for converting part of the decoding information or the control information, without causing the operations of the transcoder. In case there is no picture format size coincidence, the transcoder 450 is booted to convert the bitstream. |
| US08249226B2 |
In-progress voicemail transfer based on identity
A method, system and computer-usable medium for terminating an in-progress voicemail and immediately connecting callers to each other based on identity. A telephone system can be enabled to detect that a calling party (e.g., subscriber “A”) receives no answer from a called party (e.g., subscriber “B”) and if the calling party is a current voicemail recipient from the called party then the voicemail message can be discarded by the telephone system. Such an approach enables an immediate connection between the calling party and the called party to each other by a call switching component. The incomplete voicemail message in the voicemail system is automatically discarded. A command to discard and/or erase the voicemail message can be predetermined by the telephone system. |
| US08249224B2 |
Providing speaker identifying information within embedded digital information
A method of providing identifying information over a voice communications link can include receiving, from a call participant, a personal identification code over the voice communications link, determining identifying information for the call participant using the personal identification code, and encoding the identifying information of the call participant within a voice stream carried by the voice communications link. The voice stream and identifying information can be sent to a subscriber. |
| US08249222B2 |
Methods and apparatus to trigger maintenance and upgrades of access networks
Example methods and apparatus to trigger maintenance and upgrades of access networks are disclosed. An example method comprises obtaining a first value representing a number of unassigned ports associated with a first digital subscriber line access multiplexer (DSLAM), obtaining a second value representing a projected number of ports associated with the first DSLAM needed to satisfy at least one of anticipated, projected or pending service requests, and determining whether to automatically submit a preventative maintenance trouble ticket for the first DSLAM based on the first and second values. |
| US08249214B2 |
Device for the online determination of the contents of a substance, and method for using such a device
A device for the online determination of the contents of a substance having a gamma-radiating isotope, which includes at least one detector, which measures the natural gamma radiation of said isotope. In order to be able to easily calibrate the device, a measurement is carried out at the same location for determining the surface dimensions of the substance within the detection region of the detector or of a representative partial region. |
| US08249213B2 |
Calibration method for ring artifact correction in non-ideal isocentric 3D rotational X-ray scanner systems using a calibration phantom based rotation center finding algorithm
The present invention refers to 3D rotational X-ray imaging systems for use in computed tomography (CT) and, more particularly, to a fast, accurate and mathematically robust calibration method for determining the effective center of rotation (I) in not perfectly isocentric 3D rotational C-arm systems and eliminating substantially circular ring artifacts (RA) which arise when using such a CT scanner system for acquiring a set of 2D projection images of an object of interest to be three-dimensionally reconstructed. For this purpose, a C-arm based rotational CT scanner comprising at least one radiation detector (D) having an X-radiation sensitive surface exposed to an X-ray beam emitted by at least one X-ray tube (S), each rotating along a non-ideal circular trajectory (TF, TCD) about an object of interest to be three-dimensionally reconstructed from a set of 2D projection images is used for providing geometrical calibration data by scanning a calibration phantom from a plurality of distinct projection directions and calculating, for each projection direction, the 3D positions of the X-ray tube's focal spot and the X-ray detector's center. For approximating the exact 3D position and angular direction of the axis of rotation about which the at least one X-ray tube and the at least one radiation detector rotate, a circular regression technique using a number of mathematically robust least squares fits is applied. |
| US08249211B2 |
Forced convection target assembly
Provided is a modified target assembly in which the target fluid is moved within the target assembly in a manner that increases the effective density of the target fluid within the beam path, thereby increasing beam yield utilizing forced convection. The target may also include optional structures, such as nozzles, diverters and deflectors for guiding and/or accelerating the flow of the target fluid. The target assembly directs the target fluid along an inner sleeve in a direction opposite the direction of the beam current to produce a counter current flow and may also direct the flow of the target fluid away from the inner surface of the inner sleeve and toward a central region in the target cavity. This countercurrent flow suppresses natural convection that tends to reduce the density of the target fluid in the beam path and tends to increase the heat transfer from the target. |
| US08249210B2 |
Monobloc cooling device component
A cooling device component of monobloc design has a heat shield made from tungsten, a tungsten alloy, a graphitic material or a carbidic material provided with a through-hole. A cooling pipe for carrying coolant is joined in the through-hole. The heat shield is in turn joined or metallurgically joined to a structural part made from a material with a tensile strength at room temperature of >300 MPa and an electrical resistivity of >0.04 Ohm mm2m−1. |
| US08249209B2 |
Synchronous one-bit interface protocol or data structure
Systems and methods provide for data transfer and transmission according to a synchronous one-bit interface protocol. A bit stream is generated including first data to be transferred or transmitted and second data from which a clock period used to encode the first data may be extracted. The bit stream is provided to a processor for decoding. In one embodiment, the bit stream includes a start segment or sequence, a data segment and a stop segment or sequence. A clock period is encoded into and is extracted from the start and/or stop sequences. The data segment is decoded on the basis of the clock period. |
| US08249208B2 |
Method and device for downconverting the sampling frequency of a digital signal, for example in a non-integer frequency ratio
A method for converting a sampling frequency of a digital signal sampled at a first sampling frequency includes receiving digital signal input samples, and forming output samples corresponding to a second sampling frequency based on the digital signal input samples and an interpolation filter. The first sampling frequency may be larger than the second sampling frequency. The method may further include delivering the output samples. Forming output samples includes, for each of the digital signal input samples, updating current values of N successive output samples with N contributions. The N contributions may be respectively calculated based on a value of a current input sample of the digital input samples weighted by values of N filter coefficients associated with the current input sample, N being fixed and identical for all the digital signal input samples regardless of a value of the conversion ratio between the first and second sampling frequencies. |
| US08249200B2 |
Method and apparatus of binarizing input signal, disc driver and recording medium
A method and an apparatus are provided for binarizing an input signal, which is capable of reliably correcting an offset of the input signal even when the input signal does not reach a reference level or has a single frequency, a disc driver and a recording medium. The binarizing method includes viterbi-decoding the input signal to obtain a viterbi-decoded signal; slicing the input signal based on a predetermined reference level to obtain a sliced signal; obtaining an offset of the input signal by low-pass filtering the viterbi-decoded signal or the sliced signal; and correcting the offset of the input signal based on the obtained offset. The viterbi-decoded signal is a binary signal of the input signal. |
| US08249199B2 |
Low jitter and high bandwidth clock data recovery
A method of implementing a low jitter and high bandwidth clock and data recovery (CDR) apparatus includes acquiring early, optimal, and late votes; determining which votes are allowed and weighted; disallowing votes not determined to as allowed; weighing votes, wherein votes that would make the CDR move to an extreme of a zero crossing are weighted less; and accumulating votes and adjusting a recovered clock phase based on the accumulated votes. A computer readable medium storing instructions to implement a low jitter and high bandwidth CDR apparatus, the instructions includes functionality to: acquiring early, optimal, and late votes; determining which votes are allowed and weighted; disallowing votes not determined to as allowed; weighing votes, wherein votes that would make the CDR move to an extreme of a zero crossing are weighted less; and accumulating votes and adjust recovered clock phase. |
| US08249192B2 |
Techniques to transmit data rate control signals for multi-carrier wireless systems
Various embodiments are disclosed relating to techniques to transmit data rate control signals for multicarrier wireless systems. According to an example embodiment, a wireless apparatus may be adapted to transmit at least a first data rate control (DRC) value via an in-phase channel and at least a second DRC value via a Quadrature-phase channel. The first DRC value may be associated with a first forward link carrier and the second DRC value may be associated with a second forward link carrier. In this manner, DRC values may be transmitted over both the I and Q channels, for example. |
| US08249191B2 |
Multi-user detection using equalization and successive interference cancellation
A method and apparatus for multi-user detection using equalization and successive interference cancellation is provided. A signal is received in a shared spectrum. Samples of the received signal are produced as a received vector. The received vector is segmented into a plurality of vector segments. For each segment, symbols for a plurality of communications are successively determined by determining symbols for a communication and removing a contribution of that communication from the vector segment. The determined symbols are assembled into a data vector for each communication. |
| US08249190B2 |
Dual carrier modulation
A coding unit for determining two different types of modulation to be applied to two carrier signals such that each modulated carrier signal represents a data symbol in accordance with a group of modulation points, each modulation point representing a modulation of the first type and a modulation of the second type that can be applied to one of the carrier signals, the coding unit being arranged to associate the data symbol with a first one of the modulation points by applying a first mapping function to that data symbol and associate the data symbol with a second one of the modulation points by applying a second mapping function to that data symbol, the first and second mapping functions being such that they each map two different data symbols to a respective common modulation point; and determine the modulation of the first and second types to be applied to the first carrier signal to be the modulation of the first and second types represented by the first modulation point and the modulation of the first and second types to be applied to the second carrier signal to be the modulation of the first and second types represented by the second modulation point. |
| US08249188B2 |
Mechanism for constructing an oversampled waveform for a set of signals received by a receiver
A mechanism is provided for constructing an oversampled waveform for a set of incoming signals received by a receiver. In one implementation, the oversampled waveform is constructed by way of cooperation between the receiver and a waveform construction mechanism (WCM). The receiver receives the incoming signals, samples a subset of the incoming signals at a time, stores the subsets of sample values into a set of registers, and subsequently provides the subsets of sample values to the WCM. The WCM in turn sorts through the subsets of sample values, organizes them into proper orders, and “stitches” them together to construct the oversampled waveform for the set of incoming signals. With proper cooperation between the receiver and the WCM, and with proper processing logic on the WCM, it is possible to construct the oversampled waveform for the incoming signals without requiring large amounts of resources on the receiver. |
| US08249186B2 |
Method and apparatus for singular value decomposition of a channel matrix
A method and apparatus for decomposing a channel matrix in a wireless communication system are disclosed. A channel matrix H is generated for channels between transmit antennas and receive antennas. A Hermitian matrix A=HHH or A=HHH is created. A Jacobi process is cyclically performed on the matrix A to obtain Q and DA matrixes such that A=QDAQH. DA is a diagonal matrix obtained by singular value decomposition (SVD) on the A matrix. In each Jacobi transformation, real part diagonalization is performed to annihilate real parts of off-diagonal elements of the matrix and imaginary part diagonalization is performed to annihilate imaginary parts of off-diagonal elements of the matrix after the real part diagonalization. U, V and DH matrixes of H matrix are then calculated from the Q and DA matrices. DH is a diagonal matrix comprising singular values of the H matrix. |
| US08249183B2 |
Digital television transmitter/receiver and method of processing data in digital television transmitter/receiver
A digital television transmitter and a method of coding main and enhanced data in the digital television transmitter are disclosed. In the digital television transmitter, a byte-symbol converter converts main and enhanced data packets into symbols, wherein at least one of the enhanced data packets may include data place holders for known data symbols. A known data generator generates a known data symbol. A symbol processor processes a first symbol outputted from the byte-symbol converter. Herein, the symbol processor may post-decode a first bit of the known data symbol and output the post-decoded bit and an initialization data bit when the first symbol is a symbol representing one of the place holders. A trellis encoder has one or more memories for trellis-encoding a second symbol outputted from the symbol processor, wherein the memories are initialized when the initialization data bit is processed in the trellis encoder. |
| US08249176B2 |
Method for determination of bridged taps on a transmission line
The present invention is directed to determining a length of at least one bridged tap on a transmission line. The invention includes estimating an Equivalent Working Length (EWL) associated with the transmission line using an Hlog spectrum by converting at least one Hlog data point in an EWL estimation, determining the shortest EWL estimation to be an EWL associated with the tap, and determining loss due to the tap by subtracting the Hlog for a straight piece of 26G wire of length EWL from the input data Hlog. The losses are then removed from the Hlog spectrum using the EWL. A tap associated with a peak can be identified in a Fourier analysis of the Hlog spectrum. A length of a tap is determined using a Chi-squared analysis by verifying a tap, subtracting the theoretical loss due to the tap from the Hlog spectrum and repeating the process until all taps are identified. |
| US08249174B2 |
Apparatus for filtering a pixel using horizontal and vertical filtering coefficients
In one embodiment, four horizontal successive pixels are first filtered by a decoder in a digital video appliance based on a determined horizontal filtering coefficient. Two pixels of the four horizontal successive pixels are in a first block and two pixels of the four horizontal successive pixels are in a second block. Then four vertical successive pixels are filtered by the decoder based on a determined vertical filtering coefficient. Two pixels of the four vertical successive pixels are in the first block and two pixels of the four vertical successive pixels are in a third block. |
| US08249172B2 |
Method of filtering a pixel of an image using a weighted filtering coefficient
In one embodiment, the method includes obtaining a pixel value difference between two successive pixels. The two successive pixels are on a block boundary. The method further includes calculating the filtering coefficient based on the pixel value difference, weighting the filtering coefficient, and obtaining a filtered pixel value based on the weighted filtering coefficient. |
| US08249167B2 |
PVR-support video decoding system
An MPEG video decoding system with a PVR (Personal Video Recorder) function is disclosed. By applying the PVR function to an MPEG-2 decoder chip, which is the standard recommendation of the digital video transmission field, diverse high-performance PVR services such as video storage and search using an HDD application in the video decoder chip can be used, and two HD-class displays can simultaneously be supported. Also, the features of the video TS bitstream stored through the video decoding chip having a proposed PVR engine can be extracted in real time, and the playback or trick play of the stored video contents can be diversely and easily performed. According to the PVR-support video decoding system, an improved storage and search function of a video bitstream, and diverse video services can be provided, and the added value of the digital video recorder can be heightened. |
| US08249164B2 |
Sub-frame video decoding
A video processing apparatus, for use in a video receiver, includes a decoder configured to decode encoded video information into decoded video information and to output the decoded information, and a configuration module coupled to the decoder and configured to a provide a control signal to the decoder indicative of a reduced-image portion of the video frames to be displayed, where the decoder is configured to respond to the control signal by decoding first macroblocks of the video information within the reduced-image portion and second macroblocks of the video information, in a reference section, adjacent the first macroblocks to account for motion of the images in the reduced-image portion without decoding third macroblocks lying outside of the reduced-image portion and the reference section. |
| US08249162B2 |
Method of obtaining a filtered value by application of a shift operation
In one embodiment, the method includes determining a reference pixel group including a pixel to be filtered. The reference pixel group includes at least three successive pixels. The method further includes applying weight factors to at least each of the three successive reference pixels. The weight factors are different according to pixel position. A filtered value is obtained by summing at least the three weighted successive pixels and applying a shift operation to the sum for dividing the sum. |
| US08249161B2 |
Video decoder incorporating reverse variable length decoding
A video decoder receiving an encoded bit stream includes a header decoder which receives the encoded bit stream, a variable length decoder connected to the header decoder which receives the header decoded data, a quantizer and compensator connected to the variable length decoder, for, during backward decoding, performing inverse quantization, transformation and motion compensation of the variable length decoded data. The inverse quantization, transformation and motion compensation of the header decoded data is done consecutively to provide complete decoded data till a first point in the backward direction such that the first point is either the error point or a point before the end point of the macroblock containing error detected in the forward direction and the output buffer is connected to the quantizer and compensator for storing complete decoded data, thereby eliminating the use of intermediate buffer for storing variable length decoded data during backward decoding and reducing the number of computations. |
| US08249154B2 |
Method and apparatus for encoding/decoding image based on intra prediction
Provided are an intra prediction-based encoding method, and an apparatus for accomplishing the same. In the method, a linear prediction coefficient of a current block is calculated based on encoded blocks adjacent to the current block, a predicted block is generated by performing intra prediction on the current block by using a linear prediction coefficient, and a residual block that is the difference between the current block and the predicted block is encoded. Accordingly, information regarding a direction of intra prediction does not need to be additionally transmitted, thereby reducing the amount of bits that are to be transmitted, and the quality of an image can be improved by adaptively controlling the efficiency and precision of intra prediction. |
| US08249152B2 |
Video image segmentation
Techniques for segmenting an image of an object are provided. In some embodiments, an image segmentation apparatus includes an image input unit and an image processing unit. The image input unit is configured to receive as input a video image having a first image frame and a second image frame that is consecutive to the first image frame. The image processing unit is configured to segment the second image frame based at least in part on information on the first image frame. |
| US08249145B2 |
Estimating sample-domain distortion in the transform domain with rounding compensation
Techniques and tools are described for compensating for rounding when estimating sample-domain distortion in the transform domain. For example, a video encoder estimates pixel-domain distortion in the transform domain for a block of transform coefficients after compensating for rounding in the DC coefficient of the block. In this way, the video encoder improves the accuracy of pixel-domain distortion estimation but retains the computational advantages of performing the estimation in the transform domain. Rounding compensation includes, for example, looking up an index (from a de-quantized transform coefficient) in a rounding offset table to determine a rounding offset, then adjusting the coefficient by the offset. Other techniques and tools described herein are directed to creating rounding offset tables and encoders that make encoding decisions after considering rounding effects that occur after an inverse frequency transform on de-quantized transform coefficient values. |
| US08249139B2 |
Apparatus for data receiving and method for adjusting the same in real time
A data receiver and a method for adjusting the same are provided. The data receiver has an equalizer, a clock data recovery unit, an equalizer controller, and a decoder. The equalizer compensates incoming signal according to a configuration, and outputs corrected signal. The CDR unit uses a clock to sample the corrected signal from the equalizer and generates phase information of the clock. The decoder decodes the raw data. Each cycle of the clock is divided into a plurality of phases, and the phase information indicates the one of the phases that the corrected signal sampled therein. In a testing mode, the equalizer controller applies a plurality of setup values to the configuration individually and records the phase information for tuning the configuration. Therefore, the accuracy of the equalizer is improved and the good signal quality is obtained. |
| US08249128B2 |
Enhanced ultra wide band signal detection using an ultra wide band kernel
A system and method is provided for improving the operating range for UWB communication systems by increasing the margin between true correlation peaks and false correlation peaks in a received UWB signal. A received signal is first correlated with a UWB kernel before being correlated with the PRN code. The UWB kernel is a very short UWB pulse having the same pulse shape as the UWB signal pulses. By pre-correlating the received signal with the UWB kernel at least once prior to correlating with the PRN code, the margin between true correlation peaks and false correlation peaks is substantially improved. |
| US08249122B2 |
Spatial filters
An etched-facet single lateral mode semiconductor photonic device is fabricated by depositing an anti reflective coating on the etched facet, and depositing a reflectivity modifying coating in a spatially controlled manner to modify the spatial performance of the emitted beam. |
| US08249120B2 |
Closed loop laser control
The radiance of a laser is a function of drive current. The radiance is also a function of other factors, such as age and temperature. A laser projection device adjusts laser drive parameters using a gradient descent operation. The device parameters may be adjusted iteratively and periodically. The period may be shorter or longer than a scan line in a video image. |
| US08249119B2 |
Method and apparatus for generating optical beats
Apparatus comprising an optical fiber laser having at least two laser cores and means arranged to combine laser output from the at least two laser cores at a first end of the optical fiber laser to produce a combined laser output having one or more beat signals. |
| US08249114B2 |
Method and device for receiving and providing programs
A method for providing programs, the method includes: (i) providing a program multiplex to multiple users device; (ii) considering a removal of at least one program from the multiplex in response to program viewing parameters; (iii) allowing at least one user to respond to a possible removal of the program; and (iv) determining whether to remove the al least one program in response to received user removal responses. A user device that includes a transceiver unit that is connected to a controller, wherein the device is adapted to receive a program multiplex, to receive an indication that at least one program is to be removed from the multiplex, and to selectively transmit a program removal response. |
| US08249097B2 |
Method and system for an integrated host PCI I/O bridge and dual port gigabit Ethernet controller
Aspects of the invention may include two gigabit Ethernet controllers integrated within a single chip and an I/O bridge coupled to the two gigabit Ethernet controllers and integrated within the single chip. The system may further include an I/O function coupled to the I/O bridge that is integrated within the single chip. The I/O function may include I/O logic and an I/O buffer integrated within the single chip and coupled to the I/O bridge and/or the two gigabit Ethernet controllers. A timing function or timing block may also be coupled to the I/O bridge and integrated within the single chip. A host system may be coupled to the I/O bridge. The I/O bridge may further include a primary bus controller, which may be a primary PCI bus controller. The controller or controller block may include control and status registers that may be coupled to the primary bus controller. |
| US08249096B2 |
System, method and apparatus for providing multiple access modes in a data communications network
A system, method and apparatus for providing multiple access modes in a data communications network includes a network access device having a plurality of input ports, a plurality of output ports, and a switching fabric for routing data received on the plurality of input ports to at least one of the plurality of output ports. Control logic within the network access device is adapted to determine whether a user device coupled to one of the plurality of input ports supports a user authentication protocol used by a host network. If the user authentication protocol is not supported, then the input port to which the network access device is coupled is placed in a semi-authorized access state that limits access to a pre-configured network accessible via the host network. |
| US08249092B2 |
Communication device, communication system, and communication method performing communication using a plurality of signals having different frequencies
A communication device includes: a reception unit receiving communication signals having different frequencies, where the communication signals include logic channels, from another communication device; a measurement unit measuring line states of the received communication signals; a communication signal allocation unit allocating one or more communication signals to each of the logic channels; a margin setting unit setting a margin value for each logic channel and deciding the margin value set for the corresponding logic channel as a margin value of the communication signal; a communication speed decision unit deciding a communication speed of each of the communication signals such that an error rate of each of the communication signals is less than a prescribed value in line states degraded by the margin value of the communication signal from the measured line states; and a transmission unit notifying the other communication device of an allocation result of the communication signal and the decided communication speed. |
| US08249091B2 |
Power headroom reporting method and device for wireless communication system
Methods and apparatus are provided for reporting a Power Headroom (PH) of a User Equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system having a plurality of aggregated uplink carriers. The PH is calculated for a Power Headroom Report (PHR)-triggered uplink carrier. A PHR having the PH and an identifier of the PHR-triggered uplink carrier is generated, and the PHR is transmitted to a network. Also, a PHR having the PH is generated, and the PHR is transmitted to a network over one of a plurality of PHR-transmitting uplink carriers configured to correspond to the PHR-triggered uplink carrier. |
| US08249088B2 |
Hierarchical rate limiting of control packets
Line cards receive control packets and perform a hierarchical rate limiting on those control packets. A set of identifier keys are extracted from the control packets and the protocol of those control packets are determined. At a first level, the control packets are rate limited per unique set of identifier keys per protocol. Those packets which fail the first rate limiting level are dropped. Those packets which pass the first rate limiting level are rate limited at a second level per protocol type. Those packets which fail the second level rate limiting are dropped while those packets which pass the second level rate limiting are sent to the control card for further processing. |
| US08249085B2 |
Relay apparatus and relay method
A relay apparatus receives data from a first device via a first network. The relay apparatus then receives a first request from a second device via a second network, and sends a second request to the first network in accordance with the first request. Then, the relay apparatus sends, to the second device via the second network, data received from the first device prior to the first request being received, in accordance with the first request and a communication condition. |
| US08249084B2 |
Ring connection control circuit, ring switching hub, ring ethernet system, and ring connection controlling method
If either of the MAC processing units in one of the ring connection control circuits receives a MAC frame that includes control information for the redundancy control process related to one of the subrings from that subring, then output of the relevant MAC frame to the transfer processing unit is restricted and the relevant MAC frame is output to the STP processing unit. |
| US08249075B2 |
ATM communications system and method
Traffic from a number of different service type users is multiplexed into minicells for transmission over an ATM link. Service type information is transmitted in a service specific field and is stored. This stored information is used to derive length information to delineate the different length user minicells. The technique occupies less bandwidth than the conventional methods for transmitting cell length information. |
| US08249072B2 |
Scalable interface for connecting multiple computer systems which performs parallel MPI header matching
An interface device for a compute node in a computer cluster which performs Message Passing Interface (MPI) header matching using parallel matching units. The interface device comprises a memory that stores posted receive queues and unexpected queues. The posted receive queues store receive requests from a process executing on the compute node. The unexpected queues store headers of send requests (e.g., from other compute nodes) that do not have a matching receive request in the posted receive queues. The interface device also comprises a plurality of hardware pipelined matcher units. The matcher units perform header matching to determine if a header in the send request matches any headers in any of the plurality of posted receive queues. Matcher units perform the header matching in parallel. In other words, the plural matching units are configured to search the memory concurrently to perform header matching. |
| US08249071B2 |
Audio related system communication protocol
A system for management and control of audio related equipment. The system provides an architecture to manage, monitor, and control all of the audio related equipment in an audio system. A communication protocol used within the system allows standardized communication between the performance equipment mangers and the audio related devices, as well as device-to-device communication. The protocol allows users to add audio related devices to an audio system without performing a setup to configure communication between the devices. |
| US08249070B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for performing scene adaptive rate control
In one embodiment, the methods and apparatuses detect a network bandwidth; detect a sequence of frames; determine a motion based on the sequence of frames; set a target bit rate for the sequence of frames based on the network bandwidth; and set a frame rate for the sequence of frames based on the motion of the sequence of frames, wherein the target bit rate and the frame rate are utilized to process the sequence of frames. |
| US08249069B2 |
Forwarding multi-destination packets in a network with virtual port channels
In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a multi-destination packet at a switch in communication with a plurality of servers through a network device, identifying a port receiving the multi-destination packet at the switch or a forwarding topology for the multi-destination packet, selecting a bit value based on the identified port or forwarding topology, inserting the bit value into a field in a virtual network tag in the multi-destination packet, and forwarding the multi-destination packet with the virtual network tag to the network device. The network device is configured to forward the multi-destination packet to one or more of the servers based on the bit value in the multi-destination packet. An apparatus for forwarding multi-destination packets is also disclosed. |
| US08249067B2 |
Separation of fabric and packet processing source in a system
An apparatus may include a port interface that is arranged and configured to receive a packet from an ingress port, a traffic management module being operatively coupled to the port interface and that is arranged and configured to manage routing of the packet to a destination, and a packet processing engine that is arranged and configured to perform packet processing on the packet and to associate a tag with the packet, where the tag includes a packet processing source field, a destination field, and a fabric source field. |
| US08249062B1 |
Scalable architecture for transmission of messages over a network
A method and apparatus is disclosed for delivering messages that utilizes a message queue and a router/filter within a private data network. The private network is connected to an external data network such as the Internet, and has separate outbound resource servers to provide a high degree of scalability for handling a variety of message types. |
| US08249060B1 |
Metadata schema for interpersonal communications management systems
A system and method for generating, managing and accessing a schema that facilitates maximizing utility of a managed communication is provided. The system provides a computer-based system for creating, accessing and/or managing a schema employed in utility-optimizing communication management. The system includes computer components for receiving communication related data and storing such communication related data, inferences concerning such data, probabilities and/or probability distributions associated with such data in an extensible, portable, data schema. The schema can facilitate making utility optimizing communication management decisions. |
| US08249057B1 |
Methods and apparatus providing an overlay network for voice over internet protocol applications
A system and method for transferring Media over IP (MoIP) packets over an overlay network is provided. The system provides specially designed overlay network units located at key points in the IP network effectively creating an overlay network that is capable of interacting both on the overlay level as well as over the standard IP network. |
| US08249047B2 |
Method of transmitting control signal in wireless communication system
A method of transmitting a control signal in a wireless communication system includes receiving data or a control signal, and transmitting a feedback signal through a control channel in response to the data or the control signal, wherein the control channel comprises a plurality of mini-tiles in a plurality of tiles, each of which consists of at least one orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol in a time domain and at least one subcarrier in a frequency domain, and if the plurality of tiles have the same pilot pattern, the plurality of mini-tiles are cyclically selected from the plurality of tiles, and if the plurality of tiles have cyclically-arranged pilot patterns, the plurality of mini-tiles are selected at the same position from the plurality of tiles. |
| US08249045B2 |
Communication control apparatus and method
When it is judged that the size of a band of a wireless IP network (10A) is insufficient for transferring IP packets within a predetermined period of time, a band calculating unit (107C) calculates a band of a wireless IP network (10B) that enables transmission of remaining IP packets excluding those transmittable via the wireless IP network (10A). Based on a judgment on whether or not an IP packet is dwelling in the wireless IP network (10B) based on a displacement of the sequence number of the IP packet calculated by a displacement calculating unit (107D), a transmission band of the wireless IP network (10B) is determined. |
| US08249042B2 |
Wireless mesh network
Method and apparatus for providing a wireless mesh network and network node are described. More particularly, a network having network node neighborhoods is described. A node comprises a multi-sectored antenna and a transceiver controller. Nodes are configured for installation without antenna pointing and without pre-coordination with the network. Software architecture for the node is also described. |
| US08249039B2 |
WLAN having load balancing based on access point loading
A network having distribution of access point loading includes access points to which mobile stations can associate themselves based upon access point beacon signal levels and loading levels for the various access points. A mobile station receives beacon signals from various access points and determines a signal strength for the received beacon signals. The mobile station also receives access point loading information from the access points. The mobile station associates with an access point based upon the access point beacon signal strengths and the access point loading information. |
| US08249038B2 |
Method, program, and system for implementing centralized control plane and distributed data plane
The present invention discloses a method for implementing centralized control plane and distributed data plane and that comprises the following steps: the main control unit of the main board generates control information and delivers it to the adaptation layer of the main board; the adaptation layer of the main board transmits the control information to the adaptation layer of the service board(s); the adaptation layer of the service board(s) delivers the control information to the data plane and hardware engine of the service board(s). The present discloses a program and system for implementing centralized control plane and distributed data plane. The present invention provides a software architecture using an adaptation layer to implement centralized control plane and distributed data plane to ensure high performance and good scalability of the new architecture, reduce system complexity, and keep system simplicity and efficiency. |
| US08249036B2 |
Apparatus and method for multicast and broadcast service in broadband wireless access system
An apparatus and method for a Multicast and Broadcast Service (MBS) in a Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) system. In a method for operating a user terminal in a BWA system, an idle timer is driven when a flow for unicast connection has no traffic in an awake mode. Whether a broadcast service is being received is checked when the idle timer expires. The user terminal transitions from the awake mode to a fake idle mode when the broadcast service is being received. |
| US08249028B2 |
Method and apparatus for identifying wireless transmitters
In one embodiment, the present invention is a method and apparatus for identifying wireless transmitters. In one embodiment, a method for identifying a transmitter in a wireless computing network includes extracting one or more radio frequency signal characteristics from a communication from the transmitter and generating a fingerprint of the transmitter in accordance at least one of the extracted radio frequency signal characteristics. |
| US08249026B2 |
Scheduling of data packets over an air interface of a cellular communication system
A scheduler (105) for scheduling data packets over an air interface of a cellular communication system comprises a coherence time processor (213) which determines a coherence time for a user equipment (101, 103). A scheduling unit (205) then schedules at least a first data packet for the user equipment (101, 103) in response to the coherence time. In some embodiments, the system may use a retransmission scheme and a scheduling which depends on a time varying propagation characteristic. In such embodiments, an available delay may be allocated to retransmissions or propagation dependent scheduling dependent on the coherence time. The scheduler may e.g. be implemented in a base station. |
| US08249023B2 |
Packet switched radio telecommunication system supporting hard handover and method for hard handover
A packet switched radio telecommunication system supporting hard handover adapts Always_on technology to a link between a target packet data serving node (PDSN) and a support PDSN. The support PDSN assigns a temporary IP address to a mobile terminal in its service area, and transmits handover data and the mobile terminal's temporary IP address to the target PDSN via a direct link when the mobile terminal leaves the service area. The target PDSN, upon receiving a registration request for the temporary IP address from the mobile terminal moved to its service area, temporarily registers the temporary IP address in an IP pool. The target PDSN receives down-link frame data for the mobile terminal at the temporarily registered IP address from the support PDSN via the direct link. A new temporary IP address is assigned by the target PDSN when data transmission/reception is complete to the mobile terminal. |
| US08249021B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for CDMA2000/GPRS roaming
IIF architectures and corresponding call flows are provided for CDMA2000/GPRS roaming scenarios such as GPRS foreign mode with Mobile IPv4, GPRS foreign mode with Simple IPv4 or IPv6, CDMA2000 packet data foreign mode with Mobile IPv4, and CDMA2000 packet data foreign mode with Simple IPv4 or IPv6. |
| US08249013B2 |
Radio communication base station apparatus and radio communication method used for multi-carrier communication
Provided is a base station capable of suppressing increase of overhead of allocation result report in frequency scheduling in multi-carrier communication and obtaining a sufficient frequency diversity effect. In the base station, encoding units (101-1 to 101-n) encode data (#1 to #n) to mobile stations (#1 to #n), modulation units (102-1 to 102-n) modulate the encoded data so as to generate a data symbol, a scheduler (103) performs frequency scheduling according to a CQI from each mobile station so as to uniformly allocate data to the respective mobile stations for a part of RB extracted from a plurality of RB, and an SCCH generation unit (105) generates control information (SCCH information) to report the allocation result in the scheduler (103) to the respective mobile stations. |
| US08249012B2 |
Recovery method for lost signaling connection with HSDPA/fractional DPCH
A method and apparatus are provided for defining terminal behavior in a case where the terminal detects that it cannot receive the HS-DSCH from a serving cell reliably when the DCCH is mapped to HS-DSCH (e.g. does not receive any radio link control (RLC) acknowledged mode feedback for the uplink measurement reports or in general the common pilot channel (CPICH) level drops too low in the serving HS-DSCH cell). The terminal is autonomously moved to a cell forward access channel (CELL_FACH) state and uplink signaling is initiated on a random access channel (RACH) to inform a network node and ask for HS-DSCH re-establishment in a suitable cell (preferably in the one being strongest one in the active set or according to the measurements done prior the connection from the serving HS-DSCH cell was lost), or setting up a regular R′99/R′5 DPCH in order to restore the RRC signaling connection in the CELL_DCH state. |
| US08249006B2 |
Method and apparatus for allocating and processing sequences in communication system
A method and apparatus for allocating and processing sequences in a communication system is disclosed. The method includes: dividing sequences in a sequence group into multiple sub-groups, each sub-group corresponding to its own mode of occupying time frequency resources; selecting sequences from a candidate sequence collection corresponding to each sub-group to form the sequences in the sub-group by: the sequences in a sub-group i in a sequence group k being composed of n sequences in the candidate sequence collection, the n sequences making a |ri/Ni−ck/Np1| or |(ri/Ni−ck/Np1) modu mk,i| function value the smallest, second smallest, till the nth smallest respectively; allocating the sequence group to cells, users or channels. It prevents the sequences highly correlated with the sequences of a specific length from appearing in other sequence groups, thus reducing interference, avoiding the trouble of storing the lists of massive sequence groups. |
| US08249004B2 |
Coordinated uplink transmission in LTE DRX operations for a wireless transmit receive unit
A method and apparatus for discontinuous reception (DRX) operation in a wireless transmit receive unit aligns uplink and downlink transmissions with a DRX cycle. The transmission may be a channel quality indicator report, a sounding reference signal, or a silence descriptor among other downlink and uplink transmissions. |
| US08249003B2 |
Radio communication terminal, method for selecting communication channel and computer-readable storage medium
A radio communication terminal includes a communication unit, a channel investigating unit and a channel setting unit. The communication unit communicates using at least one channel in a first frequency band. The channel investigating unit investigates all channels in the first frequency band, detects an available channel in the all channels and outputs a detection result as available channel information. The channel setting unit receives the available channel information, determines whether or not a plurality of channels adjacent to each other in the first frequency band are available for communication based on the available channel information. |
| US08249001B2 |
Base station apparatus, mobile station apparatus, and method of assigning subcarriers
A base station assigns a subcarrier for downlink communications under Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access. Before downlink communications with a mobile station, based on carrier sensing by the mobile station, the base station detects information concerning an available subcarrier from downlink signals using a modulating unit. The information concerning the available subcarrier is stored in a downlink-information sharing unit and is shared among the base station and the adjacent base stations. A downlink subcarrier setting unit sets the available subcarrier for downlink communications. |
| US08249000B2 |
Controlling the delivery of messages to a mobile client
A method, system and computer usable-medium for prioritizing and controlling the delivery of messages to a mobile client capable of connecting to a network. Data can be collected utilizing an agent associated with a messaging application for the delivery of a message to the mobile client, wherein the data is indicative of one or more characteristics of a network to which the mobile client is currently connected, one or more characteristics of the message itself, and one or more characteristics of the mobile client. The data can be then analyzed, and thereafter a delivery decision is rendered with respect to the message, in response to analyzing such data in order to efficiently control the delivery of the message to the mobile client. |
| US08248998B2 |
Telecommunication network transmission divergence system and method
A telecommunication network transmission divergence system and method is disclosed. A first multi-service-packet-control-unit and a second multi-service-packet-control-unit are disposed between a base station and a radio network controller. Packets are diverged to one or more low-stability & long-delay routes based on priorities of the packets. The system and method reduce transmission load of a frame exchange protocol interface (Iub) while maintaining a stable quality of service for divergent packet transmissions. As a result, transmission load and cost are significantly reduced and transmission efficiency is improved. |
| US08248996B2 |
Methods and apparatus for using a licensed spectrum to transmit a signal when an unlicensed spectrum is congested
Methods and apparatus of using a licensed spectrum to transmit a signal when an unlicensed spectrum is congested are disclosed. One method includes receiving, at a first mobile device, a request signal from a second mobile device, receiving, at the first mobile device, a remote signal from one or more mobile devices using the unlicensed spectrum, and transmitting a control signal from the first mobile device to the second mobile device using the licensed spectrum, the control signal being based on the remote signal. The control signal carries control information that is based on at least one of a time at which the second mobile device sends a signal to the first mobile device or the received powers of the remote signal and the request signal. |
| US08248994B2 |
Method of allocating resource region to reduce map overhead
A method of allocating a radio resource in a wireless access system is disclosed. The method includes receiving a control message associated with radio resource allocation for transmitting uplink data to the base station, wherein the control message comprises a first persistent uplink allocation information element comprising first resource allocation information associated with a first resource allocation region for transmitting the uplink data of a mobile station and transmitting an acknowledgment (ACK) message from the mobile station to the base station in response to successfully receiving the first persistent uplink allocation information element. |
| US08248986B2 |
System and method of providing advertisements to vehicles
A system and method of providing advertisements to vehicles is disclosed. An apparatus that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a server having a controller adapted to communicate with a wireless access point and a database where the wireless access point is deployed in proximity to a target location and where the database stores format information associated with a type of media file supported by a media system of a vehicle, determine a location of a communication device that can communicate with a data network independently of the media system as the communication device travels in the vehicle, determine whether the communication device is within a target region, determine the type of media file supported by the vehicle media system using the database, transmit media content in the desired format via the wireless access point to the communication device for presentation on the media system when the communication device enters the target region, and cease transmission of the media content when the communication device leaves the target region. Additional embodiments are disclosed. |
| US08248983B2 |
Method and system for controlling the provision of media content to mobile stations
A media service controller controls how one or more base stations transmit media content from one or more media servers to mobile stations. The media service controller may control whether a mobile station receives media content via a unicast or a multicast connection, e.g., based on a predefined schedule and/or on whether other mobile stations served by the same base station are receiving the same media content. The media service controller may provide a content discovery service through which a first media server may determine whether other media servers are providing the same media content. The media service controller may facilitate changing a source of media content received by a mobile station, e.g., by changing the source from a first media server to a second media server when the mobile station moves from an area associated with the first media server to an area associated with the second media server. |
| US08248982B2 |
Wireless support for portable media player devices
A portable media player device is capable of operating in a wireless network. The wireless portable media player device can bootstrap and synchronize with an ad hoc network with low power consumption. Neighbor portable media player devices in an ad hoc network can be discovered by the wireless portable media player device. The portable media player device can establish and terminate connections to neighbor portable media player devices. The portable media player device can transfer data in a high speed data transfer mode or a power save data transfer mode, while concurrently permitting discovery by other devices. The portable media player device operates in a power save mode during an inactive portion of a periodic discovery interval. |
| US08248978B2 |
Detection of stations for wireless communication
Techniques for detecting other stations in a power efficient manner are described. A station may operate in a passive mode or a search mode. In the passive mode, the station receives for one receive period in each time interval. In the search mode, the station transmits for a series of transmit periods in one time interval, then receives for one receive period in the next time interval, and repeats the transmit/receive cycle. In an example scenario, station A operates in the search mode and sends a series of transmissions during its transmit periods. Station B operates in the passive mode, receives a transmission from station A during its receive period, switches to the search mode, and sends a series of transmissions for one time interval. Station A receives a transmission from station B during its receive period. After detecting one another, stations A and B may perform synchronization. |
| US08248972B2 |
Packet acknowledgment for polled mesh network communications
A method, wireless mesh network and processor-readable storage medium for promoting successful end-to-end communication in a polled mesh network while improving system throughput are disclosed herein. Successful communications are acknowledged at each hop level to reduce the need to duplicate packets for redundancy. In this way, if a first bidirectional node transmits a packet to a second bidirectional node, the second bidirectional node acknowledges the packet, and the first bidirectional node receives the acknowledgement, then the first bidirectional node does not need to send a duplicate packet. |
| US08248970B2 |
Optimized directional MIMO antenna system
A wireless communication device with a plurality of radios and a plurality of configurable antenna systems. Determining a plurality of transmit and receive signal quality metrics for connections between the wireless communication device and a plurality of stations for a plurality of radios and configurable antenna systems in a plurality of configurations. Determining a connection matrix that includes the transmit and receive signal quality. Selecting antenna configurations for the configurable antennas using the connection matrix. |
| US08248965B2 |
Method and apparatus regarding use of a service convergence fabric
A service convergence fabric (103) is operably disposed between a plurality of independent access networks, control networks, and service networks (104) and a converged application layer (100). This service convergence fabric is then used (202) to receive a service request, process the service request, provide a corresponding response, and publish that response to facilitate the service request. Processing the service request can comprise processing the service request with respect to resources to support the service request, user session status as corresponds to the service request, and user preferences as correspond to the service request. Providing a response can comprise providing a response that comprises at least one of a processed service request and a converged response to the service request. |
| US08248962B2 |
Long term evolution user equipment multi-packet data network parameter based connectivity control
A system is provided for concurrently connecting a user equipment to a plurality of packet data network gateways via a radio access network and a serving gateway. The system includes a processor configured to evaluate an operational parameter related to a set of network components to which the user equipment, the radio network, the serving gateway and the packet data network gateways belong. The operational parameter is used to control a user equipment to multiple packet data networks, subject to resource limitation, and QoS and PCC rules. |
| US08248954B2 |
System and method for enhancement of Ethernet link loss forwarding
A system and method provide enhanced link loss forwarding in an Ethernet system to determine link degradation and to selectively block and re-establish transport between a near end device and far end device based on link status detection using local packets. When an excessive number of errors are detected in an Ethernet port, a device enters a Links Off mode from a Transport mode where Ethernet ports are turned off at both ends of a circuit associated with the errors. A Block Transport mode is then entered where local packets (e.g., OAM packets) are monitored to evaluate link quality. Transport mode is re-established when acceptable link quality is achieved for a selected period of time. |
| US08248953B2 |
Detecting and isolating domain specific faults
A method for detecting and isolating domain specific faults includes comparing a first media quality report for a communication from a first node with a second media quality report for the communication from a second node. The first node comprises an ingress node of a first domain for the communication and the second node comprises an egress node of the first domain for the communication. The method also includes determining that the difference between at least one aspect of the first media quality report and at least one corresponding aspect of the second media quality report exceeds a first threshold. The method further includes, upon determining that the difference exceeds the first threshold, determining a first path between the first node and the second node used by the communication. The method additionally includes isolating at least one source causing the difference between the first media quality report and the second media quality report. |
| US08248950B2 |
Method of transmitting and receiving a redirect message in a wireless communication system
An apparatus and method of transmitting a Redirect message in a wireless communication system is described. A Redirect message is generated comprising an 8 bit MessageID field, a 16 bit StayAwayDuration field wherein the StayAwayDuration field indicates the units of second for which an access terminal will not make an access attempt at the sector sending this message, an 8 bit NumChannel field wherein the NumChannel indicates the number of channel records included in the message, an 8 bit RedirectReason field wherein the RedirectReason reflect the redirect reason and a Channel field wherein the Channel field indicates the channel that the access terminal should reacquire. The Redirect message is transmitted over a communication link. |
| US08248948B2 |
Monitoring network conditions of a wireless network
A method of determining a location of a network condition within a wireless mesh network is disclosed. The method includes a test device testing a first plurality of wireless hops of the wireless mesh network. The test device also tests a second number of wireless hops of the wireless mesh network. The test device locates the network condition within the wireless mesh network by comparing the test of the first plurality of wireless hops with the test of the second number of wireless hops. |
| US08248947B2 |
Methods and apparatus for improving power efficiency and latency of mobile devices using an out of band wireless resource
Methods and apparatus of using a licensed spectrum to transmit data when an unlicensed spectrum is congested are disclosed. The method includes transmitting a first signal from a first mobile device to a second mobile device using an unlicensed spectrum, determining, at the first mobile device, whether a first response signal has been received by the first mobile device using the unlicensed spectrum, and transmitting a second signal from the first mobile device to the second mobile device using a licensed spectrum when the first response signal has not been received by the first mobile device using the unlicensed spectrum. |
| US08248944B2 |
Selectively disabling reliability mechanisms on a network connection
Computerized methods, systems, and computer-storage media for establishing and managing a transmission control protocol (TCP)-based tunnel (“tunnel”) are provided. The tunnel spans between a data center and a private enterprise network and connects endpoints, of a service application, that reside in each location. During communication, the endpoints transmit data packets over one or more channels (e.g., higher-level channel and lower-level channel) that comprise the tunnel. Each of the channels supports reliability mechanisms (e.g., congestion-control mechanism and loss-recovery mechanism) integrally running thereon, for ensuring complete data-packet delivery. To prevent unwarranted performance degradation caused by duplicative efforts of reliability mechanisms, a fabric controller is employed to selectively disable one or more of the reliability mechanisms individually. The selective disablement of the reliability mechanisms is invoked by predefined criteria, such as instructions from a service model or detected identity of a source/destination endpoint, and is invoked on a per network connection basis. |
| US08248943B2 |
Method and apparatus for ensuring access in a communication system for a plurality of groups
A method and apparatus for bandwidth brokering in a communication system (100) defines groups (212) and a bandwidth allocation for each group at a given base station (202). Each group has a guaranteed bandwidth (116). Each group may exceed its guaranteed bandwidth (118) by using additional bandwidth if there other groups are not using their full guaranteed bandwidth (408) or if there is community bandwidth available. A group's bandwidth usage may be pre-empted (412) when its bandwidth usage exceeds its guaranteed bandwidth and other groups require additional bandwidth within their guaranteed bandwidth. |
| US08248942B2 |
Monitoring of real-time transport protocol (RTP) packet flow along RTP path
Techniques are provided herein to enable monitoring of a real-time transport protocol (RTP) packet flow in devices along the path that the RTP packet flow traversed from a source to a destination. A device that is a source or destination of a RTP packet flow transmits a monitor request message that requests one or more other devices along a path of the RTP packet flow to monitor the RTP packet flow. The device that is the source or destination of the RTP packet flow receives one or more monitoring reports from the one or more other devices along the path of the RTP packet flow. This allows a device that requested monitoring of the RTP packet flow to analyze the monitor reports in order to determine a location of a cause of reduced performance in the RTP packet flow. e.g., missing packets, overly delayed packets, etc. |
| US08248939B1 |
Transferring control of TCP connections between hierarchy of processing mechanisms
In one embodiment, a system for communicating over a network is disclosed, the system comprising: a processor running a protocol processing stack to control a TCP connection; a first offload engine that receives control of the TCP connection from the stack to perform a first task corresponding to the TCP connection; and a second offload engine that receives control of the TCP connection from the first offload engine to perform a second task corresponding to the TCP connection. For example, the first offload engine can be protocol software such as an intermediate driver that can handle tasks such as teaming and/or reassembly of out-of-order data segments. As another example, the second offload engine can be a network interface card that provides hardware that accelerates data transfer. |
| US08248937B2 |
Packet forwarding device and load balance method thereof
A packet forwarding device stores a predetermined threshold and a predetermined condition value of a first wide area network (WAN) port, and forwards packets that comply with the predetermined condition value via the first WAN port and forwards packets that do not comply with the predetermined condition value via a second WAN port. The packet forwarding device forwards some of the packets that do not comply with the predetermined condition value via the first WAN port in order to balance loads of the first and second WAN ports if the traffic value of the packets forwarded via the first WAN port is equal to or less than the predetermined threshold. |
| US08248935B2 |
Method for selecting a codec as a function of the network capacity
The invention relates to a method for selecting a codec for transmission of audio and/or video data between terminals (1, 3) through a packet switching connection (2), the terminals (1, 3) selecting the codec from a codec list, characterized in that the codec list for a new connection is determined by means of a table in which for at least one destination address range, the associated transmission capacity is indicated and the table is automatically updated through measurements, as well as a terminal for carrying out the method. |
| US08248933B2 |
Methods and systems for capability-based system collaboration
A method for establishing a full end-to-end functionality chain of collaborating network accessible capabilities within a network centric environment is described. The method includes identifying the network accessible capabilities that are necessary to implement the end-to-end functionality chain, receiving data relating to which capabilities are available at each network node, determining if all necessary capabilities are available based on received responses to the data request, selecting one or more network accessible capability instances for each necessary network accessible capability, and executing the selected capability instances in an order that implements the end-to-end functionality chain. |
| US08248931B2 |
Site based media storage in a wireless communication network
A system and methodology that facilitates efficient utilization of bandwidth on a transmission link between a base station and a core mobility network, during content delivery is provided. Moreover, the system includes a data storage device, adjunct to, or integrated within, the base station for storing content locally. Typically, the data storage device is updated by downloading content from the core network at an optimal time. For example, content can be downloaded to the data storage device when the core network-to-base station link is idle, under utilized and/or has sufficient bandwidth for the download. On receiving a request for content from a user equipment (UE), the base station can directly deliver the content to the UE from the data storage device, over an air interface, when the requested content is locally available. |
| US08248927B2 |
VLAN pooling
According to one embodiment of the invention, a method for forming groups of network device within a network comprises (i) obtaining a source media access control (MAC) address for a network device and (ii) assigning the network device to a virtual local area network based on the source MAC address and a total number of virtual local area networks supported by a network. |
| US08248926B2 |
Packet rate detection apparatus and method
There are disclosed an apparatus, a machine readable media, and methods for testing a network. The apparatus may include a statistics engine coupled to a memory. The statistics engine may extract a packet group identifier (PGID) from a packet received from the network and retrieve traffic statistics associated with the PGID from the memory. The retrieved traffic statistics may include a packets-per-interval count and a packets-per-interval threshold, the packets-per-interval count indicating a number of packets received within a time interval of a sequence of time intervals. At the start of each new time interval, the statistics engine may set a flag indicating whether or not the packets-per-interval count for the previous time interval was equal to or greater than the packets-per-interval threshold. The flag may be saved in the memory as part of the traffic statistics associated with the extracted PGID. |
| US08248924B2 |
Uplink access method of mobile communication system
In a wireless mobile communications system, a network transmits a response request message with respect to a particular point-to-multipoint service to a terminal, and then the terminal transmits a response message to the network using an allocated uplink access preamble included in the response request message, thereby effectively performing a counting procedure with respect to the particular broadcast service at a minimum overhead. |
| US08248922B2 |
System and method for avoiding duplication of MAC addresses in a stack
A system and method of operating a set of stack elements that are stackable and connected to form a ring. In one embodiment, the stack Media Access Control (MAC) address is stored in each stack element of the ring; and responsive to an assessment that communication with a primary stack element is lost, a determination is made whether to replace the first MAC address with a second MAC address or to retain the first MAC address in each stack element remaining of the set of stack elements. |
| US08248919B2 |
Method, device and system for updating routes after node fails in P2P network
A method for updating routing table information after a node fails in a P2P network is disclosed herein. The method includes: the range of the nodes whose route is directed to the failed node is determined according to the distance between the failed node and the neighboring node of the failed node; the failure information of the failed node is sent to the LDN of the failed node within the node range; and the LDN updates the routing table according to the failure information. A network device and a P2P communication network are also disclosed herein. The embodiments of the present invention enhance the capability of the whole P2P network in perceiving node churn and improve the route search efficiency and system stability of the whole P2P network. |
| US08248915B2 |
Redundant session information for a distributed network
A mobile communication network includes a plurality of access nodes that can serve different roles in support of a communication session with a mobile station. An access node can serve as a connecting node that receives access requests the mobile station, as an anchor node to anchor a radio packet connection with a core network for the communication session; or as a primary node to store session information for the communication session. When the communication session is established, the anchor node for the communication session may select another access node to serve as the primary node. Session information can be stored at both the anchor node and primary node so that data can be delivered to the mobile station if either one of the anchor node and primary node are available. |
| US08248914B2 |
Gateway device and method for maintaining a communication connection therethrough
A gateway device includes a VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) card, a standby VoIP card, and a VoIP control card communicating with the VoIP card and the standby VoIP card. Control of a current communication connection is switched from the VoIP card to the standby VoIP card by the VoIP control card when the VoIP card has failed to function. Control of the current communication connection is switched to the standby VoIP card allowing the standby VoIP card to maintain the current communication connection. |
| US08248909B2 |
Method and device for the baseband process of the space-time/space-frequency/spatial diversity transmitter
A method and device for the baseband process of space-time/space-frequency/spatial diversity transmitter in the SC-FDMA system, the device is characterized in that: 1) an encoding means is connected to the output end of the M-point DFT module; 2) a space-time encoding means, for encoding the corresponding symbol of at least two adjacent symbol sets, and outputting at least two data sets; each sub-carrier mapping means maps respectively each data set to the corresponding antenna, so that the mapped data satisfy the requirements: The symbols mapped on each antenna keep the same sequence as the M symbols outputted by the M-point DFT module; the mapped symbols keep the same sub-carrier interval; the M data of each mapped SC-FDMA symbol are the M outputted data of the DFT module, or the inverse of the M outputted data, or the complex conjugate of the M outputted data, or the inverse complex conjugate of the M outputted data. The present invention implements effective space diversity, reduces PAPR, and makes frequency domain equalization feasible. |
| US08248908B2 |
Storage medium comprising a security feature and method for producing a storage medium comprising a security feature
The invention relates to a storage medium comprising a security feature, having a substrate (1, 4, 10), at least one functional layer (2, 5, 11), at least one feature which is written into the functional layer (2, 5, 11) and is visible when reflected and at least one feature which is written into the functional layer (2, 5, 11) and is visible when transmitted, at least one feature being individualized and at least one feature having a diffractive structure. The invention solves the technical problem of providing a larger variety of combinations of different security features. The invention also relates to a method for producing a storage medium comprising a security feature. |
| US08248902B2 |
Reproduction signal evaluation method, reproduction signal evaluation unit, and optical disk device adopting the same
A reproduction signal evaluation unit includes a pattern detection section for extracting, from a binary signal, a specific state transition pattern which has a possibility of causing a bit error; a differential metric computing section for computing a differential metric based on the binary signal of the extracted state transition pattern; an error computing section for computing an error rate predicted based on an integration value that is integrated by an integration section, a count value that is counted by a pattern count section, an integration value that is integrated by another integration section, and a count value that is counted by another pattern count section, and a standard deviation computing section for computing a standard deviation based on the computed error rate. |
| US08248901B2 |
Information recording medium, apparatus for recording and/or reproducing data on and/or from information recording medium, method of recording and/or reproducing data on and/or from information recording medium, and computer-readable recording medium storing program for executing the method
An information recording medium includes a lead-in area, a user data area, and a lead-out area, wherein at least one of the lead-in or lead-out areas includes a compatibility information area in which compatibility information, specifying whether each area on the information recording medium is recordable and/or reproducible. The compatibility information may include state information on whether the user data area is recordable and/or reproducible, state information on whether the lead-in/lead-out area is recordable and/or reproducible, state information on whether the compatibility information area is recordable and/or reproducible, or state information on whether a defect management area (DMA) is recordable and/or reproducible. Accordingly, an existing drive or apparatus for recording and/or reproducing data on and/or from an information recording medium can smoothly record and/or reproduce data on an information recording medium that is of a higher version than the existing drive or apparatus. |
| US08248898B2 |
Thermally-assisted magnetic recording head having main waveguide and sub-waveguides
A waveguide structure for aligning a light source to a center waveguide (CWG) in a TAMR head is disclosed and includes two alignment waveguides (AWVG) symmetrically formed about a plane that bisects the CWG lengthwise dimension. Each AWVG has a light coupling section formed parallel to a side of the CWG and captures 0.5% to 10% of the light in the CWG. Each AWVG has an outlet that directs light to a photo detector or camera so that light intensity measurements lAWVG1 and lAWVG2 for first and second AWVG, respectively, can be taken at various positions of the light source. Optimum alignment occurs when (lAWVG1+lAWVG2) reaches a maximum value and |lAWVG1−lAWVG2| has a minimum value. AWVG outlets may be at the ABS, or at the side or back end of a slider. Measurement sensitivity is increased by decreasing the width of the AWVG. |
| US08248894B2 |
Thermally-assisted magnetic recording head having heat radiation layer and interposed layer
A thermally assisted magnetic head includes a main magnetic pole layer, a near-field light generating layer having a generating end part generating near-field light arranged within a medium-opposing surface, and an optical waveguide guiding light to the near-field light generating layer. The near-field light generating layer has a near-field light generating part in a triangle shape with the generating end part being one vertex, and is formed in a triangle pole shape. The optical waveguide is formed to be opposed to a ridge part of the near-field light generating layer via an interposed layer. The main magnetic pole layer is formed to be opposed to the generating end part via the interposed layer. The thermally assisted magnetic head further includes a heat radiating layer in contact with an opposite side of the near-field light generating layer from the optical waveguide. |
| US08248886B2 |
Separation and noise removal for multiple vibratory source seismic data
The invention discloses a way to recover separated seismograms with reduced interference noise by processing vibroseis data recorded (or computer simulated) with multiple vibrators shaking simultaneously or nearly simultaneously (200). A preliminary estimate of the separated seismograms is used to obtain improved seismograms (201). The preliminary estimate is convolved with the vibrator signature and then used to update the seismogram. Primary criteria for performing the update include fitting the field data and satisfying typical criteria of noise-free seismograms (202). Alternative ways to update are disclosed, including signal extraction, modeled noise extraction, constrained optimization based separation, and penalized least-squares based separation. The method is particularly suited for removing noise caused by separating the combined record into separate records for each vibrator, and is advantageous where the number of sweeps is fewer than the number of vibrators (200). |
| US08248885B2 |
Sub-beam forming receiver circuitry for ultrasound system
Multi-channel receiver circuitry for a sub-beam forming receiver of an ultrasound system in which digital filtering, down-sampling and successive data storage circuitry impose programmable fine and coarse time delays on received digital data signals. |
| US08248882B2 |
Power-up signal generator for use in semiconductor device
In an apparatus for generating a power-up signal, a mode register set (MRS) and other circuits are prevented from being reset, thereby providing stable circuit operation. A final power-up signal is not disabled even though an internal voltage generating unit is turned off at a test mode. The apparatus includes a power-up signal generator for producing a power-up signal; a multiplexing unit for selectively outputting the power-up signal or a static voltage signal in a test mode; and a power-up signal generator for producing a final power-up signal in response to the power-up signal of the power-up signal generator and an output signal of the multiplexing unit as the final power-up signal. |
| US08248881B2 |
Method and apparatus for managing behavior of memory devices
A method of managing power consumption by a memory in a memory device includes determining whether the device is powered by a depletable power supply, and if it is determined that the device is powered by a depletable power supply, changing a behavior of the memory to regulate power consumed by the memory. |
| US08248880B2 |
Voltage regulators, amplifiers, memory devices and methods
Circuits, devices and methods are provided, such as an amplifier (e.g., a voltage regulator) that includes a feedback circuit that supplies negative feedback through a feedback path. One such feedback path includes a capacitance coupled in series with a “one-way” isolation circuit through which a feedback signal is coupled. The “one-way” isolation circuit may allow the feedback signal to be coupled from a “downstream” node, such as an output node, to an “upstream” node, such as a node at which an error signal is generated to provide negative feedback. However, the “one-way” isolation circuit may substantially prevent variations in the voltage at the upstream node from being coupled to the capacitance in the isolation circuit. As a result, the voltage at the upstream node may quickly change since charging and discharging of the capacitance responsive to voltage variations at the upstream node may be avoided. |
| US08248878B2 |
Circuit for generating refresh period signal and semiconductor integrated circuit using the same
Circuits for generating refresh period signals and semiconductor integrated circuits using the same are presented. The refresh period signal generation circuit can include an oscillator, a pulse generation unit, and a signal controller. The oscillator is configured to generate an oscillation signal in response to a refresh duration correction signal. The pulse generation unit is configured to generate a refresh period signal in response to the oscillation signal. The signal controller configured to generate the refresh duration correction signal, which corrects an active time of a refresh duration signal, in response to the oscillation signal. |
| US08248874B2 |
Semiconductor memory apparatus and probe test control circuit therefor
Disclosed probe test control circuit includes: a bank active circuit configured to generate a bank active signal in response to a bank address and bank-by-bank test control signals; and a mat active circuit configured to generate a mat-by-mat sub-wordline selection signal and provide the mat-by-mat sub-wordline selection signal to a selected memory bank, in response to a row address signal, a row address enable signal and a mat-by-mat test control signal. |
| US08248861B2 |
Memory system and method having volatile and non-volatile memory devices at same hierarchical level
A processor-based system includes a processor coupled to core logic through a processor bus. This includes a dynamic random access memory (“DRAM”) memory buffer controller. The DRAM memory buffer controller is coupled through a memory bus to a plurality of a dynamic random access memory (“DRAM”) modules and a flash memory module, which are at the same hierarchical level from the processor. Each of the DRAM modules includes a memory buffer to the memory bus and to a plurality of dynamic random access memory devices. The flash memory module includes a flash memory buffer coupled to the memory bus and to at least one flash memory device. The flash memory buffer includes a DRAM-to-flash memory converter operable to convert the DRAM memory requests to flash memory requests, which are then applied to the flash memory device. |
| US08248858B2 |
Flash memory device and systems and reading methods thereof
A read method of a flash memory device is provided which comprises reading a plurality of adjacent memory cells connected with a word line different from a plurality of selected memory cells; reading the plurality of selected memory cells one or more times using a plurality of coupling compensation parameters; and selectively latching the read result of the selected memory cells based on the read result of the adjacent memory cells. |
| US08248852B2 |
Nonvolatile memory devices operable using negative bias voltages and related methods of operation
A nonvolatile memory device includes a first address decoder and a second address decoder. The first address decoder includes a plurality of transistors disposed in a first well, and the second address decoder includes a plurality of transistors disposed in a second well that is electrically isolated from the first well. The first and second address decoders are associated with first and second memory blocks, respectively. A switch circuit is configured to provide a negative voltage to one of the first address decoder and the second address decoder on the basis of block address information that specifies an address included in one of the first memory block and the second memory block. Related methods of operation are also discussed. |
| US08248851B1 |
System, apparatus, and reading method for NAND memories
A system, apparatus, and method to read a memory cell of a memory device is described. The method includes biasing a drain select line (DSL), a source select line (SSL), and unaddressed wordlines of a memory block to a pass voltage to set the DSL, SSL, and unselected word lines into a conducting status; applying a source reading voltage to a source node of the source line; biasing a wordline coupled to the memory cell to a reading voltage; and evaluating the voltage of the bit line.The logical status of the addressed memory cell is based on sensing the bit line voltage during a charging phase of the bit line. |
| US08248850B2 |
Data recovery for non-volatile memory based on count of data state-specific fails
An error detection and data recovery operation for a non-volatile memory system. Even after a programming operation for a set of storage elements is successfully completed, the data of some storage elements may be corrupted. For example, erased state storage element may be disturbed by programming of other storage elements. To allow recovery of data in such situations, associated data latches can be configured to allow the erased state storage elements to be distinguished from other data states once programming is completed. Furthermore, a single read operation can be performed after programming is completed. Logical operations are performed using results from the read operation, and values in the data latches, to identify erased state storage elements which have strayed to another data state. If the number of errors exceeds a threshold, a full recovery operation is initiated in which read operations are performed for the remaining states. |
| US08248845B2 |
Magnetic storage cell
A horizontally disposed elliptical or rectangular magnetic memory cell includes at least two conductive lines to carry current and a magnetic element disposed between the conductive lines. The current through the conductive lines induces a magnetic field, such that the magnetic element is directly accessible. The magnetic memory cell can be sensed with a GMR head. |
| US08248843B2 |
Semiconductor device
In a memory array MCA which includes memory cells MC each having a variable-resistance-based memory device RQ and a select transistor MQ, an object is to receive a fixed quantity of storage data for a short time, and to realize writing operation to the memory cell, with suppressed peak current. In order to achieve the object, the data bus occupation time in rewriting operation is shortened by using plural sense amplifiers and storing storage data temporarily, and plural programming circuits are provided and activated using the control signals with different phases. By the above, the phase change memory system with low current consumption can be realized, without causing degradation of the utilization ratio of the data bus. |
| US08248839B2 |
Electrical, control method, system and apparatus
A system for addressing electrical signals is disclosed, comprising an electromagnetically conductive control element, at least one control signal, at least one electromagnetic pulse modulator associated with the control element, and a threshold element positioned proximate to the control element, having an electromagnetic resistance that is conditional and changes as a result of fluctuations in the electromagnetic field of the control element. |
| US08248836B2 |
Non-volatile memory cell stack with dual resistive elements
A non-volatile memory cell and method of use thereof. In some embodiments, an individually programmable resistive sense memory (RSM) element is connected in series with a programmable metallization cell (PMC) switching element. In operation, while the switching element is programmed to a first resistive state, no current passes through the RSM element and while a second resistive state is programmed to the RSM element, current passes through the RSM element. |
| US08248822B2 |
Removeable shield-can and printed circuit board assembly using same
A PCB assembly, includes a shield-can and a PCB, the shield-can forms resisting portions and hook members; The PCB has a top surface and an opposite bottom surface, and the PCB defines engaging holes through the top surface and bottom surface; The shield-can be detachably assembled on the PCB, the resisting portions resist against the top surface of the PCB, and the hook members pass through the engaging holes, the distal ends of the hook members resist against the bottom surface of the PCB. |
| US08248820B2 |
Electronic device with power supply
An electronic device includes a chassis, a power supply secured to the chassis adjacent to a rear wall of the chassis, a switch cable, a first cable clamp mounted to the chassis adjacent to an opening defined in a front wall of the chassis. The power supply includes an input connector, by which the power supply electrically connected to a power source. The switch cable includes a first connector electrically coupled to the input connector of the power supply, and a second connector exposed through the opening of the front wall to be electrically coupled to the power source. The first cable clamp retains the transforming cable in the chassis. |
| US08248818B2 |
Bracket and electronic device utilizing the bracket
A bracket is used for retaining an expansion card. The expansion card includes a printed circuit board (PCB) and a slot cover attached to the PCB. The bracket includes a back wall, a retaining wall, and a retainer. The back wall defines at least one expansion slot corresponding to the slot cover. The retaining wall is opposite to the sidewall. The retainer is attached to the retaining wall. The retainer includes an elongated body, a first retaining wall, and a second retaining wall substantially parallel to the first retaining wall. A sliding channel is defined between the first retaining wall and the second retaining wall. An edge of the PCB is capable of being slid and retained in the sliding channel. |
| US08248815B2 |
Key assembly and portable electronic device using the same
A key assembly comprises a base plate, two elastic elements and a key body. The elastic elements are both mounted to the base plate, and the elastic elements are spaced from and opposite to each other. The key body is slidably mounted to the base plate between the two elastic elements. The key body includes a first key section and a second key section connected with the first key section. The first key section has an arcuate first contacting portion formed thereon. The second key section has an arcuate second contacting portion formed thereon. The first key section resists one of the two elastic elements, the second key section resisting another elastic element. When the first key section slides toward and compresses the elastic element that resists the first key section, the second key section slide away from the elastic element that resists the second key section. |
| US08248813B2 |
Electronic device, electronic module, and methods for manufacturing the same
An electronic device includes: an outline configuration including a first surface, a second surface facing opposite from the first surface, and a mounting surface coupled to the first and second surfaces; a first substrate including a first electrode; a second substrate including a second electrode; a resin disposed between the first and second substrates; and an electric element sealed with the resin and having an outline configuration of a polyhedron, the electric element being disposed such that a broadest surface of the polyhedron faces one of the first substrate and the second substrate. The first surface is one surface of the first substrate, the one surface being opposite from another surface of the first substrate on a side adjacent to the resin. The second surface is one surface of the second substrate, the one surface being opposite from another surface of the second substrate on a side adjacent to the resin. The mounting surface includes: an exposed surface of the resin between the first and second substrates, and side surfaces of the first and second substrates adjacent to the exposed surface. The first electrode is disposed at an end of the first surface adjacent to the mounting surface and electrically coupled to the electric element. The second electrode is disposed at an end of the second surface adjacent to the mounting surface. |
| US08248810B2 |
Electronic device
An electronic device having an integral feeling between a display and an operating member is provided. A mobile phone 1 includes a reinforcing frame 31 arranged between a first case 2 and a sub-display device 29 and having a frame opening 31h formed at a position facing a display surface 29a of the sub-display device 29; a trim plate 35 arranged on a surface facing the case opening 2h of the reinforcing frame 31 to cover the frame opening 31h and positioned in the case opening 2h; a sensor board 39 arranged on the surface facing the case opening 2h of the reinforcing frame 31 and having a board opening 39h in which the trim plate 35 is inserted; a dome switch 45 arranged on a mounting surface 39a facing the case opening 2h of a sensor board 39; and a ring key 7 arranged between the case opening 2h and the trim plate 35 to be able to depress the dome switch 45. |
| US08248806B1 |
System and method for directly coupling a chassis and a heat sink associated with a circuit board or processor
A system and method are provided for directly coupling a chassis and a heat sink. A circuit board is provided with at least one processor mounted thereon. Additionally, a heat sink is provided, the heat sink being mechanically coupled to at least one of the circuit board and the processor for providing thermal communication between the heat sink and the circuit board. Furthermore, a mount is provided, the mount being coupled to the heat sink for providing a direct mechanical coupling with a chassis. |
| US08248805B2 |
System to improve an in-line memory module
A system to improve an in-line memory module may include an edging carried by the in-line memory module to stiffen, support, protect, and/or aid in handling the in-line memory module. The system may also include guide ribs carried by the edging to facilitate positioning of the in-line memory module during installation. In one embodiment, the system includes a heat spreader to aid in cooling a plurality of heat sources carried by the in-line memory module. The system may further include a compliant member to regulate the heat spreader's positioning relative to the plurality of heat sources. |
| US08248804B2 |
Smart junction box for solar cell module
The present invention relates to a smart junction box for a solar cell module, and provides a smart junction box for a solar cell module which enables an operator to easily connect and separate ribbon cables using the operation of the levers of pressing units, thereby being able to improve the contact stability of ribbon cables, and which has a heat sink structure, thereby effectively emitting the heat generated by the ribbon cables and the diodes to the outside. For this purpose, the smart junction box for a solar cell module of the present invention includes bus bars for transmitting electricity flowing from ribbon cables; and pressing units for selectively fastening and separating the ribbon cables located on contact portions of the bus bars depending on whether both ends of the lever projected by the manipulation of an operator are inserted into recesses formed in a body. |
| US08248803B2 |
Semiconductor package and method of manufacturing the same
The subject invention relates to a semiconductor package and method of manufacturing the same. The semiconductor package of the subject invention comprises a substrate with a through hole penetrating therethrough; a semiconductor chip positioned on the substrate covering the through hole; and a thermal conductive device filling the through hole and contacting the semiconductor chip. According to the subject invention, the thermal resistance in the structure of the semiconductor package is substantially reduced and thus desirable performance of heat spreading or dissipation is achieved. In addition, the production cost and size of the semiconductor package are also reduced. |
| US08248799B2 |
Data center
A data center includes a housing, a number of server modules arranged in the housing, a number of cooling units arranged in the housing and above the server modules, and a fan mounted in the housing near the cooling units. When the data center is operating, heated air is driven to the cooling units by fans, and then the cooled air is driven to enter the server modules. |
| US08248794B2 |
Heat dissipation device and electronic device using the same
An exemplary heat dissipation device includes a heat sink defining air passages therein, a fan holder fixedly mounted on the heat sink, a fan mounted on the fan holder, and an adjustable wind-guiding module located in and pivoted to the fan holder. The fan is positioned for generating an airflow flowing through the adjustable wind-guiding module generally toward the air passages of the heat sink. The adjustable wind-guiding module is selectably pivotable with respect to the fan holder such that a direction of the airflow generally toward the air passages of the heat sink is changed accordingly. |
| US08248791B2 |
Electronic device having adjustable leg
An electronic device includes a main body and a leg. The main body includes a restriction portion. The leg is rotatably connected to the main body for supporting the main body. The leg defines grooves for being engageable with the restriction portion. When the leg rotates relatively to the main body, the restriction portion is operable to be selectively engaged with any one of the grooves to adjust a predetermined angle defined by the leg and the main body. |
| US08248790B2 |
Electronic device
An electronic device capable of sliding open and closed includes a first cover connected to a second cover by two locking assemblies. The first cover is capable of sliding relative to the second cover. The first cover forms two latch portions and two guide portions. The second cover has a sidewall and defines a receptacle. Each locking assembly includes a control, a resilient member, and a guide member. The control mounted on the second cover partially extends into the receptacle of the second cover. The resilient member, received in the second cover, has two ends respectively resisting the second cover and a latch portion of the first cover. The guide member passes through the resilient member, a latch portion, and a guide portion. |
| US08248789B2 |
Electronic device
An electronic device includes a body, a cover, and a connecting mechanism. The body defines a guiding slot. A sliding post protrudes from the cover. The sliding post is slidably received in the guiding slot, whereby the cover is slidable and rotatable relative to the body. The connecting mechanism is slidably and rotatably coupled to the cover, and is further rotatably coupled to the body. When the sliding post slides along the guiding post to a predetermined position, the connecting mechanism rotates relative to the body, and further rotates and slides relative to the cover to support the cover, such that the cover is at an angle with the body. |
| US08248785B2 |
Electronic device with thermal insulation member for heat sink
An exemplary electronic device includes an enclosure, two electronic components received in the enclosure, a heat sink, and a thermal insulation member. The enclosure defines a receiving space for receiving the electronic components and the thermal insulation member. Two ventilating holes are defined in the enclosure. The thermal insulating member defines a heat dissipating passage therein, communicating with the exterior via the ventilating holes of the enclosure. The heat sink is received in the heat dissipating passage and thermally coupled to the electronic components for dissipating heat from the electronic components. The heat dissipating passage is substantially thermally insulated from the part of the receiving space of the enclosure having the electronic components by the thermal insulation member. |
| US08248783B2 |
Heat dissipation system
A heat dissipation system includes a computer case has a base plate and a back plate perpendicularly to the base plate, a heat sink, a first fan and an air duct. The heat sink is positioned in the computer case in contact with a first heat source. The first heat source and the back plate define a first air channel therebetween. The first fan is positioned in the computer case adjacent to a first side of the heat sink. The first fan is configured to generate airflow through the heat sink in such a manner that airflow flows from the computer case outside is sucked into the computer case via the first air inlet and the first air channel. The air duct is positioned in the computer case adjacent to a second side of the heat sink. The heat sink heats the airflow from the first fan. The warm airflow heated by the heat sink is then blown out of the computer case by the first fan via the air duct. |
| US08248781B2 |
Computer system with waste heat recycling device
A waste heat recycling device includes an air-duct, a fan and a retaining mechanism. The air-duct is connected to a heat air. The fan communicates with the air-duct. The retaining mechanism clasps the air-duct and retains the fan. The retaining mechanism includes a clip and a support ring. An edge of the air-duct is sandwiched between the clip and the support ring. |
| US08248776B2 |
Method and apparatus for storage of cables
There is provided a storage reel for storage of cable. The storage reel comprises a first cable reel having a first reeling surface arranged to store wound communication cable thereon, a second cable reel having a second reeling surface arranged to store wound communication cable thereon and a connecting member arranged to connect said first and second cable reels. The storage reel is rotatable about an axis such that, in use, the storage reel is operable to wind cable across both the first and second reeling surfaces. |
| US08248774B2 |
Foldable computing device
A notebook computer includes a display, a base, a first connector and a second connector. The display includes a cover. The cover includes a first arc-shaped end. The first arc-shaped end includes an inner surface. The inner surface includes a first conductive member. The base includes a base plate. The base plate includes a second arc-shaped end. The second arc-shaped end includes an outside surface. The outside surface includes a second conductive member. The first connector is electrically connected to the display and the first conductive member, and the second connector is electrically connected to the base and the second conductive member. When the first conductive member contacts the second conductive member, the first connector is electrically connected to the second connector. |
| US08248772B2 |
Electronic device
An electronic device includes a cover, a body, and two sliding members. The body defines two sliding slots. Each sliding slot includes a first portion, and a second portion opposite to the first portion. The two sliding members are pivotally coupled to the cover and are slidably received in the two sliding slots. The cover is rotatably and slidably coupled to the body by the two sliding members engaging with the two sliding slots, and is capable of sliding along the two sliding slots from the first portion to the second portion. |
| US08248770B2 |
Mounting apparatus for expansion card
A mounting apparatus is adjusted to selectively mount a first expansion card with a supporting extension and a second expansion card without a supporting extension. The mounting apparatus includes a bracket, a first retaining member, and a second retaining member. The first retaining members are attached to the bracket to mount the first expansion card within the bracket. The second retaining member is attached to the bracket and partially shields the first retaining member to mount the second expansion card. |
| US08248769B2 |
Connecting mechanism and electronic device utilizing the same
A connecting mechanism for connecting a first housing and a second housing together is provided. The second housing defines a slot and two holes at opposite ends of the slot and communicating with the slot. The connecting mechanism includes two fixing elements fixed on the first housing, two rings and a movable element connected to the two fixing elements through the two rings and is capable of moving between a substantially horizontal orientation and a substantially vertical orientation. To connect the first housing and the second housing together, the second housing is moved to cause the movable element to pass through the slot until part of each of the two rings is received in the hole. The movable element is moved relative to the two rings to prevent the two rings from disengaging from the second housing. |
| US08248767B2 |
Protective cover assembly for electronic device
A protective cover assembly for portable electronic device includes a housing and a protective cover. The housing defines through holes. Each through hole is bounded by a sidewall. A block extends from the sidewall in each through hole. The protective cover includes tabs. Each plate defines a locking hole to engage a corresponding block. |
| US08248764B2 |
Hinge mechanism in electronic handset
A portable electronic device includes first and second housing portions pivotal about corresponding pivot axes. A biasing member urges a first cam surface of the first housing portion into engagement with a second cam surface of the second housing portion. The biasing member also urges indexing members of the first and second housing portions into engagement to maintain synchronization of the housing portions during rotation, wherein the first and second housing portions are configured in a fixed angular orientation when the first cam surface is engaged with the second cam surface. |
| US08248752B2 |
Multilayer ceramic capacitor
A multilayer ceramic capacitor is provided. In the multilayer ceramic capacitor, a plurality of first and second inner electrodes are formed inside a ceramic sintered body. Ends of the first and second inner electrodes are alternately exposed to both ends of the ceramic sintered body. First and second outer electrodes are formed on both ends of the ceramic sintered body and connected to the first and second inner electrodes. The first and second outer electrodes include a first region having a porosity in the range of 1% to 10%, and a second region having a porosity less than that of the first region. |
| US08248748B2 |
Ducting for a fuel pipeline of aircraft or spacecraft, method for producing same and aircraft wing incorporating same
The invention relates to a ducting for a fuel pipeline of an aircraft or spacecraft designed to be mounted in each of the wings of an aircraft, an aircraft wing incorporating this ducting and a method for producing same. This ducting comprises at least one multilayer pipe having two respectively inner and outer layers made of a composite plastic material that is leakproof and chemically resistant to the fuel and that is reinforced by electrically conductive reinforcing means, these layers being separated by an intermediate layer, notably capable of stiffening the pipe when flexed and/or to insulate it electrically. Each of the inner and outer layers has at least one winding with contiguous turns of a continuous element made of a composite thermoplastic incorporating these reinforcing means. |
| US08248747B2 |
Protection for bi-directional switch
A bi-directional protection circuit employs a single comparator for detecting fault conditions. Diodes are coupled between a detection node and voltage dividers setting references for inverting and non-inverting comparator inputs, each diode forward biased during one of the positive and negative halves of the alternating current input signal cycle and coupling the detection node to a respective one of the inverting and non-inverting comparator inputs, and reverse biased during the other of the positive and negative halves and decoupling the detection node from the other of the inverting and non-inverting comparator inputs. Upon an overcurrent condition during the positive half, a voltage at the inverting comparator input is drawn above the reference voltage at the non-inverting input. Upon an overcurrent condition during the negative half, a voltage at the non-inverting comparator input is drawn below the reference voltage at the inverting input. |
| US08248746B2 |
Semiconductor device including a bootstrap diode, high side power drive circuit, low side power drive circuit, and control circuit for controlling a high side power device and low side power device
A semiconductor device includes, a high side drive circuit for controlling the high side power device and including a circuit load, a low side drive circuit for controlling the low side power device, a VCC terminal connected to the low side drive circuit and for supplying a VCC potential to the low side drive circuit, the VCC potential serving as a power supply potential to the low side drive circuit, a bootstrap diode connected at its anode to the VCC terminal and at its cathode to the high side drive circuit and used to produce a VB potential serving as a power supply potential to the high side drive circuit, and means for turning off the circuit load before the VB potential becomes lower than the VCC potential. |
| US08248735B2 |
Magnetic head suspension for supporting piezoelectric elements in a non-facing manner relative to suspension structure
In a magnetic head suspension, a piezoelectric element is disposed within a supporting part's open section so that at least a part of its distal-side end surface faces a distal-side wall surface of the supporting part's distal end section forming a distal-side gap between the distal-side end surface and the distal-side wall surface and at least a part of its proximal-side end surface faces a proximal-side wall surface of the supporting part's proximal end section forming a proximal-side gap between the proximal-side end surface and the proximal-side wall surface in a state where the piezoelectric element's upper and lower electrode layers do not face the supporting part and any rigid members that are fixed to the supporting part. The piezoelectric element is fixed to the supporting part by a distal-side insulative adhesive agent and a proximal-side insulative adhesive agent. |
| US08248731B2 |
Electrical connection between piezoelectric actuator and head suspension
An electrical connecting structure for a piezoelectric element enables wiring to the piezoelectric element to be carried out without deteriorating the productivity and reliability of the piezoelectric element. The electrical connecting structure is formed by facing a common electrode of the piezoelectric element to a terminal that supplies power to the common electrode and by injecting a conductive adhesive into a through hole, which is formed substantially at the center of the piezoelectric element, from an opening of the through hole that is on the opposite side of the common electrode, thereby securing electrical connection between the terminal and the common electrode of the piezoelectric element. |
| US08248729B2 |
Slider with hook-shaped air compression mechanisms near trailing edge corners
Embodiments of the present invention pertain to reducing the probability of a slider contacting a surface of a disk. According to one embodiment, a first etch is performed on the slider. Air compression mechanisms are created near each corner associated with a trailing edge of the slider so that the probability that the corners will contact the surface of the disk is reduced. |
| US08248728B2 |
Thin-film magnetic head having a magnetic pole formed of a plating film
A magnetic pole of a magnetic head includes a narrow and a wide portion, and is formed of a plating film. An electrode film forms the plating film, and is provided only under at least a part of the wide portion. A manufacturing method for the magnetic head includes: forming a plating-film-accommodating layer with an accommodating groove; forming the electrode film in part of the accommodating groove; and forming the plating film in the accommodating groove by plating using the electrode film. The accommodating groove includes a narrow and a wide groove portion for accommodating the narrow and wide portions, respectively. The electrode film is provided only in at least a part of the wide groove portion. In the step of forming the plating film, the plating film grows from the surface of the electrode film, and the narrow groove portion is filled with a part of the plating film. |
| US08248724B2 |
Disk drive and method of re-injecting low density gas in a hermetically sealed disk enclosure of a disk drive
A method for re-injecting low density gas into a disk drive including a hermetically sealed disk enclosure. The method includes providing a disk drive including a hermetically sealed disk enclosure. In addition, the method includes re-injecting low density gas from a hole penetrating the hermetically sealed disk enclosure from an exterior of the disk drive to an interior of the disk drive. Moreover, the method includes covering the hole with a sealing label including a metal layer and an adhesive layer. |
| US08248719B2 |
Camera module
An exemplary camera module includes a barrel and a holder. The holder includes an accommodating space defined therein. The barrel is received in the accommodating space of the holder. Independent grooves are formed in one of the outer cylindrical surface of the barrel and the inner cylindrical surface the holder. Stripe-shaped protrusions are formed on the other of the outer cylindrical surface of the barrel and the inner cylindrical surface the holder. Each stripe-shaped protrusion is engaged in a respective groove. |
| US08248716B2 |
Imaging optical system, and imaging apparatus incorporating the same
An imaging optical system has, in order from the object side to the image side thereof, a front lens group, an aperture stop, and a rear lens group. A lens located closest to object side in said front lens group always remains fixed in position, with satisfaction of the following conditions (1) and (2): 1.15≦fb/IHω≦1.7 (1) −4.0≦fn/f≦−1.3 (2) where f is a focal length of the whole imaging optical system, fn is a focal length of a first negative lens in said front lens group, fb is a back focus of the imaging optical system upon focusing on an object point at infinity, and IHω is a distance from an optical axis of a position where a chief ray from a maximum incident half angle of view (ω) upon focusing on an object point at infinity is imaged at the imaging plane. |
| US08248715B2 |
Imaging lens and imaging apparatus using imaging lens
An imaging lens is provided and includes, in order from the object side, a front group having a negative power, a stop, and a rear group having a positive power. The front group includes, in order from the object side, a first negative lens having a meniscus shape with a concave surface on an image side, a second negative lens, and a third positive lens. The rear group includes, in order from the object side, a fourth positive lens, a fifth negative lens having a meniscus shape with a concave surface on the object side, and a sixth positive lens. An Abbe number of each of the first lens, the second lens, the fourth lens, and the sixth lens at the d-line is equal to or larger than 40, and an Abbe number of each of the third lens and the fifth lens at the d-line is equal to or smaller than 40. Each lens constituting the front group and the rear group is a single lens. |
| US08248711B2 |
Zoom lens
A zoom lens includes a lens, a shutter-aperture, a moving barrel and a resisting ring. The lens includes a curved surface. The shutter-aperture includes a diaphragm for allowing light rays passing through and at least three blind holes. The moving barrel includes a bottom plate, a securing portion for securing the lens, at least three protrusions surrounding the securing portion and at least three elastic elements sleeved on the protrusions respectively. The securing portion and the at least three protrusions extend towards the object-side from the bottom plate. The resisting ring is disposed on an end of the moving barrel opposite to the bottom plate. The aperture-shutter is received in the moving barrel and the movement of the aperture-shutter is bounded by the resisting ring. When the zoom lens contracts, the protrusions are received in the blind holes correspondingly and the lens is received in the diaphragm. |
| US08248709B2 |
Zoom lens barrel that attains a higher photographing magnification
A zoom lens barrel capable of attaining a higher photographing magnification by reducing spacing between lens groups in a telephoto state. A first lens group barrel holds a first lens group. A second lens group holding member supported by a third cam barrel holds a second lens group. A spring member urges the holding member toward the first lens group. Cam followers are formed at an opposite end of the holding member from the first lens group. Cam grooves for engagement with the cam followers are formed on the third cam barrel. When the holding member is urged by the spring member in a non-shooting region, each cam groove is brought into contact via one cam surface with the associated cam follower. In a shooting region, the cam groove is brought into contact with the cam follower via two cam surfaces. |
| US08248703B2 |
Zoom lens and optical apparatus having the zoom lens
A zoom lens includes 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. Each lens unit moves during zooming. The first lens unit consists of two lenses, the second lens unit consists of, in order from the object side to the image side, a positive lens, a positive lens, a negative lens, and a positive lens, and the third lens unit consists of one lens. A focal length of the entire zoom lens at a wide-angle end (fw), a focal length of the first lens unit (f1), a focal length of the second lens unit (f2), a focal length of the positive lens included in the second lens unit (fG24), and amounts of movement (m2, m3) of the second lens unit and the third lens unit during zooming are appropriately set. |
| US08248697B2 |
Method for manufacturing an optical element to polarize and split incident light
A method for manufacturing an optical element that has a function to polarize and split incident light includes: a) forming a grid portion on a face of a substrate in a plural number with a predetermined pitch; b) forming a diffractive structure resist pattern on the face of the substrate; c) forming the diffractive structure by etching the substrate anisotropically in a thickness direction with the diffractive structure resist pattern; and d) forming a fine line on the grid portion by depositing a reflective material from an oblique direction onto the face of the substrate where the diffractive structure is provided. |
| US08248696B2 |
Nano fractal diffuser
A diffusive device has an array of discrete facets which may be of a size and pattern similar to a fractal. The facet dimensions can be greater than half the wavelength of incident light such that the facets substantially diffract light. A polarizing wire-grid layer comprised of an array of elongated parallel conductive wires with a period less than half the wavelength of incident light may be disposed between, beneath, or above the facets. The wire-grid polarizes the light by substantially reflecting light having an s-polarization orientation and substantially transmitting a portion of light having a p-polarization orientation. |
| US08248692B2 |
Lens module with infrared-cut filter and infrared-pass filter
An exemplary lens module includes a barrel receiving a lens system therein, an infrared-cut filter, an infrared-pass filter, and a switching mechanism. The switching mechanism includes a connecting member interconnecting the infrared-cut filter and the infrared-pass filter, a first magnetic member fixed at the barrel, and a second magnetic member fixed at the connecting member. The first and second magnetic members are configured for driving the connecting member to move relative to the barrel so as to selectively bring either the infrared-cut filter or the infrared-pass filter into optical alignment with the lens system in the barrel. |
| US08248689B2 |
Distributed Raman amplifying system, start-up method thereof, and optical device
To obtain automatic gain control with high accuracy by including first and second light monitors, a reference light supplying unit supplying reference light of which wavelength is set within a gain band of a distributed Raman amplification and out of a wavelength band of main signal light to the optical transmission path, a first reference light monitor monitoring a power of the reference light input to the optical transmission path from one end side thereof, a second reference light monitor monitoring the power of the reference light output from the other end side of the optical transmission path, and a controlling unit controlling supply of pump light in a pump light supplying unit as well as supervising a state of the optical transmission path, based on monitor results from the first and second light monitor and the monitor results in the first and second reference light monitors. |
| US08248682B2 |
Thermal-chromatic element and thermal-chromatic display device using the same
A thermal-chromatic element includes a sealed enclosure, an isolation layer, a first heating element, a thermal-chromatic material layer, a second heating element and an absorption material layer. The isolation layer is disposed in the sealed enclosure and separates the sealed enclosure into a first chamber and a second chamber. The first heating element is configured to heat thermal-chromatic material layer in the first chamber. The thermal-chromatic material layer is disposed in the first chamber. The thermal-chromatic material layer is able to change color by releasing and absorbing water. The second heating element is configured to heat absorption material layer in the second chamber. The absorption material layer is disposed in the second chamber. |
| US08248673B2 |
Image reading apparatus capable of separating pages of images
In an image reading apparatus capable of separating pages of images, an automatic sheet feeder transports first and second documents along a document passageway and past an opening. A separation reference sheet is disposed in the opening and includes a specific portion. A scanning module scans the first and second documents, transported past the opening, to generate a continuous image. An image processing unit coupled to the scanning module receives the continuous image and processes the continuous image into a first document image corresponding to the first document and a second document image corresponding to the second document according to a specific image including the specific portion. |
| US08248670B2 |
Image scanning device and image forming apparatus with varying document size detection periods
An image scanning device includes a document table; a document pressing unit configured to press a document placed on the document table; a scanning unit including a light source for illuminating the document and configured to optically scan the document; an open/close detection unit configured to detect opening and closing of the document pressing unit; and a control unit configured to cause the scanning unit to move parallel to the document and thereby to detect a size of the document when the closing of the document pressing unit is detected by the open/close detection unit or when a scanning start signal is detected. The control unit detects the size of the document within a document size detection period that is changeable according to a speed of closing the document pressing unit, and turns on and off the light source based on the document size detection period. |
| US08248659B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method, image forming apparatus, program, and recording medium
An image processing apparatus is provided that restrains image quality deterioration of image data read with a resolution in a sub-scanning direction set lower than a resolution in a main scanning direction from a document containing text, halftone photographs, line drawings, photographs, etc. An image processing apparatus performs the tone reproduction processing by applying error diffusion processing to the image data that has undergone processing of making the resolution in the sub-scanning direction equal to the resolution in the main scanning direction when the resolution in the sub-scanning direction is lower than the resolution in the main scanning direction and applying dither processing to the image data in other case. When the resolution in the sub-scanning direction is lower than the resolution in the main scanning direction, the halftone processing is applied to the entire image data that sharpness and smoothing processing has been performed. |
| US08248657B2 |
Printing apparatus
This invention is directed to a printing apparatus capable of simplifying the apparatus arrangement by using a common processing unit to execute different processes. To achieve this, a common processing unit is adopted to execute the first processing to perform multi-value/binary conversion of multi-valued data and the second processing to perform resolution conversion and thinning processing of binary data. In accordance with an instruction input from a user, it is controlled to execute either the first or second processing. An image is printed on a printing medium based on data obtained by executing the common processing unit. |
| US08248656B2 |
Pattern printing system and data processing method thereof
A pattern printing system and data processing method thereof are disclosed, which are suitable for printing patterns on printed circuit boards or data format rearrangement printing used in displays. The pattern printing method includes a process for interpreting scription data into matrix data, a procedure for modulating the print head resolution and the printing resolution, a procedure for interpreting and transmitting data commands, a procedure for rearranging memory data, and a procedure for firing data synchronously so as to achieve high-resolution printing and to continuously modulate any print data. |
| US08248655B2 |
Image forming apparatus for printing images based on document position and binding direction using manual or automatic feeding function
An image forming apparatus which has a double-side copying function, including: at least either one of an original document detection section that detects a size of an original document, and an original document size setting section that sets a size of the original document as required; an original document top position setting section that sets a top position of the original document as required; a binding direction setting section that sets a binding direction of the original document and a binding direction of an output sheet as required; an output size setting section that sets a size of the output sheet as required; a print magnification ratio setting section that sets a print magnification ratio as required; and a copy region determination section that sets a copy region with reference to a top left corner of the original document, the top left corner being identified when the original document is placed such that the top position thereof is upward. |
| US08248647B2 |
Print control method and printing apparatus
A system includes a host; a transfer source apparatus; and one or more transfer destination apparatus. The host is configured to send a transfer information command to the transfer source apparatus for instructing the transfer source apparatus to transfer data to the at least one transfer destination apparatus, and to further send the transfer information command to the transfer destination apparatus. The transfer destination apparatus is configured to send confirmation information to the transfer source apparatus after receiving the transfer information command from the host. The transfer source apparatus is configured to start transferring the data to the transfer destination apparatus after receiving the confirmation information from the transfer destination apparatus. |
| US08248635B2 |
Image editing apparatus, image editing method, image processing apparatus, and method for controlling image processing apparatus
An image editing apparatus capable of executing an image editing process on image data input from an external apparatus and transmitting edited image data to the external apparatus is provided. The image editing apparatus includes an input unit adapted to input a command of an image editing process to be executed on image data; a determining unit adapted to determine whether the image editing process is to be executed on the image data based on the type of the image editing process specified by the input unit; a generating unit adapted to generate type information indicating the type of the specified image editing process if the determining unit determines that the image editing process specified by the input unit is not to be executed on the image data; and a transmitting unit adapted to transmit the type information generated by the generating unit to the external apparatus. |
| US08248631B2 |
Image forming apparatus capable of allowing forming images of all of the identified types with respect to determination information
An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming unit for forming a plurality of images on sheets; a receiving unit for receiving job information including identification information for identifying types of the plurality of images and determination information for determining timing of forming the plurality of images on the sheets, from an external instrument; and a control unit for identifying the types of the plurality of images based on the identification information received by the receiving unit, determining the timing of forming the plurality of images on the sheets based on the determination information received by the receiving unit, and allowing the image forming unit to form the plurality of images based on the identified types of the images and on the determined timing. |
| US08248627B2 |
Image forming apparatus and image forming method
When multiple-size double-side printing in an APS mode has been selected, a system CPU first reads an original which corresponds to a second side of a paper sheet, prints data of the original on the second side of the paper sheet having the same size as the original, and stacks the paper sheet on an automatic double-side unit. Subsequently, the system CPU reads an original which corresponds to a first side of the paper sheet and prints data of the original on the first side of the paper sheet stacked on the automatic double-side unit, thus completing the double-side printing. However, where the size of an original corresponding to a second side differs from the size of an original corresponding to a first side, single-side printing is effected. The original corresponding to the first side is read and data thereof is printed on a paper sheet having the same size as the original and the sheet is discharged (single-side printing). Then, the original corresponding to the first side is read and data thereof is printed on a paper sheet having the same size as the original and the sheet is discharged (single-side printing). |
| US08248624B2 |
Variable finishing programming method and system for variable information documents
A method and system for applying one or more variable finishing parameters to a rendering job associated with VI transactional printing process. A set of rules can be specified by a user for determining the finishing attributes for the rendering job based on characteristics of the job being rendered. The rendering job can be received for execution and the discrete VI records associated with the rendering job can be discerned. The variable finishing parameters can be applied to the rendering job based on the properties required to determine a correct finishing for a given record, a job ticket resolution, and a post RIP job ticket resolution. The dynamically selected finishing attributes can be applied to the entire document and/or individual records associated with the VI data stream. |
| US08248622B2 |
Method of forming characters for microprint and image forming apparatus using the same
Disclosed is a method of forming characters for microprint and an image forming apparatus using the same. The method of forming characters for microprint includes determining for every image character a size font taking into account the rules to create small prints, rasterizing a character into a bitmap, skeletonizing the bitmap, reformatting the bitmap maintaining a character legibility, storing the bitmap, and forming halftoning cells from the reformatted bitmap. |
| US08248619B2 |
Light barrier
A light barrier detects an object which interrupts a beam of light of the light barrier. A light transmitter transmits a light beam in the direction of a reflector and a light receiver receives a reflected portion of the light beam. The improved light barrier has a reflector which is made as a cylindrical reflector column having a plurality of retroreflecting elements aligned toward the outer surface. The diameter of the reflector column is considerably smaller than the extent of the light beam perpendicular to the cylinder axis so that an optically effective detection beam of light is formed between the sensor and the reflector column whose cross-section at the sensor is determined by the light transmitter and, in direct proximity to the reflector column. The cross-section is determined by the areal overlap of the light beam with the reflector column. |
| US08248618B2 |
Method for determining positions of structures on a mask
A method for determining the positions of structures (3) on a mask (2) is disclosed. The method is implemented in a metrology tool (1) comprising a measurement table (20) which is movable in X-coordinate direction and Y-coordinate direction. A first intensity profile (IX) is recorded along a first measurement direction (MRX), which is parallel to the X-coordinate direction. A second intensity profile (IY) is recorded along a second measurement direction (MRY), which is parallel to the Y-coordinate direction. A two-dimensional position of a centre of gravity (S) with respect to the coordinate system of the metrology tool (1) is determined from the first intensity profile (IX) and the second intensity profile (IY). |
| US08248617B2 |
Interferometer for overlay measurements
In general, in a first aspect, the invention features a system including an interferometer configured to direct test light to an overlay target and subsequently combine it with reference light to form an interference pattern, the test and reference light being derived from a common source, a multi-element detector, one or more optics to image the overlay target on the multi-element detector; and an electronic processor in communication with the multi-element detector. The overlay target includes a first pattern and a second pattern and the electronic processor is configured to determine information about the relative alignment between the first and second patterns. |
| US08248607B1 |
Empirical correction for spectroscopic ellipsometric measurements of rough or textured surfaces
A method of applying spectroscopic ellipsometry to arrive at accurate values of optical and physical properties for thin films on samples having rough or textured surfaces. |
| US08248606B1 |
Sample mapping in environmental chamber
A system for and method of mapping process samples which are present in an environmental control chamber at a plurality of “X”-“Y” locations on the surface thereof, wherein the system includes a shield between windows for entering and exiting a beam of electromagnetic radiation, and a process sample. |
| US08248603B2 |
Focus apparatus of image measuring system
A focus apparatus comprises a first illuminator for emitting light onto an object, an optical apparatus, an image capture apparatus for receiving an image of the object through the optical apparatus, and converting the image into electronic signals, a spectroscope, a coaxial light apparatus and a patterned light apparatus. The coaxial light apparatus and the patterned light apparatus are perpendicularly mounted to a spectroscope. The coaxial light apparatus is perpendicular to the patterned light apparatus. The spectroscope refracts patterned light from the patterned light apparatus and coaxial light from the coaxial light apparatus to the optical apparatus. |
| US08248600B2 |
Raman detection of container contents
Methods and apparatus for screening the unknown contents of containers using Raman spectroscopy are disclosed, especially for security screening applications such as in airports. A probe light beam is directed through the wall of a container to a sample region within the container contents. Light scattered out of the beam within the sample region is collected along a path which passes through a separate part of the container wall, for Raman spectral analysis. |
| US08248599B2 |
Methods of polarization engineering and their applications
Special polarization states are generated that have unique focusing properties that may be used to create extremely strong longitudinal fields. Combined with surface plasmon excitation, these polarization states can be used in apertureless near-field scanning optical microscopy systems. A radially polarized beam is directed into a plasmon-generating optical fiber comprising a metal coated, tapered, apertureless tip. The apertureless tip excites surface plasmon waves and direct the surface plasmon waves to the tip when a radially polarized beam propagates along the plasmon-generating optical fiber. An objective lens collects the near field optical signals from a sample positioned adjacent to the apertureless. Potential spatial resolution of the apertureless NSOM could reach beyond 10 nm. Such strong field enhancement allows the development of a reliable nano-Raman system that can measure mechanical as well as chemical compositions of samples with resolution beyond 10 nm. |
| US08248593B2 |
Interference measuring device
An interference measuring device comprises light sources lenses, an aperture, an optical multiplexer, an optical branching filter, a half mirror, an imaging unit, an analyzing unit, a light receiving unit, a displacement detecting unit, a piezoelectric actuator, a drive unit, a mirror, a stage, a drive unit, and a control unit. According to a result of optical path length difference detection by the displacement detecting unit, the control unit controls optical path length difference adjusting operations by the piezoelectric actuator and stage through the drive units such that the optical path length difference becomes a plurality of target values in sequence. The control unit subjects the moving operation by the piezoelectric actuator to a feedback control such that the optical path length difference becomes each of the target values upon the moving operation by the stage as well. |
| US08248590B2 |
Method and apparatus for auxiliary illumination for detecting an object
A detection system and method for detecting an object such as a vessel or a cap on a vessel. The system includes an imaging device having a lens with a field of view for registering and processing an image of the object, an illumination device(s) for actively illuminating the object, a dark background portion, and an auxiliary light reflective area(s) for passively illuminating an edge portion of the object using reflections of illumination from the illumination device(s). The auxiliary light reflective area(s) is/are disposed adjacent to the dark background portion out of the field of view of the lens. Images of the object are subsequently compared to images of reference objects. |
| US08248588B2 |
Handheld infrared and raman measurement devices and methods
We disclose apparatus that includes: (a) an enclosure including an aperture; (b) a prism mounted in the enclosure so that a surface of the prism is exposed through the aperture; (c) an optical assembly contained within the enclosure, the optical assembly including a radiation source and a radiation detector, the source being configured to direct radiation towards the prism and the detector being configured to detect radiation from the source reflected from the exposed surface of the prism; and (d) an electronic processor contained within the enclosure, the electronic processor being in communication with the detector. The apparatus can be configured so that, during operation, the electronic processor determines information about a sample placed in contact with the exposed surface of the prism based on radiation reflected from the exposed prism surface while it is in contact with the sample. |
| US08248587B2 |
Testing method of semiconductor laser and laser testing device
A testing method of a semiconductor laser emitting a wavelength under a test different from a reference wavelength in a given wavelength range includes: a first step of obtaining a length of an optical fiber under the test satisfying a reference dispersion condition at the wavelength under the test, based on the reference dispersion condition for the test and a unit dispersion amount of the optical fiber; and a second step of inputting a modulation signal that is a modulated laser light of the semiconductor laser having a wavelength as the wavelength under the test into an optical fiber having substantially the same length as the length obtained in the first step and evaluating an output of the optical fiber. |
| US08248585B2 |
Laser capture microdissection system and electric moving stage thereof
A laser capture microdissection system includes a laser illuminator, a fiber and an electric moving stage. The fiber has a probe terminal and a coupling terminal for being coupled to the laser illuminator. The electric moving stage includes a fiber probe holder, a driving mechanism for vertical shift, a stage unit, a driving mechanism for horizontal shift and an electronic control unit. The driving mechanism for vertical shift serves for driving the fiber probe holder to shift in microscale. The stage unit has a nanoscale shift controller, a placing portion, wherein the nano-scale shift controller is connected to the placing portion, and the placing portion is located under the fiber probe holder. The driving mechanism for horizontal shift serves for driving the stage unit to shift in microscale. The electronic control unit is electrically connected to the nanoscale shift controller and the driving mechanism for horizontal shift. |
| US08248581B2 |
Exposure system
In the case of an exposure system for substrate bodies which carry a photosensitive coating on a substrate surface, comprising a machine frame, a substrate carrier which carries the substrate body and has a substrate carrier surface, and an exposure device with an optics unit, the optics unit and the machine frame being movable relative to one another in a first direction and in a second direction, so that the photosensitive coating can be exposed by this relative movement in the first direction and in the second direction, in order to improve said system in such a way that a compact configuration is possible, despite in this case a substrate body with a very large extent in the first and the second direction, it is proposed that the exposure device has a guide cross-member for at least one guide carriage of the exposure device, the guide carriage carrying the optics unit, in that the guide carriage is guided on the guide cross-member to be movable in the first direction, and in that the guide cross-member is arranged on the machine frame to be movable in the second direction. |
| US08248574B2 |
Liquid crystal display element, liquid crystal display device using the same, and image display method
A liquid crystal display element includes a first substrate having a first electrode on one surface thereof, a transparent second substrate having a transparent second electrode on one surface thereof, a first liquid crystal layer containing a liquid crystal composition, a color filter, and a second liquid crystal layer containing a liquid crystal composition, and at least one of the first and second liquid crystal layers includes an additive having dielectric properties, and the dielectric constant of the first liquid crystal layer is different from that of the second liquid crystal layer. |
| US08248571B2 |
Liquid crystal display device having column spacers and protrusions
A liquid crystal display (LCD) device is provided. The LCD includes first and second substrates facing each other; a plurality of protrusions formed on the first substrate; a plurality of column spacers formed on the second substrate to correspond to the protrusions; and a liquid crystal disposed between the first and second substrates. The plurality of column spacers have a contact density with the protrusions in the range of 170 ppm or less with respect to a surface area of the first substrate. |
| US08248568B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
An IPS type liquid crystal display device capable of preventing a blanking phenomenon generated to the periphery of a screen caused by charging at the inside of a counter substrate due to the effect of a gate voltage applied to scanning line leads. In a pixel area A constituting a display region, a pixel electrode is disposed by way of an insulative film above a common electrode formed in a planar shape. In a scanning line lead area, the scanning line leads have first scanning line leads and second scanning lines formed in different layers for decreasing the width of the scanning line lead area. The scanning line leads are covered with a shield electrode formed coplanar with the common electrode. Since the shield electrode is extended as far as a portion below a sealant, the shielding effect is enhanced. Further, since the insulative film is present between the sealant and the shield electrode, the sealing effect is not deteriorated. |
| US08248565B2 |
Active device array substrate
An active device array substrate includes a substrate, first scan lines, second scan lines, data lines, display units and a meshed common line. The first and second scan lines are alternately arranged on the substrate. Each of the display units is respectively located between two adjacent data lines and respectively includes a first pixel and a second pixel, wherein the first pixel is electrically connected to one of the first scan lines, the second pixel is electrically connected to one of the second scan lines, and the first and second pixels are respectively electrically connected to a different data line. In addition, the meshed common line includes ring-shaped patterns, wherein each ring-shaped pattern includes two semi-ring-shaped patterns connected to each other and respectively located at both sides of a single data line, and the two semi-ring-shaped patterns of a same ring-shaped pattern are respectively located under different display units. |
| US08248563B2 |
System for displaying images including a liquid crystal display panel
A system for displaying images is provided including a liquid crystal display panel. The liquid crystal display panel has a plurality of sub-pixels, each defined between two adjacent data lines extending along a vertical direction and two adjacent scan lines extending along a horizontal direction. The liquid crystal display panel comprises a transparent bottom electrode on the data lines, and a transparent top electrode on the transparent bottom electrode, wherein the transparent top electrode has an extended portion at a corner of the sub-pixel, extending along the horizontal direction to overlap at least a portion of the data line. |
| US08248558B2 |
Roll of optical film laminate, and method and system for manufacturing the same
A roll of optical-film laminate that increases accuracy, speed and yield in the production of liquid-crystal display elements. The roll of optical film laminate is for use in an apparatus for continuously producing liquid-crystal display elements. The optical film comprises a polarizing composite film of a laminate having a continuous web of polarizer and a protective film superposed on one side of the continuous polarizer, an adhesive layer disposed on one side of the laminate; and a carrier film superposed on the adhesive layer of the polarizing film in a peelable state. Defective and normal regions in the polarizing film are determined. According to these determined regions, coded information that specifies positions of slit lines to be formed in the optical-film web are recorded on the continuous web. |
| US08248555B2 |
Display apparatus comprises three polarizers and a polarization control element whose orientation of a transmission axis changes according to a control signal
The present application provides a display apparatus including: a display panel having a plurality of pixels disposed in a matrix; a first polarizer; a second polarizer; a surface emitting light source; a third polarizer; and a polarization control element whose orientation of a transmission axis changes according to a control signal. A control section outputs a control signal that controls orientation of the transmission axis of the polarization control element so that a polarization axis of transmission light of the polarization control element is oriented in a direction crossing the transmission axis of the first polarizer in a part corresponding to a pixel position of black display and is oriented in a direction parallel to the transmission axis of the first polarizer in a part corresponding to a pixel position of white display. |
| US08248541B2 |
Phased locked resonant scanning display projection
A scanning projector includes a mirror that scans in two dimensions. The scanning mirror oscillates at a resonant frequency on a fast-scan axis, and is phase locked to an incoming frame rate on a slow-scan axis. An interpolation component interpolates pixel intensity data from adjacent pixels based on the position of the mirror when a pixel clock arrives. Incoming video data is stored in a buffer. Less than a complete frame of video data may be stored in the buffer. |
| US08248539B2 |
Channel selecting device, channel selecting method, and program
A channel selecting device includes: a tuner unit selecting a broadcast wave signal of a channel-selection frequency corresponding to supplied frequency information and frequency-converting the broadcast wave signal into an intermediate frequency signal; and a demodulation unit checking whether a desired carrier exists on the basis of the intermediate frequency signal from the tuner unit, setting a carrier frequency as the channel-selection frequency when checking that the desired carrier exists, performing a first process of determining whether a current zone is a zone of which a frequency should be set lower than the channel-selection frequency so as to raise the channel-selection frequency and a second process of determining whether the current zone is a zone of which a frequency should be set higher than the channel-selection frequency so as to lower the channel-selection frequency, and setting the channel-selection frequency as a target just-tuning frequency. |
| US08248537B2 |
Video-signal processing method, program of video-signal processing method, recording medium having recorded thereon program of video-signal processing method, and video-signal processing apparatus
A video-signal processing method for measuring a noise level of an input video signal includes the steps of detecting an intra-field or intra-frame feature for each region that is set in the input video signal, the intra-field or intra-frame feature representing a noise level in the input video signal within a field or frame; checking the intra-field or intra-frame feature against a noise-free-region threshold, and excluding regions with which the infra-field or intra-frame feature is less than the noise-free-region threshold from subjects of noise-level measurement; and outputting a result of noise-level measurement by statistically processing the intra-field or intra-frame features of regions remaining without being excluded. |
| US08248530B2 |
Electronic device, communication system, method of communication, and program
An electronic device includes a Consumer Electronic Control (CEC) device unit and a connected-device determination unit. The electronic device is capable of being connected to another electronic device having Extended Display Identification Data (EDID) information regarding capability, via a communication cable that enables transmission of video and audio data and enables exchange of connected-device control information. The connected-device determination unit determines a vendor of the other electronic device on the basis of at least one of the EDID information and a CEC message of the CEC unit obtained via the communication cable from the other electronic device, and changes processing on the basis of the vendor of the other device connected by the communication cable. |
| US08248528B2 |
Captioning system
A captioning system is provided for providing captions for audio and/or video presentations. The captioning system can be used to provide text captions or audio descriptions of a video presentation. A user device is provided for the captioning system having a receiver operable to receive the captions together with synchronization information and a caption output circuit which is operable to output the captions at the appropriate timings defined by the synchronization information. The user device is preferably a portable hand-held device such as a mobile telephone, PDA or the like. |
| US08248522B2 |
Digital camera
A digital camera includes a bezel and an extending ring. The bezel defines a circular-shaped recess, and N pairs of support arms are positioned on the inner sidewall of the recess. The N is an integer equaling or exceeding 2. Each of the pairs of support arms has different height and the two support arms in each of the pairs of support arms are symmetrically placed with respect to a central axis of the recess. The extending ring defines N−1 pairs of bar-shaped slots. An end of the extending ring contacts an end surface of one of the N pairs of support arms, and the N−1 pairs of bar-shaped slots are positioned corresponding to the other N−1 of the N pairs of support arms. |
| US08248521B2 |
Portable electronic device with slidable image capturing assembly
A portable electronic device includes a shell, an image capturing assembly, a signal processing circuit, and a connection plate. The shell defines a first annular shaped guiding slot. The image capturing assembly includes a camera module. The camera module includes a substrate and a flexible circuit board (FPC). The FPC has one end connected to the substrate and another end electrically coupled to the signal processing circuit. The connection plate includes a first plate positioned on the shell and a second plate perpendicular to the first plate. A second guiding slot is defined on the second plate and aligned with the first guiding slot on the shell. The connection plate, the shell, the first and second annular guiding slots cooperatively define a laid-down T-shaped receiving groove, the image capturing assembly is received in the T-shaped groove and is slidable along the T-shaped groove. |
| US08248518B2 |
Optical apparatus
An optical apparatus is disclosed which achieves high focusing accuracy and favorable responsiveness in AF control. The apparatus includes a signal generator which extracts signals in a plurality of frequency bands from an output from an image-pickup part and generates focus signals from the extracted signals, and a controller which performs focus control such that the focus signal approaches the highest value. The controller uses a first focus signal and a second focus signal in the focus control. The second focus signal is a synthesis signal formed by synthesizing a focus signal in a relatively high or the highest frequency band of the plurality of frequency bands and a focus signal in another frequency band and contains a component of the focus signal in the relatively high or highest frequency band at a higher ratio as compared with the first focus signal. |
| US08248517B2 |
Image pickup apparatus for providing in-focus photographing with a reduced time lag, control method, and storage medium
An image pickup apparatus capable of achieving in-focus photographing with a reduced time lag. A system controller of the image pickup apparatus detects an in-focus state of image while moving a focus lens in an optical axis direction, and detects a state of a photographing scene at image acquisition. When detecting a change in photographing scene, the system controller moves the focus lens to a movement start position. When detecting that a photographing scene has been decided by a photographer, the controller detects an in-focus state while moving the focus lens. |
| US08248516B2 |
Focus detection apparatus and control method therefor
A focus adjustment apparatus includes a detection unit configured to detect an object image to be focused from a captured image, a setting unit configured to set a focus detection region in the captured image, and a focus adjustment unit configured to adjust an in-focus state of an imaging optical system depending on AF evaluation values based on output signals from the focus detection region. First and second focus detection regions are set for a region which has followed the object image detected and a region which does not follow the object image detected. The focus adjustment unit performs a weighted addition of the AF evaluation values based on the output signals in the first and second focus detection regions at ratios depending on at least either a size of an object image within a screen, a position of the object image within the screen and a shooting mode. |
| US08248514B1 |
Camera module having image sensing module with passive components
A camera module includes an image sensing module and a lens holder. The image sensing module includes a base defining a top surface and a recess, and a transparent plate mounted on the top surface, the transparent plate covering the recess and having a first surface facing away from the recess. First electrically conductive poles in the transparent plate, second electrically conductive poles, an image sensor in the recess, and passive components attached on the first surface and surrounding the sensor. The sensor includes a light sensitive region and a light non-sensitive region. The second electrically conductive poles are embedded in the light non-sensitive region, and electrically connecting the sensor to the first electrically conductive poles. The passive components are electrically connected to the sensor via the first electrically conductive poles. The lens holder is attached on the top surface of the base and surrounding the transparent plate. |
| US08248509B2 |
Information registration system, information registration method, registration apparatus, and image pickup apparatus
A registration apparatus obtains, from an image pickup apparatus, identification information set in a lens apparatus that is attached to the image pickup apparatus. The registration apparatus pre-stores lens information including information that identifies the models of lens apparatuses and corresponding correction information, such that the lens information can be referenced by identification information. The registration apparatus displays a list of the stored lens apparatus models in a confirmation window such that the models of lens apparatuses corresponding to obtained identification information can be distinguished from the models of other lens apparatuses. |
| US08248508B2 |
Distortion correcting method, distortion correcting device, program recording medium and electronic camera
In a preparation operation of a distortion correcting method, actual measured lens position information obtained by an optical system at a time of shooting an image, an error range in the lens position information, and a relational expression between a distortion pattern and the lens position information, are respectively obtained. In a correcting operation, actual measured data of the lens position information is fit to the relational expression to estimate the distortion pattern of the image shot by the optical system, and a temporary corrected image is obtained. In a selection operation, a distortion correcting pattern to be applied in main correcting performed on the image is selected based on the temporary corrected image. In a repeating operation, when the distortion correcting pattern is not selected, a value of the actual measured data is adjusted within the error range and the correcting operation is repeated. |
| US08248505B2 |
Imaging device for adding pixel signals having different timing
An imaging device comprises a pixel array, a reading unit, a pixel signal addition unit, and a display unit. A plurality of pixels including a first pixel and a second pixel are arranged in two dimensions in the pixel array. The first and second pixels have a photoelectric conversion elements and output pixel signals according to the quantities of incident light to the photoelectric conversion elements. The reading unit reads a first pixel signal from the first pixel and reads a second pixel signal from the second pixel. The pixel signal addition unit adds the first pixel signal read from the first pixel with a plurality of different timings and adds the second pixel signal read from the second pixel with a plurality of different timings. The display unit displays the first pixel signal added by the pixel signal addition unit and the second pixel signal added by the pixel signal addition unit sequentially with different timings. |
| US08248504B2 |
Image display device and image display method
An image display device includes first and second image display units that display images, a video signal processing unit that executes a predetermined signal processing, a scanning direction instructing unit that instructs the second image display unit to execute a scanning, first and second color specifying units that specify a color of a graphics image, first and second position specifying units that specify a position of the graphics image to be synthesized, a first synthesizing unit that outputs a signal obtained by synthesizing a signal of a color stored when the first color specifying unit specifies a color with the video signal input from the video signal processing unit, and a second synthesizing unit that outputs a signal obtained by synthesizing a signal of a color stored when the second color specifying unit specifies a color with the video signal input from the video signal processing unit. |
| US08248502B2 |
Photoelectric conversion device and method for making the same
A photoelectric conversion device includes a semiconductor substrate, a first insulating film on the semiconductor substrate, a second insulating film on the first insulating film, a third insulating film on the second insulating film, and a wiring disposed in the third insulating film, the wiring being a wiring layer closest to the semiconductor substrate. A first plug of a shared contact structure and a second plug are disposed in the first insulating film. A third plug and a first wiring that constitute a dual damascene structure are disposed in the second and third insulating films. The first insulating film is used as an etching stopper film during etching of the second insulating film and the second insulating film is used as an etching stopper film during etching of the third insulating film. |
| US08248501B2 |
Image sensor capable of reducing the visibility of the border which separates column pixel groups
The invention relates to an image sensor, in particular to a CMOS image sensor, for electronic cameras, having a plurality of light-sensitive pixels arranged in rows and columns, wherein the pixels of a respective column are divided into a first pixel group and a second pixel group, wherein, in each column, the pixels of the respective first pixel group are coupled to a common first column amplifier via a common first column line and the pixels of the respective pixel group are coupled to a common second column amplifier via a common second column line. The division of the pixels into the first pixel group and second pixel group is different for different columns. |
| US08248494B2 |
Image dynamic range compression method, apparatus, and digital camera
A method of compressing an original dynamic range of an original image, includes a first step of obtaining a reduced image corresponding to the original image by performing quantization and downsampling on the original image that has been input; a second step of calculating a look-up table based on the reduced image, wherein the look-up table indicates a mapping relationship between the original dynamic range of the original image and a dynamic range of a medium; and a third step of mapping each of the pixels in the original image from the original dynamic range of the original image onto the dynamic range of the medium based on the look-up table. |
| US08248493B2 |
Video signal processing apparatus performing gamma correction by cubic interpolation computation, and method thereof
A video signal processing apparatus includes a non-equidistant section determination circuit, a sample data register, and an interpolation computation circuit. The non-equidistant section determination circuit detects a non-equidistant section having different intervals between plural sample points set for the dynamic range of a video signal to be inputted. The sample data register holds the signal level (correction level) of a video signal after correction for each sample point. The interpolation computation circuit obtains the signal level of the video signal after correction by executing cubic interpolation computation with reference to the correction level. Here, a first section is defined as a section located on a lower signal level side and having intervals of X (X>0) between sample points, and a second section is defined as a section located on a higher level side and having intervals of Y (Y>0, X≠Y) between sample points. With respect to the border point between the first and the second sections, the interpolation computation circuit obtains the signal level of the video signal after correction by use of the correction level of a sample point added so that the second section can be formed on the lower level side and/or the first section can be formed on the higher level side. |
| US08248490B2 |
Imaging sensor having reduced column fixed pattern noise
An imaging sensor having reduced column fixed pattern noise includes a plurality of imaging pixels and a column sampling circuit. The plurality of imaging pixels are arranged in a column the column sampling circuit is coupled to the column. A plurality of sampling channels are included in the column sampling circuit, where the column sampling circuit randomly selects a first sampling channel from among the plurality of sampling channels to sample a first data signal from a pixel included in the plurality of imaging pixels and where the column sampling circuit randomly selects a second sampling channel from among the plurality of sampling channels to sample a second data signal from the pixel. |
| US08248489B2 |
Image playback device, camera and image playback system
The image playback device includes an input part that inputs images, an image output part that selects a plurality of images from the input images and sequentially outputs the plurality of images, and an output controlling part that, when an image is additionally input to the input part during output of the images by the image output part. Alternatively, the image playback device includes an image output part, an audio playback part a playback time calculation part, and an output controlling part that plays back the audio by the audio playback part while outputting the images from the image output part in accordance with the time calculated by the playback time calculation part, and when an image is added to the images, the playback time calculation part calculates time for outputting the images and the additional image in accordance with remaining playback time of the audio. |
| US08248484B2 |
Imaging apparatus and method
To output stable results as necessary when recognizing scenes with a camera. Unless the result of scene recognition can be stabilized, an output result will confuse the user. In consideration thereof, by combiningly performing processing for determining what type of scene a particular scene is and processing for monitoring whether or not a change has occurred from a recognized scene, it is now possible to perform scene recognition in an accurate and stable manner. |
| US08248474B2 |
Surveillance system and surveilling method
A surveillance system includes two cameras and a processing unit. The two cameras capture a scene to obtain a low resolution image and a high resolution image. The processing unit checks the low resolution image to find a reference image in the low resolution image to determine coordinates of the reference image in the low resolution image. The processing unit further determines coordinates of the reference image in the high resolution image to select a portion in the second image correspondingly. The processing unit crops and resizes an image size of the selected reference image according to a ratio of an image size between the low resolution image and the high resolution image, and replaces the reference image in the low resolution image with the cropped and resized reference image to obtain a new image. The new image is for being identified. |
| US08248473B2 |
Robotic sentry with low dispersion acoustic projector
A system of remotely locatable sentries or watchtowers operate as part of a network of such sentries or towers for securing a border or perimeter over a wide area. A sensor array, including particularly an array of video cameras, provides for detection, tracking and identification of a target. The sentry or watch towers include non-lethal, sound-based instrumentalities for discouraging entry into and passage through a secured zone of the target. |
| US08248469B2 |
Surveillance system and surveillance method thereof
A method for surveillance is disclosed. Firstly, video of an area is captured. The video includes a first image and a second. Each image is subdivided into a number of subdivisions. A contrast value matrix is then calculated for each image by calculating a contrast value for each subdivision. A compared value matrix of the second image is calculated by comparing each element of the contrast value matrix associated with the current image with a corresponding element of the contrast value matrix associated with the prior image. Next, the compared value matrix is weighted using a preset weight matrix to locate the movement in the second image. Finally, the aim of capturing is adjusted based upon the location of movement. |
| US08248466B2 |
Image processing using multiple image devices
An apparatus and a method for operating the same. The apparatus includes N light guide portions. Each light guide portion of the N light guide portions includes a first light guide end and a second light guide end. If an image enters the N light guide portions through the N first light guide ends, then the image goes through the N light guide portions and exits through the N second light guide ends undistorted. The apparatus further includes N image devices. The N image devices are in one-to-one close proximity to the N second light guide ends. If an image exits the N light guide portions through the N second light guide ends, then the image essentially completely enters the N image devices. |
| US08248464B2 |
Endoscope signal processor, endoscope apparatus and endoscope signal processing method
An endoscope signal processor to which an endoscope having an image pickup device is detachably connected has a phase-locked loop circuit in which a phase comparator compares a phase of a variable clock with that of a reference clock output from the image pickup device to generate a variable clock phase-synchronized with the reference clock. The processor includes a gate section opened or closed to input of the reference clock to the phase comparator, an operation control signal generation section which generates an operation control signal for setting the phase-locked loop circuit in a closed loop operable state during intermittent periods, and a sync timing setting section which synchronizes a timing of starting the generation of the operation control signal with a timing of input of the variable clock to the phase comparator at least within a predetermined time period shorter than the cycle of the variable clock. |
| US08248460B2 |
Configurable three dimensional image projection system
The present invention provides a three dimensional image projection systems comprised of the projection of two different portions of the image in light beams of differing spectral properties by automated luminairs which can be remotely positioned and can reverse roles during repositioning. |
| US08248458B2 |
Variable fixation viewing distance scanned light displays
In addition to varying the luminance and chrominance levels of each voxel in an image, a viewing distance for objects within the image is varied to display a multi-focal, three-dimensional image. The focal distance of the voxels is determined by a depth map that indicates a fixation viewing depth of each object. When the image is viewed, there is a natural correspondence between the accommodation and vergence of the viewer's eye. The focal distance of the voxels displayed in the image are modulated using, for example, one or more dynamically variable focus mirrors or lenses, a plurality of fixed focus mirrors or lenses having different focal distances, a plurality of different length optical paths with different focal distance ranges, or at least one spatial light modulator. Light used to produce the image is scanned in two orthogonal directions either before or after the light is focus modulated. |